Camping For Boys | Page 7

lays for him the
foundation of his later years." --G. Stanley.
[Illustration: Camp Becket]
CHAPTER III--LOCATION
AND SANITATION
DIRTY DIRT VS. CLEAN DIRT AVOID SWAMPS SELECTING A
SITE LAYING OUT THE CAMP GROUND THE LATRINES
GARBAGE DISH WATER WASTE BARRELS WATER SUPPLY
AN INDIAN METHOD INDIVIDUAL DRINKING CUPBOARD OF
HEALTH MAXIMS
Dirt
Clean camps are most easily kept by not allowing them to become
dirty.
"Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Godliness means a right relation to
things spiritual, cleanliness a right relation to things material. An old
definition says that 'Dirt is merely misplaced matter.' Of all the vehicles
of disease, the most important perhaps is dirt. The word dirt in its strict
sense comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'drit,' or excrement. 'Dirt,' then, is
not earth or clean sand--not clean dirt, but dirty dirt, that is, matter
soiled by some of the excreta of the human or animal body. Cleanliness
must be insisted upon in a boys' Camp--not the cleanliness that makes a
boy squeamish about working with his hands upon some necessary job,
but cleanliness that makes him afraid of sharing his tooth brush or table
utensils or his clothes.
Cleanliness is not the shunning of good, clean dirt, but a recognition of
the fact that to pass anything from one mouth to another is a possible

source of death and destruction." [1] "Death to dirt" should be the
watchword of the camp. The camp should be a model of cleanliness.
Every boy should be taught the value of good sanitation and
encouraged to cooperate in making proper sanitation effective.
[Footnote 1: Dr. Chas. E. A. Winslow--"Camp Conference," p. 58.]
Avoid Swamps
The location chosen for a camp should be away from swamps. Avoid
swampy and low places as you would a plague. Damp places where
there are mosquitoes, should be well drained, and open to an abundance
of sunshine. Mosquitoes breed only in water, but a very little water is
sufficient if it is dirty and stagnant. Two inches of water standing in an
old tin can will breed an innumerable horde. These "diminutive
musicians" are not only a nuisance, but dangerous, as malaria and
typhoid spreaders by their poisonous stings.
The Site
In selecting a camp site bear in mind these things: (1) A sandy sub-soil,
with good drainage. Avoid very sandy soil; sand provides but little hold
for tent pegs, and there is grave risk of damage should there come a
gale. (2) An open campus surrounded by hills or sheltering trees, and
facing the water. (3) Plenty of good drinking water and water for
swimming. (4) Base from which supplies and provisions are to be
drawn should be within convenient distance, not more than four miles
away. (5) Camp should be away from civilization, far enough to be free
from visitors and the temptation to "go to town" on the part of the boys.
Nothing demoralizes a boys' camp so quickly as proximity to a summer
resort.
Arrangement
Before opening the camp much thought and care should be given to its
sanitary arrangement. First of all, the dryest section of the camp ground
should be selected for the erection of the sleeping tents. Locate them
where they will have the full benefit of the sunshine. Tents erected

under trees are liable to mildew, for the want of sunshine, and the
contents of the tent will soon get musty. Next in importance to the
location of "quarters" is the location of the kitchen. This should be near
the dining tent, so that the serving of food may be quick, and yet far
enough away to insure that disagreeable odors will not destroy the
pleasure of eating. If it is very near the sleeping tents the campers will
be awakened too early by the chopping of wood and the necessary
noises made in preparation of the morning meal. It should be near water.
This is very essential for cooking and cleaning. In some of the large
camps water is carried to the kitchen in pipes from near-by springs or
pumped from wells of pure water. The dining quarters naturally should
be located near the kitchen so that food may be served warm. Provision
should be made for the protection of the boys from cold, wind, rain,
and dampness while eating. The toilet should be located rather far away
from the camp, and not in the direction from which the prevailing wind
comes toward the camp. Make sure that it is on the line of opposite
drainage from the water used by the camp. The details of laying out a
camp, erection of tents, etc., are given in another chapter.
Latrines
Particular precaution should be exercised in location and care of the
toilets or latrines, even in a one-night camp. Neglect of this will mean
disease. When on a one-night