Camping in the Old Style

Book excerpt: The outdoor survival expert’s complete primer on traditional camping techniques—newly revised and updated with color photos and illustrations. Before the days of RVs and nylon sleeping bags, people still went camping. In this comprehensive volume, wilderness educator David Prescott explains the methods used during the golden age of camping, including woodcraft, how to set a campfire, food preparation, pitching a tent, auto camping, and canoeing. More than a simple how-to guide, Camping in the Old Style explores the rich history of American camping, with wisdom from classic books written by camping pioneers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Wescott also discusses his own methods, techniques, and philosophies. The information and ideas are brought to life through both archival and contemporary photographs.