I learned something discouraging today. I'm older than duct tape. (And if that's not bad enough, I'm older than Smoky the bear, too.)

Duct tape was first created and manufactured in 1942 for waterproofing ammunition cases during WWII. That's where name duck tape came from. After the war, this versatile tape became popular for connecting heating and AC duct work.

So much for the trivia.

Memories of my kidhood are what inspired this ible. My Dad and Grandad were both avid hunters and outdoorsmen. This little apple didn't fall very far from the tree. I grew up camping, hunting and fishing and I learned a few common, no-nonsense camping rules along the way.

The first rule: You pack it in, you pack it out.

The second rule: Always leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.

Now janitor duty wasn't exactly on my list of fun things to do, but sassing or arguing with Grandad was a sure way of getting spanked or even worse: spending the day inside the tent.

If you're teaching your kids like my Dad and Grandad taught me, this new-fangled Camp Cleaning stick will come in handy and be appreciated by the young picker-uppers. They might even learn to think twice when they're tempted to litter.

If you're the picker-upper, you'll probably appreciate the act of NOT bending over.

Mother nature will appreciate the clean up effort, too.

This stick can be used to pick up trash from the ground or blown into trees.

It'll work as a fruit picker.

It also makes for a formidable, dangerous weapon that could severely injure another person or animal.

Carefully consider the age, reliability and general sensibility of anyone before handing it over to them. This isn't a toy.

Updated: The newest images are of a Camp cleaning stick I made from a 4' broom handle. I liked this tool so much I decided to make a sleeker version that I can easily pack with my other camping gear and toss in the bed of my pickup. I drilled 3 holes in a tennis ball so it would fit over the nails and act as a cap. This is for safety when the stick is not in use. I followed the construction exactly as previously described.

Step 1: Tools You'll Need

1 long, sturdy stick or broom handle. I used a 4' stick.
3 long nails w/ heads. I used 6" nails.
2 short finishing nails
Hammer
Saw
Duct tape

You also need 1 empty toilet paper roll that is completely covered (waterproofed) with duct tape. This will become known as a TP slider later in this ible. It's purpose is to push gathered trash from the stick so you won't have to touch the trash. By waterproofing the TP slider, wet trash won't compromise it's construction.

Step 2: Building the Camp Cleaner

Using the saw, clean the stick by sawing off the protruding nubs. If you're using a broom handle, this won't be necessary.

I intentionally left one nub to keep the TP slider from falling down to the handle if it's used in a overhead situation. If you're using a broom handle, you'll be using one of the small nails (bent over) to accomplish this. Adding another small nail (bent over) will keep it from slipping off in the downward postion.

Start building:

Approximately 2 inches down from the tip of the stick, I sawed 3 grooves just deep enough and wide enough for the nail heads to fit inside them. This will help keep the nails securely in place and allow them to lay nearly flush on the stick.

If your nails are shorter, compensate accordingly.

Apply one wrap of duct tape, sticky side out, to the tip end of the stick.

Place your 3 long nails in position with the heads inside the grooved notches. The sticky tape will help hold them there as you begin the taping process. Starting at the nail heads, pull off a 12" strip of duct tape and begin taping the nails to the stick. Pull the tape really tight so the nail heads are recessed into the grooved notches.

When the nails are taped securely, duct tape over the nail heads. This allows easier slide action for the TP slider.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Duct tape a holding handle at the top end of the stick and attach a loop (1 strip of duct tape folded in half) so you can hang this tool in a tree.

It occured to me that the clean up stick could easily get "lost" (accidentally on purpose?), so as an afterthought, I added red duct tape to avoid that dillema.

Put the TP slider on. Hammer a nail into the stick at both ends of the TP slider and bend them inward, toward each other. When you're ready to use the TP slider, just rotate the bent nail outward.

Step 4: Testing

I successfully collected a plastic bottle, 5 pieces of paper and a soda can with room to spare.

I released them into the garbage can using the TP slider. EASY!

Unfortunately, it's too early to test on my fruit-bearing trees so that demo will go unrecorded.

I'm not in immediate danger, so a self-defense demo isn't going to happen either.

I give this Clean up contraption high ratings for ease of construction, ease of use and for following the Duct tape Challenge rules.

If you feel the same, I'd sure like to have your vote.

Don't go away yet. There's one more step-->>>>>>>

Step 5: Help Keep America Beautiful. Spread the Word.

Did you know a glass bottle takes 1 million years to fully decompose into the environment? Not to mention the dangers of broken glass on bare feet.

Fishing line can take up to 600 years and wreaks havoc/death on unsuspecting wildlife.

To learn more about decomposition time of other household items, click on the link below.

http://www.des.state.nh.us/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/trash/documents/marine_debris.pdf

Thanks for veiwing my Ible!