How to tie a bedding roll
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Introduction
Finally, the answers you have been looking for. If you have searched the web desert for this information, this is your promised land.
Background
Although the art of tying bedding rolls has been around for a very long time, the information is not passed on, rather re-learnt by each new generation. The armed forces teach recruits this valuable life skill, but opportunities for civilians are limited.
When Lord Robert Baden-Powell wrote "Scouting for Boys" in 1908, his ideas included camping activities. Similar ideals were adopted when Lady Olave Baden-Powell introduced the Guiding movement for girls.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A499250
Unfortunately, although each boy and girl who goes to scout or guide camp should be taught how to tie a bedding roll, very few of them retain this information. Indeed, although I learnt how to tie a bedding roll as a teenager, I found when I needed to teach others, I could not remember how. This leaves modern scout and guide leaders in a sticky spot. If you are new to leading a scout or guide unit on camp, the sources for you to gather this information are scant and incomplete. My own quest for this information has led me to create this instruction for you. It may not be textbook, but it works. It has been intensively tested on the 20 guides who are coming on camp for the first time with our unit this year.
Why bother?
If you are asking this question, you have never had to go to camp in the rain! A properly tied bedding roll will keep all your bedding dry, even surviving being dropped in water. On camp a dry nights sleep is a valuable commodity.
What do I need?
You will need
6’(180cm) x 4’(120cm) Ground Sheet
Camping Mat
1 or 2 Blankets
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
6 Safety Pins
Night Clothes
Strong cord or rope 3-4 metres long (e.g. skipping rope)
A friend
How to do it
Lay the sleeping bag along one edge of one blanket. Lay this edge of the blanket to the centre of the second blanket so the sleeping bag has two layers of blanket beneath .
Place the pillow lengthwise inside the sleeping bag and lay the night clothes on top of the sleeping bag as they would be ordered if you were wearing them (eg hat at top, then top, bottoms, socks).
Fold the bottom blanket over the top of the sleeping bag; tuck any surplus under the bag. Fold the other blanket over the top in the opposite direction. Tuck in the edges and bottom of the blankets around the sleeping bag. Fasten with the safety pins.
Lay the blanket parcel containing the sleeping bag on top of the camping mat. Roll the camping mat and sleeping bag up as tightly as possibly. Use the friend to help you. You can hold this roll together with elastic or string (this is technically cheating, but I wont tell if you dont).
Put the rolled sleeping bag parcel in the centre of the sheet, the edges of the roll should face the short edges of the ground sheet. Pull both long edges of the groundsheet together above the sleeping bag, and roll them down together towards the sleeping bag. Your success in this regard will be dependent on the tightness of your sleeping bag roll. This element is crucial. If you cannot get two good turns in the edges, try and re-roll the sleeping bag/camping mat combo.
The tricky bit now is to keep the top secured, whilst you roll the ends. The friend may be helpful here. Otherwise, you can tie the rope around the middle of the roll, and temporarily secure it with a reef knot.
Now fold the ends of the groundsheet slightly, making the ends into an elongated trapezium. Then tightly roll the ends towards the bulk of the parcel.
Finally, tie the bundle securely using one of the suggested knots. Test the roll by throwing it gently from person to person.
Knots
There are a number of knots you can use. The old "Guiding Manual" used to suggest a
Packers Knot
, but I have been unable to find instructions for this knot.
Reef Knot
- An old favourite, but it is difficult to get this one pulled tight enough if you are alone. Also tends to leave untidy loose ends.
Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches
- My favourite, and a useful way of tidying up surplus rope if you keep the half hitches going. Main drawback you have to tie two knots, one for both end of string. Will need practise.
Bowline
- You start off with a noose that you thread the loose end of rope through. This still leaves you with one loose end to be secured and a(in my opinion) rather unsightly bulge on top of your neat bedding roll.
