Evening star., 1902-08-02
Mothers in Large Cities Have
Solved Problem.
WHAT A TRIP COSTS
A BOON FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
AND GUARDIANS.
reaching Would-Be Campers to Earn
Their Way to the Heart
of Nature.
Written for The Evening Star,

"'tittu TOT Inc ENenlng Star.
The percentage of mlddle-class families
able to leave the large cities for the sum-
mer. or even for month. is comparatively
small, yet at no season of the year do
mothers find themselves confronted bv so
serious an aspect Of the ubiquitous boy
question. Particularly is this true of those
IN moderate circumstances. but possessed Of
keen sense Of their chIdren's rights
only the mother who is tahIishrd In n
SIX or seven-room fiat can fully appreciate
What II means TO have a restless unorru-
pied lad at home all summer II he plays
IN his own rooms the tenant on the floor
De!oW complains 10 the agent or the janitor.
IL he plays on the stoop the janitar is
promptly on hand to warn him away. II
he wanders up to the eutciug fiat roof
there again looms the janitor. And while
the Janitor may not follow him 10 the wa
Ltr Ltr cage when he goes fishing in the river
ms lhothgrS : fearful prophecy Of death bv
drowning does. Unfortunately for boy and
mother. huspitable grandmothers and
aunties on farms seem to be growing f,yyer
at an alarming rate. And here il is that the
city boy ''i0
There are clubs-and clubs. varying not in
their natural advantages. for Dame Nature
Is no resp6cter of persons. but rather in the
matter Of equipment and management
Some boys there are who make the mem
bership exclusive and limited hy Tho ev
penses attached to the jaunt. but in these
the general run Of boys take small interest
1t is To the chap who saves every Dapr,- he
means most.
Sometimes the clubs are formed by or
ganizatioEs, church or otherwise. Interested
in work among boys. Nearly every large
city choir sends out its club when the
churches close for the heated term or at
least abbreviate their services. But perhaps
he aFa no nFoN.,r
those managed by the boys branch Of the
Young Mems Christian Association. At vari-
Gus times this summer the Organization has
had 10000 lads e9camped at different points
IN the United States.
No Charity About 1t.
The work is in no sense that of charity.
Each boy pays his way and has a feeling of
absolute independence The object is to pro-
vide four weeks, or two, according To the
purse and desire Of each camper, Of free,
outdoor life, full to the brim with healthy
sport and fun, under the careful leadership
OF christian men. As a rule, one trust
worthy man is placed in charge Of a group
OF from eight to ten boys. and these are
called leaders or assistant leaders Self
government practically prevails. and the
rules are simple. The three most important
are these:
NO firearms or air rifles allowed.
None of the party shall enter the water
for swimming or bathing except in the pres
ence of the leader, or one expressly desig-
mated by him. Ample opportunity is given
to all to enter the water twice daily.
The use of tobacco is strongly discour-
aged and every one is expected to abstain
while connected with the camp"
The outfit for sucn a trip is as simple as
the rules. No duck suits stiff hats or
laUndeTed linen are required but there
must be heavy army blankets. raincoat,
winter underwear. a swimming suit
heavy sweater. all the typical camping
equipment dear to the boyish heart at that
age when fashion and cOnventi0naIities are
a 5usdDoo. On the other hand members
are urged to bring good books TO increase
the camp library, their cameras and must
cal instruments that life may not be al
ldieness and play. Long tramps in the
woods, often followed by making an i'm
promptu camp miles from the central
camping spot, jaunts to nearby historical
spots and field day sports, add to the regu-
lar pleasures Of camp life.
Costs Dollar Day.
In the average club of from $50 to go
members the cost is a dollar a day, which
covers railroad fare and all incidental ex-
penses, save the special trips which involve
carriage by wagon or train. Thirty dollars
will, therefore. purchase a month of health
giving recreation. The mother at home
may rest assured that while her boy will
probably have an acute attack of home
sickness after his first night of sleeping on
the ground, rolled in a blanket he Will take
to camp life like a duck to water. The
food will be plentiful and wholesome, and a
physician is always in attendance upon a
club of this size
1t has been found that "once a camper,
always a camper" is the rule. The same
boys appear on the scene year after year
and the waiting list grows larger with each
season.
An admirable feature with weII-managed
clubs is the spirit of manly independence
that is inculcated by the leaders. The boys
are taught that to pay their way to camp
is special honor, and the boy who the
first season goes at his parents expense is
apt to be self-supporting for his vacation
period the next year. From the day he re-
turns to the city he begins to save his pen
nies, to devise means of earning a little
here and there that he may be sure of his
next years outing. Moreover, he becomes
emulOus of the boy who can manipulate a
camera, or play the guitar or lead the sing
ing around the campfire, and the first step
toward self-imprOvement has been taken
Boys are all the better for an occasional
breaking away from maternal apron
strings, provided they form a temporary
attachment of sterling character The
growing lad needs to get near to natures
heart. and few indeed are the busy mothers
who can give him the coveted opportunity
save through the agency of the camping