Boat Building
[Ill.u.s.tration: Boat Building at Camp Durrell]
In one large camp an experienced boatman was engaged, and under his direction three large dories were built by the boys. Plans were carefully worked out, lumber purchased, and details of boat construction explicitly explained. It took three weeks to build the boats, but no boats of the fleet were used and appreciated as much by the boys as these which represented so much of their own labor and time. (See ill.u.s.tration.) Working plans and "knocked down" material for building boats may be purchased from a number of firms. Building a boat during the winter by boys who are contemplating going camping, aids to the antic.i.p.ation of the delightful summer time.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "Pyramus and Thisbe," Players Scene from Midsummer Night"s Dream; Camp Becket]
Plays
"The Player"s Scene," from "Midsummer Night"s Dream," has been given several times outdoors with great success in the camps conducted by the writer. The boys were coached by a graduate of a School of Oratory, costumes were made by the boys out of all sorts of material, make-up was bought from a theatrical supply house and the scenery supplied by nature.
Footlights were lanterns set in front of reflectors made from old tomato cans. The path leading to the natural amphitheatre was lighted by j.a.panese lanterns and the guests were seated on the ground. In the words of Hamlet, "The Play"s the Thing," and boys and visitors are always enthusiastic over the presentation, while the players get a new conception of Shakespeare"s plays and writings. "Hiawatha" was given with equal enthusiasm and success.
Lantern Talks
Since the invention of the inexpensive Reflectoscope, ill.u.s.trated talks in camp are now possible. Travel talks, using postal cards from different parts of the world, postals telling the "Story of the Flag," "State Seals and their Mottoes," etc., are now published in series, and will be found to be very interesting and instructive. A number of the large camps have stereopticons. Lantern slides with accompanying lecture may be rented at reasonable rates, such as "The True Sportsman," and "Personal and National Thrift," sent out by the Moral Education League, Baltimore, Md., for the East. Any first-cla.s.s firm dealing in lantern slides can furnish a number of valuable lectures with slides. A sheet hung between two trees on a dark night makes an excellent screen on which to show pictures.
Library
Every camp should have a library or at least a small collection of good books. In most cases arrangements can be made with a near-by library or with the State Library for the loan of books for a certain period of time.
Camps having permanent buildings should "grow" a library. The excellent library of 1,200 books in the camp of the writer was given by the boys (see ill.u.s.tration).
[Ill.u.s.tration: Book Identification]
Gummed book labels were sent to each boy with the suggestion that he paste them in books which he could bring to camp to present to the library. Some boys would bring as many as ten books from the home library, all good, readable books. The books are catalogued and a loan system established, under the "Department of Education," and the following rules govern the library and use of books:
1. Library open for one-half hour after dinner daily except on Sunday, when it will be open for one-half hour after breakfast.
2. Books can be kept out three days. If kept overtime a charge of two (2) cents per day is made. Books may be renewed if returned on day due, otherwise the usual charge will be made.
3. From 9 o"clock A. M. to 12 o"clock M., and from 2 o"clock P. M., books may be taken away to read in the room, but must not be taken outside the building under any condition. Violation of this rule will deprive the violator of the use of the books for three days.
4. Please bring small change to pay fines.
Tutoring
The following announcement is sent by the writer to parents and boys concerning tutoring in camp:
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF TUTORING.
Provides Opportunity For
(1) Those who, on account of illness or other unavoidable circ.u.mstances, have fallen behind their grade and wish to catch up by summer study.
(2) Those who, on account of poor work or failure in examination, cannot be promoted unless they do special work during the vacation time.
(3) Those who have not fully mastered a given subject and desire to review and strengthen themselves in the subject.
(4) Those who wish to use their summer in order to earn an extra promotion.
Instruction
Many of our camp leaders are college men and have the requisite scholarship to conduct the academic feature of the camp. The instruction is very largely individual and is given in the morning and does not interfere with the recreation life. The combination of study and recreation makes tutoring attractive and stimulating.
Subjects
Any subject in the grammar or high school curriculum.
Time
Two or three periods per week will be given to each subject.
Cost
One dollar per week will be charged for each subject.
An accurate record is kept of every boy being tutored, on a card (see ill.u.s.tration), and a duplicate sent to his parent at the close of the season.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Report Cards]
Photography
To stimulate interest in photography, a contest is held during the latter part of the camping season for a cup, to be awarded to the boy securing the best collection of photographs of camp life. The award is determined upon: first, selection of subjects, and, second, execution of detail.
Ribbon awards are given for the best individual photograph in these three cla.s.ses: (a) portraits, (b) groups, (c) landscapes. The regulations governing the contest are:
1. Exposure, developing, and printing must be the work of the exhibitor.
2. Mounted or unmounted photographs may be submitted.
3. All photographs must be handed in before 12 o"clock noon (date inserted).
For camps having good dark rooms, the following rules may be suggestive:
1. Key to the dark room must be returned to the office immediately after using room and locking same.
2. If films are drying, inform the office of same, so that the next user may be notified and care taken not to disturb the films.
3. Room must be kept clean: (a) Do not wipe shelves with the hand towels.
(b) Hang hand towels on nail provided.
(c) Leave buckets and trays in clean condition.
(d) Put paper, empty tubes, etc., in box provided for same and not upon the floor.
4. Use only the buckets provided, and not those used for kitchen or camp purposes.
5. Use only your own property and that provided by the camp, and never touch the property or films or plates of others.
Camp Paper
Every large camp has its official organ or camp paper. An editorial board is appointed, and the doings of the camp recorded in a permanent manner through the weekly issue or reading of the paper. Various names are given the paper, such as "The Camp Log," "Dudley Doings," "Seen and Heard,"