Fathers and Sons’ Outing, 1922

Bishop Marion dinger of Aberdeen ward, and his five sons, Blackfoot stake Fathers and Sons' Outing, 1922 Time for the Fathers and Sons' Outing again! Haven't heard better news for a whole year. What good times everybody had! Going again? "Wouldn't miss it for anything," is the usual answer from stake presidents, bishops, M. I. A. officers, and especially from the fathers and sons. Now's the time to get dates, places, programs, and everything else, all fixed up so that you will "Be prepared" to have the greatest of times out in the open when the outing time comes. E. Mitchel Hodges tells this story in the North American, in which he said that he was traveling on a railroad train, and he came in contact with one of the most prosperous business men in the town. This busi- ness man, in the coutse of conversation, said: "Would you like to know what I'm going to give my boy for Christmas?" Hodges said, "Yes;" and he thought what a fat check that father could give to that boy; and as the gentleman pulled out his wallet, he took from it a piece of paper and handed it to Hodges. This is what Hodges read: To my dear son: I give to you oiie hour of each weekday and two, hours of my Sunday, to be yours, to be used as you want it without inter-* ference of any kind whatsoever." Hodges thought, "I wonder what the boy will feel and think when, on Christmas morning, he looks at that slip of paper. If he is the average boy, he will be very much dissatisfied. If he is an unusual boy, he will realize that his father has given him something that he can never repay. "How did you happen to reach the decision to give that present?" Hodges asked. He said: "One day I was seated in my office and a human derelict came in to see me, and when he mentioned his name I said, 'Lad, to see you like this — and you with such a father.' " "'Well, I have often heard said that he was a fine man,' the boy an- swered. 'All his friends have said so. I never knew him. He was so

544 IMPROVEMENT ERA much occupied with his business and with his associations that I only saw him occasionally at meals. I never knew him.' "That made me think, and so I am going to concentrate my time on having my boy know me." This story needs no explanation. The costliest thing in the world is to be a real father to one's boy. It costs money, energy, time, patience, convenience and comfort. But it is all infinitesimal in cost as compared to that greater price one pays when he realizes too late that he has failed to make a real investment in his son's life. Of course, we're going to have a Fathers and Sons' Outing this summer! Been looking forward to the camping season all winter, thinking not only of the hikes, swims, games, and the sleeping-out-of-doors, rolled in blankets, while the flickering campfire throws fitful, uncertain shadows against the tent wall, but also of the splendid companionship of father and son. 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 Y. M. 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 stake shaU 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, sympa- thetic 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. Every extra day you can stay increases the joy 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 only from the association of the fathers and sons. Begin to prepare and set the time 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 in- to 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. Brigham Young used to bring the people in closer touch with one an- other in social reunion. Choose places away from resorts if possible. Resorts have a tendency to retard the camp social

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTING 545 spirit. Avoid Sunday, unless your outing is an extended one, and then observe the Sabbath day as a day of rest and wor- ship. Suggestions for Camp Organization Select a name for your camp, paint it on a sign, and erect the sign at the camp. The following suggestions are offered. All the following committees should be appointed at once in order that they may be prepared for the work assigned them as soon as they arrive at camp. There will be plenty of time to use the unassigned good things that members of the camp are prepared to give: 1. Chairman. Should be president of stake or superintendent of stake Y. M. M. I. A. 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. 4. Sanitation Committee. Has in charge inspection of camp, and is held responsible for cleaning of camp, establishment of latrines, etc.; should select a sanitary squad made up from members of different troops or divisions. 5. Camp Fire Committee. Has charge of the evening program. Should be composed of men and boys who can lead out in songs, cheers, stories, stunts, plays, etc., in a real vigorous fashion. Stories and jokes should be of the cleanest type. Don't permit even a suggestion of anything else. 6. Program Committee. For Activities of the Day. Has charge of all play, sports and amusements. This committee should include men who can answer questions on birds, flowers, trees, shrubs, animals, rocks and stars. 7. First Aid. Doctor or good first aid man. Has headquarters. All sickness, accidents, etc, should be reported to him. May be head of sani- tation committee. Associated with the doctor should be someone capable of saving life in the water. 8. Committee on Camp Site and Parhing. Lays out camp, assigns po- sitions, 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 person should provide the following articles: Haver- sack, knife, fork, spoon, metal plate, cup, soap, towel, comb, extra pair of socks, two woolen blankets rolled in canvasi, fish- ing tackle and kodak when possible. 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.

