The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-06
-RARENTB
 Your { Children
By Olive Roberts Barton

Now that vacations are on and the green distances call, 1t is sea- sonable to plan outings for next year, while all are in the mood. And 1t is not one whit too early, for the particular idea I have in mind takes months of engineering.
 It concerns the boys of high school or college age, but there is no reason why girls, too, could not participate if they are real workers and not afraid Of their manicures.
 A vocational high school not many miles away is sending fifty of its boys to Alaska this year on the proceeds of their labor, 0 large pea crop, planted with the Idea of va cation money. How does 1t soundp
 Some years ago, Q progressive teacher conceived the idea of using crop money for trips. There were short junkets to Niagara and the Great Lakes in those days, but the seeding grew into bigger things, and the year before last there was @ trek into the far west. Last year the bean crop failed (it was beans them, so there was no trip for anybody. After oil, the success of such a plan depends largely upon the weatherman. There was better luck this time.
 Trips Aren't De Luxe
 The boys do not travel in soft cushioned Pullmans, but in trucks, caparisoned for travel. And camp ing equipment takes care of meals and beds. That is, on land. Some money has to be laid out for boat fare, when necessary, but all is done at Tllinimum cost.
 So far, only the agriculture de- partment has been able to carry out the plan successfully, because credits are given for actual labor la the fields and for results, but believe that this nucleus can be added to and almost any group of lads and lassies could get together under proper supervision and farm for their prospective trips. Ground can be leased at Q very low figure in many places, fertilized, worked and harvested.
 knew three young men who devoted their time one year entire ly to cabbages and cleaned up enough to go into business. An- other time Q young couple concen- trated on asparagus and made good. But asparagus takes more prepara- Jon and time, and time is an ele- ment If vacations are to be caught on tho wing.
 To sec the world Is a big thing, but to work hard toward an end win e deep interest motive is good for youth,
 Domestic Enterprise
 And 1t can be expanded any way you like. Farming Is not the only means to an end, or the only in- dustry that attains results. A group of girls can get together and pool their returns from almost any hand- icraft-cooking, sewing or what you please. There must be cooperation, of course, a terrific determination to stick to the pre-arranged idea, and sacrifice. And c leader with execu- tive ability. But 1t can be done, and I think 1t well worth the effort. Though Alaska Is e rather imposing gesture, there Is big world to see and many places Of beauty and wonder are nearer home.
 Begin now, think ahead, and get going, you boys and girls. A year passes quickly. And may the crops, or cake sales, be good 50 that 1888 will be e year to remember, as well as all the summers thereafter. There are wheels always going somewhere, or busses of trucks or cars. Be e passenger and enjoy 1t all the more because you did it yourself.
 Copyright 1887, NEA Service, Incl