Hello

[novelist]

Hi
I am the mom of a Boy Scout who recently told me that he hates camping.

Ok Well He goes on nearly every camping trip available. Kinda odd for a boy who hates camping. So after a little prodding I discovered that he doesn't really hate camping. What he really hates is sleeping on cold rocky ground, getting wet and cold when the tent seams aren't sealed well in rainy/snowy weather, Dealing with heavy wet muddy equipment the next day, and carrying heavy tent poles among other complaints.

Enter mom... I got on the internet and searched for an answer to those camping problems. So here I am. I'm planning to make something like a Hennessy for his birthday. I don't have the funds to buy him a new Hennessy but I do have a very nice professional grade Singer 251-12. And I do know how to sew. But I have a LOT to learn about hammocks before I make an attempt. I know nothing.

Glad I found this forum.

[mbiraman]

YOU GO MOM. Welcome to the forum. When one enters the hammock world it can be a bit overwhelming with all the new ideas and accessories etc but in reality its fairly simple.There's a DIY area on the forum with "how to" for hammocks ,under quilts,top quilt etc. Really a simple hammock is just a rectangularish piece of ripstop nylon with the ends gathered and some suspension to connect it to trees. TZ Brown recently posted his new DIY hammock and there are links to whipping the ends of the hammock and also a bug net if memory serves.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=31584

If its summertime camping then a CCF pad would probably be enough for underneath insulation and then his sleeping bag opened over him as Top Quilt. A good tarp is one of the most important things as it makes life dry and gives you the protected shelter feel . You can make your own out of Silnylon or buy it. Good luck with this and good for you mom.

[Kasuko]

Wish my mom discovered hammock camping when I was in scouts!

Also always, a simple DIY hammock will be great to try out. You can learn the basics from Kontty's video here

Just make sure he knows not to lie like a banana!

[Syb]

Welcome novelist. Get that boy off the ground and in the air stat! Lots of great info and advice here, dig in and enjoy the elevation.

[dragon360]

Welcome! This might be something that may help. It is from one of the members here.

http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/a...k-double-layer

[novelist]

Just make sure he knows not to lie like a banana!

Alright. So educate me. How exactly do you not lie like a banana in a hammock? The only ones I'm really familiar with (as in I've actually slept in) are woven from ropes with bamboo supports at each end. Very comfortable to me. I felt like a banana when I woke the next day. But that was long, long ago on a beach far, far away. And it might have been the tequila talking.

A hiker friend did show me his Hennessy recently and I was very impressed. I really can't justify spending that much on one unless he is really going to use it A LOT. The leaky tent cost enough.

[brushybill]

many camping hammocks are designed to lay in diagonally, like a mayan style hammock, you can get an almost comepletely flat lay in them. for a young fellow, he should be able to get comfortable in almost any pre made hammock

[flatline]

welcome to HammockForums and hey from high point nc.
there is a ton of stuff here to read, learn and ask about.
if it's hammock related it's here or still waiting to be invented.
hang on and have fun.

home is where your hammock is.

[ShadowAlpha]

You are a good mom! your son will be popular at camp and I bet will make a few converts too besides not laying on a cold wet ground - his back will thank you for not having to carry all that tent equipment.

Like others mentioned -- Sleeping diagonal gives a flat lay and you won't wake up feeling like a banana. I sleep better in a hammock than a bed.

Keep us posted on your project & post pics!

Enjoy the forum & all the info

[Fronkey]

Watching this series is a great way to start. That kid has one cool mom. Welcome to HF!

Fronkey