Under no circ.u.mstances should these boats be used for anything but life-saving duty.
_Ring Buoys._ Ring buoys should be placed on every dock. These should not be over nineteen inches in diameter, and should be equipped with sixty feet of 1/4" line with a float or "lemon" on end. Ring buoys are valueless unless ready at all times for use, so should be mounted on a rack the shape of a cross, painted red, having a peg, 5" long, on the end of each arm, for the rope to be loosely coiled around. The top loop of the buoy hangs on the top peg. By this arrangement, the buoy is always ready for use.
Water gla.s.ses, first aid equipment, grappling irons, and extra boat equipment, such as oars, rowlocks, and boat hooks, should be kept on hand ready for instant use.
_Row Boats and Canoes._ All row boats should be placed in first cla.s.s condition and tested out to find their safety capacity. The way to determine this is to fill the boat full of water and find out how many it will support in the water holding on to sides; this then is the safe number to carry in the boat when free from water. If boats are equipped with a small air-tight compartment of metal in bow and stern, it will increase their buoyancy to a great extent. Every boat should be plainly marked: THE CAPACITY OF THIS BOAT IS..., with white paint on both sides.
The Life Saving Corps
_Choosing the Crew._ Every camp should build up around its Master of Aquatics a Life Saving Corps from among the campers. Choosing the personnel of the Corps is a very important matter. The applicants should understand that it is an honor to be a member of this unit.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE GOODNIGHT STORY]
It will be found that if the members of the Corps are allowed to have separate sleeping quarters, near the water, over which they fly the Red Cross Life Saving Corps flag, mess together and be relieved of K. P.
duty, that they will develop an esprit de corps which will make for efficiency in their work and be of great value to the general morale of the camp.
Everyone trying for membership should first have a medical examination to prove that he is physically able to stand the very difficult work which he may have to perform at any time. The group of applicants should then be tested out as to their swimming ability, especially being required to swim on back without hands, and on side with one arm only.
_Training._ After your applicants have been culled out, the ones that you decide to use should be given a thorough course of training, first being obliged to pa.s.s the Red Cross life saving test. They must be instructed in boat handling and the methods of taking another person into the boat, in the proper method of throwing the life buoy, using a 60-foot line and a 19-inch buoy. They should be capable of tying knots needed in their work, such as a square knot, clove hitch, two half hitches, bowline, short splice and eye splice. Much emphasis should be placed on instruction in resuscitation by the Schaefer method, and no attempt should be made to instruct them in the use of any mechanical respiratory devices as they are practically useless.
During the camp season, if possible, members should have thorough instruction in first aid, especially as it applies to water accidents, the most common of which are abrasions, sun burn, seasickness, broken arms from backfire of gasoline engines, sickness from gasoline fumes of motor boat engines, and submersion.
_Duties of Crew._ The Life Saving Corps should be familiar with the water at all points and should buoy any especially dangerous spots, such as submerged tree stumps or very deep holes. This can be done with a line, anchor, and float painted red.
The Life Saving Corps should be in charge of Mates under the command of the Master of Aquatics who is the Captain. A log of each day"s work should be kept, recording such events as concern the Corps, such as weather report, officer in charge of day"s watch, number of swimmers, name of day"s swimming instructor, number taught to swim, etc. Watches should be so arranged that members of crew are not on duty more than two days out of three.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "GOOD MORROW, LORD SUN!"]
During the bathing periods, which should be at least two hours after meals, the Corps members will be in charge of the protection and discipline of bathers, the instruction of swimming, and supervision of diving.
The following is suggested as a good distribution. Two in each life boat, oarsman and c.o.xswain, one person on the dock, two lookouts and messenger in the tower, one at diving board and one or two instructing swimming (change instructors every third day).
_The Swimming Test._ After every camper has had a medical examination he should have a test in swimming and be graded in one of three cla.s.ses: Non-Swimmer, red knot on right shoulder; Beginner--the ones that will still bear watching--white knot on right shoulder; Swimmer, American Red Cross Junior Life Saving Corps emblem.
Check your list up every once in a while to see that everybody is in the right cla.s.s. Hold frequent tests to re-cla.s.sify two lower grades. The graded Red Cross tests are recommended and arrangements can be made for Red Cross awards.
