Especialidades JA/Tiendas de campaña/Respuestas 2
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Tip for earning from home during the pandemic |
| This honor can be earned if you have safe access to a yard where you can pitch a tent and anchor it down. If you are limited to pitching the tent indoors, it is not possible to satisfy the requirements to anchor the tent to withstand windy conditions, or to pitch a tent in rainy conditions). |
The first part of this requirement has been addressed under Requirement #1 where the most common camping tent styles are detailed. You should also quickly see examples of various types of tents as you do the second part of the requirement.
See also the guidance following Requirement #7 here. If you follow the 6 W's your tent will be ready for any storm.
The key to pitching a tent in strong wind is to stake it down as soon as you can. First spread it out on the ground, and then stake it. Do not try to raise it until it is staked. That way when the wind catches it, it is firmly anchored to the ground and will stay in place.
Likewise, when striking a tent in strong winds, leave the stakes in until the tent is down. Only then should the stakes be removed, and even then, you could leave one or more in the ground as you roll it up for storage.
You can also try to reduce the wind either by choosing a sheltered location or placing a temporary shelter - pulling a tarp between trees or even parking your car to block the wind could help. Other strategies include putting gear in the tent for weight before you strike it.
Familiarity with the tent makes working with it in the dark much easier. You don't want to have to check the directions in the dark. Track your tent pegs carefully because they can be hard to spot even in daylight.
It is always a good idea to set up and take down a new tent (or one you have not used in a long time) at home before you head out to make sure you have all the parts and know how to put them together. That way you are not stuck when you arrive at your campsite after some delay and are forced to figure things out in the dark.
Prepare: Research the area(s) you plan to visit. Are there any particular dangers, such as certain animals, plants or insects that you might encounter? Are there seasonal dangers of which you should be aware? Before you leave home, do some Internet research and call the park rangers or the campsite(s) you plan to visit to find out about any unusual dangers or concerns. Remember to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
Inspect: Look for potential hazards in your campsite. Check the ground thoroughly for glass, sharp objects including rocks, overhanging or about to fall branches or rocks on cliffs, pests like large ant hills and wasp nests, hazards like poison ivy and any hazardous terrain. If you find something that can't be rectified, consider a better spot.
Tent Placement: Only pitch your tent in a safe spot. A good site is level, with enough space for your gear. It is not in a roadway or blocking a trail. Do not place your tent in a low-lying area as it may be prone to flooding. Higher ground is better in a rainstorm.
Campfire Proximity: Don't build your fire too close to your tent. Make sure your campfire is always attended to or out cold.
Gas Stoves: Use away from the tent to prevent accidental fires.
Wildlife: Keep your campsite free of food scraps and odors and do not bring food into tents because that is an invitation to animals to come in for a midnight snack. No tent offers effective bear protection. Instead pack food in a bear-proof locker or canister overnight or put it in the trunk of your car. If this is not possible, then hang food and perishables, as well as the pots and pans you cook with, at least 200 yards away from your campsite. Many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.
A rip and a burnt hole require slightly different approaches.
Rips are holes in which the fabric can be smoothed down and little or no hole is visible. To fix a rip, first make sure the area to be repaired is clean and dry. Smooth the tent down and line up the torn sides neatly. Trim any excess string or excess fraying. Next apply tape over the rip, going well beyond the edges of the rip to ensure good adhesion. Avoid any bubbles or ripples as these can cause water infiltration. Consider applying tape to the other side of the rip as well. Here is a video demonstrating.
There are special tapes marketed just for tent (and other gear) repair, but duct tape or various other strong tapes suitable for fabric will also do a decent job.
Holes are a different problem. You need to cover the hole with a fabric patch (potentially on both sides) and then tape it securing down. Iron on patches are another option. In all cases make sure everything is smooth and wrinkle free to prevent water infiltration, as well as to prevent dirt getting onto the tape and weakening the repair.
Special sealants are alternative method that works for pinholes and seam issues. Basically you just cover the hole or failing seam with the sealants, following the directions on the tube.
Canvas tents can be sewn together or holes patched.
Most modern tent poles are under stress when erected, so the key is to bridge the broken spot and transfer the stress to unbroken portions of the pole, while still keeping the pole flexible enough to do its job. If you don't have a repair kit, you can perform an emergency repair with duct tape but that might not provide enough strength for the pole when placed under stress. Taping on something like a metal tent peg or strong stick can help bridge the break.
