Use and Care of Troop Tents

Boy Scouts of America - Troop 401 - Steubenville, Ohio

The following information is provided to assist in proper use and care of Troop tents. All scouts need to review this information and follow its requirements.

ERECTING THE TENT

1. Find a spot for the tent that meets the requirements of proper camping sites

2. Lay down ground cloth

3. Spread out the tent and stake down the corners

4. Erect the tent frame and connect to tent corners

(Use extra care to ensure poles do not puncture or tear tent or fly)

5. Attach tent to the frame at all locations

6. Install tent fly

7. Attach fly to the tent (ridge connection first) and stake out

8. Remove boots or shoes before entering your tent

DO NOT BRING EXTERNAL FRAME BACKPACKS INTO TENTS

DO NOT USE KNIVES OR SHARP ITEMS IN OR AROUND TENT


TAKING TENT DOWN

1. Before taking down the tent, clean and wipe out the interior of tent working from the farthest point from the door to the door

- use your small sponge for this task (see essentials list)

2. Use the reverse order to take the tent down

3. Clean dirt from tent stakes and put in stake bag, tie stake bag

4. Put tent frame and stake bag into pole bag

5. Fold ground cloth length wise so that short dimension will fit the tent bag

6. Fold tent length wise so that the short dimension will fit the tent bag

7. Place folded fly on top of the folded tent

8. Place the pole bag on top at one end

9. Roll the ground cloth around the pole bag, tent and fly

(Ground cloth on outside to protect the tent and fly when handling, storing and packing)

10. Place into the tent bag

CARING FOR THE TENT WHEN YOU GET HOME

1. Unpack the tent, fly, ground cloth, tent frame and stakes within 24 hours of use

(Tents left unpacked will be damaged beyond repair)

2. Dry out all parts, preferably outdoors on a clothes line

(use guys to attach to line or carefully attach with spring type clothes pins)

3. Inspect all parts and clean dirt from the tent, fly, ground cloth, poles and stakes

Do not use any soaps or detergents - use warm water & sponge only

4. Allow all parts to dry completely

5. Then repack into tent bag as outlined above

6. Return tent to Quartermaster, noting any problems with the tent within one week of outing

DO NOT PUT TENT OR RAIN FLY INTO CLOTHES DRYER

DO NOT USE CHEMICALS TO CLEAN

ANY REPAIRS MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY SCOUTMASTER

CONTACT SCOUTMASTER BEFORE DEVIATING FROM THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Quartermaster Duties

1. Prepare list of who has tents at the outing

2. Make sure tents are returned in timely manner to you

3. Fully inspect each tent and accessories

4. Prepare list of problems and missing items noted by tent number

5. Return tents and problem list to Scoutmaster within two weeks of outing

Return to Camping Skills

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Last Updated April; 24, 2003 by Troop 401