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Listening Point - General Discussion

Chores around camp

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Seliga17

08/13/2012 07:13AM

Putting together a list of chores for the newbies coming on our late-August trip. Curious to see what other members have on their lists. I don't have a list prepared, just in my head.
If anyone would care to share chores not on this list or comments, please post them back.
And, do you designate specific people to specific chores, or have a different method to share the labor?

Here's a start for a base-camping trip:
Setting up camp:
Bring all packs up from canoes to site
Set up tents (tent partners take care of their own)
Spread sleeping bags/mattress pads, etc.
Set up tarp
Fix the rocks in/around the fire grate (they usually need tweaking)
Set up stable location for single-burner stove
Two or three meals' worth of wood stacked and ready near fire grate
Two or three fires' worth of kindling
Police the site for any trash, bits of foil, etc.
Roll of TP in a zip-lock at the latrine
Designate camp shore location to get water
Get water for camp - for drinking and for cooking/cleaning
Hang lantern
Hang hammock
String up clothesline

Night
Turn and tie canoes, store paddles
Put away all food
Wash & dry any dirty dishes
Pick up and stow all gear
Paddles, fishing gear stored under canoes or standing up - never lying down in the open
Kindling and firewood stored under canoe or tarp
Build coffee pot for morning
Hang food pack
Walk the campsite

Daily
Make coffee
Get water
Lower food pack
Gather wood, make kindling
Get fire going
Cook breakfast
Make trail lunch if needed
All dishes - clean and dry
Prep canoes
Prep fishing gear
Police the site for trash or gear
Store wood/kindling under tarp
Hang food pack or take it with you

Packing up
Tear down tents (tent partners take care of their own)
Pack sleeping bags/mattress pads, clothes, personals, etc.
Take down tarp
Pack up stove
Leave two/three fires' worth of wood and kindling stacked at grate
Police the site for any trash, bits of foil or plastic, etc.
Pack latrine TP
Pack lantern, hammock
Clothesline, other lines down and packed

Pack up the tent packs and personal packs
Pack up food pack
All packs to canoes
Load canoes
Two people police the site
Set a date for the next trip
Shove off -

Leave it better than you found it

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Longpaddler

08/13/2012 07:47AM

WOW...no wonder I'm exhausted when I get home from these trips..LOL
Very complete list...

..there is nothing- absolute nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats - Wind in the Willows

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Dennisal

08/13/2012 07:53AM

My. Looks like you covered everything.

NEVER LOST. ALL PORTAGES AND ROADS GO SOMEWHERE OR THEY WOULD NOT BE THERE.

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cowdoc

08/13/2012 08:06AM

Holy Crap!.....I thought I was on vacation!
I guess I never even think about all the stuff that has to get done. I trip mostly with my sons and/or a real good friend and most of the chores just get done by second nature. Nobody asks or gets told.....they just get done. I did take some newbies last summer and they were great. I told them once at our first camp some of the things to do and they had them all done at the next camp before I even realized it.

"What could happen?"

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nofish

08/13/2012 08:17AM

Yeah thats a lot of work right there. I think the only tweak I'd make to your list is to move "hang food pack" to the set up camp list instead of the night time list.

Finding a good hanging spot for the pack and then getting the rope strung up is part of my set up camp ritual. Sometimes it can take longer than expected so its better to do it when its still light out. Once you have the rope hung you don't need to hang the pack right away but at least its taken care of ahead of time.

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Ingvald

08/13/2012 08:53AM

Cook meals
Clean fish
Dispose of fish remains

Honesty is my only excuse.

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buz

08/13/2012 09:07AM

you guys work to hard on vacation.

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pswith5

08/13/2012 09:10AM

you missed; "fan me with a big palm leaf"

without the bad times: the good times wouldn't seem so good

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bbrown6057

08/13/2012 09:16AM

you forgot "poop at 0700" lol. List seems pretty complete to me

"You have a cough? Go home tonight, eat a whole box of Ex-Lax, tomorrow you'll be afraid to cough."

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Savage Voyageur

08/13/2012 09:38AM

Wow, looks like a full day worth of chores. We don't have a list with our group. We just start doing things and everyone just chips in and knows what to do. This sounds like a huge list for a newbie. Don't want to scare him thr first day.

"So many lakes, so little time."

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Seliga17

08/13/2012 10:36AM

Thanks for all the input. When going with old pros, there's no need to define things, and maybe this would scare the bejeebus out of the newbies. Might need to re-think the approach - glad I asked!

"poop at 0700" - nice! :-)

Leave it better than you found it

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boonie

08/13/2012 10:47AM

Looks pretty complete. You do a lot of things I don't, but I'm usually solo and don't basecamp so I try to keep things simple.

