New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-15

of change the outcast is admitted 10
the outer rim at least, Of the circle.
Perhaps he has shown fight at beng
leased, has emitted yell at the ball
game or actually got wet all over at
one time in the. lake instead OF wad,ng
about like a girl" Any way, this
half boy" goes home Il real one and
takes his place among the bunch" He
is less peevish in the home circle and
his father begins to take pride IN eX-
hbiting him as a chip of the old block
sure sign of paternal pride.
Patrols, appointed daily, perform
camp duties. every boy having his turn
washing dishes, cleaning up the camp
and attending TO wood and water. ne
boats need scrubbing. the dining tent
needs attention, and many other duties
are performed by willing hands under
an older boy as patrol leader, and with
an adult as officer for the day. Each
boy puts his bedding out in the sun
after breakfast for sanitation mas
right of way. This training in daily
duties is Of great value in the home
life of the boy Many lad returns
from camp with a new sense OF reSpon.
sibility to share in the home life, and
a little encouragement will make this
a lasting impression. 81 hardly know
what to make of Tom. He used TO
whine over raking the yard" said one
mother. "but now he does It without
being asked" He had taken his turn
in raking the camp grounds, under the
hardeet of task masters an older boy.
Drainage, vegetation and water-the
three necessities for healthful camp
receive due attention. The site OF
the camp is a grassy slope draining
into the lake. and the tents are so
placed that the trees do not shade
them but allow the sun TO do its puri-
fving work. while the lake breeze
blows through the open front and back
tent flaps. Each Canvas house" is
"ditchcd" all about so that no moisture
can work inward to dampen the dry,
sandy floor upon which rubber blankets
are used for n carpet. The lake Is
clean and beats upon sloping, sandy
shore, making swimming safe and sanl-
tarv; the drinking water comes from
spring and has been pronounced pure
bv an expert. The most eXactlng par
ents must be satisfied with the natural
sanitation and can, with perfect safety,
trust their boy to the camps care.
Camp amusements are varied and in
toreSting. One group starts a1eld,
bent upon capturing butterfly or in
sect, and the chase is as exciting TO
these ardent scouters as the later
careful collecting and mounting under
an experts eve is cducative in value.
| Another party is off for ten-mile
| "hike" under leader who is evidently
great favorite, judging from the
crowd and the enthusiasm. The leader
| is often the real attraction rather than
/ the particular amusement in hand
| Baseball has its devotees. and two
| groups with bats and gloves start for
| the adjacent level field. Along with
/ these baseball enthusiasts, and Illus
! tratinC the blending Of work and play,
| goes a party with shovels and axes TO
/ construct lcan-to, or dig q camp sink.
Some want nothing more strenuous
| than fishing. and so this party is APP
portioned boats and starts off upon
! the lake under charge Of reliable older
( boys, proudly conscious OF their re-
SpOnsibiity among the smaller LADS
LIES leaders in embryo are here.
Some boys WELD great influence among
their fellows, and the whole camp at
mosphere suffers when they leave for
home. II gives one faith in boy life 10
know that these leaders arc generous,
manly spirits. dominating through
sheer worth Of character. not neces-
sarily those who can fight hardest, play
best, or swim farthest.
Late in the forenoon comes strange
gathering of groups about the tents,
and excitement is In the air. Bands
of hunters and dreamy fishermen
crackers from the woods, pcrspirng
ball PLAYERS, dusty laborers, all are
gathered awaiting something. The at
traction is soon explained, for even as
q shrill whistle sounds out of the
tents, with whoops and yclls, rush
naked brown savages, all frantic to
reach the cool lake. Last one ms a
niggcr!" yell the holder ones, and as
we watch the race an interesting study
presents itself. Some brave spirits
plunge from the dock head first;
Others. about to follow, become faint
hearted and jump in feet first; still
others, more timid, run down the shore
and out into the water, until they SWIM
off; some few start into the lake, hest
tate, SILVER, but keep on; while others
retreat amid the dcrisivc shouts Of
cold feet" and you're no scout"
Here we have study of the boy in
his natural habitat. Camp leaders can
and are carrying this study to home
and school, and more fathers and men
teachers arc becoming camp leaders
among their own boys. With how much
more of Justice and wisdom q father
could deal with his peculiar" boy il
only he we're 8 party to this swimming
scene.