Right, I think I have it mostly sorted ~ unfortunately I had camera issues . As mentioned previously, my challenge was held in tandem with a scout troop raising money for
Shelter Box ~ who, since 2009, have been in partnership with the Scout Association. The idea for the camp was put forward by the scouts themselves ~ the inspiration itself was brought on by working on the Global Awareness Award (I hope I have that correct) ~ We know that it happens, but how does it feel to lose everything?. And the camp was born!
Whats in the box? ~ its designed to give a family a helping hand when everything they have is suddenly gone.
The scenario natural disaster, your kits been destroyed/washed away. All that remains is your sleeping bag and bed roll (which have miraculously remained intact, clean and dry). You now need to go and scavenge and forage for the bits you need to be comfortable ~ the better you do, the more comfortable youll be.
Laminate cards were used in place of distributing kit here and there ~ its not so bad if a card goes missing .
The cards covered everything from their packs to their bespoke shelters ~ even the ingredients for meals were broken down into the component parts
I decided to go down the route of looking at what I would want for the long term ~ and other than the bits mentioned at the end, only clothes would be an issue for long term comfort.
My kit ~ most of the freebies are included and are highlighted in red below. Food and water is listed, but supplied by the scouts ~ traded for skills instruction
.
Swannie, blanket coat,
poncho,
hat,
gloves,
FAK (inc. nail varnish for insect bites).
Lamp and bed roll. The lamp isnt the most easily portable but was chosen for the combination of heat, light and length of time it could be used for ~ it also needed a couple of good long runs to see whether it needed any fettling ~ flying colours.
Meths and paraffin ~ fits the bill for both the lamp and the stove.
Tool kit ~ Half round file, tin snips, auger, ball-pein hammer, knife, saw. The tools are placed on my
packs lid. In use, the lid is attached to the pack by two closure straps and a couple of press studs. The pack body doubled up as the bottom part of my sleeping combo; the top part comprised the blanket coat and poncho.
Tarp rig. I had hoped to get a natural shelter constructed, unfortunately it didnt happen.
Tinder and ferro. Everything from kindling to slow matches ~ showing scouts that there are plenty of choices out there.
Wash kit. The flannel is there to protect everything else from the Bugroff soap. Under the flannel is my scarf/towel. The rest is: tooth paste and brush, tiger balm, foot soother, hand cream and alum crystal.
One of the scout shelters.
Its weather protection.
Another scout shelter.
A slightly different manner of protection. The different style was to allow the use of smaller tarps.
War Hammer, saw, auger, knife. Yes, you can just wallop it with a stick ~ but making and using a tool make for a feeling of control over a situation.
'Naked Mole Rat' mallet ~ strange how people can see faces in random places.
And wedged. If you make it, make it right.
Trinket tray. Just because
.
Back to Can you tell what it is yet ~ Cut a strip.
Cut in half length ways.
Cut one to half length.
Make a cross.
Fold in arms of cross ~ you need to be able to slide the folded bit up and down the body.
Fold head over arms ~ its important to fold onto the folded arms.
Open the gap a bit.
Bend to about 90 degrees.
And roll the body. Any the wiser?
Its a whistle . Some work straight off the bat, but others can take a bit of adjustment. Persevere with it and it gives a good high pitched note.
Day three ~ A pioneering project air drop ~ Up to this point the scouts had had to scavenge for each bit of kit the needed and each ingredient for each meal. This pioneering project was to simulate an emergency air drop. They made a rope ladder (safety lines are visible in the pic).
Hot fire ~ got to have a couple of fire pics. On a side note, the fire was lit by the scouts on day one and reignited by them (from the embers) each morning.
Fire forks and honey suckle cord ~ one of the things that the scouts scavenged was s/s wire. They had no idea why theyd want or need it ~ until they were shown . Having never made cordage from honeysuckle, I decided that Id have a play while the scouts toasted bread ~ until the air drop, the scouts had been making dampers.
Drop scones ~ another benefit of the air drop.
Cordage from honeysuckle inner bark. Id heard that the inner bark was good for cordage ~ then I found that the inner bark has an inner and an outer. So I had a play with both ~ the slightly darker one is the outer of the inner bark (if that makes sense).
The scouts camp at night.
S-hook from a salvaged 2 nail.
Digging stick ~ fire hardened for durability.
Digging stick ~ part done. In reality, leaving the bark on would cause blisters.
Bushy draw knife.
Plate/bowl ~ the base of a catering tin can.
Side view of plate/bowl ~ top edge is rolled and peined flat.
Plate bowl in use :yikes:.
The meal in the above pic was done in and on the scouts new camp kitchen ~ This is what much of the money raised by the recent sale of the paraffin lamps and stoves on this went towards (thanks go to the forum members involved).
Mini mallet.
Mini mallet on stool ~ its heavier than Josh, so I think its safe :borgsmile .
Sourcing metal bits for the next mini-project.
Awl, punch, chisel ~ and
. Unfortunately I didnt get round to putting a handle on them
.
Lid 01 ~ the dishing was done on the stool.
Lid 02.
Cooking billy.
Bushy broom ~ see the leaf litter in the local area.
Bushy broom ~ used!
Unfortunately I dont have a pic of the spoons or my set up as, by the time I got round to taking the pics, the batteries had died (and I have confirmed that my second set is definitely defunct). Ive just realised how long a post this is, so the batteries dying is probably a good thing .
A fun time was had ~ my kit would have benefited from a pair of pliers and a copper (plus flux and solder).
Thanks for taking the time to look through.
Please feel free to help the scouts
donation to
Shelter Box
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