Challenge 107: Build a Repairable Piece of Campcraft

Outdoors, equipment does not always last as long as you expect. Cordage stretches, lashings loosen, wooden components split and parts wear out through repeated use. When something fails at camp, being able to repair it can be far more useful than starting again from scratch.

This is where thoughtful campcraft design makes a difference. Instead of building something that only works while every component remains perfect, you can create an item that allows individual parts to be replaced, tightened or adjusted without dismantling the entire project.

For this challenge, you will design and build a practical piece of campcraft with repairability in mind. It could be a small drying rack, a raised equipment stand, a simple camp organiser or another useful outdoor item. The important thing is that at least one component can be replaced or adjusted independently of the rest of the structure.

Your Challenge

Design and build a useful piece of campcraft that can be repaired or adjusted without having to rebuild the entire item.

Your project must include at least one deliberately replaceable or adjustable component. This could be a removable crossbar, replaceable cordage, adjustable lashings, interchangeable supports or another feature appropriate to your design.

You must demonstrate that the feature works by removing, adjusting or replacing a component and then restoring the item to working order.

Your finished project should:

• Serve a genuine purpose at camp.
• Be stable and suitable for its intended use.
• Include at least one replaceable or adjustable component.
• Allow that component to be repaired or changed without rebuilding the entire project.
• Be made from materials you can obtain responsibly and use safely.

You do not need to build anything complicated. A simple design that is easy to repair is often more useful than an elaborate structure that becomes unusable when one part fails.

What You’ll Need

Your materials will depend on the item you choose to build, but you may find the following useful:

• Suitable sticks, poles or other structural materials.
• Cordage for lashings and connections.
• Replacement cordage or spare components.
• A suitable cutting tool, if required.
• Measuring equipment, if useful for your design.
• A stable, appropriate area in which to construct and test the item.
• A notebook or paper for recording your design and any changes.

You can use materials you already have, including reusable components from an old campcraft project. You do not need to buy specialist equipment.

If you gather natural materials, obtain permission where necessary and follow local rules. Use fallen or naturally available materials where collection is permitted. Do not cut living trees or damage vegetation to obtain building materials.

Choose materials that suit the intended purpose. For example, a lightweight organiser may need only thin poles and cordage, whereas a stand supporting equipment will require more substantial components and careful stability checks.

Safety note: Keep the project within a sensible scale for your experience. Do not build a structure intended to support a person’s body weight, suspend heavy loads overhead or hold dangerous equipment. If your project includes sharp edges, cutting tools or tensioned cordage, handle them carefully and inspect the finished item before use.

Take the Challenge

1. Choose a Practical Campcraft Project

Start by identifying a problem that a simple campcraft item could solve.

Think about the things you regularly need around a campsite. Equipment can become scattered, damp clothing needs somewhere to hang, and small items can be difficult to keep organised. A simple structure can make camp life easier without requiring complicated construction.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

A small camp drying rack

Build a lightweight rack for hanging a few lightweight items, such as cloths or socks. Design the crossbar or hanging cord so it can be replaced if it breaks or wears out.

A removable-crossbar equipment stand

Construct a small stand from suitable poles, with a crossbar that can be removed and replaced independently. Use it for lightweight equipment rather than heavy loads.

A modular camp organiser

Create a simple frame with removable sections for holding lightweight items. If one section breaks, you should be able to replace that section without dismantling the entire frame.

An adjustable tarp accessory

Make a small accessory that allows a suitable line or attachment point to be adjusted or replaced without rebuilding the whole accessory. Ensure it is used only within its intended limits and does not compromise the shelter’s stability.

A repairable storage rack

Build a compact rack for lightweight camping equipment. Design the joints so that a damaged support or worn lashing can be replaced individually.

These are suggestions, not restrictions. You can create a different project if it serves a practical campcraft purpose and meets the repairability requirement.

2. Plan for Repair Before You Build

Before assembling anything, decide which component is most likely to need attention during the item’s useful life.

It might be a cordage connection that could loosen, a crossbar that could split, or a support that could wear down through repeated use.

Design that component so it can be accessed without dismantling the rest of the item.

For example, if you are building a small drying rack, you could secure its crossbar with removable lashings rather than permanently fixing it in a way that requires the whole structure to be taken apart.

If you are using cordage, consider how you will replace a worn section. A connection that can be untied and retied may be easier to maintain than one that requires cutting apart several interconnected lashings.

Think about these questions before construction:

• Which component is most likely to wear out or become damaged?
• Can I remove that component without dismantling the whole item?
• Can I replace it using materials I could reasonably carry or obtain?
• Will the item remain stable after the component has been replaced?
• Can I make the repair without specialised tools?

You do not need to create a formal technical drawing. A simple sketch showing the main components and how they connect is enough.

3. Build the Main Structure

Construct the main body of your project using your chosen materials.

Concentrate on making the structure stable, appropriately sized and suitable for its intended purpose. Keep the design as simple as possible, because unnecessary complexity can make an item harder to maintain.

If you are using wooden poles, select pieces that are suitable for the task and free from obvious weaknesses that could cause them to split unexpectedly. Check that the poles sit securely together and that the item does not wobble excessively.

If you are using lashings, make sure they are correctly tied and tightened. Loose connections can allow a structure to shift, while excessive tension can damage cordage or weaken unsuitable materials.

Avoid making permanent connections everywhere simply because they seem convenient. Where a component may need replacing, use a suitable connection that can be undone without damaging the surrounding structure.

However, do not make every connection removable if doing so would make the finished item unstable. Repairability should improve the design, not undermine its safety.

4. Make at Least One Component Replaceable or Adjustable

This is the central part of the challenge.

Identify the component you planned to repair or adjust, then make sure its connection allows you to do so independently.

