Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29

Surely, I never will see Percival alive
again." says the distracted Mrs. Jones
to herself as her eldest son, blanket
roll strapped to his back, falls into line
with his Scout troop. He will be
eaten by a wildcat or freeze to death
before morning."
My darling Algernon Is certain TO
catch pneumonia" walls her distracted
neighbor. Mrs. Brown. who very re-
luctantly has given her consent for this
expedition.
Now, Of course, Perciysl and Algernon
will not be eaten by wildcats or catch
pneumonia. They will be just as safe
out there in the Virginia wilds as in
their own homes. and they viii have
far better time. The Boy Scout council
did not authorize and encourage this
program OF Winter camping without
the most careful experiments to make
the expeditions fooIproof
In the first place. there Is nothing In
the wild life OF nearby Virginia and
Maryland which possibly could harm a
healthy boy. In the second place.
there is not the slightest possibility OF
catching cold merely from sleeping in
the cold Cold weather and moderate
exposure have nothing TO do with colds
II boy doesn't bring enough blankets
and the thermometer goes lower than
was expected. the worst that can hap
pen Is that he win not sleep comfort
ably. As q matter OF fact, blankets
probably will be supplied him in some
way
The only danger OF catching cold, the
Scout ofhcias have found, is from wet
feet. Plenty Of extra shoes and stock
ings always are carried on these hikes.
No boy is allowed TO 90 10 bed unless
his feet are dry and warm. The scout
masters see 70 this personally They
are not greatly concerned, however. as
TO whether a boys head and shoulders
get cold. 1t might spoil his fun. but ne
VIII know better next time. II will not
make him sick Some OF the best
physicians in Washington have approved
OF this program.
THE parties OF campers always are
accompanied by men experienced In
woodcraft. These leaders know how 20
pitch tents make beds and build fires
so as 10 give the maximum OF comfort.
They know from long experience how 10
meet the unexpected changes OF nature
such ss starting out on an afternoon
which Is almost. as warm as mid-July
and encountering snow and a tent
psrstuTe only a few degrees above zero
before midnight And all are men who
recognize the utmost responsibility for
tbs welfare OF the boys In their charge.
The hikes. In fact. are planned with
thorough understanding OF physical
ca abilities and needs of growing boy.
They would not be considered for a
moment II there we're any physical
| danger. One Of the major purposes OF
the Boy Scouts IL N build up the bodies
NJ boys through intimate contact with
nature, Next Winter. the Scout execu-
tiyeG hope, the prejudice will be broken
down 10 thoroughly that every Scout In
Washington will be allowed To share In
the advantages of these hrscing hikes.
ASK your own physician Is their al
Vice 70 doubling mothers.
The organizations greatest interest,
! however, Ia concerned With the psychol'
/ ogy and sociology 0f boyhood. These
| iikee are q mental tonic, such as II
would be almost impossible 10 duplicate
| by any activities confined 10 the city
| They furnish the extremely valuable
medieants OF mystery. adventure, hard
! ship and contact with nature. The BOY
/ ia transported out Of himself he lives
, In his own person the careers of the
AtELG ehpUfefes OF tins fuf -claO HuUNfs
! vino first penetrated the forests and
/ mountains Of the Rorthwekt-~he ID
Kane, PeaTy. Fremont. Whitman Scott
| Amundken ana oil the other hardy ad-
ventures Of whom he has read The
/ Virginia hills afs northern Alaskan
mountains. The North Pole Is just bt =
yond The sunset He uamps through n
mysterious UNEMPLOYED land
Such . Winter hike has far greater
medicinal qualities for the boys inlag
nation and character than q Summer
camp. where there Is no touch ~ physi-
eel hardship W sdd the stamp 0f real"
NY u tbs adventure. Even the girls
20 camping In Summer II Is only n
10y adventure. But here IL actual ad'
venture, with all soTl III things likely
N happen which will call forth all The
boys ingenuity~so hs thinks, The
party may be caught IN snowst0rm
II may turn very cold The wind may
blow down the tents Nothing worse
could have happened 10 Kane o.
AnuHdsen,
Earn seo.Itmsstsr 10 allowed t0 &C.
lset his own camping site Generally
however these arr kept within sis 81
seysa milfs 81 Wsshlaate1s ~ lhse