Khaki or canvas trousers are excellent.  So are corduroy.  An old pair of woollen trousers are just as good as either.

A poncho is almost necessary to your comfort.  It is merely a rubber or oilskin piece with a slit in it to put your head through.  The right size is 66 x 90 inches.  With it you can keep dry day or night, either using it as a garment or as a cover.  When you are not using it you can cover it over your bed or food supply.

Take along a good pocket knife and compass.  Better leave the revolver home.  Also always carry a waterproof box of matches.

You will require some kind of a waterproof “duffle” bag to carry your personal things—­tooth brush, extra clothing, mirror, fishing tackle, towel, soap, medicine, in fact whatever you think you will need.  If it is your first camping trip you will come home without having had any use whatever for more than half the things you take.  That is the experience of every one, so do not become discouraged.

If you camp within reach of a post-office, address some stamped envelopes to your home in ink before you leave.  Then you will have no excuse for not writing a letter home.

You can make an excellent pillow by rolling up your trousers.  Be sure to take everything out of the pockets first, including your knife, and roll them with the top inside so that the buttons or your belt buckle will not bore into your ear.

If you fall overboard and come ashore to dry out, stuff your shoes full of dry grass or old paper to keep them from shrinking.  When they are dry, soften them with tallow or oil.  Every one who goes camping at some time or other gets wet.  The only advice I can give you is to get dry again as soon as possible.  As long as you keep moving it will probably not injure you.  Waterproof garments are of little use in the woods.  They are always too warm for summer wear and by holding the perspiration, are more of an injury than a benefit.

Never wear rubber boots in the woods or you will surely take cold.  Better have wet feet.  The best foot wear is moccasins.  If you wear them see that they are several sizes too large and wear at least two pairs of heavy woollen stockings with them.

IV

CAMP COOKING

How to make the camp fire range—­Bread bakers—­Cooking utensils—­The grub list—­Simple camp recipes

Most boys, and I regret to say a few girls too, nowadays, seem to regard a knowledge of cooking as something to be ashamed of.  The boy who expects to do much camping or who ever expects to take care of himself out in the woods had better get this idea out of his head just as soon as possible.  Cooking in a modern kitchen has been reduced to a science, but the boy or man who can prepare a good meal with little but nature’s storehouse to draw on and who can make an oven that will bake bread that is fit to eat, with the nearest range fifty miles away, has learned something that his mother or sister cannot do and something that he should be very proud of.  Camp cooking is an art and to become an expert is the principal thing in woodcraft—­nothing else is so important.