New-York tribune., 1905-08-13

ing story singing a song, and as the nlgh1
wears away the story telling drifts into popular
songs, these songs merge into college and paCri-
otto songs and after a while, In the silence OF
the night prayers are said and the lads are
soon fast asleep the quiet and loneliness OF the
woods
The regular programme is slightly varied on
Sunday by a few more restrictions than on other
days A religious service is held of a somewhat
formal nature, and the greater part of the day
is spent in reading and resting. The regular
morning dip is restricted to mere ''eye opener,
as they call it No swimming is permitted, and
the boys are allowed to wade only kneedeep
and they kept within these bounds as
rule, by the leaders, who keep a watchful eye
on them. Never does the water seem more
tempting than on Sunday morning. and not in
frequently accidents, such stepping upon
sharp stones, occur on this particular morning,
causing the boys to stumble and fall headlong
into the cool, inviting water. OF course, it is
accdentaI-at any rate it appears from the
hOwls made and the way faces are twisted.
1t is remarkable, too, how all the sharp stones
from the surrounding hills seem to have way
of rolling into the lake on each Sunday morn
ing, with which the majority of the lads manage
to come in contact before leaving the water.
Others manage to lose their SOAP towels etc,
and of course after several unsuccessful at
tempts to recover them are compelled to dive
in or swim after their goods, after which they
soon hurried off to their tents to prepare
, for breakfast
Each year special entertainments are pre-
pared, amateur theatricals are INDUCED in, and
frequently some affair of unusual Importance,
such as national political convention, the cor
onation of king, mock trials and other forms
of diversion make things lively while they last
Talent of any sort is soon discovered, and the
possessor must do his stunt" Although the
boy learns TO love and respect his leader
yet all boys naturally full of frolic and oc-
casionally the smouldering volcanoes Of fun
burst forth, to the great delight of the lads and
dismay of the leaders. Here comes the supreme
test Of the leader to step in at the proper mo-
ment and in the proper way, and SO direct the
frolic as to wind up in way harmonious with
the chief aims of the camp. Generally this can
be accomplished without the boys being even
conscious of the purpose and without its inter
fering in the slightest degree with their fun
making. In some instances the leaders have
found 1t great help to take into their con-
f1dence the boys who usually head the mischief
making gangs, thus sharing with them some re-
spons1biltty as leaders Of the noisy lads and
eliminating much of the trouble and greatly i'm
proving the discipline of the camp
A gypsy trip is an important feature with som.
prairie wagon Is loaded down with provisions
and necessary equipment for a weeks Journey
The boys on this occasion are accompanied by
| an expert driver. professional cook and several
camp leaders Such trip offers excellent op-
pOrtunity to visit places of historical interest
to get glimpses OF mountain life and visions Of
| nature that will sink deep into their memories
and help to make such vacation one of the
happest and most profitable ever spent The
ipaT hOIy in hiS Otrt1O
only too swiftly away, and at last departs
brown rugged, healthy and more than all
strengthened and bettered In character by the
| trained minds of the vigilant leaders.
| Camp Dudley, with it's rows OF snow white
tents pitched on the west shore of Lake Cham
plain, represents of the most popular and
best known boys camps where now nearly two
hundred association boys are making things
lively and enjoying their vacation. While this
camp is under the New-York State executive
committee, other States have organized their
own camps. The Harlem and East Side branches
of NewYork City also have their own separate
| camps, all OF which have more applicants each
| season than they can accommodate