Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-13
NATURAL HISTORY CAMP.
Summer Education for Boys at Lake
Quinsigamond.

In connection with the annual report Of the
state board of education of Massachusetts.
there Is published an interesting account of
the holiday camp for boys on the shore of
Lake Quins1gamond. from which the following
facts are CLEANED: The camp was established
three or four years ago under the auspices
OF the Worcester Natural History society, and
has attracted good deal of attention from
people concerned in the work of general edu-
cation. The camp is in fact a natural out
growth of the policy which has animated the
society for the past eight years; namely. that of
providing for young people opportunities
suggestions and aid in following out that active
experimental study of nature in her outdoor
haunts, which has such perennial attractive
ness for children and youth.
BOYS IN SUMNER
1t was observed that the months of july and
August are largely period of idleness or of
undirected and purposeless activity on the part
of numbers of boys, whose residence in the city
affords little or no opportunity for any profita-
bic or even interesting employment OF the
weeks of leisure forced upon them by the long
vacation. Two fundamental points have been
specially observed: First TO offer a great yari-
ETY. OF occupations: and, second to allow much
individual freedom of choice from day to day.
THE METHODS EMPLOYED.
The camp is very favorably located for its
purpose, and yet is not too far from the thickly
settled part of the city. The conditions of
physical comfort and well-being are regarded
as Indispensable. Plenty OF wholesome food is
furnished and cool drinking water is always on
hand in abundance. Comfortable lodgings are
provided, in army tents of moderate size.
properly located and pitched. and well foored
and drained. with good beds and bedding.
Other furniture is at the option of the occa-
pant OF each tent; he may make, as many do,
bedstead, chairs, table, &c. or he NAV do
without them. He may have carpet,
mats mats or bare floor, as he chooses.
spacious dining-tent, suitably furnished.
Each boy is required to take a certain care of
himself. He Is expected to be clearly and tidy
III person and dress. and to keep his quarters
neat and orderly. He must air his bed and bed
ding. make his bed. sweep his floor, hang up or
fold his clothes, &c. He may do these things
after his own fashion, but he must do them
effectively. regularly and punctually. He must
also be punctuai at meals. unless specially ex-
cused, and must SO to bed at a seasonable
hour.
INSTRUCTION.
The boys are instructed and trained in certain
useful accomplishments, such as rowing and the
care of boats (sail boats are not allowedl. the
use of simple tools, swimming military
drill and gymnastics. in all OF which great
interest Is manifested. Fully one-third of
those i'll camp each summer learn to swim
for the first time; most of them learn also
what is not less important, namely, caution
when IN or upon the water. The military
regimen serves adInirablyas q kind OF
general camp tonic. while the exercise and
knowledge gained by a short daily drill are in
themselves OF no small value. The orderly and
sanitary condition of the camp. and the dignity
OF appearance and bearing noticeable in the
cadets" could scarcely have been secured
with so little friction by any other means
workshop has been built and stocked with
tools and simple machines. which all are free
to use; while those who desire may receive in
strucuon III the elements of carpentry and
joinery, cabinet-making. bodybuilding &c
Inc camp physician, III addition to his regu-
lar inspections. gives frequent emergency
talks, illustrated by demonstrations, upon the
proper method of dressing wounds resuscitat-
ing the apparently drowned treating sun
stroke. &c.
Regular instruction is given by lessons and
lectures and b. laboratory and field work in
several departments of natural history notably
| IN botany. ornithology and taxidermy, ento
mologY, astronomy. DC. This instruction is
less exhaustive and, in general, less formal
| than that given III schools. 1t is not of the
kind that prepares for examinations.
SOCIAL RECREATION.
Some forms of social recreation are specially
encouraged. Beside frequent excursions and
military parades. there are evening gatherings
Nv 'ho tth'isi Cdih p-hTt,tHtiHtHtu by songs,
stories, Rotations &c. at which every boy is
invited, though not unduly pressed to con-
tribute what he TO the common fund of di-
version and amusement.
The programs, daily and weekly, are SO
planned as to afford many different lines of oc-
cupation, among which great freedom of
choice Is offered to each boy. 1t is not to be
| supposed that the conditions requisite for a
camp of this character are to be found in Wor-
cester alone. On the contrary, there can be no
| doubt that they exist in hundreds Of cities and
villages scattered throughout the country, need
I ing but the initiative of few capable workers
TO result in unspeakable good to thousands of
| our youth.