k, its
aims and so forth. Without this information it is difficult to have true
cooperation.

When opening a large camp be sure, when the campers arrive, to have it
in the condition in which it is to be kept. First impressions are deep
impressions as a rule, even though unfair many times.

Pitching Tents

Perhaps the most difficult work to be done, especially for one who knows
little about it is the pitching of the tents, yet when simple rules are
followed the task is not beyond a group of young women even when the
tents are large. Remember that the beauty of a tent lies in its
trimness. It should look smart. The canvas must have no wrinkles, poles
must be straight, ropes taut and properly fastened.

First of all see that the tent floors and frame work are as they should
be, or lacking a frame work, that pegs are at hand. Examine poles and
make sure they are of the right height and length for the tent. If a
wall tent is to be pitched lay it on floor, inside down, the fly on top
of it. Run the ridge pole under the center of the tent from end to end
curved side next to the canvas; at either end of the tent at right
angles to the ridge pole and parallel to each other place a tent pole
which is the right length for the height of the tent. Put the spindle in
the end of each pole through the holes in the ridge pole, and the
eyelets in the tent and tent fly ridge.

[Illustration: SERVING TABLE]

Two people, one at each pole, on signal, raise the tent into position by
lifting the poles and carrying them into place. They should stand
opposite each other, at the center of either end of the tent floor.
While the poles are held in place, two other people should fasten
temporarily the corner ropes of the tent and fly. Tie the flaps into
position, fasten the corner rope loops in the bottom edge of the tent to
nails in the edge of the floor, and proceed to adjust the guy ropes. Do
not pull the tent out of line or have one rope tighter than another.
Use a clove hitch for tying the ropes to the strips. The ropes of the
tent should go under the strip for the first turn, the fly ropes over.
By so doing the roof of the tent and the fly will be kept apart, a most
important point; in fact they should never touch except at the ridge.

Fasten the tent to the floor by putting the rope loops in the bottom of
the tent over long nails driven into the edge of the tent floor at the
proper places. When all ropes are fastened and the tent lo