The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-01
Rules for Boy Campers.
~ Or. FRANK CRANE
Copyright. 1915. by Frank Crane)

In the spring the young mans fancy,
if he is in his teens, lightly turns to
thoughts of camping out.
It's good thing. Would that all hu-
man creatures, some time in the summer,
went to the woods, and lived in tents. and
got back to earth, air, fire and water. the
four oldest friends and best doctors of
mankind.
Just to help along, it may be well to
set down few hints to keep in mind
when camping.
The best all-around rule. and address
myself especially to boys, is Safety
First" 1t might also be added, Safety
Second and Safety Third" Don't take
fool chances. Accidents will happen, but
they love to happen to the thoughtless.
Living outdoors is an art You have to
learn it. Be teachable.
The fun of outdoor life is of the over
coming kind. not the pampering kind.
Endure hardship like sport. Don't
complain. Have the soldier spirit. Don't
look for softness and self-indulgence, but
for adventure with courage.
Pay attention to sanitation, especially
the disposal of garbage and offal.
Find good water, and make sure that
it is pure.
Get wholesome food Be careful Of it.
Do not expose it to the flies. Flies are
your deadliest enemy.
Pitch your camp where the drainage
| is good, preferably on sandy soil and on
high ground.
Do not camp in thick woods. II is
usually damp there, and the mosquitoes
are bad. Have partial shade, but let
there be open space enough around the
tent so that the wind will drive away
the insects.
Do not camp near swamps or stagnant
water, and keep out of rank grass.
Be liberal and enthusiastic with soap
and water Clean your hands thorough
ly when you are in from your tramp and
through with your labors.
Keep your cooking utensils secured and
neat. Do not let remnants of food or
grease remain in them.
Keep sugar, coffee and cereals in
dry place. Do not let them get musty.
Get ice and have an ice-box If you
can. If not. keep your perishable food
stuffs in cool running water.
Do not scatter fruit Feelings or scraps
Of food about. Have receptacle for
them. well covered from the flies, and
empty it every day.
Remember that the sun Is the best
health giver. Sun your clothes, your
food boxes, your tents, yourselves.
Good eating is essential. But cooking
is an art, also a natural gift. Sometimes
so much time is taken up by cooking and
dish washing that the other and more i'm
portant camp joys are infringed upon.
If convenient it pays to have some one
hired and competent to do the cooking.
Use cots, if possible. They keep the
bedclothes drier, and are every way more
satisfactory than sleeping on the ground.
Take along some rubber blankets, or
at least oilcloth, to guard against mois-
ture.
Observe discipline Nothing is surer
to bring disappointment and general dis,
satisfaction than for every one 70 insist
upon having his own way. Selet "a cap
tain. if only for day, and obty him.
Make a program and follow It,
Cooperation and organization is mote
necessary for a group of people whose
only business is to have good time
than it is even for company of work.
ers.
Keep cheerful. Don't find fault. Over
look unpleasant things. Don't quarrel.