Items to remember from Deer Camp

Last week we spent our time living at The Hut and hunting Deer. Our hunting season is over. Here are some lessons or observations from our time at The Hut.

Living with a group of people, such as in a camping atmosphere, requires a few considerations from all involved. When a family of four, two adults and two children, begins camping, the children must learn many new rules.

This can be an exciting time. The children should participate in all aspects of the trip, depending upon their age. A 4-year-old girl can’t be expected to show interest in learning how to erect the tent. However, a 6-year-old girl might be of great assistance.

Parents will know a correct age for the children to learn how to build a fire. Building the morning fire could be a fun chore, once they are able to accept this duty in a responsible way.

Actually, learning fire-making skills could be a lifesaving survival skill. We have youngsters in the 8- to 10-year-old age range who are hunting deer. If a youngster is old enough to be trusted to use a rifle in a mature manner, they should also be able to use fire in a mature manner.

Another lesson for all campers to learn is basic health care at the campsite. This may not be a popular subject, but it is important. The subject must be maintained at home, at the campsite and at Deer Camp.

Yes, even at Deer Camp and during a weekend camp out, hand wishing is essential to the basics of cleanliness. Wash your hands and do so often.

But what about when it is necessary to wash hands and you are away from water needed to accomplish such a task.

Our solution is to have plenty of wipes available. These are known as hand wipes or counter wipes, stored in a large, circular container. Such a container is in my vehicle all year long.

Pet a friendly dog, wipe my hands with a hand wipe, retrieve meat from the cooler, wipe my hands with a hand wipe, use a wipe to clean the door handle of the building every day. What, you don’t do this? You should.

We have two seven-gallon water containers at Deer Camp. They both stay outside and are tipped on their side. A spigot makes it convenient for the water to flow out of the container and into the cooking pot.

A large coffee-pot like pitcher is used to heat water for washing dishes, hands and faces. The water is poured into a washbasin after heating for face washing.