Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-11-08
Schooling Outside Of Schools,


tFrom the Congregat!onalist.l
a bicycle tour last July brought TO
our notice a feature OF public educa-
ton in Germany which might wisely
be initiated In this country. We arrived
one day at Goslar, on the northern
edge of the Harz mountains. The pro-
prietor Of our hotel was busy prepar-
ing for the coming of sixty boys. They
arrived the next evening, with their
knapsucks, on foot, and accompanied
by three or four teachers, In the
large dining hall, after their bread and
beer, brief addresses We're made to
them and they sang Justify several
patriotic and folk songs. They We're a
lively but orderly company. Next
morning they gathered in the publc
square, near the most ancient historic
building in the town. The events OF
interest which had there transpired
were recounted to them, and other
songs We're sung In praise OF the faith
erland. We ufterward saw them in
various excursions in the neighorhood.
Such companies of students We're
often met with in the Harz and in the
Thuringian forest. We learned that
these journeys are an important part
of school life The pupils come some
times from small villages, sometimes
from the larger towns. The proposed
route Is laid out weeks or even months
beforehand The pupils draw maps of
the region through which they are to
pass It's features of geographic, his
turlc. literary and geologic interest are
pointed out to them. They are told
what they may expect to see and how
to see 1t.
Usually each pupil makes a weekly
contribution toward the cost OF the
trip TIL the amount needed is secured.
OF course strict economy Is practiced
and the expense Is small. Often they
sleep in barns or in large halls, COW
cred with straw. They are instructed
as to their outfits, and each boy carries
what he requires strapped on his Shout
ders. They divide themselves into sew
eral groups-pne group marching as
leaders, another bringing up the rear,
another acting as scouts, and so on.
They study botany, natural history, the
roads and how they were made, the
raising and moving of crops and many
other things. They visit the homes
where men famous in war, government
or literature have lived. They learn
poems associated with places. From such
a Journey. lasting three days TO three
weeks, they return TO their own COM
munities with many new things OF In
terest to talk about and much valuable
information. They write essays on
their travels and observations, This
outdoor study in Germany Is consld-
cred important enough TO he made the
subject of an extended report in
volume Just issued by the English edu-
cation office.
There are many parts Of our country
where such school journeys might be
made especially instructive and enjoy
able. Massachusetts, has many places,
especially along its seacoast. rich in
historic associations and beauty OF ma
tural scenery. Many of the leading
aspects of education find ample Illus
trations In our hills and valleys our
towns. buildings, museums, monu-
ments and factories. The crisp air OF
these autumn days the rapidly chang
Ing splendors of field and forest, invite
and allure the student out II doors a
tramp Of a single day under suitable
guidance might be made 10 give zest
to weeks of school life, while Journey
NJ a week might prove an unceaslng
inspiration to study and patriotism
such a plan included In the prospectus
of private school, when properly SET
forth, would be sure to prove great