Help with hammock class for Boy Scouts.

**Mr.Shrek** · 09-09-2013, 19:40

Hey everybody I'd like to get some ideas from everyone on topics, tips, safety, how to, etc

While attending a camp out this past weekend with our troop at Stone Door in East TN we had a very close call that has spawned the discussion of the need for a hammock camping class for the troop.
One patrol was hammock camping and the other was not. One buy happened to setup one end of his hammock on a dead tree. When he went to sit in it the dead tree snapped and came crashing down. Thankfully no one was injured! The tree easily weighed a couple hundred pounds and could have done some serious damage.

So as being a hammock camper and in on the discussion, I volunteered to put together a course for the boys.

That's where I'd really appreciate your help. Please post up any links, videos, ideas, etc to be added to the lesson plan.

Obvious items we will cover:
Tree selection
Height
Weight
Spacing
Ridgeline
Rain flys
Insulation

Thank you all in advance.

**Nighthauk** · 09-09-2013, 19:54

One of our members here came up with a UnOfficial Hammocking Merit Badge. It goes through all of the safety stuff, how to use, what to look for...All in one place. Here are a couple of links.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...e+requirements

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...vSx9kGwxM/edit

Hope this helps.

**Shug** · 09-09-2013, 20:06

I will offer this.....https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ad.php?t=15516
Show them the way.....
Shug

**Owl** · 09-10-2013, 09:37

Here's an outline that I put together for a class I gave at a Backwoods store here in the KC area:

Introduction
Standard Camping Shelter Requirements
Rain/Wind Protection
Tarp
Bug Protection
Bug netting (standalone, integrated)
Top Insulation
Topquilt
Sleeping Bag
Under Insulation
Pad (CCF, OCF, pad extenders)
Underquilt (Full, ¾, synthetic, down)
Other (HHSS, UQP, etc…)

Benefits of hammock camping versus standard shelter solutions
Site Selection
High & Dry
Comfort (the diagonal lay!)
LNT (Tree straps, no footprint)

Potential downsides of Hammock Camping
Site Selection
Lack of trees/need for trees/widowmakers
“Hang forces” and their effects
Park/state regulations
Cost /“Fiddle factor”

Example Hammock Setups/Solutions
Cheapest solutions (Wally world special)
Solutions available in Backwoods (Grand Trunk)
DIY
Integrated netting (Hennessy)
Underquilt/top quilt/HHSS
Snakeskins/storage options

Questions/Open discussion/additional gear review

The “Secrets” to successful hammock camping:
1. Tree Straps (Keeps the rangers off your back)
2. “Angle of the Dangle” (30 degrees, more comfort, less stress)
3. Diagonal Lay= a flat lay (Avoid that banana effect!)
4. Good under insulation (Don’t get CBS syndrome)
5. Good tarp protection (Stay dry with the right fly!)
6. Proper site selection (Let mother nature do the work, look for widowmakers)

Additional Resources:
www.hammockforums.net
www.youtube.com
Suggested searches:
Shugemery (Hammock how to for noobs)
Hammock camping
The Ultimate Hang: A Guide to Hammock Camping by Derek J. Hansen

**Red Cinema** · 09-10-2013, 10:33

_The Ultimate Hang_

Great advice and resource lists here already, what a great group

**DBasi** · 09-10-2013, 10:42

I am putting together a demo/how-to for our District Camporee next year. They are expecting a few thousand scouts to attend and hammock camping is starting to be a big topic. This forum is a great place to start.