The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-10-24

forgot all aDOut cltleS ana clVlllZatlOn
in the joys of swimming, boating, mountain
climbing and athletics of all kinds. Instruc-
ton in scouting was, of course, mingled with
these sports. Al all Of these camps the scouts
had q good time while gaining in health, self
reliance and tW4rything that heIps TO prepare them
for the unseltish patriotic service which is the
heroic dream of every true scout In khaki.
How far can the summer camp serve the ambi-
tious scout who wishes to advance in his tests?
How can the routine work of the camp be made
an interesting matter of service 10 the camp
community? On the trail Of these and many re-
lated questions, several hundred camp directors
are working. 1t is clear that the best way to
teach camping is to let the boy actually camp. The
presence or proximity of an experienced camper
will help him TO learn the best way more readily,
md with less hazard, but the way itself is that of
the apprentice rather than the book student. The
habit of self-reliance and of common sense can
best be developed in a camp where instruction is
combined with hours and days that throw the
boys on their own resources.
Must Not Be FooIhardy.
Repeated warnings are being sent out by Scout
Executive George w. Ehler of Pittsburgh, Pa, to
scouts undertaking life saving not to venture on
~foolhardy ventures, nor to make useless sacrifices.
Scouts are likely unnecessarily to endanger their
own lives. 1t must be made clear to the scout
that every person must be we'll able to swim If he
would save others from drowning. No one will be
considered a coward who is not able &c swim and
who refuses to 60 to the aid of another in danger.
Mr.. Ehler advises that every scout in the troop be
made q swimmer.
1t is directed that each troop in camping where
there is water enough to practice rightly, be d.
vided into victims and rescuers. The boys must
be taught to practice on each other the various
''grasps' for carrying a person through the water.
Especial practice should be emphasized for break
ing the strange hold" If the boys learn quickly
thoy will ha rpo6v for tho laccnp IN characterization
What a variety of experiences these scouts had
The camp Of the scouts from North Dana, Mass,
was on Lake NeSSepOnSett. Near this lake Daniel
Shays encamped with 1000 men in the famous
Shays' rebellion Of 17S6-S7, so that it is historic
soil. Here also once lived the notorious Glazler
Wheeler, a counterfeiter, and here he had a cave
where he turned out spurious coin.
What upon further exploration may develop into
one Of the wonder caves of Arkansas was discov-
cred near Glenwood by boy scouts. 1t is high up
the rocky face of the Burnham Mountain cliff.
The entrance is small, but opens into an immense
room, from which a assure extends downward to
a series Of spacious chambers. The Arsenic caves,
Is miles west, and the cave on Markham mountain,
FIVE miles northwest, have long been points of In
terest for visitors, but this seems to be the mother
cavern of them all.
Forty scouts from Salt Lake City made the
trip to Wonder mountain. The trail leads I'D Provo
canyon. under forests Of aspens, along rugged
precipiceS, Skirting along clear mountain streams
and through miles of alpine flowers. Camp was
made at Emerald lake, which Is covered with ice.
Camps at Squaw Point.
A troop from New York city camped at Sauaw
point on the Hudson river. The experience to be
remembered the longest was the trip that T. J.
Anderson, a local school teacher, took with the
troop on a dark night. The trail led up a hill,
through a swamp in a woods, i'm the field, over
walls, through bushes, and at last they came to
some old wine cellars. Mr.. Anderson then put
out the only light they had. Ghost stories calcu-
lated to make them brave in the dark and initia-
ton into a mystic tribe followed up to midnight.
The troop has some very good evidence of Indian
activities in the shape Of Indian relics, such as 40
arrowheads, ten spearheads, one Indian hoe, one
meal grinder, ten Indian sinkers, Is tomahawks,
several pieces Of flint, and an Indians skull In
very good condition.
Boy scouts, digging into a large mound near
Park River, N. D., unearthed the skulls and the
skeletons of three Indians, who must have been
buried there long ago, as the mound was there
when the earliest pioneers came to that section
of the state. 1t is believed that further excavating
will yield some interesting relics Of aboriginal
Indian days.
Scout Morgan Coyte of Troop No. 1 and Scout
George Pctrie of Troop No. 3. both of Ridgefeld
Park ~. j., pitched their tent near New Bridge