You might want to add these things I do before setting up camp - check the campsite and immediate environs for trash, fish remains, and signs of bear problems. Check the latrine. Identify tent pads and check for widowmakers.

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Jackfish

Moderator

08/13/2012 11:32AM

My first thought after i saw your list was, "remind me never to take a trip with you!". That's an amazing list of duties!

Then I got thinking about newbies and the possibility of not really knowing what they're getting into. If they're campers at all, they'll understand the basics of daily camp responsibilities, but I'd lay it out in a way that doesn't make the trip look like the Bataan Death March. Some communication prior to, and during, the trip will go a long way toward making it a good trip with everyone pulling their own weight.

It's only a spot on the map... until you go there.

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mooseplums

08/13/2012 11:48AM

I don't see them as chores or work...I just enjoy!

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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cinna

08/13/2012 11:48AM

Gawd! That's a heck of list. What about scrubbing down the throne?

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snakecharmer

08/13/2012 12:18PM

I'm with mooseplums. All part of the fun!

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau

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LuvMyBell

08/13/2012 12:27PM

I make a pretty detailed packing list but haven't found the need for a chores list. We have a steady core group and even the newbies have been before. Everyone pretty much knows what to expect and we all pitch in when something needs to be done.

A chores list could come in handy to set expectations I suppose depending on the experience level. You'd hate to get to camp only to find someone who figured this was a vacation and you were the outfitter.

Paddle Faster....I hear banjo music

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Kevlar

08/13/2012 12:37PM

That is a scary long list...but we all do all of those, we just don't list them. When tripping with rookies, a set of expectations is a good idea. Even with our paying customers, my partner and I assign duties..one biggie is that we will cook, but they do the dishes and cleanup.

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LuvMyBell

08/13/2012 12:54PM

Depending on the meal......Cooking is not a chore I want passed around amongst the entire group.....

Paddle Faster....I hear banjo music

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mutz

08/13/2012 02:22PM

We have a core group of four guys sometimes take two others with us some have been before some haven't. If anyone of us ever tried to make a list like this or tried to dictate to one of the others a chore that he had to do, one of two things would happen. If we were still at home we would give him his deposit back, and show him pictures of the trip when we got back, and if we were already there, well to my knowledge the body has never been found and not sure the statute of limitations is up yet so we just won't go there.
We each have a list of what we bring, because the first year we got together found out who had what so that we didn't duplicate on equipment and found we had everything we needed. As far as chores around camp everybody just pitches in when something needs to be done.
It's always just worked.

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bwcadan

08/13/2012 03:35PM

A reminder of what we do and when to do it could be called training for newbe and ongoing training for the rest of us. In my world we have training every year covering basics of the job to ideas for improvement. Seems this qualifies. Modify at your discretion, however, we all aim to get to the same place with a successful trip even if the goals are not the same for all.

the greatest come backs are reserved for those with the greatest deficits.

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Goby

08/13/2012 04:04PM

That list is extensive, but many of them are done simultanously, and one person isn't doing every single thing by themselves. That is pretty much everything that needs to be done though. Great list for a newbie. It may scare them at first but after a day or two it will be second nature to them.

My group is usually all seasoned members or one or two rookies. For the rookies we take them on weekend trips a few times before we head up and introduce them to camp chores then. It helps make them familiar with how gear works (setting up tents, operating stoves, etc) and gives them an idea for what is in store. When we get up there day one a little directing is usually required, but they pick it up quickly. As for designating people, we did that when I was in scouts, but thats a bunch of teenaged kids who usually need some direction and things spelled out for them. The only time we designate people to do certian things is if we're in a hurry and want to get everything done quickly and efficiently (read its about blow big guns and you can see the heavens starting to open up). When its just me and my usual paddling partner we will flip flop on who cooks but its never really designated. We just go about getting things done until everything is done.

Tight Lines

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bojibob

Moderator

08/13/2012 04:15PM

I didn't think there was anyone else on earth as Anal as me... :-)

"One inch on the map ~ is not one inch on the ground"

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boonie

08/13/2012 07:45PM

quote Goby: "That list is extensive, but many of them are done simultanously, and one person isn't doing every single thing by themselves."

Yes, I am doing every single thing when I'm solo ;), which is why I've eliminated a lot of those things from my tripping style :).

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mooseplums

08/13/2012 08:10PM

who the hell makes that kind of list anyway? Sounds like more work than the actual camp chores.

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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jb in the wild

08/13/2012 08:46PM

Just me but I don't like getting water near shore I always go out on the lake. Less likely to clog a filter.
Wow I think I need to go out on a trip to recover from a trip.

JB

You can't explain the obvious to the ignorant.

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Scout64

08/13/2012 08:49PM

Maybe I will go to Club Med next year.

