The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-01-01
SCOUTS PLANNING
| WINTER HIKING
Scoutmasters Groom Boys
for Winter Hikes Into
Nearby Haunts.
TELL "HOW AND WHAT

III tne lives OF Ile boy CCouCS VI AS
nosha Each weekend finds several
troops out doing their stunts on the
roads leading to some hidden, half
forgotten point on the map nearby
and each Tugs along his own grub and,
passes tests and in many other ways
makes himself useful both to his troop
and to himself.
Many of the scoutmasters have pro-
vided original schemes for stunts on
these hikes, and this makes things
more interesting especially when ev-
erything possible must be done to keep
the boys on their feet and up and 60
ing all of the time that they're on
the road.
For the benefit of those scoutmasters
and Scouts who want to get a few
more ideas on how and what to do in
going about real hike the following
points are called to their attention.
They have been prepared by William
c. Vessel, scoutmaster of the Jambo-
rec troop and assistant to the director
of the camping department of the Ma
tional Council of Boy Scouts of Am
erica.
Clothing.
Warm clothing is of prime import
ance. When the physical comforts are
provided for, everybody is happy. Cold
feet are uncomfortable and unneces-
sary A pair or two of wooden hose
are good insurance. Old-timers will
tell you that extras Of most everything
are satisfactory for winter camping,
In making up the check list, write ex
ira before stockings, underwear, nit
tens, shirt and sweater or coat. Be-
tween two layers of clothing there is
film of air which operates on the
thermos bottle idea.
Talk over the matter of dress with
your boys in advance and follow this
up with personal inspection before
starting on a trip.
Hiking.
A great deal of interest in winter
camping can be developed while on
day hikes. On these occasions the boys
will have an opportunity to visit desir-
able places where wood and shelter is
available. Before taking the entire
troop overnight, camp out with your
P. LIS in order that they may familiar
lie themselves with some of the prob
lens of winter camping.
Program.
Weather conditions will affect the
program, which must be flexible, at
best-go expecting a storm! Allow
just little more time to get dressed,
prepare meals, change clothes, ETC.,
than you would in summer. 1t doesn't
always snow-be ready to change the
activities to trail building, saving and
chopping contests, and winter tree
study. When it is cold enough for
snow and ice, winter sports are un-
paralleled.
Have an objective besides that of
getting the experience and some fun.
Possibly the putting through of some
of the tests, such as second class track
ing, fire building, cooking, first class
advanced first aid for frost bite and
freezing, cooking, use of axe, judging
Getting good winter views for the
troop album can be an objective, and
the study of winter wild life as re-
vealed by tracks and other signs.
A regular battle royal can be staged
with little organization or encourage
ment Snowshoeing, skiing, and skat-
ing allow for individual action as well
as competition. Toboganning and
shedding are great sports for patrols.
Overnight.
For the overnight camp, the pup
tent and forester tent are splendid if
pitched about central fire. A wind
break of brush and canvas will be a
good protection when constructed in
the form of lean-to.
You may find shack of some kind
in which to sleep. In winter, it is
warmest to sleep on the ground. A
cot allows too much ventilation from
below, and unless you have good pad
ding and place as many blankets be-
low as above, the chances are that you
will find yourself cooling off in all
four directions. Not so on the ground.
That is, if you prepare the right kind
of bed. Usually leaves can be found
in gully or depression where they
have blown together. After selecting
the sheltered place to sleep, such as
alongside of a fallen tree or big rock,
look for two logs and place them paral-
lei the width you wish your bed to
be. Put the leaves between these logs
and cover them with your ground
cloth. The logs will keep your bed
from creeping and will keep off winds.
Tie up the lower end of the blankets
with string or large safety pins
and tuck that end into your pack for
added protection. If you wear dry
wool socks to bed you will feel con-
siderably warmer.
1t is customary to throw few
sticks of wood on the fire while in the
process of turning in, for added
warmth and light. Most important is
a fire ready to start in the morning
when shoes are stiff and fingers get
cold. This tipder and wood should be
protected against sleet or snow with
a Piece of canvas or pouch. Don't
forget matches and fash lights.
Grub.
Grub forms an important item to
consider. Have the boys eat heartily
before leaving home. Bacon, eggs
Gust peal and place in pan, if frozen),
meat, beans, cheese and cocoa are good
standbys. Anything hot like tomato
soup is always welcome.
Yes, there are other items you will
think of and want to consider. An axe
and saw are the winter campers
friends don't forget them.
Where To?