Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-22
CAMP FIRE GIRLS AND HoNoRs.
You Must Win Your Beads Before
You Wear Theb.

| If a love of nature. self-reliance, and
| loyalty to ones gang" is good for the
boy, as the Roy Scout organization
| says il is, why may not the girls of the
country be indoctrinated in these same
| principles?
The little red and brown book of the
Camp Fire Girls of America. recently
| published, says they may, and, what is
| more, that they are going to be.
To those interested in the eternal wo-
| man problem, and that interest is ma
| ton wide, this movement offers a new
aud fresh solution.
The needs of athletics for girls. the
needs of a knowledge of business, of
patriotism, and of many useful and
delightful activities and charming do
nestle accomplishments land they are
charming seen from this view point
are included in the makeup of this or
ganiZation
The Boy Scout movement created
demand for this organization for the
girl, but has in no sense served as its
model. The Camp Fire Girls movement
began with the girl definitely in mind.
so domesticity has been made the CEN
trail theme. Not just the same old
dusty, dish washy, needle-andt thread
domesticity. but quite a new sort, lovely
and romantic, with i sense of adven-
ture running through it. All this is
managed by awarding honers for pro-
ficiency in these age-old activities to
be boarded up and spent in purchasing
promotion to a higher rank in the or
ganization
The outward and visible signs of
these achieved honors are beads of diff
ferent eolors for the several branches
of activities, hut the real reward is the
consciousness of having reached the eff
ficiency; a consciousness which brings
self-reliance.
BY working together To achieve hon.
ors the gang" spirit is awakened and
encouraged. Women are rapidly learn
ing to cooperate, and when Woman's
activities are being carried out of the
home into factories and offices and in
stitutions, this need for training in the
value of team work is duly recognize
ed.
There is a spirit of adventure en-
bodied the organization, gained through
the interest of doing things in company
with others, to be measured by the
same set of scales, to receive the same
set of rewards The-exeitement of COM
petition can cause even cooking, keep
ing accounts, or "nainding baby to be
events of thrilling interest. For all
these tasks honors are given.
The love of romance is encouraged
by the use of ceremonial costumes, by
signs, and symbols; and by awarding
honors for outdoor activities a love of
the beautiful and wholesome is awak-
ened. BY this system of honor giving
for domestic activities it is hoped the
Camp Fire Girls win restore the fast
disappearing interest, as the dominant
note, in the average modern home.
The organism is divided into three
degrees, to be achieved through this
system of honors for proficiency. The
first is that of Wood Gatherer. ANY
girl can become a Wood Gatherer. the
only limitations being an understand
ing of some very pretty words. called
the Law of the Camp Fire: Seek
beauty, give service, pursue knowl-
edge, be trustworthy, hold on to
health, glorify work, be happy. And
If one is young, the beauty of these
things is not difficult to understand
To reach the second rank there are
many things to be done, such as
Mend a pair of stockings, a knitted
undergarment. and hem a dish towel"
Refrain from candy and sodas be-
tween meals for n month";" "Know the
career of some woman who has done
much for the country or State"
Know the chief causes of infant
mortality in summer" and several ac-
cofrplishments which do not sound
"adventuresome," but really are when
the spirit of the Camp Fire has glo-
rified the affairs of every day, and the |
charm of romance. which. in these
everyday things. is brought to the
surface, not simply added for the oc-
casion.
The third degree is that of Torch |
Bearer. TO the first set of activities
must be added others. Twenty cleo |
tive honors must be earned to be elig- |
ible for this rank. Nature lore, camp |
craft, hand craft, home craft, health, |
business, and patriotism are the heads |
under which these honors are to be |
selected, and for each honor a bead is |
presented to be woven into a necklace |
and Worn about the neck with the GER |
emonial costume. all of which has n |
distinct charm of its own. This cere- |
monial costume is not a work of art |
from the hands of professional cos