Public Camp Manual

Be sure that you are familiar with the Camp Ground inspection standards set forth by the Forester on pages 9 and 10 of the letter of September 27, 1932, attached to the L Recreation circular letter 28-L-2 of October 7, 1932.

Investigation in the field shows that forest officers frequently overlook many little points in inspection and maintenance of public camps. Every field man who does any of this work should refer to the following outline when on the job.

Bulletin Boards: Are they neat? Paint needed; properly located; necessary signs posted? Are signs in good condition?

Chemical Toilets: Is tank charged? Is date of charging noted on card posted in toilet building? Does tank need draining? Are vent pipes properly anchored? Is bowl clean? Is urinal clean? Does seat need varnish? Are instructions for use posted inside building?

Community Camp Fires: Are one or more community fireplaces provided and surface fires prohibited elsewhere in camp?

Direction and Information Signs: Are signs with camp name posted on road? Are sufficient information signs posted on ground? Are they properly located? Should they be replaced, because worn or illegible? Are all signs removed from trees?

Flush Toilets: Is bowl clean? Is water system working properly? Does seat need varnish? Are frost-proof bowls needed?

Garbage Collection: Are containers fly-proof? Can they be upset by dogs or wild animals? Are more containers needed? Is garbage collection system satisfactory? Where a garbage dump is used, is it properly located and properly maintained? Are garbage cans numbered and regularly disinfected?

Garbage Pits: Are pits convenient to camp? Are more pits needed properly to handle camp use? Is cover fly and rodent tight? Does lid shut freely? Is lid self-closing? Does cover need a metal covering? Is a new cover needed? Is disinfectant used in pit?

Grounds: Are camping spots accessible; grounds properly cleaned and fireproofed? Is parking space needed? Should more land be cleared? Is time limit needed for campers? Do grounds need fencing to keep out stock?

Incinerators: Are they properly located; properly screened; burned out frequently and the ashes, etc., removed?

Pit Toilets: Is seat and seat cover fly tight? Is a new pit needed? Does seat need repair or paint? Is disinfectant regularly used in pit? Is urinal clean?

Roads: Is camp easily accessible from main road? Are stub roads needed to open up the grounds or make more camping space accessible? Do any camp roads need surfacing or oiling? Is traffic confined to roads?

Stoves and Fireplaces: Are they properly located; sufficient in number for camp use; safe; permanently installed? Are campers required to use them; properly cleaned out at times?

Tables: Are they in good repair; paint needed; numbered and stenciled or branded; sufficient in number for camp use; properly located; standard in color and design?

Trees: Should any dead snags or trees be removed to reduce hazard to campers? Should any trees be trimmed? Any insect infestation to control? Is planting needed to improve or increase camp area? Any boards and boxes nailed to trees?

Water Supply: Is it sanitary? Is it accessible? If piped to ground, are faucets in good condition? If storage in tank or reservoir, is latter rodent and insect proof? Is supply sufficient for present use? Are direction signs posted? Are spring faucets used?

General: Is this camp regularly inspected and policed? Is it regularly and properly maintained? Is it something that the U. S. Government should be proud of as a place to entertain its visitors?