Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-10-15

rooted drill-sheds or armories, with
plenty of leg room and air space, IL
inevitably heads out into the open coun-
try, the fields, the hills, and the woods,
for hikes, scouting expeditions, sham bat
ties and training camps. II responds to
the Call of the Wild that echoes in every
BOSOM and carries both boys and girls
back to Nature with thoroughness and
completeness that few other impulses
can.
1t is most significant, that in spite of
the charm of nature study and fishing
and boating and the birds and flowers
and the trees, the two great open air
movements for free life under the open
sky of both boys and girls, the Boy
Scouts and Camp Fire Girls have taken.
almost in spite of themselves, a military
or semi-military form, in the shape of
UNIFORM badges OF honor, decorations,
rank that may be won, scouting. map
making and securing food supplies I'D
shelter. OF course, the spirit behind both
these movements is not military and the
leaders OF both have taken special pains
to disavow there is anything military or
preparatory for war in their purposes or
intentions. But this only makes the
parallelism all the more striking and
significant
1t is scarcely necessary to mention the
great practical value of military training
as stimulus to the formation of good
hygien1c habits and personal cleanliness
and cooperation in protecting the public
health 1t is hard to completely get the
idea out of the head of hearty, happy.
go-lucky youngster, real boy, that there
is something little bit Miss Nancyish"
and even unmanly about being concerned
too much over the protection Of his
health. But put it to him ON the ground
OF Keeping the ranks of his company full
and fit for active service at any moment
In any weather, and he will nearly turn
himself inside out to keep clean and
healthy and in the pink of condition.
Put toy sword or an imitation gun in a
youngsters hands. or even a belt round
his waist and badge in his cap and
there is nothing that you can't get out OF
him in the way of energy and self re-
straint and loyalty.
For the girls preparation for military
emergencies as could be reasonably
given them would afford a great relief
from the monotony of the present school
system. However many men may be
called to the front, the overwhelming
majority Of women remain behind at
nome and carry out the same type of
duties that they did before, with the
addition of such of the mems activities
as tney are able, or obliged to shoulder.
From their point of view as well, mill
tary considerations would give an added
value to physical vigor andssound health,
ana all the outdoor methods of play and
excursions and games which would pro-
mote that important end They should
nave just as much time in the playground
as the boys have at drill, and as many
expeditions and excursions and picnics
out in the open country and the woods as
the boys devote to hiking and practical
field work. 1t would benefit their health
and raise the quality of their school work
and their future military usefulness to
the community just as much.
1t would also emphasize with special
force. if that were needed. the great
importance of sound training IN domestic
science and in the scientific selection and
preparation of food and storage of food
supplies. and thorough training in the
hygiene of the home and its SURROUNDINGS
and of the city and its streets. Special
training should be given to girls. for
military purposes, in nursing and first
aid to the injured. and the general prin-
ciples Of simple antiseptic surgery.
These would have great practical value
for the equipment of hospitals, Red Cross
nursing STATS, and the general care of
women and children rendered homeless
BY the operations of war.