Adding Dining Flies to the inventory

[Armymutt]

We decided to add dining flies to our camping gear, partially as a team building exercise, partially as a Scout skill exercise, but mostly to help build patrol identities and provide shelter.  I used the instructions found here: https://troop279.us/patrol-dining-fly/

My wife and son helped hold the poles while I tied the knots for the adult fly so I could do a test set up.  Poles need straightened and we need to get hammers for the troop, but otherwise, it looks like it will work.

 

[skeptic]

If my memory serves, when we did our first trek at Philmont, a fly was part of our gear, and we were specifically encouraged to put it up FIRST and put other gear beneath.  It is an important piece of any site, especially in areas subject to rain or mists.  In cases of drive-ins, a heavier-duty type can be useful, but packing works best with the lightweight ones.  And you do not need poles if you have trees and so on, though they make it easier.  

[SSScout]

Hammers?   Totin' Chip traditionally asks the Scout to MAKE a really good tent peg.  Hatchet(s)  part of a Scout's kit, yes? 

Our Troop used to (I should check on this) make poles out of saplings and the tent pegs were kept for use and as examples for the next Scouts.... 

As for the tarp/ shelter, the Troop of my yoooth  made them out of 4 mill plastic and heavy duty duck tape and grommet sets.  Ten by ten,  made shelter tents and dining flies and such. Older Scouts took 'em to Philmont and Jamborees, said others ooo'ed and awww'ed at them...