This fascinating (and packable) volume looks at the origins of the practice and the ways that bring camping enthusiasts together. From the early days of recreational camping in the late 19th century through the multitude of modern camping options available today, 'Making Camp' explores its history and evolution through the lens of its most important and familiar components: the campsite, the campfire, the picnic table, the map, the tent and the sleeping bag.
Find out how early 19th century German peasants fashioned rudimentary sleeping bags by burrowing into bags full of leaves for the night. Look back over several millennia to learn about the progression of tents from animal skins, goat's hair, and heavy canvas to featherweight nylon. Learn about the ways in which the skills to build and maintain a campfire have been displaced by the portable gas stove. Pinpoint the details of the essential campground map and its unique place in the camping imagination.
Each chapter includes a broad range of visuals to help illustrate the rich history of camping and our collective devotion to it, including drawings, patents, diagrams, sketches, paintings, advertisements, and historical photographs. A must-have for avid campers, nature lovers, and all who seek to connect with the universe by sleeping under the stars.