The more professional repair involves a tent pole repair sleeve - a hollow aluminum tube that fits over the tent pole available at camping supply stores. You could also improvise one from scrap metal tubing or pipe. To install a tent pole repair sleeve:
- With pliers make the broken pole as round as possible so the sleeve fits over
- Position the sleeve midway across the break and mark the ends of the sleeve.
- Wrap duct tape inside the marks on the two sides of the break until the tape is a snug fit inside the repair sleeve.
- Insert the two broken sections of pole into the sleeve so that the tape is no longer visible.
- The sleeve should be pressure fit with the tape, but removable with a tug for disassembly or repositioning.
If a replacement is available you can replace the whole section of tent pole. Disassemble the pole by removing the end cap and pulling the broken pole sections off. Thread a new section over the cord and tie on the end cap again.
You can also skip the repair and order replacement tent poles from Amazon or camping supply websites. Just be sure you know the length of the broken pole and diameter of the pole so you can order something comparable.
Torn grommets are extra annoying. The exact fix is going to depend on the extent of the damage, but generally you will want to to repair the rips as described above. You may want to use a patch as well around the grommet hole.
Damaged zippers on anything can often be fixed by gently adjusting the zipper clasp with a pair of pliers. Squeezing the clasp together and feeding the zipper back in. A little bar soap on a problem zipper can help it slide better. If the zipper is separating from the tent you may need to sew it back on, or you might try taping it with very strong tape similar to a rip.
Either apply a sealant according to the manufacturers directions, or tape as described for rips and tears above.
Every Pathfinder needs to know how to care for tents. The most important thing to remember is to only put away a dry tent. If you can't put the tent away dry, take the tent home and open it up again to dry it out properly. A wet tent will mold, rot, and stain.
A tent missing poles, pegs or other pieces is completely useless and very frustrating. Failing to put all the parts together in the tent bag will cause much frustration on the next camping trip.
Spiritual Application and Missions Information
This honor's official requirements do not have any spiritual component, but all Pathfinder activities are an opportunity to increase Bible knowledge and bring in spiritual applications. The official requirements also reflect the minimum required and you should look for ways to enhance all honors. When teaching or studying this honor consider these points.
Uses of Tents
Remember that the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, God's dwelling place on earth, was an elaborate tent for which God provided detailed instructions.
Many Bible characters lived in tents including Abraham, the entire Jewish nation during the Exodus, armies during wars, and others. David lamented that the Ark still lived in a tent while he lived in a sturdy palace, a concern that lead to the construction of Solomon's Temple.
Tents also held an important place in early Adventism. The pioneers found that sending out tents to hold evangelist meetings in was a very effective way to plant new churches.
Tentmakers and Tentmaking
Modern Christian missionaries who self support through a paid profession or business are often called "tentmakers". Tentmaking gets a person out in the marketplace, meeting people and developing friendships that are not based strictly on an attempt to evangelize others. In this way, a tentmaker can witness to people that might run away if approached by a pastor or bible worker. Tentmaking provides the money to live, reducing or eliminating the need to get church employment or private donors. In countries where it is impossible to get a visa for religious work, tentmaking provides the best practical platform for living in the target country because these countries will accept qualified professionals or businesspeople.
William Carey (1761-1831), considered to be the father of modern evangelical Christian missions, was a tentmaker in India, working as a factory owner and university professor while fulfilling his mission duties. At the time, international mission work was a new and controversial idea in the Church, and tentmaking was the only way for Carey to support his ministry. His example has led thousands of Christian missionaries to support themselves while ministering overseas.
Adventist Church co-founder James White was a part time tentmaker who supported his and Ellen White's ministry in part by selling Bibles and other religious books like Concordances in pioneer settlements as they traveled. Today Adventist Frontier Missions provides training and support for tentmakers.
The term "tentmaker/tentmaking" comes from perhaps the greatest missionary of all time, the Apostle Paul. We know that Paul supported himself in ministry at least partly through the trade of tentmaking. (Act 18:3 "Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.")
Our bodies as a tent
Given Paul was a tentmaker, it is not surprising he drew in tent imagery when writing to the Corinthians.
"For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less." 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 The Message
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