Camping For Boys | Page 5

is absolutely
necessary if there is to be harmony in the camp life.
Personal
Your personal life will either be a blessing or a hindrance to the boys in
your tent. Study each boy in your tent. Win his confidence. Determine
to do your best in being a genuine friend of each boy. Remember in
prayer daily each boy and your fellow leaders. Emphasize the camp
motto, "Each for all, and all for each." Study the "tests" on pages 8 and
9 of the booklets, and be helpful to the boys in your tent who are
ambitious to improve and win the honor emblems.
Tents
Neatness and cleanliness must be the watchword of each tent. Sweets
draw ants. Decayed material breeds disease. Insist upon the observance
of sanitary rules.
It is unwise to have all the boys from one town or city in one tent. The
tendency is to form clans, which destroy camp spirit. Get the fellows
together the first thing and choose a tent name and tent yells.
Appoint a boy who will be responsible for the boys and the tent when
you are not present.
Too much attention cannot be given to the matter of ventilation. When
it rains, use a forked stick to hold the flaps open in the form of a
diamond. In clear weather, tie one flap back at each end (flap toward
the feet), allowing a free draft of air at all times. On rainy days
encourage the boys to spend their time in the pavillion. Whenever
possible, insist upon tent and blankets being thoroughly aired each
morning.

Three inspectors will be appointed for each day; fifteen minutes' notice
will be given and boys will not be allowed in or around their tents
during the period of inspection. Leaders may suggest but not participate
in arranging the tent.
The Honor Banner is to be given to the tent showing the best condition
and held as long as marks are highest.
Swimming
The U. S. V. L. S. C.[1] crews' in boats will patrol whenever the boys
are in swimming, and the leader of swimming must give the signal
before boys go into the water. Boys who cannot swim should be
encouraged to learn. The morning dip must be a dip and not a swim.
[Transcriber's Note 1: United States Volunteer Life Saving Corps.]
Boats
No boats are to be taken unless an order has been issued by the tent
leader (or by the superintendent). The man at the wharf always has
power to veto orders at his discretion.
Order of Day
It is the leader's part to see that the order of the day is carried out and
on time, including the setting up drill. (See Camp Booklet.) "Follow the
leader" is an old game which is still influencing boys.
Work
Three tents and their leaders are responsible for the work at camp, and
will be expected to report to the assistant superintendent after breakfast
for assignment of work. These tents are changed each day, so that the
boys and leaders come on duty only one day in seven.
Each tent is under its respective leader in doing the following work:
Tent 1. Sanitary work, such as policing the campus, emptying garbage

cans, sweeping the pavillion, disinfecting, etc.
Tent 2. Preparing vegetables for the cook, drying dishes, pots, pans,
cleaning up the kitchen, piazza, etc.
Tent 3. Cleaning the boats, supplying wood for the kitchen, putting ice
in the refrigerator, etc.
The next day tents 4, 5 and 6 will come on duty, and so on until each
tent has been on duty during the week.
Leaders for the day will call the squad together after breakfast and
explain the day's plans. Encourage the boys to do this work cheerfully.
Lead, do not drive the boys when working. Not more than three hours
should be consumed in camp work.
Sports and Pastimes
Bring rule books on athletics. Study up group games. Bring any old
clothes for costumes; tambourines and bones for minstrel show, grease
paint, and burnt cork--in fact, anything that you think will add to the
fun of the camp. Good stories and jokes are always in demand. Bring
something interesting to read to your boys on rainy days. Think out
some stunt to do at the social gatherings. If you play an instrument, be
sure to bring it along with you.
Bank
Encourage the boys to turn their money and railroad tickets over to the
camp banker instead of depositing them with you.
Camp Council
Meetings of the leaders will be held at the call of the superintendent.
Matters talked over at the council meeting should not be talked over
with the boys. All matters of discipline or anything that deals with the
welfare of the camp should be brought up at this