PointCast field guide · Thus Camp

Camp is anywhere you're about to spend three hours.

Camp is anywhere you are about to spend three hours. Not the woods: the bleachers, the sideline, the fence line at the courts, the gate at the airport. Every one of them goes better with a small plan and a short kit.

How to modern-utility any situation.

The method

Four questions. T·H·U·S.

Ask these before any outing and the kit mostly packs itself.

  1. TTemperature

    What will it feel like at the hottest and coldest point you will be there, not right now?

  2. HHours

    How long, door to door, including parking, the walk and the wait to leave?

  3. UUse

    Are you playing, watching, working or waiting? Each one carries a different kit.

  4. SSurface

    What will you sit or stand on: aluminum bleacher, grass, sand, concrete, a carpeted gate?

The camps

14 situations, one kit each.

Each one has a loadout, a timeline, the moves that make it easier, and what to watch for.

  • TC-013–4 hrs · Aluminum bleacher

    High school football, as a parent

    Friday night · home bleachers

    Sit on something, carry almost nothing, and know how your kid gets home before kickoff.

  • TC-021–6 hrs · Whatever is in the sun

    How to deal with 98 degrees

    Any plan · outside · the hottest day of the week

    Water before you are thirsty, shade before you are hot, and leave before you feel bad.

  • TC-032–8 hrs · Hard court, fence line

    Comfortable at the courts, as a player

    Open play · league night · tournament day

    Court shoes, cold water and something to do between games that is not standing in the sun.

  • TC-041–6 hrs · Bench, grass or concrete

    Comfortable at the courts, as a watcher

    Fence line · bleachers · the shady bench if you are lucky

    Bring your own seat and shade, stay out of walkways, and never cross behind a court mid-point.

  • TC-056–10 hrs · Grass, mud, gym floor

    All-day youth tournament, sideline

    Saturday · three games · two fields apart

    Pack a wagon like a base, not a bag. Food, shade and a chair travel together.

  • TC-063–6 hrs · Hot sand

    A full beach day

    South Bay · lifeguard tower in sight

    Set up near a lifeguard, bring your own shade, and carry it in one trip.

  • TC-073–5 hrs · Lawn

    Outdoor concert, on the lawn

    Summer series · amphitheater lawn · park bandshell

    Low chair, clear bag, warm layer, and a meet-up spot named before the lights go down.

  • TC-082–8 hrs · Gate carpet

    The long airport delay

    Gate area · the board says Delayed

    Rebook on your phone while you stand in line, and keep your battery above half.

  • TC-094–6 hrs · Bleacher or lawn chair on grass

    Baseball doubleheader, from the stands

    Little league to varsity · two games · one long afternoon

    Sit where the shade will be in the fourth inning, not where it is at first pitch.

  • TC-102–4 hrs · Bleacher or folding chair on turf

    Outdoor graduation, in the stands

    Football stadium · June sun · one name you came to hear

    Tickets in hand, a meet-up spot named, and water in a bag the gate will let through.

  • TC-118–14 hrs · Concrete, all day

    A full theme park day

    Rope drop to fireworks · ten miles of walking

    Shoes you have already walked ten miles in, a battery pack, and a midday break.

  • TC-125–10 hrs · Car seat

    The long road trip

    Five hundred miles · one car · everyone's playlist

    Download the maps, stop before anyone needs to, and keep the trunk kit in reach.

  • TC-131–5 hrs · Plastic chair

    The long waiting room

    DMV · urgent care · jury duty · the service center

    Bring the paperwork, a full battery and a layer, and assume it will take longer.

  • TC-143–6 hrs · Patio and lawn

    Hosting the backyard party

    Your yard · twenty guests · one grill

    Twice the ice, shade before seats, and light before dark.

Pack list

Build the kit, check it off.

Pick a camp, who you are there, and the conditions. Checks are saved in this browser. Copy the list into your notes or the team chat.

You are
Conditions
Base layer

High school football, as a parent

Sit on something, carry almost nothing, and know how your kid gets home before kickoff.

10 items

  • Aluminum is cold at night, hot at a day game, and hard either way. A back makes the third quarter bearable.

  • Many districts now run a clear-bag policy at the gate. Check the school's athletics page before you go.

  • Many districts sell digital-only tickets now. Buy before you are in the gate line with bad signal.

  • The snack bar and the 50/50 raffle may still be cash. Boosters keep the program running.

  • Video, photos, the ride plan and the walk back to the car all run on the same phone.

  • The parking lot after the game is darker than the field.

  • Find your number on the line of scrimmage, or your kid in the band block.

  • Real food, a water bottle and a dry shirt in the car. Teams often stay after for a talk.

  • Band and spirit kids often eat early and march late. Ask the director what is allowed in the stands.

  • If you sit by the band or the drumline, you will want them. Kids' ears too.

Full guide →

Base camp

The trunk kit

The base layer under every Thus Camp. One bin that lives in the car, so the only thing you pack for each outing is the stuff that is specific to it.

  • Two folding chairs

    Every situation above has a sitting problem.

  • One clamp umbrella

    Instant shade on any chair, bench or wagon.

  • Blanket

    Seat, layer, picnic, sunshade.

  • A case of water

    Rotate it. Car heat does water no favors over months.

  • Sunscreen, packed for each outing

    Protect it from excessive heat and direct sunlight; do not leave it stored in a hot car. Follow its label and replace expired sunscreen.

  • First-aid kit and instant ice packs

    Scrapes, blisters, rolled ankles.

  • Headlamp

    Dark lots, dark trunks, dark trailheads.

  • Car charger and a cable

    For the drive home after the battery pack is spent.

  • Trash bags

    Pack it out. Also: wet clothes.

  • Old towel

    Sandy feet, wet seats, sweaty everything.

Safety references

Heat, lightning, water and food-safety guidance checked on .

General guidance, not medical, safety or legal advice. Venue rules change: check the school, park, venue or airline before you go. In a heat emergency, call 911. Written by Claude Code for PointCast. Machine-readable at /thus-camp.json.