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

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schweady

08/13/2012 09:49PM

Easy to view a list as "anal" when these sorts of things are just second nature, or whatever, to many folks. Although I am as OCR as the worst of them, I have never actually put the chores into words... but I do appreciate seeing them in print, if only to perhaps show the newbies in our group all of the types of things that need doing each day. Of course, we all perform slightly different variations of these chores but that's not the point... Thanks Seliga17.

"You can observe a lot by watching." -- Yogi Berra

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realandrea

08/13/2012 10:26PM

We refill water bottles and sometimes have lunch/snacks handy before shoving off for the day.

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serenityseeker

08/13/2012 11:14PM

Now I remember why I tend to basecamp. to all of you who do all of that on a daily basis: are you on vacation or at work? tearing down and putting up everything on a daily basis is work. I prefer vacation.

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JoeWilderness

08/13/2012 11:38PM

quote bojibob: "I didn't think there was anyone else on earth as Anal as me... :-)"
Gosh, I just love honesty in a person.

Oh, my wife is spoiling me on our tandem trips for she likes to get
my bed all ready for me.

"You only have one chance at life, so make it an adventure!"

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CrookedPaddler1

08/14/2012 08:37AM

I agree with your list! My only suggestion to the list might be the order in which they are listed (of course I am assuming you put them in the order in which you do them when arriving at camp).

I would move setting the tarp up to the first "camp" chore that gets done (before putting up tents). My tarp is always packed on the very top of my equipment pack. Once the tarp is up, all of the packs are moved there and unpacked there. That helps to avoid lost equipment as all packs were unpacked in the same place. I usually bring two tarps, one being an "equipment and firewood storage tarp" the second being a tarp to get out of the sun or rain that is typically set up closer to the fire grate area.

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wb4syth

08/14/2012 10:02AM

This is a list for newbies so you have to throw things in like:

Scrub and wash the pit toilet.
String trip wires with bells for bear warnings.
Put beaver/otter/turtle bite kit in easily accessible location.
Stack the bear rock pile and ready the torches.
Remove all combustible pine needles from camp site.

"I'm not superstitious. I'm a little stitious" - Michael Scott

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housty9

08/14/2012 12:25PM

Your life is way to structured, relax more and go with the flow and enjoy the moment.

our we there yet

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BlackMagic

08/14/2012 01:09PM

Wow, this is a good reminder to continue going solo! I always knew there was a reason.

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wb4syth

08/14/2012 02:40PM

quote housty9: "Your life is way to structured, relax more and go with the flow and enjoy the moment."

For some people a list is a way to relax - different strokes...

Sometimes going with the flow results in spelling "are" as "our" (see your quote).

"I'm not superstitious. I'm a little stitious" - Michael Scott

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LuvMyBell

08/14/2012 02:52PM

Whether you write it down or just think it.....or go solo or in a group.....you'll end up doing most of the things listed on this chores list....

I'm anal about creating written menu/shopping lists and gear packing lists. I've just never felt the need to create a chores list. I can see it as a beneficial checklist to review with newbies prior to a trip.

To each his/her own.

Paddle Faster....I hear banjo music

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jcavenagh

08/14/2012 10:20PM

I get why you decided write that list.
I never thought about it before. Like many above, our experience is that the chores just sort of get done by everyone.

Except dish washing. Usually one person steps up and says OK, I'll do it.

LNT - The road to success is always under construction. http://hikingillinois.blogspot.com/

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Dark9

08/14/2012 11:25PM

quote jcavenagh: "I Except dish washing. Usually one person steps up and says OK, I'll do it."

If it were feasible to bring one use cookware/dishes I would, just to avoid saying those words! More likely it would be "Don't worry I will throw them in garbage tonight, you all can just relax." I hate cleaning that damn pot!

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boonie

08/15/2012 10:16AM

quote Dark9: "quote jcavenagh: "I Except dish washing. Usually one person steps up and says OK, I'll do it."

If it were feasible to bring one use cookware/dishes I would, just to avoid saying those words! More likely it would be "Don't worry I will throw them in garbage tonight, you all can just relax." I hate cleaning that damn pot!"

That's why I always do "boil and dump" meals - dump boiling water in bag, eat out of bag. The only thing to clean is the spork.

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LuvMyBell

08/15/2012 10:36AM

quote boonie: "quote Dark9: "quote jcavenagh: "I Except dish washing. Usually one person steps up and says OK, I'll do it."

If it were feasible to bring one use cookware/dishes I would, just to avoid saying those words! More likely it would be "Don't worry I will throw them in garbage tonight, you all can just relax." I hate cleaning that damn pot!"

That's why I always do "boil and dump" meals - dump boiling water in bag, eat out of bag. The only thing to clean is the spork."

No battered and fried fresh fish?????

