|
General Gadgets - Flag Poles
Flag Break should be a daily routine of (any?) camp and as such you
may find yourself having to construct your own flag pole. There are
many different types you can attempt from the simple everyday 'upright'
to the more difficult but much better looking 'skylon' type.
 |
 |
Simple Flag Pole
This simply consists of several long poles lashed firmly together
(shear lashing) driven into the ground. You will want to attach
guy lines at least to the upper part of the pole to secure it,
but preferably at intervals up the height of the pole. Simply
stake out with pegs as you would a main guy for a tent.
Ceremonial Flag Pole
This is just a variation on the simple flag pole. On your upright
you will need a cross piece (around four fifths of the way up)
and a smaller pole that extends outwards at a right angle to the
'cross'. Connect rope as shown in the diagram to complete and
peg down with guy lines as before.
|
 |
 |
'Skylon' Flag Pole
I must admit that I have not tried this type before. I'm not
sure which would be the best way to construct it.
My suggestion is have a go! I certainly will the next opportunity
I get.
If anybody has anything that would like to add here or some suggestions
regarding this then please contact
me.
Flag Pole Hoist
Obviously you will need to add some form of hoist mechanism if
you wish to raise and lower your flag. An ideal solution would
be a simple pulley system, although a rope running through a loop
attached to the top of the flag pole will suffice.
|
|
General Gadgets - Shoe Rack
 |
Shoe Scraper
This is a candidate for 'Simplest Gadget Ever'. Simple place an
upright 'board' in between four pegs driven into the ground. You
can now scrap the mud off your shoes and keep the campsite tidy.
|
|
General Gadgets - Washing Area
 |
| A wash area can readily be constructed if there are not
any suitable facilities to hand. Construct a rectangular 'box' frame
with a top board that will form the 'dresser' worktop. You will need
to attach a plastic sheet under the top board shaped into a rough
funnel shape that slopes down away from the wash area. At the end
of this channel you place a 'grease-trap' (see the filter bins in
the kitchen gadget section). |
A set of duckboards may also be a sensible idea (even in hot weather the
area round the washing basin may beome quite muddy, especially if it is
a cub camp!). At the back of the washing area you may want to create a rectangular
frame that can hold a mirror, towels, soap, and tins (to store the toothbrushes
in).
|
General Gadgets - Shower
 |
The first thing you will need to do is to construct
a tall simple 'A' frame (do not bother with the normal cross members
but ensure that it has a line to the top so that the frame can be
lowered to refill the shower). This will let someone stand underneath
the shower easily.
At the top of the frame you will need a short cross piece to which
is lashed a bucket. The key point is to fix a tin (with holes pierced
in the base) at right angles to the bucket so that when it is tipped
over the water flows through the tin forming the shower.
To enable the bucket to tip fix a string to the base of the bucket,
passing over the pulley at the top of the frame so that it hangs down.
Then the person using the shower can pull the string to tip the bucket
and start the shower.
As always be sensible, you will need to construct your shower out
of sight, and ideally behind screens. |
|
|