Camping For Boys Part 6

If the trunk or box is too small to carry blankets, a good plan is to roll blankets, bedding and such articles in a roll or canvas, the ends and sides of which are doubled inward, so as to prevent articles from dropping out or getting wet. Strap with a good shawl or strong rope. (See ill.u.s.tration.)

[Ill.u.s.tration: Blanket Roll.]

A dunnage[1], duffle, or carry-all bag is sometimes used for packing, but there is a possibility of a "mess" as well as a loss of your good disposition and patience in trying to locate some desired article.

Carry your poncho to be used in case of rain en route.

[Transcriber's Footnote 1: Personal baggage.]

s.h.i.+pping

Have your expressman deliver your baggage at the station at least one hour before the train starts. If the baggage is delayed, much annoyance and loss of temper is the result. If the camp is a large one, some one should be designated to look after the baggage arrangements. After checking the baggage, this person should receive checks and attend to claiming baggage at destination.

Many of the large camps provide mucilaged labels or "stickers" to paste on the end of the trunk or box making identification easy at railroad baggage room. Initials and camp number should be painted on outside of trunk or box.

Neatness

"A place for everything and everything in place" should be the real key to find things in your trunk. Neatness is good discipline for the mind, and should characterize every real camper. The trunks of some boys in camp look as if a cyclone had struck them. "Full, pressed down, and running over." Every old thing in any old way is both slovenly and unhygienic.

About once a week everything should be taken from the trunk or box, and exposed to the sun. Let the sun also get into the trunk or box. Then repack neatly. This will prevent mould and dampness, and be the means of discovering lost articles. Finally be sure to go over with care your "check list" or inventory the day before camp breaks. This will prevent rus.h.i.+ng around excitedly at the eleventh hour, hunting lost articles.

GENERAL HINTS

Gray and khaki are the most inconspicuous colors for camping.

s.h.i.+rts should be provided with breast pockets.

Each lock should have a duplicate key to be given to the tent leader, or in a large camp, to the camp banker.

Have an old laundry bag in which to put soiled clothes. "Wash day" is a popular day in many camps. No camper need be dirty when there is abundance of water.

There is a luxuriance in a piece of soap and a clean towel that only experienced campers can understand and appreciate.

Wet towels, swimming suits or tights should not be placed in the trunk or box, but hung upon a rope, or non-rust wire outside of the tent.

The poncho is the camper's friend. It makes a good rubber blanket, a wrap, a cus.h.i.+on, a bag, a sail or a tent.

Be sure to take enough bed clothes. You will need them on cold nights.

Stamps wiped over the hair of your head will not stick together--the oil of the hair does the trick. Take a self-filler fountain pen--no gla.s.s filler to break.

A small Williams or Colgate shaving stick box, with screw or hinged cover, makes a good match box. A better one is a water-tight hard rubber box, with screw top. If dropped into a lake or stream it will float, whereas a metal box will sink.

Some one has said that "Good temper is as necessary for camping as water is for swimming." Be sure it is on your "check list."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Personal Labels]

CHAPTER VI--ORGANIZATION, ADMINISTRATION AND DISCIPLINE

A RECOGNIZED LAW COOPERATIVE SELF-GOVERNMENT COUNCIL MEETINGS DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION RULES DISCIPLINE BY WHISTLE DISCIPLINE BY CONSCIENCE SELF IMPOSED DISCIPLINE SEVEN THINGS WHICH G.o.d HATES LIARS AND SNEAKS A "MEDITATION LOG" AND OTHER METHODS PRIVATE TALKS PERFECT FREEDOM

The heavens themselves, the planets and this centre Observe degree, priority and place, Insisture, course, proportion, season, form, Office and custom, in all lines of order.

-Troilus and Cressida. Act 1, Scene 3.

Order

It matters very little if the camp be a large or small one, all will agree that system and organization must prevail if the camp is to be a "place of known delight and proved desire." Order is said to be Heaven's first law, and a boys' camp should not be operated contrary to this recognized law.

What is everybody's business usually becomes n.o.body's business. Much soup has been spoiled by the stirring of too many cooks. A boys' camp becomes a place of discord when everybody takes a hand in "running it." There must be one whose word is absolute and final, and who is recognized as the leader or director of the camp; at the same time the campers should have a voice in the government and share in planning and partic.i.p.ating in its activities. (See chapter on Leaders.h.i.+p.)

The following charting of organization will explain the "degree, priority and place" of those who are to be responsible for the administration and welfare of the camp.

Cooperative Self-Government

This form of organization recognizes maturity, experience, ability, cooperation, justice and altruistic service. Self-government wholly by the boys is unwise. There must always be a paternal guidance of hot, impulsive and indiscriminate youth. Boys desire adult leaders.h.i.+p and where a wise combination is formed of man and boy working together, there will be found the highest type of efficient, wholesome, happy and purposeful camp life.

Council Meetings

Frequent council meetings should be held. When the senior council, composed of the leaders and director, meet for planning and to discuss the work, it should be understood that whatever is said or discussed at the meeting, must not be talked over in the presence of the boys, particularly matters of discipline, awarding of honors and camp policy. Joint meetings of the junior and senior councils should be held weekly. Each "tent" is represented on the junior council by electing one of their tent-mates, who shall present the views of his const.i.tuents at council meetings.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Camp Organization Chart]

Departments

The director should have the power of appointing the chairmen or heads of departments, and the chairmen the privilege of selecting a.s.sociates from the two councils. The policy of each department must be ratified by a joint meeting of the councils before it becomes operative. Prevent bickering over minor parliamentary details. Keep in mind first, last and always, the highest welfare of the camp. Let the "voice of the people" be heard, yet see that the legislation introduced is in the interest of the highest good of the campers. The chart suggests the work of the various departments.

RULES

In all well-organized and purposeful camps for boys, three rules are considered absolutely essential for the safety and welfare of the campers.

These rules are:

1. No fire-arms, air-rifles or explosives of any kind allowed.

2. No one of the party shall enter the water for swimming or bathing, except during the designated period.

3. No tobacco used in any form.

Every boy going to camp agrees, in signing his application, to observe whatever rules are decided upon as best for the welfare of all. Boys should be trusted and expected to do as the majority think best. There should be a happy understanding and mutual confidence existing which should make a long list of rules unnecessary. When the boys arrive in camp, the director should outline and explain the purpose and policy of the camp in kind, but unmistakable terms.

A camp of a dozen boys and their school teacher, in the White Mountains, was operated for three delightful weeks, upon the following "agreement,"

which all the boys and their leader signed.

We, the members of Camp Bejoyful, do hereby subscribe cheerfully to the following rules and regulations and will be governed by them while we are members of this camp.

We further agree to pay any penalty the other members of the camp may think fit to impose upon us for breaking these rules or resolutions.

We will not lose our tempers.