Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-03
Boys Take Great Delight in
the Swimming Exercises.
Stories by Rev. J. H. Whitson--Rev
n. F. Woods Illustrated Lecture.
Boys Brigade's Daring and Successful Attack
on Assembly Dining Hall.

cacH BOY III camp that ne attend all OF
the exercises in the Assembly tent, and
this expectation is generally met. The
boys are usually on hand, apparently
approaching the work which is being
done for them. Among the sports in
dulged in perhaps swimming takes the
lead, as in this a larger number can
take a hand. The swimming hour is
hailed with delight by scores Of the
fellows. and there is general disappoint-
ment If for any reason it is omitted for
the day. large proportion OF the boys
IN camp are swimmers, some of them
fine swimmers; and il is a sight worth
seeing when 100 or more of the fellows.
larger and smaller. are stripped and
padding like ducks in the water. OF
course every precaution is taken
against accidents OF every kind. Boats
are stationed out in the stream as a
river patrol. some Of the stronger
swimmers are designated specially to
care for the smaller boys and the
Watckful eye Of some man il IN thu
whole company. There is not the
slightest danger. as boy couldn't
iA''f ~ - Ai' n d44A't't ~ 10 So
on Tuesday afternoon. following the
athletics on the athletic field, the first
exhibition swim was given. Tn ~ are
excellent facilities for both swimming
and seeing. the deep water dir, tly in
front Of the camp and the high en-
bankment overlooking. Hundreds Of
people witnessed the exhibition. Twelve
of the strongest swimmers Of Good
Will Farm had been under training.
and their performances We're unique
and interesting. At signal given by
pistol they made the plunge into 10
TO 20 feet Of water, swan out into the
stream, divided to right and left.
wheeled, marched and counter-march-
ed in manner worthy of an old sol
der. the line of heads in the water be
ing 100 feet or more in length and as
straight as though the feet touched
bottom Il was a very pretty sight.
and one mother was heard to declare
This is worth the whole cost of get
ting here. | wish my boy could swim
like that"
After this exhibition 90 or more call
who We're properly dressed for IT'D of
the other fellows jumped into the swim
ming pool and there was fun alive
for a few minutes: but the real fun
came when in the regular swimming
pool in the river below the Camp fully
100 boys plunged and splashed and
rolled and tumbled and blew like a
school of porpoises. This was free from
restraint; ana really the average boy
has his best time and does his best
work when no one is looking at him.
There has come to the grove. during
day. Rev. j. H. Whitson, whose name
is familiar to many of the boys as a
writer of stories for boys He has
come by invitation to spend several
days. and the boys are expecting a fine
time with him. His first half hour
with the boys was spent in a shady
nook near Camp BOardman. 1t surely
was an interesting sight to see $50 boys
and young men mone others are al
lowed at this eXercise) stretched out on
the carpet of moss listening with in
terest to stories of personal experience
on the Western and Southwestern
plains. We could almost hear the In
dian War-hoop and see the stealthy ma
tives of the woods gliding here and
there. Mr.. Whitson viii find a ready
following as he leads us day by day in
some of the experiences Of frontier life.
A pleasing incident of the day was thu,
acceptance by the Boys Brigade Of the
invitation extended by the trustees of the
Good VIII Assembly to take tea at the
Assembly dining hall. They were heartily
greeted by all of the other boys in camp
as well as by officers and friends. Til
RriU1 do in, fpf
they had no use for their guns Led on
by Commandant Boarduan, they made a
very gallant and successful assault on
the well-loaGcd tables. No one was court
marualled tor deserving his post, ami
there was no call for the ambulance
corps. The boys all had a good time ana
the ties OF good fellowship We're strength
ened.
Tuesday evening was too fine 10 stay in
tent. Natures auditorium, with its per.
tect system OF ventilation and artistic
lecora lions; was again in use. Tn
second of Rev. H. +. Woods illustrated
lectures was given out Of doors. Sixty
ar more pictures of the worlds creates!
We're shown by aid of the
stereOpticon. 1t was a fine collection OF
pictures. chosen with discrimination and
good judgment. Appropriately the exhibi- |
ton closed by showing the pictures OF |
Deneficent men who are or have been con
seetgd VIII VIII Good VII Farm Messrs
SHiltl, nan, bdllty, fOSS. MOODY ami
Iiinckley; and the large audience cheerel |
md recheered as these faces were placed |
upon the screen. Mr.. Woods lectures |
have been very interesting and instruc- |
tive, and in both matter and manner his |
service has given great satisfaction.
The morning deVotions of Wednesday |,
were conducted by Mr.. f. NJ. Robinson |
Of Springfield, Mass, superintendent OF |
he Junior Department of the Y. NJ. c. A. |
Mr.. Hinckley declares that Mr. Robin |
son knows more about boys camps than |
my other man living" and his service is
4 great acquisition to the present en-
His words and work carry
At 10 O'Clock the tent chairs were all |
AIKEN and many people sat outside in the
shade of the pines. The speaker a the
.duca tional hour was Rev. c. q. Moshier
IF Bangor. He told us of Some Boys
We Like TO Know" His happy manner
md attractive style of address won the
attention al the start, and the boys were
.asy captives as practical and important
ruth came directly and indirectly from
he speaker. He had a message in his
leart, gave it and stopped talking. There
ire others.
The attendance, today, Of strangers is
large. Fathers and mothers
iave come with their boys, young people
ire here in large numbers. The outer