New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-09
STTDYING IN CAMP.
WORK OF THE WORCESTER NATURAL HISTORY
soCIETY-A PLEASANT AND INSTRUCTIVE

Worcester, Mass. June 3 (Spccian.-Thc Natural
History Camp Lake QuirSgamond Will probably
he developed this summer {, greater extent ana
usefulness than ever before II is under the charge
OF the Worcester Natural History society. which was
organized by Agassk, senator IIoar. DR.. Edward
Everett Hale and others. and j. Intended rs summer
resort for both the recreation md instruction OF city
boys. Here boys can spend heir vacations, living
in tents and enjoying all the sports which country
life affords, such fishing, Dwins swimming anu
athletic games At the tmc they are IN con
slant association with men of llgh scholarship, who
lecture on instructive topics. take the boys on cN
plorng and collecting expeditions. engage In their
sports ard amuscmcnts. and do all that Is IN their
power to make the boys vacations both pleasant and
profitable.
The camp is beautifully situated on the west shore
OF Lake Qunsgamond. about mile north Of the
causcway. on the old camping anc fishing grounds OF
the Nipmuck Indians. II occupies the forty acre
park owned by the Worcester Natural History society
This tract includes hills forests. apl open land. The
location is all that could be desired from a sanitary
point Of view. The camp ground is well. but not
dcnScy, shaded by large forest trees Of various kinds
the tents are pitched on dry Grwclly soil al the
foot Of Wlcwam iii. The wooded hillside shades
the camp from the afternoon sun. The whole region
Is a haunt and nesting place for birds tract OF
wooded hill, and upland pastures. clear streams ana
lakes which offer every variety Of occupation 70 boys
who love ont door he.
The system Of registration uscd together with the
rocal. makes II possible to record n headquarters
where each camper +, If out Of camp, and when he
should return. The camp physicin goes the rounds
every day The accommodations. sanitary arrange
mcntN and food subject 10 his approval. 30
scr,u, Illness ha, been contracted at the camp.
Boys allowed to leave camp and go TO the city
or elsewhere II 1t +, the wish Of their parents other
wise not. unless accompanied by Of the officers.
instructors employee. Every car, + used during
the swimming lessons and excursions to avoid accl-
dents: tho boys are taught 10 usc caution when IN
or upon tho water. and during the years Of the
camp no casualties have occurred. Firearms are not
allowed in the camp. Each boy is required to take
certain care Of himself. lie IS expected to bc
clcany aid tidy IN person and dress, and to keep his
quarter, neat and orderly lie must air his bed and
bedding make his bei. sweep III, hoor, hang mp
fold his clothes, etc. He may do these things
after hi, fashion. but be must do them effectively
regularly and punctually.
There +, Just enough camp discipline To insure order
and enough military drH. with quarter Of an hour
Of gymua>tc exercise daily. 70 induce correct and
graceful physical bearing. Apart from all tho com
pul-oTy routine. the boys have daily thirteen and a
half hour, Of free time to spend they pca-e. In
the lecture courses. specimens, dra" ng,, the micro
-coi". .tc~coscopc telescope etc. are used In Illus,
trAtlou. and while attendance f. not compulsory, IL
h,~ been found that nearly all Of the boy
shop. whcr, boat, and canoc- may %" brit. \ rnc
ph.c gallery and studio ha- also been c-tab
u~lcd where % skilled artist Will instruct the boys
IN practical photography. and VIII prepare photo
graph. u microscopic objects for u-c by other teach
er, Room, viii be- tt"d up ono i0r biological Wogf,
one for . .tudio for dravlu- and modelling 90 CLAY.
and another Tor prcraru. specimens. Two shHcd
taNldcrin.,t- viii .1yc lesson, 10 their At. hunter
VIII teach che to'- the haunt- and habits ~ the
game AID fish, how to make q camp 'lrc. pitch
tcnt. handle au ave.. cut wood build loS camp. "t"
The lessons Boo rowing and .vimm.a- which have in
past years proved of great value Vll b" c"uiiuu7i
under efficient Instructors. An experienced bee
hunter ha- lcn engaged - TAX" n" BOYS on b." hunts
several time, during The -cas"n The ont door s""tch
INK. under the care If a Ne" York artist. VIII be-
made special feature. and . ,yti"mAur o"rre
viii Dee dycn during the eight weeks o. camp
OL; door evening lessons ou astronomy, Illustrated
with tho telescope. viii De- given during the season.
Tho experience 81 the past few year, provco that
the bet way 70 culis, the Interest 81 boy, 30 the
.tudy Of natural history is {" tale Them ont Into
the wood, and field, Ierc the Instructor come,
nearer learner than ), usual lu IA" cls. room
lie E.. in fact not much teacher ~ q student.
who-e studi"- tho pupn is permitted 10 "tnr-@ ana
share In these excursion, the teacher is simply
leader whose mcthods of procedure are watched hy
tho clas, and whose suggestion, or remarks ara
droppcd Incidentally or called forth bv question,
fran individual pupll, II !, found that many II
the boys catch the spirit Of observation with sur
pri Ing a,cry when IT 4, TIM. diIuscl lio at",-
phcrc round the path Of an enthusiastic student Of
uaturr While the natural activity # the hoy 4, cN
erci-cd by Walking. climbing. rowing, ETC.. bis per
ccpivc f,cutc, are Developed by the continual
lool, 10 discover new object, and the observation 81
,bn,, uoitt.d ont 10 him ly tb. teacher specimen.
,,lc, are .,hihrd ~, tb. .rot ar ra,sod from hand
., hand co,,,,o,t. ar. mad. mn them by the teacher
:, -. No.
anu 'nu' '"r IVY '''' "''""'' '''''' "'""' '"e'
they Will long remember. and ara simulated Ia
further observation and rejection 40 text book, are
-.
"'o" ~ any u'P'''"''"''
Two evenings each week devoted & "cmp-
c-.s o., uhi,b ,I,. t,v. II ton Il, .t,ri,. II r,,l
d" - " ' 800 -,
adventure t"ld 10y Huh''r' ana Wo"d-Hl'l iIcI' are
good grounds for football. baseball t"unis etc. AID
,,.rou. rcr,tt,s viii he. held an the Lake. Their ar.
-, 80, -, :, A., .,
dIeo cNcuuS gatherings hV"hn III" camp mr. "''h
each II invited Ia contribute his share Ia the
1870. .,.,....,..