[hammock]

They probably also had that "bet" to be able to give their groups a reason not to immediately turn on a light in the dark. It's very distracting and ruins the experience.

On a smaller scale I see inexperienced campers seem to be dependent on using a flashlight for EVERYTHING when the sun goes down, even when just sitting doing nothing, or performing a task (like walking in a field) that could be done by moonlight.

We have to train this instinct out of ourselves.

[rtkwe]

It's also just reinforced by biology. Use a flashlight once or twice and until your night vision recovers if you need to do something else your eyes aren't ready to so you need to use the light again... repeat all night.

[hx87]

Red lights work rather well in cases like that.

[rtkwe]

True but that's not a standard feature for cheap lights or headlamps.