The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-01
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Rural Camp Schools


There are already several types OF va
cation schools being tried and success
fully sustained In this country. 1t seems
to me there Is room for another type
which may be termed the rural camp
schools
Why could not a male teacher and IL
boys take tents and the necessary equip
ment and food and camp in the country.
Not necessarily far from town, nor at
a health resort, nor In the forest or other
place far from the haunts of man, but in
good farming or dairying region let
them pitch their tents.
In fact. l presume usually permission
should be obtained from the owner of a
farm and some arrangement made with
him for using. his farm and its activities
as the field of the school. There should
be two or three hours of study or reading
and several hours of nature study, and the
study of farm life right at hand. Dia-
grams OF the farm could be made tho
crops noted, ideas of succession or rota-
ton of crops discussed, the planting Is
seen, the cultivation is watched and even
some of the work may be entered into by
members of the school.
On certain days trips could be made
into the woods, trees recognized and list
ed, birds and their habits studied and an
imal life In general becomes an engrossing
subject.
Insects and pests could be studied at
first hand, and lists of weeds and plants
made. Not long ago. right here In Ala
bama, father and his son were walking
through the woods. One suggested that a
list of the trees encountered be kept. To
their surprise they soon had so different
varieties of shrubs and trees. Another boy
whom | met, city boy who was In
the habit of roaming Into the country,
readily named 81 different species of birds
seen In his rambles.
Following this plan further, the pupils
could return after two to four weeks and
others take their places.
One advantage of this plan y<uld be
that 1t Is for the average boy, the one in
moderate circumstances. Camping In the :
country is almost IL not quite as indx-
pensve as living al home, and 1t Is a 10y
forever to the boy. And how much the
parents appreciate any plan for keeping
their boys off the street and out of the
alleys of the city.
Such plan would be impartng useful
and important information, would be add
Ing strength and physical vigor and would
be safeguarding the morals Of the boys.
1t Is possible for some such arrange
ment to obtain for girls. They might go
out with lady teachers or with a family.
II such plan should result In taking
100 boys from the city to tho country as
permanent residents. somehow | am old
fashioned enough to feel almost that this
means 100 boys saved.
Why can not the teachers In Birming-
ham and other large cities of America ar
range some such schools next summer?
They could learn much themselves in
this back 10 the farm" movement by de-
voting month or more of their vaca-
ton time to the work. If 1t is taken hold
Of with seriousness In some way the
funds can be provided.
~. r. BAKER,
Alabama state Supervisor Rural Schools.
To the Editor Of The Age-Herald
see In this mornings Age-Herald on
page a letter from Mr.. s. A Ellis of
Birmingham in which he defends Pas
tor C. T. Russell against the attacks
made on his teachings by the Pastors
union and other movementss which Mr..
Ellis says has been made to muzzie the
press and stop the publication of Mr..
RussePs sermons In the newspapers I
know nothing about any movement the
Pastors union has made against Mr.. Rus
sells teachings or any other move against
Mr.. Russell that Mr.. Ellis refers to, but
there is one part of his letter In which
he breathes a spirit of fairness from man
to man and that is the following;
why do they not meet Mr., Russell IN
the forum and from their pulpits combat
his teachings by the scriptures2 Are
they not able TO meet him? Does he not
support every argument and every
thought presented by the scriptures?"
II seems to me that in this Mr.. Ellis
asks nothing but what Is fair and due
every mana chance to be heard.
Now. allow me to suggest to Mr.. Ellis
that any time he may be able TO persuade
Pastor c. T. Russell to come TO Birming-
ham, this fairness shall be granted him.
| that Is, he shall have pulpit. half the
/ TIME, and Christian gentleman to test
| his logic and scriptural arguments.
CT course 1t shall be left with the pub
| lie as to whether he supports his argu-
fuents with either scripture or reason.
JOHN T. LEWIS.
Birmingham, June 30, 1912.