New-York tribune., 1905-08-13
CAMPING OUT FOR BOYS.
The Ideal Outdoor Life in the
Summer Season.

The joys of camp life are well expressed by
extract from boys letter. written while
camping on the shore of Lake Champlain.
In my own language I say it is the
We Hest place earth to spend two or four
1.Ceks Once a boy jumps into the cool waters
Z Lake ChampIain. takes one of the numer-
ous skffs and rows up and down on the silvery
.le he is charmed, and wishes never to leave
I spot"
Among the most interesting and best organ
.:ed camps for boys which found at this
sCason on the banks of river and lake. and in
the woods, are those under the management of
t,e Young Mems Christian Association. These
camps are organized for the benefit of the boys.
their particular object being not only TO afford
= Ileasant outing, but to develop them physi
cay mentally and spiritually. There amid the
v olcsome environments of outdoor life the boy
Carns to love the woods, the mountain and the
lake II Is there that he begins to get
cuainted with himself and the "Other fellow"
learns how to swim, row, play bail. forms life
, = friendships and has jolly, active, health
fl time.
The idea is no longer experiment. and no
Jingle feature of the association work has
IIoved satisfactory and produced results
n lroportion to the expenditure of money, time
.nd energy more beneficial than the boys sum
w
las become so popular that each summer now
.nGs over five thousand association boys sleep
under tents The management of the camps,
n providing desirable vacation place for the
ity boy. under proper influences that are con-
5ucive to good health and the betterment of the
I'D IS careful in the selection of the leaders
those lives are of a manly and normal type.
Cst of the leaders are college men, and men
VI thoroughly understand boy needs and boy
lfc. as well as lovers of frolics with the lads.
Few formulated rules are found necessary, as
le boy is practically put on his honor, and ex-
f>rience has proved that many rules are easier
broken than kept, especially when the boy goes
to the woods to be free and happy. He goes
t. get away from the discipline of Office life and
TIE noisy, bustling city; to abide amid wild
<Irroundings, where his energies can be used in
winning, climbing mountains and roaming
Il rough the sweet scented woods The supreme
object Of the leaders is to fill the day full of
wholesome activities to leave little for
tie frolics and pranks of the mischievous.
Camp life is never dull from the early morning
dip in the cool lake until good night is said.
nmes Of all sorts are played, contests in base
b; Il, basketball and tennis are everyday oc-
rrences. and from morning to night the boys
q kept busy with interesting programme.
certain days each week field and aquatic
cT tests are conducted. the winner in each event
fsceiVing some prize. Three swims a day
ar,oyed, and always under the watchful eyes of
r>I erienced men, and every precaution is ex-
C,cised to guard against possible accident In
sn;le Of the camps volunteer life saving corps
ds been organized which has full charge of
L e swimming Also instruction in first aid to
t { injured is given by the camp physician, and
educ ational features In various other branches
are continually encouraged.
Side trips out of camp are taken and and
two days Journeys made to neighboring
camps. visiting places of interest and studying
the history and geology Of the surrounding
country. On these trips the boy has an oppor-
tunity to learn how to prepare his own meals
end to rough it, under proper supervision.
s. metimes week is spent such trips, tramp
irG all day and bivouacking when night falls
The many pleasant nights spent around the
campfire are never forgotten and years later
he can look back with fond recollections
whGn story tellina and songs made the hours