Scouter Dad

[beetlejuice02]

Hello everyone from the Cincinnati, Ohio area. I have 2 boys in Boy Scouts and after 4 years of lugging a tent, heavy cot, sleeping bag, etc. I am looking to get into hammocking and lighten my load. My oldest scout loves to hammock and his brother is starting to hammock this year. We leave this Saturday for a 7 day summer camp which will give me enough time to really give it a go. I have lower back issues so I've really been poking around to figure out how to set it up for a good nights rest. I'm open to suggestions and experiences.

[Us5Camp]

Give it plenty of practice in the back yard before heading out to a camp... find out what works, what you need practice with, etc.
Can't really address more w/ what you've shared. Think about how your setup will handle: Wind, Rain, Heat, Cold, Mosquitos, etc...

[j-Fish]

When I first stated I just jumped in and learned by trial and error. If I had known better I would have done more research before as it would have saved me some headache.

This forum is a great place to start that. Shug’s videos taught me a lot and kept me entertained at the same time.


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[ag1024]

Hello everyone from the Cincinnati, Ohio area. I have 2 boys in Boy Scouts and after 4 years of lugging a tent, heavy cot, sleeping bag, etc. I am looking to get into hammocking and lighten my load. My oldest scout loves to hammock and his brother is starting to hammock this year. We leave this Saturday for a 7 day summer camp which will give me enough time to really give it a go. I have lower back issues so I've really been poking around to figure out how to set it up for a good nights rest. I'm open to suggestions and experiences.

I just got back from scout summer camp in our council. I gave up the cabin tent they had for adults, and set up a hammock camping area about 20 yards from our troop camp site. It was great, and I hope you can figure it out.

It would be nice to know what equipment you have. What hammocks; what tarps; what suspension? I have a Hennessy Expedition Zip, a Kelty Noah 12, and use a suspension made up of polyester tree straps and whoopie slings connected with a marlin spike hitch. Most of the scouts I see have an ENO single nest hammock, a no name tarp, and some brand of straps with the multiple loops sown in.

I do support the idea of setting your hammock and tarp up in the back yard first. That way you can know if there is any piece of cordage you don't have, or if your straps are good enough, or if the tarp really covers the hammock. There is some experimentation involved.

Good luck and have some fun out there.

[JPFREEK]

I too am a Scouter and my first attempt at hammock camping was a week long trip to Gettysburg with the Troop. It wasn't great but it wasn't horrible either. I have not slept in a tent now in almost 4 years and camp with the scouts/family 7-10 times a year. I prefer to research and then jump in learning what works for me trial and error. I say go far it next week at Camp, your worst case scenario is that you move into a platform tent for a night or two while you tweak your setup.

[GreatBigDave]

Bring your cot as well - set it up as a bailout option if you can't sleep. It's also easier to maintain privacy if you change in a tent.

[Phantom Grappler]

For many, but not all—
Shorter and narrower hammocks, are less comfortable than longer and wider hammocks.
For more information on above, search Calf Ridge Pressure. CRP happens!

Insulation, especially insulation underneath is a necessity anytime night low temperatures are 65 to 70. Hard to believe? Yes. True Yes. For more information on above, search Cold Butt Syndrome
CBS happens!

You gonna love hammocks.

[Woodwzrd]

Fellow Scouter here as well. I started hanging nine years ago and haven't gone to ground since. My first hammock was a DIY gathered end hammock that I tested for 5 minutes in a local park before heading out on a week long outing on an island base camp. Now my two boys that are in scouts rarely go to ground as well. We head out next week for summer camp and along with us three there are two or three others hanging in our camp. Welcome to the rabbit hole.

[BigE94]

Yep my family is done with the ground too. I'm in Louisville Ky and we have our annual family Oct hang coming up soon. Lots of DIY and other gear to check out. We always have some spare equipment if you need it too. Be good to have you and yours if you can make it.