I couldn't imagine a BWCA canoe trip without fresh walleye. Worth every bit of cleanup.

Paddle Faster....I hear banjo music

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salukiguy

08/15/2012 12:27PM

Are you planning on assigning these tasks to people on the trip? If so, watch out, this is not going to be a relaxing trip.

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Royce

08/15/2012 12:30PM

I understand having a complete list of thing to bring on the trip. You're going to need TP, but could easily be left behind.

But a complete list for around camp, including to "Get water"? Isn't that something that will get done, on a list or not?

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LuvMyBell

08/15/2012 12:55PM

quote Royce: "I understand having a complete list of thing to bring on the trip. You're going to need TP, but could easily be left behind.

But a complete list for around camp, including to "Get water"? Isn't that something that will get done, on a list or not?"

Everything on the list will get done.....The question is by whom.... and do the newbies understand what they are getting into.

No need to assign specific tasks to specific people, but it is worth having the discussion during pre-trip planning to set expectations and avoid unpleasantness once there.

Paddle Faster....I hear banjo music

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boonie

08/15/2012 01:59PM

quote LuvMyBell: "quote boonie: "quote Dark9: "quote jcavenagh: "I Except dish washing. Usually one person steps up and says OK, I'll do it."

If it were feasible to bring one use cookware/dishes I would, just to avoid saying those words! More likely it would be "Don't worry I will throw them in garbage tonight, you all can just relax." I hate cleaning that damn pot!"

That's why I always do "boil and dump" meals - dump boiling water in bag, eat out of bag. The only thing to clean is the spork."

No battered and fried fresh fish?????

I couldn't imagine a BWCA canoe trip without fresh walleye. Worth every bit of cleanup."

Yeah, I think you are not in the minority :). I like fried walleye, too. And the next time I go with somebody who can catch one, fillet it, fry it, and clean it up, then I'm going to have some ;). One of these days, I am going to do some different things on a trip.

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boonie

08/15/2012 02:03PM

When I had newbies interested in going, my plan for letting them know what had to be done wasn't to make a list of chores, but rather to tell them what a typical day was like. In other words, I'd tell them we'd get up in the morning, have coffee and breakfast, pack up the sleeping bags, clothes, pads, tent, tarp, and everything else. How we'd paddle and navigate to the first portage, and what we'd do there. This is the time to explain portage etiquette and the importance of being organized. Then how we'd look for a campsite, have to filter water, set up tarps, tents, pads, bags, stove, cook and clean up, secure the food, etc.

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sdebol

08/15/2012 04:58PM

quote serenityseeker: "Now I remember why I tend to basecamp. to all of you who do all of that on a daily basis: are you on vacation or at work? tearing down and putting up everything on a daily basis is work. I prefer vacation. "
x2!

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Scout64

08/15/2012 05:20PM

quote bojibob: "I didn't think there was anyone else on earth as Anal as me... :-)"

Add me to that list. And, I can't sit still. Bad combination

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

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twston

08/15/2012 05:59PM

Sure wish I would have made such a list on my trip a few weeks ago. Not so much to order peeps around but more of a informative type of deal which was discussed before hand for months so I thought.

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George

08/17/2012 02:46PM

I have been fortunate enough to take many people on their first BWCA trip.

This ranges from my three daughters and wife to neighbors and quite a few people from LA (I have an old high school buddy that lives out there and is always bringing in new blood:).

My goal is always the same: Create an enjoyable enough trip that they will want to return.

To accomplish this goal, I have learned that the easier you make it for others, the more likely they will enjoy themselves. This means I need to have ZERO expectations.

I usually start by asking a few questions (i.e. food preferences, experience with fishing, potential gear, etc). I plan the trip according to their preferences. I always try to make it an easier trip (no death marches...I did that when I was younger and it turned off most people).

When we get to the actual trip I'll take the role as a paid guide (I get paid by seeing the BWCA through a newbies eyes again...for many they have never even heard the sound of a live loon!).

So, while they are busy soaking in all the sights and sounds of the BWCA, I'll do all the chores. Literally. I do this till someone says "Hey, can I try that? Or "Can I help you with such and such?"

Most adults will step up and ask to do a few things or ask to be shown how to do a few things. If they don't, no worries. It usually means this will be their one and only trip to the BWCA, so I'll try even harder to make it a pleasant one.

For kids, especially young kids, I start with virtually no requests. Each trip, I'll add a little work. But my primary goal is to instill a love for the wilderness. I just took my 8 and 9 year old daughters on our annual BWCA trip. Each year they do a little bit more. But my main goal is to create a great experience for them so they'll be life long lovers of the BWCA (like their old man).

I tried the "split everything up evenly" when I started out many years ago. It was with two best friends. Sadly, neither has a very good taste in their mouth and refuse to ever give it a second chance.

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