Full foundation sounds easier to build than a slab. The only catch is that you'll probably have to do a lot more digging. This is especially true if you live in northern part of our country. A little north of New York City we usually extend our foundations down 4 feet. You'll want to find out how far down wall and footings should go; local building inspector or mason can tell you.

With this information in mind, lay out outlines of building as described above and start digging. The walls that form your foundation will probably be built of 8-inch concrete block. This wall should rest on a footing. The illustration at side shows one way such a footing can be made.

Like beam described above, dirt may be cut square and be used as form. The footing should be at least 6 inches thick and project 2 or not more than 3 inches beyond thickness of wall. This concrete footing is made of I part portland cement, 3 parts sand, 5 parts coarse aggregate, or a transit mix that will have a minimum compressive strength of 1,500 pounds per square inch in 28 days.

If you are making walls of block, mortar you should use is composed of I part portland cement, 3 parts sand by volume, and lime not exceeding 25 per cent of cement by volume. Stagger blocks so that joints of second row of blocks fall over mid-sections of blocks below. Use closed-end blocks for corners.

Water is one of most important things that you will need for your camp. It can be hardest or easiest thing to find. A clear lake and a bucket is cheapest way you'll be able to get a good supply. It is important that water you use be free from harmful bacteria. Taste is no substitute for a test of good drinking water.

Local health authorities are usually willing to test water for you. Other agencies that will tell you whether water is suitable include State Health Departments, County Health Offices, and Health Hygienic Laboratories.

Now let's get back to problem of how we're going to get running water into your camp without depending upon some leaks in roof. Water can be obtained from a dug well, a bored well, a drilled well, or from surface sources such as lakes, springs, or cisterns.

A dug well is usually used where rocky soil prohibits use of a driven well, and where water can be reached by simple excavation. Basically it is a hole in ground. Perhaps first thing to do in building a dug well is to inquire from your neighbors whether they have used this type of water source.

If their report is satisfactory, you should start considering best location for such a well. Be sure that it is located at least 100 feet from your sewage system and drain field. It should also be located on higher ground.

Having found best location, start digging a hole about 4 feet in diameter. As you dig, be sure that you use cross braces to keep upper earth in place. Eventually you will (maybe) reach water. The lower section of well should be lined with brick or stone. Do not use mortar.