San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-02
Daily Program at Scout Camp
Designed to Develop Citizens

ton. and served in two rooms lined with
rows of tables. One troop Of 81
scouts was detailed each day to act
as X. P.'s, and the scouts entered on
their duties as such wit. the same zeal
displayed in all their a-tivities.
After breakfast came the unpopular
call of the dag. No scout could al
ford to lose valuable time in answer
ing cick call, and few were the pa
tents that reported Slight attacks
of fever and little cuts or bruises
were about all the maladies with which
the camp was afflicted.
Police call and inspection of the
camp was followed at s $50 by school
call. Forty tables with an instructor
at each were provided to aid the boys
in those subjects in which they needed
help. Scouts were compelled to at
tend the classes where all subjects
taught had for their purpose the max
ing of better citizens. The tenderfoot
was instructed in the history of the
flag, scout oath and laws and other
subjects. Aid in mastering cooking
signalling, swimming and the other
tests required was given to second
class scouts. Advanced work in all
tests was provided for first class
scouts.
Have Examinations Twice Daily.
Twice each day the examining board
met to give scouts a CHANGE to pass
tests in which they haC. become pro-
ficient. Each scout had to attend at
least three classes in each subject be-
fore he could take an examination.
At 10 :25 in the morning swimming
call sounded. The boys were again
lined up in column of twos and
marched down to the water. No one
was permitted to enter the water UNI
til whistle was blown by the camp
director. Provision for the safety
of so many boys might seem diff
cult to one who IS not familiar with
the work of the scouts, but to scout
leader it is an easy matter. Each
boy had buddy" and he and his
buddy never lost sight of each other.
Besides, there were fou~ crews of life
savers, each consisting of eight scouts
who have passed the Red Cross re-
quirements, continually on duty while
the boys were in swimming. Twenty
or 30 scout leaders and assistants
may be added to the already adequate
protection that was provided.
Mess call for dinner sounded at
II :55 and found the boys again will
ing to dispose of the excellent meals
that were always set before them.
Then the scouts relaxed for an hour
to gather for athletic games at 80
p. m. A regular baseball league,
playground ball league and a quoits
tournament were held. Teams from
the twelve troops and the band COM
peted in each. and all troops partici-
pated in field and aquatic meets.
Each night guard was placed
around the camp TO insure the safety
of the property. A troop of 80 scouts
was assigned to this duty each night
and looked forward to the experience
with much delight. No scout was
forced to be on duty more than two
hours.
Retreat at $3.50.
All scout troops stood retreat at
5 80, at which time the regular cere-
mony for such occasions was observed.
The flag was lowered while the band
played 1.-THE Sar Spargled Banner"
Then the boys were called to the last
meal of the day.
For 45 minutes after supper the
boys played more games. At 7:15
they gathered in front of camp head
quarters at the court of homer. Here
were awarded all medals for tests
that had been passed By the scouts,
after which they gathered around the
Outdoor theater" to enjoy the eve
ming entertainment.
The theater consisted of a piece OF
canvas on the ground for a stage with
the curtain hung between trees. Each
night troop put on a show. Vaude-
vile, prize fights, pie e; ting contests
and similar shows were held. Moth
ing could keep a scout from attending
these performances for the purpose of
yelling slice" or other complimentary
words. No part of the program was
more thoroughly enjoyed by the ma
jority of the scouts, but call to quar-
tiers at 9:15 found them ready for a
night of rest.
The program outlined by the scout
leaders was sufficient to keep the
scouts at work all the time, and
everything done vas of such a nature
that the scout would profit thereby.
A complete radio sending and receiv-
ing outfit was installed and operated
by two scouts who hold commercial
licenses. At night radio concerts
were held for those no wanted TO
hear them. A first aid nurse under
the direction of army men familiar
lied the boys in the use of the am
bulance and litter. A raft, built of
round timbers dashed together with
ropes, and a Lamport foot bridge
built on collapsible canvas boats, were
two of the most interesting pieces OF
dork done by the scouts in the pioneer
ing test.
Perhaps he most enjoyable per-
formance during the encampment was
the trial of the camp physician by
the Eagle Scouts for wasting medicine.
One of the witnesses accused him of
giving pills of unusual volume if not
in great numbers. He testified that
he had been forced to swallow one
and exhibited another which he had
been instructed to take and which was
nothing less than an eig' .t-pound shot.
You MAJ not agree that the DAYS
spent at Camp William S. Fly by the
Boy Scouts from San Antonio was
time well used. If not, it is because
you have not seen them swarming
about the wonderful swimming hole
in the Comal river, or watched tnem |
come to attention and salute at the |
Court of Honor when informed of the |