# Boys' Life/Volume 1/Number 1/Round the Camp Fire

All letters relating to organization, questions on Scouting subjects and Scout news should be sent to the "Scout Editor," BOYS' LIFE.
Letters concerning matters purely editorial, contributions, questions, subscription and advertisements should be addressed to BOYS' LIFE, 7 Water St., Boston, Mass.
Boys and Boy Scouts: It is with great pride that I place the first number of BOYS' LIFE in your hands—the finest five-cent boys' magazine ever issued. Look this issue over, it's full of just the kind of reading you like—every page interesting from start to finish.
This number contains an exciting, long, complete railroad yarn, short stories, articles on scouting, scouting games, and instalment of a fine serial, illustrations—in fact a real boys' magazine, devoted to the Boy Scout movement, outdoor life and character-building in boys. Every story and article is written by men who know their subject thoroughly and who understand just what a boy likes.
Our Object
In issuing BOYS' LIFE, we have two objects in view:
First—To furnish the Boy Scouts with a paper which they may consider their own, and which will keep them in touch with patrols all over the country, to give them hints and instructions on Scouting, how to play Scouting games, and to supply them with good, clean, stirring stories of adventure.
Second—To place in the hands of all boys a paper of which they may be proud, and one which they will not be afraid to have their parents see them reading.
We want every boy to show this copy of BOYS' LIFE to his parents, ask them to read it, and compare it with the cheap five-cent weeklies that are now being sold. We have no doubt that after they see the manly tone of our paper they will heartily approve of our project to give the American boy a journal of a higher moral tone than that of any other boys' paper published.
We feel that the boys of this country are not namby-pamby youths, devoid of imagination, and who know nothing and care nothing about the great world awaiting them. They want to read and know something beyond the dull level of their own street and town.
To this end they are not desirous of wading through pages of blood and horror, impossible detective yarns, of stories in which crime and violence play a leading part.
They want good, healthy stories of adventure, in all parts of the world—stories full of the right kind of dash and excitement. These are the only kind which Boys' Life will publish. Stories that will do their part toward building character in boys.
Our Program
It is my intention as editor of BOYS' LIFE to give my readers absolutely the best stories that can be obtained—this number is a fine example of what a boys' paper should be—the future numbers will be even better than this one.
In each issue I intend to publish a long, complete story of 10,000 words or more good, clean, healthy yarns of adventure the world over—clever school stories—tales of boys in busi- ​ness life, in fact, stories that cover everything that boys are interested in.
The articles on the Boy Scout movement, scouting games and practices will be found of great value to all scouts and scoutmasters. Athletics will be taken care of in their respective seasons, particular attention being paid to rowing, swimming and running.
In a short time I shall commence the publication of a series of illustrated articles entitled, "From Weakness to Strength." In this series, issue by issue, in easily understood instructions, without the aid of expensive apparatus—as a matter of fact simply with a piece of clothes line and a broom handle—two things that any boy can find in his own home, any lad who can follow the instructions, can, in the space of a few short months, develop his frame until he shall become the envy and admiration of every other boy he knows.
I also have in mind, two other departments—stamps and amateur journalism. They will be conducted by experts upon these subjects.
I Want The Boys to Help Me
Now, boys, I intend to make BOYS' LIFE the best and most popular boys' magazine in the country and to have it supreme in its field as the Popular Magazine is supreme among fiction magazines for adults.
In order to do this I need the assistance of every one of my readers. Show this number to your chums—tell them about the great stories and articles—urge them to get a copy and read it—when you are finished with your paper, pass it along to one of your friends who may not have seen it. These are a few of many ways by which you ran help me to put BOYS' LIFE at the top of the ladder.
An Easy Way for Boys to Earn Money
My circulation manager tells me that he wants to secure bright boys and young men in every city in the country to secure subscriptions. A liberal commission will be paid on each subscription and it strikes me that this would be an easy way for Scoutmasters and Scouts to secure funds for equipment, camping expenses, etc.
If any of my readers want to take advantage of this chance to earn a little extra pocket money, fill out and mail the coupon which will be found on another page.
I Want to Hear From You
I want my readers to let me know what they think of this issue and to make suggestions for its improvement in the future.
I have a very nice note from Mr. Frank H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools in Westford, Acton, Littleton, Mass., in which he makes inquiries regarding the Boy Scout Movement which information I have forwarded, and congratulates me upon the publication of BOYS' LIFE. He says "it is an inspiration, and should be a great success." I sincerely thank Mr. Hill for his approval of our paper and trust to hear from him again.
Now, boys, I am always glad to hear from you about yourselves and your favorite papers and will answer by return mail if you enclose in your letter a stamped, addressed envelope. I want to you to consider me as a friend to whom you may write when in trouble or in search of information, and I will advise you to the best of my ability.
GEORGE S. BARTON,
Your Editor.