Fathers and Sons’ Outing, 1921

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Fathers and Sons' Outing, 1921

Of course, we're going to have a Fathers and Sons' Outing this summer! Been looking forward to the camping season all winter, thinking of the hikes, and swims, scout games, the sleeping-out-of-doors, rolled in blankets, while the flickering campfire throws fitful, uncertain shadows against the tent wall. Oh boy! There's a thrill in every moment of camp life, that we wouldn't miss for all the world. First, Because we owe it to the boys. Second, Because we owe it to the fathers. Third, Because, being M. I. A. officers, we are anxious to put over this part of the Summer program. Fourth, Because we believe in being loyal to those who have been loyal to us. Fifth, Because we don't intend that the fathers and sons living in our stakes shall be deprived of the good things that other fathers and sons are receiving. Sixth, Because it is a fine way to bring an increased, friendly, sympathetic feeling between officers and boys, between officers and fathers, and a closer bond of understanding and appreciation between fathers and sons. The Y. M. M. I. A. Summer program provides for a Fathers and Sons' Outing. The place, date, and duration of the outing, are left to each stake. However, we recommend an outing of at least three days. One day, or a part of the day, to get there, with bon-fire exercises in the evening; one whole day for hikes, games and everything; and the next day, or part of the day, to come home. Every extra day you can stay increases the j»y of the outing that much more. We might suggest also, that while some think it would be a splendid thing to have the mothers along, this, one annual outing is being taken primarily for those wholesome effects that will come from the association of the fathers and sons. Begin to prepare and set the dates for the outing now. Make the dates suitable to the conditions existing in your community. Get the Presidency of the stake and Bishops of your wards into the spirit of the thing. They will all go with you because they appreciate your work, and they love the fathers and sons over whom they preside. Let's all go out into the great out-of-doors, and rest, and play, and get acquainted, in the old-fashioned way that Brigham Young used to bring the people in closer touch with one another in social union. Choose places away from resorts if possible. Resorts have a tendency to retard the camp social spirit. Avoid Sunday, unless your outing is an extended one, and then observe the Sabbath day as a day of rest and worship. Suggestions for Camp. Select a name for your camp, paint it on a sign, and erect the sign at the camp. The following suggestions are offered. The camp should be officered as follows 1. Chairman. Should be president of stake or superintendent of stake or a person selected by them. 2. — Camp Director. Camp director under direction of chairman, has general charge of camp. Chairman and director may be the same person. 3. Commisary Committee. Has in charge cooking instruction, menus, provisions, fires, and inspection of camp and held responsible for clean-

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTING, 1921 731

ing of camp, establishment of latrines, etc.; should select a sanitary squad made up from members of different troops or divisions. 5. Camp Fire Toaster. Has charge of the evening program. 6. Program Committee. Has charge of all instructions, play, sports and amusements. 7. First Aid. Doctor or good first aid man. Has headquarters. All sickness, accidents, etc., should be reported to him, May be head of sanitation. 8. Committee on Camp Site and Parking. Lays out camp, assigns positions, locates places for horses, wagons, cars. These different groups may be regrouped into three or four committees according to the size and requirements of the campers. Each boy should provide the following articles: Haversack, knife, fork, spoon, metal plate, cup, soap, towel, comb, extra pair of socks, two woolen blankets rolled in canvas, fishing tackle and kodak if desired. Each ten boys should provide equipment as follows: Two frying pans, two granite saucepans holding at least four quarts each, dish cloths and towel, flash light, matches, two table spoons, can opener, one small water bucket, one wash basin, first aid kit, axe, and tent. Each wagon or truck must carry a pick and shovel for use around camp. All persons making the trip must agree to be governed by the rules and regulations of the camp. The taking of fire arms is absolutely forbidden. The things suggested as necessary to take, of course, should be governed by the length of the outing, the climate, and the mode of transportation. For helpful suggestions on camp equipment see Handbook for Scoutmasters, page 380; for menus, see same book, page 399-403.

