Camping For Boys | Page 4

largely built around a strong personality.
Solve the problem of leadership, and you solve the greatest problem of
camping.
The Director
No matter how large or how small the camp, there must be one who is

in absolute control. He may be known as the director, superintendent,
or leader. His word is final. He should be a man of executive ability
and good common sense. He should have a keen appreciation of justice.
A desire to be the friend and counsellor of every boy must always
govern his action. He will always have the interest and welfare of every
individual boy at heart, realizing that parents have literally turned over
to his care and keeping, for the time being, the bodies and souls of their
boys. To be respected should be his aim. Too often the desire to be
popular leads to failure.
Leaders
Aim to secure as assistant leaders or counsellors young men of
unquestioned character and moral leadership, college men if possible,
men of culture and refinement, who are good athletes, and who
understand boy life.
"They should be strong and sympathetic, companionable men. Too
much care cannot be exercised in choosing assistants. Beware of
effeminate men, men who are morbid in sex matters. An alert leader
can spot a 'crooked' man by his actions, his glances, and by his choice
of favorites. Deal with a man of this type firmly, promptly, and quietly.
Let him suddenly be 'called home by circumstances which he could not
control.'" The leader must have the loyalty of his assistants. They
should receive their rank from the leader, and this rank should be
recognized by the entire camp. The highest ranking leader present at
any time should have authority over the party.
In a boys' camp I prefer the term "leader" to that of "counsellor." It is
more natural for a boy to follow a leader than to listen to wise
counsellors. "Come on, fellows, let's--" meets with hearty response.
"Boys, do this," is an entirely different thing. Leaders should hold
frequent councils regarding the life of the camp and share in
determining its policy.
The most fruitful source of supply of leaders should be the colleges and
preparatory schools. No vacation can be so profitably spent as that
given over to the leadership of boy life. Here is a form of altruistic

service which should appeal to purposeful college men. Older high
school boys who have been campers make excellent leaders of younger
boys. A leader should always receive some remuneration for his
services, either carfare and board or a fixed sum of money definitely
agreed upon beforehand. The pay should never be so large that he will
look upon his position as a "job." Never cover service with the blinding
attractiveness of money. The chief purpose of pay should be to help
deepen the sense of responsibility, and prevent laxness and indifference,
as well as to gain the services of those who must earn something.
Do not take a man as leader simply because he has certificates of
recommendation. Know him personally. Find out what he is capable of
doing. The following blank I use in securing information:
Leader's Information Blank, Camps Durrell and Becket Name Address
College or school Class of Do you sing? What part (tenor or bass)? Do
you swim? Do you play baseball? What position? Do you play an
instrument? What? Will you bring it (unless piano) and music to camp?
Have you won any athletic or aquatic events? What? Will you bring
your school or college pennant with you? Have you ever taken part in
minstrel show, dramatics, or any kind of entertainment; if so, what?
What is your hobby? (If tennis, baseball, swimming, nature study,
hiking, photography, athletics, etc., whatever it is, kindly tell about it in
order to help in planning the camp activities.)
[Illustration: A Leader's Pulpit--Sunday Morning in the
"Chapel-by-the-Lake"--Camp Becket.]
Leaders should not be chosen in order to secure a baseball team, or an
athletic team. Select men of diverse gifts. One should know something
about nature study, another about manual training, another a good
story-teller, another a good athlete or baseball player, another a good
swimmer, another a musician, etc. Always remember, however, that the
chief qualification should be moral worth.
Before camp opens it is a wise plan to send each leader a letter
explaining in detail the purpose and program of the camp. A letter like
the following is sent to the leaders of Camps Durrell and Becket.

SUGGESTIONS TO CAMP LEADERS. READ AND RE-READ.
The success of a boys' camp depends upon the hearty cooperation of
each leader with the superintendent. The boys will imitate you. A smile
is always better than a frown. "Kicking" in the presence of boys breeds
discontent. Loyalty to the camp and its management