For example, on a small drying rack, you might use removable lashings to secure the crossbar. If the crossbar becomes damaged, you should be able to release the relevant lashings, replace the bar and secure it again without rebuilding the legs or the rest of the frame.

On a modular organiser, you might design one section to slide into a suitable support or attach through a removable connection. The section should be replaceable without damaging the surrounding structure.

On a project using adjustable cordage, you might create a connection that allows you to alter the tension or replace the line without cutting apart the main structure.

The exact method will depend on your design. What matters is that the replaceable feature is deliberate and practical, rather than something you can only remove by dismantling the entire project.

Once you have finished this part, stop and inspect the connection. Check that it is secure enough for its intended use while remaining accessible for maintenance.

5. Test the Item in a Controlled Way

Before using your creation around camp, test it in a safe, low-consequence setting.

Place it on suitable ground and check that it stands securely. If it is intended to hold lightweight equipment, begin with a small amount of weight and observe how the structure behaves.

Look for movement at the joints, slipping cordage, bending supports or other signs that the design needs improvement.

Do not test the item with people, heavy loads or anything that could cause injury if the structure failed.

Check that the replaceable component can be removed without damaging other parts. If you need to force it out, cut multiple connections or dismantle most of the structure, the design may need further work.

Make any adjustments necessary to improve stability and accessibility. It is perfectly acceptable to revise your original design; identifying and correcting a weakness is part of the learning process.

6. Demonstrate a Repair or Adjustment

Once your project has passed its initial inspection, demonstrate its repairable feature.

Remove, adjust or replace the component you designed for maintenance.

If you created a drying rack, you might remove the crossbar and reinstall it. If you designed a modular organiser, you could remove one section and put it back in place. If your project uses adjustable cordage, demonstrate how the tension can be changed or the line replaced.

The key is to show that the item can return to working order without requiring a complete rebuild.

Inspect the structure again after the repair. Make sure all connections are secure and that the item remains stable.

If the replacement process exposes a weakness, improve the design and repeat the test. A repairable item should not become unsafe simply because one component has been changed.

7. Evaluate Your Design

Take a moment to consider how well your project meets its intended purpose.

Ask yourself whether the item is genuinely useful, whether the repair process is straightforward and whether you could carry out the same repair outdoors with limited equipment.

Consider how easy it would be to source a replacement component. A design that uses common cordage or a readily available piece of suitable material may be easier to maintain than one that depends on a unique component.

Also consider the trade-offs. A removable connection might be convenient but could require more frequent inspection. An adjustable component might offer flexibility but introduce another point where the structure could loosen.

The aim is not to create an indestructible item. It is to build something that can be maintained, repaired and returned to service without unnecessary waste or effort.

Check Your Results

Review your finished project against the following questions.

• Does the item serve a genuine campcraft purpose?
• Is the structure stable and suitable for its intended use?
• Did I identify a component that could reasonably need replacement or adjustment?
• Can I remove or adjust that component without rebuilding the entire item?
• Can I restore the item to working order after the repair?
• Does the structure remain stable after the component is replaced or adjusted?
• Could I explain why I chose this particular design?
• Have I identified any weaknesses or improvements that would make future repairs easier?

If you can answer yes to these questions, your project should meet the challenge requirements.

If the component cannot be removed without dismantling most of the structure, reconsider the connection. Sometimes a small change to a lashing or joint can make a considerable difference to how easily an item can be maintained.

Complete the Challenge

To complete this challenge, you must build a practical piece of campcraft that includes at least one replaceable or adjustable component.

You must demonstrate that you can remove, replace or adjust that component and restore the item to working order without rebuilding the entire project.

Your finished item should be stable, suitable for its intended purpose and safe to test. You should also be able to explain which component you designed to be repairable and why you chose that approach.

The project can be simple. A small rack with a replaceable crossbar is just as valid as a more elaborate modular design, provided it meets the requirements.

The real achievement is learning to think about maintenance before something breaks. That is a useful habit for anyone who spends time outdoors.

How to Submit Your Challenge

Log in to your Pure Bushcraft account and visit your member profile’s Social Activity section.

Create a post with photographic evidence of your project. Include pictures showing the finished item, the replaceable or adjustable component and the component removed or adjusted during your demonstration.

Explain what the item is used for, which part can be repaired or replaced, and how you restored it to working order.

You can also upload your images to your Gallery and use the hashtag in the caption.

Include the exact hashtag:

#PureBushcraftChallenge107

Make sure the photographs clearly show the repairable feature. You do not need to build something elaborate; a simple, well-considered project with a clearly demonstrated repair is sufficient.

Challenge 107 Checklist

Want to Push Yourself?

For an extra challenge, design your next piece of campcraft so that two separate components can be replaced independently.

For example, a small equipment rack might have both a replaceable crossbar and replaceable cordage connections. If one component wears out, you should be able to repair that part without disturbing the other.

You could also consider how to make your project easier to transport. A structure that can be taken apart into a few reusable components may be easier to pack and maintain than one built as a permanent assembly.

Another useful exercise is to record the materials and tools needed for a repair. Ask yourself whether you could carry the necessary spares in a small repair kit and whether the design could be maintained in poor weather.

Do not add complexity just to make the project harder. The best design is one that solves a genuine problem, remains safe to use and can be repaired without unnecessary effort.

What’s Next?

In Challenge 106, you demonstrated five learned knots consecutively, identifying the intended use and one limitation of each. If you have not completed it yet, you can return to it whenever you wish; Pure Bushcraft challenges can be completed in any order.

Continue looking for ways to make your outdoor equipment more practical and maintainable. Developing the habit of designing for repair can save materials, reduce waste and help you become more self-reliant at camp.

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the Pure Bushcraft Outdoor Skills Challenge 107 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.