Hammock Camping
Overview
This honor teaches the knowledge and practical skills needed to safely and comfortably use a hammock as primary shelter while camping. It is designed as a natural follow-up to the Camping Skills I Honor and emphasizes safety, enjoyment, and respect for nature.
This honor equips Pathfinders with specialized outdoor skills, promotes environmental stewardship (especially tree protection and low-impact camping), encourages appreciation for cultural history, and connects the joy of sleeping suspended in nature with spiritual reflection on God as Creator and Protector. It is a fun, active honor that builds confidence in outdoor living while emphasizing safety and responsibility.
Requirements
1. Have the Camping Skills I Honor.
2. Discuss and take notes of the following:
- a. The known origins of hammocks and their usage through history.
- b. At least four types of hammocks, their differences and usage.
3. Describe the purpose of the following equipment and terms common for hammock camping:
- a. Camping hammock
- b. Tree straps (a.k.a. tree huggers)
- c. Whoopie slings
- d. Bug net
- e. Rainfly/tarp
- f. Sleeping pad
- g. Top quilt (Overquilt)
- h. Under quilt
- i. Ridgeline
- j. Drip lines (drip hooks)
- k. Stakes
- l. Tree Protection Layer: pads, sleeves, wraps (sometimes required by law)
- m. Gear hammock
- n. Tandem hammock bar
4. Explain and demonstrate how to properly do the following:
- a. Choose an appropriate spot to set up a hammock.
- b. Strap a hammock using two different suspension systems.
- c. Set up a hammock at a comfortable height and angle and demonstrate how to sit and lay comfortably to sleep.
- d. Set up a ridgeline, attach a bug net, secure a basic A-frame rainfly, and add drip lines.
- e. Set up a hammock sleeping pad and quilts.
- f. Demonstrate knowledge of two knots that may be used for set up.
5. Discuss safety and risk management for hammock camping for each of the following factors:
- a. Varied weather conditions such as rain, storms, temperature extremes, etc.
- b. Flora (plant life) such as poisonous plants, tree sturdiness (including surrounding trees), damage caused to trees, thorns, etc.
- c. Fauna (wildlife) such as insects, wild animals, snakes, etc.
6. Explain or demonstrate how to keep and properly care for hammock camping equipment.
7. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hammock camping vs traditional tent camping.
8. Rest in a hammock with a Bible in a quiet place in nature, reflect on one of the following passages, and journal your experience:
- a. A passage about taking care of nature.
- b. A passage about the beauty of Creation.
- c. A passage about God as our shelter.
- d. A passage about the use or blessing of trees.
9. Participate in an overnight camp using your hammock as your shelter. Be sure to use accompanying equipment appropriate for the weather conditions and follow adequate safety measures. Share a short report evaluating the following:
- a. How was your overall experience?
- b. If you could go back, what would you do differently?
- c. What is a spiritual lesson you learned from this experience?
Answer key & resources
Investiture Achievement
This honor is required, suggested or listed as an option in:
Adapted from AY Honors/Hammock Camping on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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