Evening star., 1925-06-14

ne can sleep unQer canvas, SWIM ana
fish and learn the ways OF nature.
In order to satisfy this desire. the
District Of Columbia Council. which is
the supervisory agency that directs
the Boy Scout movement in Wash
ington, has established and is conduct
ing. with expert leaders in charge.
two Summer camps-Camp Roosevelt
on Chesapeake Bay and the Wood.
row Wilson Reservation at Burnt
Mills. Nd
The camps are under the general
supervision Of the camp committee
of which DR.. Paul Bartsch Is chair
man and Edward D. Shaw the Scout
executive.
Camp Roosevelt Is most fortunate
In situation. On the western shore of
Chesapeake Bay, at a break in the
Calvert Cliffs, it's Sc acres present
rare combination Of desirable condi-
tions. It's seclusion permits freedom
not always obtained in camps for
boys. The main campus Is on
wooded cliff, sloping gradually to the
bay. giving perfect drainage. A long,
sandy beach, with little tide variation
and no undertow, makes the salt
water swimming ideal. Wooded hills
and valleys, with fresh-water streams
flowing to the bay, provide rich
variety Of flowers, trees and birds ana
make nature study inevitable. The
FOSSIL ClluS, Will lilCll hiiS't
prehistoric bones and sharks teeth
are unique.
For the seventh consecutive year
management of the camp will be un-
der the personal supervision of Linn
c.. Drake, associate executive or the
local council Mr.. Drake will have a
corps of assistants, each OF whom Is
an expert in some branch of scout
craft.
DIR. Walter Merrill. who has spent
his vacation at the camp for mum.
Der of wears, will again be at camp
this Summer and have general super
vision of the health Of the Scouts.
DR.. Keefe will be the camp ply
sician. Henry Barlow, formerly an
eagle Scout in Troop 40, who is now a
student at the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, will again be In charge
of nature study and the camp mu-
scum.
Fred G. Stuart, better known as
"Wampus Cat" or Stew, Will be
chief funmaker, to the delight OF all
Scouts.
Chief Quartermaster Bailey. U. S.
N, who is a qualified Red Cross ex-
aminer, will be in charge OF SWIM
ming, boating and water sports.
Leland Chandler will act as quar-
termaster and see that the camp Is
we'll supplied with food. Two expert
COOhS lEOIIl lllC <alLhy "iii PAS'
wholesome meals.
DIR. Paul Bartsch, chairman Of the
camp committee, spends each week
end at camp, conducting hikes and
giving talks on nature study and also
heads the camp court of honor.
Other experts. nature lovers, woods
men and special speakers visit camp
from time to time to deliver lectures
and give such help as they are best
qualified to give.
Six years of the conduct Of Camp
Roosevelt under the same manage
ment has resulted in a progressive
development that would not otherwise
have been possible. Many interesting
camp traditions already are firmly
established and certain sports have
been set dedicated to specific pur-
poses. Some of these are:
The council grounds, where camp
fires are held and the weekly honors
awarded. These grounds are always
approached by the long line of Scouts
in single file and in absolute silence.
in true Indian fashion. The council
fire has never been lighted with
matches; but always. regardless of
weather, by Indian fire drill or with
flint and steel.
&c. NJ. o." Sacred Oak, under which
all candidates for this Honor Tribe
must sleep and where they receive the
initiation for the first degree. Only
Scouts who have won their camp let
ters and been at least two weeks at
Roosevelt are eligible for the honor
of membership in this tribe. 1t is
now organized for year-around activi-
ties and has received considerably
more than 800 Scouts and Scout Off
cials into its mystic circle.
Camp Roosevelt presents a carefully
developed series of activities for every
day of the week, a more comprehen-
sive program of worthwhile things to
do than perhaps any other boys camp
in America.
The voluntary basis on which the
program is conducted leaves wide lati-
tude for the individuality of the Scout
to express itself, while at the same
time a carefully developed series of
awards furnishes adequate inducemerit
for personal initiative.
A point system is used, with credit
for accomplishment in Scout tests,
woodcraft, nature study, campcraft
first aid, handicraft, contests, aqua
tics, patriotism, etc.
Varied activities are provided for
each day and for each period Of the
day. They include Scout field meets.
aquatic and athletic meets, treasure
hunts, Scout games, boat trips, row.
ing, fishing, overnight hikes, evening
campfireS, minstrel shows, mock trials,
talks by prominent men, etc. Time Is
so occupied at Camp Roosevelt that
there is something profitable and in
teresting for every hour of the day.
A commodious cabin overlooking
the bay contains the dining hall,
kitchen, radio room and storage facili-
ties. A wide rustic porch on the bay
front is a center of interest for visi-
tors.
At the other end of the campus Is
the new recreation building. completed
last year. providing accommodations
for rainy-day activities, the camp mu-
scum, library, nature study den,
games and a place for evening enter
:tainmentS, minstrel shows, etc. With
it's wide porch and big memorial fire.
place, it is the center of indoor activi-
ties. The camp Is indebted to the
American Business Club Of Washing
ton for providing the funds which
made the inc building possible. The
club will visit the camp during the
Summer and dedicate the building.
A cabin, new last year, provides ac-
commodations for the camp director
and for special guests. A camp store
is to be enlarged this year.
The old boathouse will be improved
for a carpentry and handicraft shop.
All tents are equipped with board
floors and cots.
A spring house provides storage for
water from the arteSian well, which
Is 225 feet deep. This water is shown
by analysis to be of exceptionally fine
quality.
The Woodrow Wilson Boy Scout
Reservation is an entirely different
type of camp from Camp Roosevelt
and is intended to provide for those
boys who cannot get away for week
or more of camping, but who desire