Scouting, Volume 9, Number 7, July 1921 Page: 1
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SCOUTING
JULY, 1921
IIIIIIIll
Copyright, 1921, by Boy Scouts of America
VOL. IX. NO. 7
Why Your Boys Should Go To Camp
By a Camp Director—Ten Summers' Experience in Boy Scout Camps
EVERY spring each
scoutmaster must
answer this ques-
tion many times over
and upon his ability to
satisfy the inquiring
parent, troop com-
mitteeman or even the
boys themselves, rests
the success or failure
of the grand adventure
under canvas to which
400,000 Boy Scouts
look forward in their
Summer T raining
Camps.
Here are some of the
answers you will find
yourself giving, chosing
wisely as occasion may
require:
1. The Boy Scout
Camp satisfies that
" run away from
home" urge which,
undirected, has, in the
past, caused so many
heart breaks and ship-
wrecked careers. The impulse to Go! Go! Go! is so compelling
that impatient youth often obeys it without asking where or
how, nor considers the cost or consequence. " Out West,"
"Away to Sea," or some other equally vague destination is his
goal but to " See the World," and " Go " is his ambition. Camp
satisfies and directs this impulse.
2. Growing boyhood craves companionship. This gang in-
stinct, as it is so often called, is capitalized in the Scout Camp
into "Team Work" and "Team Play" with carefully chosen
objectives for achievement which strengthen and deepen this
fellowship into what we call " camp spirit," self respect and
worthy pride for every member of the gang. Games, inspec-
tions, contests, boat crews, swimming teams, life guards and
even the K. P. or Sanitary Detail, require team work.
3. Sclf-reliance is needed in the making of every man. How
often will your scout in camp have to act literally on his own
resources, following trail signs, map making, his fourteen-mile
hike, or "hiking guard" for the camp at night? Being trusted
in new ways to use his good sense, he develops self-reliance by
being a good camper.
4. Every scout wants to advance his grade toward the coveted
Eagle Badge. Many obstacles tend to discourage him in his
home troop meetings. The time which his scoutmaster and
examiners have for him is limited. Meetings must close on
time and there is always so much to interrupt when there are
so many scouts and so few leaders. Camp solves this prob-
lem,—more actual hours with fewer distracting influences in a
two weeks' camp than in half a year of troop meetings at
home. The National Court of Honor awards more merit
badges at the close of the summer camps' season than at any
other season of the whole year. No wonder our Eagle Scouts
are such enthusiasts for camp !
5. There is no place where boys have less sickness and where
general health is improved so much. The clean, pure air of
woodland and mountain tops, much bright sun by day and dew
washed breezes through tents spread under the open sky at
night, much swimming, water sports, hiking and vigorous exer-
cise to whet appetites keen and give fine relish for plain whole-
some food. The absence of candy aftd the corner drug store
drinks plays no small part in giving nature a chance. Regular
hours for rest and sleep, prompt response to bugle calls of
Another reason why your boys should go to camp
reveille, mess, fatigue
and taps, contribute to
health and the joy of
living which keep boys
growing and well.
6. Thrift is taught in
preparation for camp
through the earning
and saving of even the
small fees required.
Many scouts first learn
the value of cash and
the " Be Prepared"
idea with the dollar
sign attached when
first they go to a sum-
mer camp. The .sol-
emn reality of having
spent his last dime with
mother, dad and
auntie miles away and
no chance to charge
anything to the family
account, with nothing
to do but to wait and
go without little con-
veniences which wasted
money might have sup-
plied, is to many boys the beginning of a liberal education in
matters financial. The fact that everyday living costs some-
body cash is realized first when the statement is made that in
the camp account actual food consumed costs so many dollars
per week. Camping teaches your scout to measure his means
and to'act accordingly.
7. It is difficult even for grown-ups to determine for them-
selves whether they really think or merely appropriate the
thoughts of others. The great philosophers and original
thinkers have almost universally spent a considerable part
of their boyhood in an atmosphere of seclusion and quiet
such as surrounds the scout camper. The unforeseen emer-
gency on the trail, in time of storm or when confronted with
a given task to accomplish in which the team looks to him for
leadership, requires that the boy put forth original effort which
develops mental muscle and a capacity for original thinking.
If a certain tool cannot be had, the task must be done with
what there is at hand. The stream must be spanned whether
there is material for a bridge or not. The task may be im-
possible but he must invent a way to do it. This is camping
and until each scout has a chance to measure himself against
tasks like these, he has not yet had what Scouting is intended
to give him.
8. Ingratitude is the most tragic defect in the character of
many otherwise well bred, successful men. There are singled
out in Scouting the forms and projects which lead boys on to
a sense of appreciation. The intricacies of camp cookery oyer
an open fire, the necessity of sewing on buttons or repairing
breeches in order to pass inspection, care of one's own bed and
tent, all make for appreciation of home and mother. Being
responsible for the conduct of a tent for four or eight boys
after taps or in class helps camp patrol leaders to appreciate
the burden of responsibility which the scoutmaster and his
assistants must bear in developing scoutlike discipline for the
troop.
To some scouts the Scout Law has seemed almost too
idealistic and for such, doubt is overcome and new enthusiasm
born when they see what beauty and happiness is added to life
in the little wild woods community in which all honestly and
on their honor are " doing their best" to do their duty to God
and Country and to obey the Scout Law.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 9, Number 7, July 1921, periodical, July 1921; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth310745/m1/1/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.