Daily Program 6:00 Reveille, flag raising, wake up drill, morning wash up. 6:30- 8:00 — Breakfast air blankets. 8:00- 8:30 Assembly, pledge to flag, scout promise, prayer, instructions for the day. 8:30- 9:00 Sanitary and health inspection. 9:00-11:00 Games, hikes, fishing. 11:00-11:30 Bed-making and camp cleanup. 11:30-12:00 Swimming —20 minutes. 12:00- 1:00 Dinner and camp inspection. 1:00- 2:00 Quiet hour. 2:00- 4:00 Scout games, hikes, exploring trips. 4:00- 6:00 — Swimming 20 minutes preparation for supper. 6:00- 7:00 Supper and clean-up. Evening colors. 7:00- 8:00 Preparation for night. 8:00- 9:00 Campfire stories, stunts, community singing, Scout promise, prayer. 9:45 Tattoo. Taps music. 10:00 Taps. All lights out and quietness.

Rules and regulations have their place. If the rights of all are to be respected and the camp made safe, there must be certain stated limits to the campers' freedom on certain occasions. Conduct in boats, absence from camp, regular hours for swimming, canoes, firearms, and fire, must be regulated by stated rules about which there can be no misunderstanding and from which there will be no variation.

Suggestions on Daily Program. First bugle call, 6 a. m., fire makers out; 6:15 a. m., everybody out, no exceptions except for sickness. Setting up exercises and short run at

732 IMPROVEMENT ERA scouts pace, alternating about fifty running and fifty walking steps. Do the cooking right. Don't be sloppy about it, just because you are camping out. Camp sanitation is outlined in Scoutmasters' Handbook, pages 391-393. This is important. Be up-to-date. Be clean! The success of outing depends so much upon the recreation program that you can't afford to wait until you get to camp to work it out. Take balls, nets, and bats, etc., along. Provide a variety of games. For suggestions see Handbook for Boys and Scoutmasters; Spaulding Indoor and Outdoor Games; see M. I. A. Boy Scout Bulletin, page 45. Select leaders for this committee who are familiar with games and know how to put them over. For assemble and evening colors see M. I. A. Scout Bulletin, pages 35.> This part of the program is the only formal part of the outing and will aid very materially in the discipline of the camp and make this part of the day's exercise very impressive. Stories and jokes should be of the cleanest type. Don't permit even a suggestion of anything else. Arrange for the preparation of these beforehand as well as for songs and other music. To wait until you get there indicates lack of preparation. There will be plenty of time to use the unassigned good things that members of the camp are prepared to give as a voluntary contribution. Divide the work of the camp among all and when much manual labor is required, change the personnel often. ,

Take Pictures for the "Era" Do you want a picture of your stake outing in the Era? This year we are going to have a contest in write-ups and pictures of the Fathers and Sons' Outings. The best ten pictures and "write-ups," and many more as we can find place for, in each division, will appear in the Era. As its contribution, each stake will send us at least four pictures and a description of about 100 words of its outing. At least ten of the best will be printed, and others will be mentioned in the honor list. Here's what to photograph: A picture showing: 1. Group of the whole company, going or coming, or in camps. Another group of fathers who have sons present with them, might be taken. 2. The best artistic group, such as around the campfire, the story hour, taps, morning and evening devotion. 3. Best unique camping picture, such as cooking, hiking, boating, swimming, etc. Best scenic picture, with at least one-half of the camp people in it. 4. Take pictures that show good action. In taking groups, make as closeup as possible so that each person can be recognized. Remember that the pictures have to be reproduced, which requires well defined outlines. All the pictures must be taken enroute or in and around camp of this year's outing, or where groups are taken, the members must be participants in at least a three-days' outing.

Sub mission I bowed in humble grief to kiss my Cross, But when in calm submission Raised my head, I found my Cross had vanished, And in a glorious halo Shining bright, I saw a Crown instead. Bear River City, Utah Orelia May Hanson