Opening the Camp, There’s more to camping than just knots
“Remind me again which knot we use for this?” Kate asked, frowning slightly at the rope in her hands. Jessica finished tying her end of the canvas tent to the wooden support and came around to Kate’s side of the platform.
“Sheet bend”, the younger woman said with a smile. “Want me to show you?” A strand of Jessica’s bright red hair had come loose from her long braid and she absently tucked it behind her ear. She was a tall young woman – close to 5’9″ – and her thick braid extended almost to her waist.
Kate didn’t know her well, but since Jessica was more experienced at camping, she had been paired with Kate to open the Girl Guide camp for the spring. This was the first year Kate had volunteered to join the group of women for this May long weekend. Five of them had driven up Friday night and several others would be coming and going throughout the weekend. There was a lot to do to prepare the camp for the summer season – minor repairs, cleaning, checking the boats, clearing out the raccoons that had decided to take advantage of the isolated site over the winter and, of course, setting up the tents. With six different sites on the large campground and at least 10 canvas tents per site, it took a while. But, once erected, the tents remained all summer for groups of girls coming to camp for a weekend or a week. Though harder to set up, they were much more durable than the flimsier nylon tents.
“Sheet bend,” Kate repeated. “Wait – I think I know that one.” She slowly twisted the rope into the requisite loops, muttering to herself as she slipped it over the pole.
“Perfect!” Jessica told her, resting a hand on Kate’s shoulder as she peered at her completed knot. “Only four more to go. I’ll finish the other side.” Kate paused to wipe the sweat off her forehead before moving to the next rope hanging loosely against the canvas. It had been unseasonably warm for the past two weeks and today was shaping up to be a scorcher. Both women were wearing long pants for leg protection while hiking through the brush and although part of the work was done in the shade, the tents were set up in clearings and it was a very sunny day.
“Frig, it’s hot!” Jessica exclaimed. “I don’t ever remember it ever being this warm on opening weekend.” She pulled her t-shirt out of her technical pants, fanning it away from her flat stomach. Kate had a brief flash of creamy white skin and blue lace before Jessica tucked her shirt back into her pants. She watched as Jessica bent to grab her water bottle, the khaki fabric of her pants tight against her slim buttocks. Jessica took a quick swallow of water and splashed a bit on her face and neck, her pale grey t-shirt now wet from sweat and water. Kate realised she was staring, her mouth somewhat dry, and bent to take a swig from her own water bottle. Settle down, she told herself firmly – she’s much too young for you.
“How many years have you been volunteering for this?” Kate asked her, pulling firmly on the rope and completing the next knot much more rapidly than the first.