The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-07-13
SETON SPEAKS !.
BEFORE CROWD
ON W0ODCRAFT
Tells CT 'WOOdcraft Leagues
Work in Guiding Young
People Of Today

Before an enthusiastic group.
Ernest Thompson Seton. famed ex-
piOrer, author and scientist, this noon
told Of aims and accomplishments OF
the OOdcraft League, an Organiza-
ton sponsored by him and called "a
man making scheme with q blue sky
background"
Mr. Seton spoke at joint meet
ing OF the Rotary. kiWaniy and Lions
clubs, held this noon ut the Grand
Pacific hotel. lie is TO speak tonight
ut the city auditorium at S:l5. All
youngsters between the ages of
eight and IL are 10 be admitted free.
Reserved seats for adults may be
obtained at Harris and W0Odman-
sees.
The League, Nv Seton said, was
organized to develop the character
Of the young people OF today. ut
offers something to do, think about,
enjoy and remember he said.
Built on Indian
The work Of the league is built on
the work and life Of the American
Indian, because the early Indian
stood for all that is best in American
outdoor life, the speaker said. The
League aims to realize that bygone
type and make it vital today, he
averred.
Inspiration to give the world some
of his information on woodcraft and
outdoor life first began to crystalline
after he met Rudyard Kipling in
1898, Seton said. He told Kipling at
that time that he planned to compile
dictionary on woodcraft. Kipling
advised him. he said, to write novel
on the subject instead.
From that suggestion, the speaker
said, came his first book, Two Lit
tie Savages." Finding that he had
not yet exhausted his subject, he
went on to write Rolf of the
Woods" and other of his books
which are known as classics for
youth. Kipling told him, he said,
that "1f somebody doesn't get this
(the outdoor) idea across before SO
years elapse, the Chinaman will be
sitting astride our necks."
Is Fine Recreation
The Woodcraft League work, the
speaker said, is "fine recreation for
boys and girls of all ages from four
to o." 1t is distinct from ones vo-
| cation in life, but it is an avocation,
he said.
The League also works on the prin-
ciple that youths natural instincts
should not be restrained, but should
be. guided in the right channels. He
told how, from early youth, he had
disagreed with the idea, common ut
! that time, that all natural instincts
were sinful and should be depressed
In his life as Il cowboy on the north
ern range he thought the matter
over and in the course of his travel
I ing came to the conclusion that his
| natural instincts were oftentimes a
better guide than his judgment"
Traces Instincts Growth
He went on to trace the develop
! ment OF the various instincts in a
child's life. First came the play in
stinct: then the dream period, when
| fairy tales seem real and vital;
then comes the gang instinct; then
the cave-man period and, during this
I period, parents, instead of curling
: their children, should make outdoor
men and women Of them; then comes
the religious instinct, and later on
/ boys and girls begin to realize that
they have country. The impulse
for worship is strong at this
time, and should be developed, the
speaker said. Much later, he said
comes the idea of service.
! How the Woodcraft League was
originally organized among GROUP
of youngsters at Greenwich, Conn.
how it was successful, and how il
has spread to countries all around
the globe was told by the speaker.