Supervision of Boating
A Non-Swimmer should never be allowed to take out a boat unless accompanied by a swimmer. The Beginners should be limited in the distance they can go and only the Swimmers should be allowed to go where they please. At least two-thirds of every boat load should be able to swim and take care of those who cannot swim.
Under no circ.u.mstances allow more than one boat to be towed behind a motor or sail boat, and then only if boat being towed is in hands of an expert c.o.xswain.
No boating should be allowed during bathing periods.
Detail one of the crew to give instructions in boat handling if necessary.
Have all boats in by "Mess gear" unless special permission is given.
No boating after dark without special permission.
Every camper should know how to tie up a boat, if he wishes to use them.
See that he does it.
A simple set of rules may be drawn up and posted in prominent places so that every camper will know exactly what the bathing regulations are.
The following are a few suggestions. No one is allowed to swim for at least two hours after meals. No swimming allowed in the heat of the day.
No one is allowed to swim if he has any stomach disorder. A limit set on number allowed in boats. No boats loaded with campers allowed to be towed behind motor boats. Absolutely no swimming to be permitted unless life boat is on hand for protection of bathers.
Of course these rules may be modified to suit each camp"s local problems, but if these suggestions are adhered to in the main, it will be almost impossible for any accidents to happen.
One accidental drowning case may ruin the reputation of a camp. Build up the confidence of your campers and their families by making your safety system as near foolproof as possible.
_Send every camper home a swimmer; and, if possible, able to swim for two._
_For information about life saving, write American Red Cross Life Saving Corps, 44 East 23rd St., New York City._
[Ill.u.s.tration: MONARCHS OF ALL THEY SURVEY]
VIII.
THE CAMP PROGRAM
The program is one of the most important factors in the well-organized camp and must be given much thought. It is the thing which gives continuity to the summer"s work and holds the entire group together.
Without it there would be disorder and confusion.
While including as many activities as possible without causing any feeling of hurry, rush or forcing, it must be planned so that repet.i.tion will not prove monotonous. It should provide for periods of work and play, rest and leisure; it must afford ample opportunity for self-expression and development. Parts of the program must necessarily be obligatory for all, others optional, still others optional as to time only.
The fact that the group is composed of Scouts and is living out of doors should bring to the fore, subjects for study which are particularly in keeping with the Scout program, such as nature lore, simple astronomy, woodcraft, campcraft, carpentry, gardening, hiking, map-making, swimming and boating; Scout grade test requirements, and some of the Merit Badge work. Specific directions for teaching these subjects are not given here, as they are covered in the Handbook, "Scouting for Girls," and other publications.
Periods for play may include games, group singing, rowing, hikes, entertainments, and so forth. Leisure moments are for the individual.
She should be allowed to follow her own inclination so long as she does not infringe upon the rights of others or break the necessary camp rules which protect the safety and health of the group. Hours of rest which all observe at stated periods are, of course, most essential. While a daily program is absolutely necessary as a basis of work, it should occasionally be put one side to allow the entire group to take advantage of particularly propitious weather conditions for walking and hiking, or for an entertainment or field day. The daily program in every Girl Scout camp should always include the formal ceremony of raising and lowering the flag, inspection, a period of rest directly after dinner, a period for the discussion of the Scout Promise and Laws, and a short period for Setting-up Exercises, preferably the first thing in the morning. On Sundays a simple Scout service should be held.
[Ill.u.s.tration: A Sun Clock never runs down. Stake five feet high driven firmly in ground in open s.p.a.ce. Peg is stuck in at end of shadow every hour during the day. From article in "Scouting", Dec. 15, 1917]
PROGRAM FOR HOUSEKEEPING SQUAD
3:30 P.M. Report for duty.
Change of Squad Work explained Instructions given Off duty
5:00 P.M. Report for duty Prepare for and serve supper Clear table, wash dishes, etc.
Light and place lanterns Off duty
7:00 A.M. Report for duty Bring in lanterns Prepare tables, serve breakfast Clear tables, wash dishes Set tables Clean: Mess hall, wash house, latrines, camp grounds, lanterns, fold napkins, burn trash, fill vases with fresh flowers Prepare vegetables Off duty