Boy Scout Hammocking...

**TrailH4x** · 11-28-2009, 19:14

So strange how much of a rut we fall in even while camping. I guess that's why I enjoy hammocking so much- to many new ways to do tings to forget about the basics. Great story- I can relate.
H4x

**BIG-E** · 11-28-2009, 19:19

I and a couple of other leaders in our troop have been hanging for 5-6 years. Having an extra hammock in camp during down time for them to try has been a plus. Our venture patrol, as well as a dozen others have started hanging. The biggest trouble in upstate new york is the cold in the winter. it's a joy telling a youth that he needs more than 1 20' bag for freezing temps in a hammock. Some have taken to the hammock sock method.

**ktkintner** · 11-28-2009, 19:50

Originally Posted by TroutEhCuss

There are at least two badges that you can relate to hammocking. The primary one is sewing.

FYI there is not a sewing merit badge, nor has there ever been a sewing merit badge for Boy Scouts of America.

I am interested in this as well, as I am an Assistant Scoutmaster and am looking at making a DIY hammock and trying to get the boys involved.

**Just Jeff** · 11-28-2009, 19:58

You could borrow one from the Brownies...pretty sure they have one. Better yet, create a Powered Thread Injector merit badge so they don't sound like girls.

**ktkintner** · 11-28-2009, 20:07

LOL that's probably why there has never been one.

**Triggerhpy** · 11-28-2009, 23:24

Originally Posted by AlteredMentalStatus

just remember to check with the camp rangers about tying to the trees, hammocks are not allowed at places like Philmont.....

WHAT!!! No Hammocks in Philmont? I'll have check that out.

**I Splice** · 11-29-2009, 13:46

Originally Posted by Triggerhpy

WHAT!!! No Hammocks in Philmont? I'll have check that out.

That's true - no hammocks at Philmont. Only tents are allowed. Tarps are disallowed but your tent does not need a floor. I recommend a floor - the rain can come down pretty hard at times.

**Triggerhpy** · 11-29-2009, 23:43

Yep it's a bummer. One of my Eagles that puts time in at Philmont during the summer says with 20,000 scout a year that go trough there they all pick the same trees.

**dejoha** · 11-29-2009, 23:57

Hammocks with Boy Scouts is great. I led by example for months before the scouts started getting serious about asking me about the setup. The next trek, I loaned out a few hammocks to a few brave souls. That night it rained hard all night. All the leaders were in hammocks and one scout. In the morning, I saw that another scout had jumped in the loaner hammock because their tent failed in the rain. It was the most curious thing I ever saw, watching those two scouts snoring in one hammock. All the other tents were floating in the rain.

On our next trek, backpacking the AT, everyone had hammocks, many were loaned from my growing stockpile.

For camporee, I've tried a few things to make hammocks possible in the huge fields that are often selected for camping. One was to harvest some bamboo poles and make tripods to hang the hammocks. Others have created awesome pioneering projects to make hammock cities. I can't wait to try that out!