The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-01

(Benjamin John Horchen, principal of school in Dubuque, Ia, as the result of running a vacation school camp for five seasons along novel lines. Is all advocate of a twelve months school year. What Is more his boys like the plan. Some of his other beliefs are that our city schools should be in the suburbs that desk work should not be featured so much as at present and that examinations are unnecessary and unwise. The following article is by ono of the first members of Park Life in 190SD
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 During Professor B. J. Horchems ex- perience as a teacher in country and city schools, as a county superintend- ant, and as principal of public school, pupils. As county superintendent, he was zealous to see that Arbor Day was observed. Finally, in the fall of 1907, he purchased neglected farm of g few acres near Dubuque, and in 1908 eight or nine of his boys went out to 1t two or three times a week to work in the garden a few hours. After they had finished their labors, they sat in their tent and debated, sang and learn ed of things that would be useful to them in later life. Their arithmetic meant something practical to them now as commercial problems came up: their board measure became useful to them in the shop their physics and chemis- try had a part in their everyday life. Agricultural problems sharpened their wits Every boy at the end of that summer was healthier, wiser and hap pier
 The good result of that first year led to a continuance of the work. A few acres on the top of a majestic bluff overlooking the Mississippi river were secured Here forty or fifty boys. at tracted by the glowing stories of the older members. pitched their tent and stayed all through the summer weeks except Sundays. They experienced a summer of happiness and joy. of opti- mism and hope. They learned more than ever Professor Horchem induced lecturers to come from various progress sive educational centers They opened to the boys realms which heretofore had been mysteries to them. The boys were told of the stars above them as they sat around the campfire at night. The doors of the plant kingdom were opened for them Agricultural experts expla ined the good points of fine cattle HnO gave lPSSOnS III cuItiNdtiHS lHc great staple crops The members of the group learned to govern themselves the lecturers and professors marvel ed that there was such good order without formal discipline. The school was conducted for all, rich or poor. and it taught faith in the integrity of fell low associates.
 Then came educational trips. The boys were taken on short excursions to points of interest in the country sur rounding Dubuque. On these jaunts the boys camped out.
 The third and fourth years were repetitions of the second, except that the work was on larger scale. Park Life antedated the Boy Scout Move ment, as well as the later development of the school garden; but when new ideas or improvements were developed by these and other boys clubs organi- cations, they were promptly incorpor- ated in Park Life.' with the result that 1t employs some of the methods and principles of all in harmonious blending of city and country life
 Park Life anticipated nature study with large domestic animals It teaches the youth to learn to do by doing, to know by seeing. It gives health first socin bility second, and then knowledge. IL teaches the boys to appreciate a home with park-life grounds for ornamen- tation and economic pufposes. Park Life" instills desire tn the hearts of it's boys to get away from the congest- ed districts of the large cities-they will work to get little homes In the suburbs, sNftounded by gardens. Rapid transportation will enable them and others to do this. By this means the 11fu0. the feutortug soreS of our cities,