The Ordway new era., 1918-07-19
Boys In Camp Are
Proving Valuable

The Boys Working Reserve camp
at Crowley has been receiving con-
siderable publicity over the state, be-
cause 1t is the first of such camps to
have been established and the eN-
pertinent is worth watching. In a
recent issue of the Pueblo Chieftain
the following story of this camp ap-
peared:
An experiment which is proving a
success. not only to the boys con-
cerned, but also to the farmers, is the
United States Boys Working Re-
SERGE camp at Crowley, where II Pu-
eblo boys and four Trinidad boys are
learning that farmers are interesting
and where farmers are learning that
"city chaps" are mighty likable fell
lows who can work. And aii>this in
addition to the fact that the boys
are working hard and are still healthy
and that the farmers are 100 per cent
pleased with the work Of the boys. So
pleased in fact are they, that 20 more
boys are wanted to go into the work.
These 20 are wanted by Sunday. July
IA.
Those in charge of the camp are no;
surprised that 1t is proving a success.
They expected that 1t would be IL ii
once got start in life. There were
a number of reasons why the camp
might have had difficulty in getting
started. First. there are few mothers
of 16 year old boys who want to
trust their lads in the hands of pro-
position which has not been proved.
Then there are many farmers who
might have been dubious about the
idea of having a bunch of "city boys"
come to their farms to do work with
which the boys had but n speaking
acquaintance and some of them but
an introduction.
The boys who comprise the mem
bership of the Crowley camp live in
"cantonment" made from an old can
taloupe shed. 1t is airy. clean and
commodious. Each boy has spring
cot. Breakfast and supper are serv-
ed at the camp. They are cooked by
Pueblo cook. Each boy has his own
plate. cup and other necessary eating
equipment. They are served soldier
fashion.
When the arrangements for the
camp were made, each farmer agreed
to try the boys for hours a day, at
20 cents an hour, the farmer furnish
ing the MONDAY meal. The boys arc
so enthusiastic about their work. and
the farmers are so well pleased with
the boys work, that the boys are
working 10 hours a day. The boys
were supposed to have Saturday af-
ternoon free, but of their own accord
they have offeerd to work Saturday
afternoon. Some of the farmers have
increased the boys wages to 80 cents
an hour.
The boys pay for their two meals
at camp. 80 cents each. That is the
only expense, the rest of the days
earnings is clear profit and many of
the boys are sending home money
every week.
The camp is under the direction of
Prof Brown. superintendent of the
La Junta schools. In addition to the
days work. the boys have organized a
baseball team. They also have gotten
interested in the "civic life" of Crow
ley. c. X. Fletcher. principal of
Centennial high school, lives at the
camp, altho working on neighbor-
ing farm, and has organized a Bible
study class among the boys which
meets Sunday morning.
Now that the farmers have over
come their early doubts as to the
success of the enterprise, they wan.
more boys,
The camp is under the direction of
the Commerce club. the Lions club
and the Rotary club. who are respon-
sible for the hiring of the superinten-
dent At the luncheon of the Rotary
club on Monday. d. W. Thomas, sec
retary of the national war council.
and Mr.. Van Slyck, field representa-
tive of the state war council will
speak regarding the boys camp. after
which they will go to Crowley to
visit the camp. The movement has
already become established in the east
where 1t proved its worth last sum-
mer, and 1t is hoped that the efficiency
of the camp will be increased by hav-
ing 20 more boys enter 1t. Informa-
tion can be obtained from the Pueblo
county committee. f. A. Hatch, NJ. ]
Stickel, or W. B. Newton.