South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-08
LOCAL BOY SCOUT
COUNCIL MAY BUY
NEW SUMMER CAMP
Hemlock Island, Near Magic
ian Lake, Michigan, Con-
sidered Ideal Site.

Woods and waters always have
their own appeal for the young hu-
man male The many out OF door
activities that center about these
two elements of nature are so varied
and numerous that almost every day
spent in close proximity 10 them
brings with it something new in the
way OF interesting exercise.
Realizing this, the efforts OF all
leaders of boy organizations center
on trying 20 find some place where
the boys can enjoy both woods and
waters and their accompanying ac-
tivit.es; and realizing this, the mem
bers OF the South Bend Scout coun-
ell have attempted 10 bring 10 the
boys Of the city something new in
the way Of a summer camp.
Recently The council completed
| the preliminaries for the purchase
OF HemlOck island in Magician
lake. near Dowagiac. Michigan
Although the purchase of this place
has not yet been actually accom-
plished. the preliminaries have prac-
tically indicated the state Of mind
OF the members Of the council.
Comprises Eight Acres.
Hemlock island is a body Of land
comprising about eight acres sit
uated toward the western end OF the
lake. Lying about 200 yards from
the shore line, it is easy of access by
boat and is still far enough away TO
prevent the wanderlust from taking
active hold Of its youthful inhabi-
tants.
About 100 yards to the westward
lies Rattlesnake island. containing
about three acres.
The larger island is now heavily
wooded with trees of all sizes. The
smaller trees, according to the tenta-
tive plans outlined in. case the island
is purchased. will be cut down and
utilized in building palisade huts for
the scouts, the boys doing the work
themselves. BY far the most import
ant phase of this. however, is the
opportunity it gives for nature
study Of both trees and birds. Tulip
trees, rather rare nowadays, are
found on the island in many places.
The shore line is low. but from
about 20 feet inland rise rather
sharply defined knowlls. eliminating
any possibility of illness from too
much dampness. These rises may
also serve another purpose that Of
! the construction Of a natural council
/ ring. At one place. on the south
/ eastern shore. there is almost a ma
tural amphitheater semI-circular in
/ shape. that could with very little
work be turned into a place for the
/ boys TO hold their stunt sessions.
Ideal Bathing Beach.
Near here is a spot at the waters
edge marked by three pine trees, the
only ones on the whole island. This
place, it has been pointed out, would
serve as an ideal bathing beach, the
water deepening gradually from the
shore to a point about SO feet out.
where 1t becomes deep enough that
a diving raft might be anchored.
The question of entrance TO the
! island from the mainroad caused
some little perturbation in the minds
! Of the men who first inspected the
site, but this has been settled by
/ taking an option on two lots at the
west end Of the lake road. lead
/ ing from a main road, runs back to
these lots, Offering a means Of en-
/ trance both for hiking boys and
their adult visitors who might come
| IN machines
Magician lake itself is well worth
| seeing. The two islands add much
to its appearance, and the heavily
wooded banks of the lake contribute
more. Cottagers seem to have
grouped themselves in only about
! two places, one on the north shore
and another at the southeastern
shore. Almost every boy has in his
blood the lust for hunting and fish,
ing, and in Magician lake a boy can
find all the fish he might want to
| catch.
Having considered the project
from all angles, the members of the
council have expressed themselves as
DESTROYS that the deal may be finish
! ed as soon as z possible, in order that
T, preliminary work toward clearing
| the site may be begun.