Camping : (The "out" in scouting) [essay]

Title

Creator

de la Cruz, Ricardo

Identifier

Among the Boy Scouts

Language

English

Source

The Young Citizen : the magazine for young people 3 (2) March 1937

Year

1937

Subject

Camping--Philippines

Boy scouts--Philippines

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

Mai .:,h, 1937 THE YOUNG CITIZEN AMONG THE BOY SCOUTSBy Ricardo de la Cruz" CAMPING (The "out" in Scouting) "A Scout walks through the woods with silent tread. His eyes are keen and he se("s many things that others do not see. H£ sees tracks and signs which reveal to him thC' nature and habits of the creatures that madt your boys a real "treat." Do you remember how your own heart used to beat ttimultuously in answer to the call of the roaring camp fire? Do you remember the varied and useful experiences? Do you remember the thrills that you them. He knows how to stalk birds and ani- felt? mals and study them in their natural haunts." That is the "out" in Scouting,-Camping! One cannot read the above paragraph without feeling a sudden thrill pulsating in his veins. It depicts the inner program for which the Boy Scout Movement stands. The month· of March is come. Vacation io:: but a matter of thirty da'ys away. What ar1! your plans? What is the plan of every real Boy Scout? Camping' The mere word. in itself. possesses an indefinable lure. It is the call of Nature, the call of the open camp-fire. Scouting is not simply the passing of tE'sts and the impussivc investitur(" ceremonies. It has a greater "it," a greater attraction. Every bov of Scout agr must have read of the wonderful stories about the heroic pioneers of the past of their glorious deeds and achievements, of their thrilling adventures in the open. of tlieir life of incessant struggles. And as he reads these stories, the eyes of the boy kindle with an enthusiastic gleam, his bosom heaves violent!)' in rhythm with the ominous beats of the tomtom. his entire body quivers with excitement. Scoutmasters, here is a challenge to your leadership! Vacation time is come,-a deviation from the hum-drum of school-life, a departure from citv standards. It is a time for planning and also. it is a time for carrying out those plans. Giw The Camping Program heralds forth a thunderous answer to the roving inStinct of the boy. It offers great opportunities to the leader as well as to the boys that he leads. It gives each and Cvery Scout the chance to execute whatever ht' has learned in Scouting. At the same time, it affords him the wild, care-free life in the outof-doors. which has always been the subject of his dreams in school. Aside, however, from training the Scout in tht' different phases of Scoutcraft. and from giving him a chance to realize his ideals of adventurt', die Camp site serves as the training ground of a future citizen of the nation. It is the place where his useful traits are developed. Coupled with a guiding hand and lofty ideals, the Camp Fire,-kindled by brotherly love-warms, cooks, and finally, produces the finished product,-a citizen! From a weak, helpless boy of twelve emerges a Scout,-self-rcliant, resourceful. coopcrativc,-a· real boy, as deserving and as dependJ.ble as any citizen of today. It will require much of the organizing and executive ability of a Scout leader in order to carry out successfully a camping expedition. Knowledge about the methods of dealing with boys and the method of learning to like them ;ind of making them like you in return,-that is also an ei:.sential asset of the Camp Leader. Very many parents arc apprehensive over send(Continued on page 71) · *Manager, Publicity Department, Philippine Council,B. S. A. ~vurch., 11111 CAMPING .. (Continued fro11~ page 53) ing their boys to camp. Thr Scoutmaster should know how ro deal with this difficulty. Long, personal talks, explanations on camping,-its purposes and its good results.are often helpful in these instances. Careful planning is absolutely necessary. "Budgeting on the safe side," securing the required equipment, and above all, thorough physical examinations,-these prerequisites must be met before any troop should attempt to go to camp. The last item especiallyphysical examinations - ha:; been a sorely-neglected require· ment. Very few Scoutmasters realize the vital importance of thorough physical exalt)inations. A recent case of a Scout having died in camp because of heart-failure is enough warning to any Scoutmaster to make him seriously consider the quesl'ion of physical examinations. A mere sqatch on the leg, or a sore tooth.-this may prow to be a fatal case of blood poisoning. How would you, Scoutmasters, feel if you had such a case in your troop while out in camp? The Camping Program io; the moulding of a boy's char<1cter. It is a serious undertaking, notwithstanding the fact that it is often alluded to as a program of "fun and frolic.'" It must have enough of the elc· ments required to make it sue ccssful. Enough,-too much fire will burn a loaf of bread: very little fire will leave it halfbaked, When a Scoutmaster THE YOUNG CITIZEN THE YOUNG CITIZEN PANTRY (Continued from page 68) Sort and wash the glutinou~ rice. Put in a native sieve to drain off the water. Sprinkle the lye over it and mix thoroughly. Cut the banana leaves into the desired size. Wash, wipr and pass over the fire to evaporate some of the water and mak:: it less brittle. Wrap the prepared glutinous rice and tie b} pair. Put in a pot and cover with as much water as when cooking rice. Put weights on the top to keep them down and boil until the rice is cooked. Remove from the wrapper. Brush the top ligbtly with but·· ter and serve with iatik or coconut meat and sugar. hikes out to the country with his boys, he shoulders a grave responsibility. To go out thus would be to cook a certain food, or rather, to attempt to cook it. The Scout is the r"aw material. What he will be depends on thl Scoutmaster. The Camping Program is a well-prepared schedule of outdoor activities and fun, of an effective system of teaching th.! boys "how to do. it." It is a well-balanced menu of boys and men, seasoned with high ideals of citizenship--self-reliance, resourcefulness, helpfulness, and loyalty ,--cooked and boiled over the hearty embers of a grand and blazing camp fire kindled with comradeship and love. (Note: For detailed information about camping, write to Philippine Council. B. S. A .. P. 0. Box 878, Manila, for 71 VACATION At last vacation time is here, And now our school-work partly ends; Without our books we hold so dear We· re out again to meet old friends. Away to the fie{ds to play th~ kites, Or gather f 1 o w e r s by the brooks; We know we spend the happiest life As that we find in story-books. Together with ou[ playmates, Our fishing hooks we throw Into the quiet pond in the meadow Where children use to go. Then going home in the sunset Wirh the basket full of fish, Mother and father are waiting To cook our delicious dish. When evening comes and the moon is bright, We, children come out to play, And after which we go to bed and pray For another pleasant day Oh, for the care-free life in vacation! The thrills and perfect joys! We know they'll make us sr,ong and healthy, Pretty girls and winsome boys. By A. C. Canciller Li'gao, A/bay our pamphlet entitled MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR BOY SCOUT CAMPS.)

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