Classic Camping celebrates the Golden Age of Camping in America (1880s – 1920s). This was a time when camping meant sleeping under canvas and cooking over an open fire. It was a time when the most innovative urges of the Industrial Revolution were featured front and center against the backdrop of a vanishing frontier… a world in which both Henry Ford and Daniel Boone had something to contribute to the outdoorsman’s pursuits. It’s about the senses… the smell of woodsmoke and paraffin lamps… the taste of honest grub cooked over an open fire… the feel of sharp tools, snug knots, birdsong at morning or splitting wood at dusk.
Join the Acorn Patrol for a demonstration of Classic Camping at it’s best…
October 10, 2015 at the Cradle of Forestry, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Here in the woodsmoke, surrounded the outdoor gear of a by-gone day,
traditional skills of camp and trail are practiced in their proper setting.
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If you have any questions, post them up here and I will try to get them answered for you. Thanks, Chris
I have had a Whelen leanto for nearly fifty years (I’m actually on my second one.) I enjoy it for cold weather camping, but for summer I don’t use it at all, given that where I live mosquitos can make nights miserable. Whelen himself acknowledged that the leanto needed a mosquito bar. Do you know anybody who makes a mosquito net that is designed specifically to fit inside a Whelen leanto? If you don’t, do you think you could exercise a little influence and get somebody to offer such a net for sale to the public? My guess is that anybody who buys a Whelen would buy the fitted mosquito net, so the net ought to sell as well as the tent.
Hi Doug – I know you aren’t the only one who wants this, I suspect based on the few Whelens out there we will be up to our own accord for a mosquito net. You may appreciate this article from another blog… http://www.americangrouch.com/2012/01/bringing-whelen-into-21st-century.html
Best, Chris
When I used to run around in the kisatchie NF , Louisiana, with 18th century fellows, I made a mosquito “tent” Out of scrim cloth. Hand sewn. In the shape of a wedge tent. Tied 2 top corners to trees. And then I would crawl underneath it. And hand stake the four corners with cut switches.
Scrim cloth is a cotton type netting that is used on the back of upholstered furniture. I found it at a fabric store.
Seems a bar for a Whelen would be easier than what I sewed up. Good luck!!
Hi Bob—Thanks for that information. Sounds like a winner. Come to see us at Ft. Toulouse again sometime. We’ve missed you.
Christian, thanks for your reply. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to sew it myself, because I’m engaged in other craft projects that I’d rather do, but looks like I’m going to have to make my own. Bob’s approach sounds good.
Doug Rodgers
Howdy Doug! Thought that might have been you!!! My little net worked pretty good. And I know you are one busy craftsman! But I bet you could fabricate something simple yet effective with a single piece of netting for the front of your Whelen! Would love to see you all again! But current family medical situation has me being stingy with my travel.
Keep us posted on what you work up.
Bob
Is there any gathering of ” Classic Camping ” planed for this fall at Pisqah or anywhere. Would be VERY interested in a long weekend gathering.
Yes, see our events pages over the summer for an update. Also, there will be something at the Shiele in a few weeks. Waiting on a flyer from them to post. Thanks, Chris