546 IMPROVEMENT ERA 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 Winning team in Tug of War, Taylor Stake mode of transportation. For helpful suggestions on camp equipment see Handbook for Scoutmasters, pages 370-430. These pages include suggestions on daily programs, sanitation, camp fire, swimming, menus, camp site and stories. Be sure you have a copy of this book in camp. 6:00 6:30- 8:00 8:00- 8:30 8:30- 9:00 9.00-11:00 11:00-11:30 11:30-12:00 12:00- 1:00 1:00- 2:00 2:00- 4:00 4:00- 6:00 6:00- 7:00 7:00- 8:00 8:00- 9:00 9:45- 10:00 Daily Program Reveille, flag raising, (this may be made a part of the as- sembly exercises) wake up drill, morning wash up. Breakfast — air blankets. Assembly, pledge to flag, scout promise, prayer, instructions for the day. Sanitary and health inspection. Games, hikes, fishing. Bed-making and camp cleanup. Swimming — 20 minutes. Dinner and camp inspection. Quiet hour. Scout games, hikes, exploring trips. Swimming — 20 minutes preparation for supper. Supper and clean-up. Evening colors. Preparation for night. Campfire stories, stunts, community singing, scout promise, prayer. Tattoo. Taps. All lights out and quietness.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTING 547 Rules and regulations have their place. If the rights of all are to be respected and the camp made safe, there must be cer- tain stated limits to the campers' freedom on certain occasions. Conduct in boats, absence from camp, regular hours for swim- ming, 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. These should be made and read daily by each camping party. Suggestions for Daily Program First bugle call, 6 a. m.; fire makers out; 6:15 a. m., every- body out, no exceptions except for sickness. Setting up exer- cises and short run at scout's pace, alternating about fifty run- ning and fifty walking steps. Do the cooking right. Don't be sloppy about it, just be- cause you are camping out. Camp sanitation is outlined in Flag raising — East Mill Creek Canyon, Salt Lake Stake Scoutmasters' Handbook, pages 391-393. This is important. Be up-to-date. Be clean! The success of the outing depends so much upon the rec- reation 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 Hand-book 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 assembly and evening colors see M.I. A. Scout Bulletin,

548 IMPROVEMENT ERA page 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. This should be in charge of some responsible, live person who will study all about the flag customs and ceremonies, forms of respect due it, and put it over in a dignified, impressive way. Divide the work of the camp among all, and when much manual labor is required, change the personnel often. All work of the camp should be considered honorable, and therefore should not be assigned as punishment. Eats Good food is essential to health and morale. Napoleon once said: "An army travels on its stomach." It is equally true that a successful camp must be a "well fed" camp. Com- Bathing, Boise Stake petent cooks should prepare the food. Eating between meals is both unhealthful and unnecessary. Take Pictures Here's what to photograph: a picture showing: 1. Group of the whole company, going or coming, or in camps. An- other 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. Rest unique camping picture, such as cooking, hiking, boating, swim- ming, etc.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTING 549 4. Best scenic picture, with at least one-half of the camp people in it. Take pictures that show good action. In taking groups, make as close up as possible so that each person can be recognized. Remember that the pictures reproduced, require 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. Suggested Program for Use Around Camp Fire 1. Hymns: "High on the mountain top," "0, ye mountains high." 2. Prayer: A Son. 3. Songs: See those published on this folder. 4. Short talk, "Team work for Father and Son." — Special speaker. 5. A stunt: Have three groups selected and have them contest in living pictures, the following, "Fear," "Joy," "Sorrow," "Courage." 6. A story, "The Dog Story," Junior Manual, 1921. 7. A treat: Peanuts or candy or toasting marshmellows on sticks. 8. Prayer: A Father. 9. Taps — Blow — Sing gradually back to tent. Songs Lads (Tune: "Smiles." There are Dads who make us happy, There are Dads who make us blue, There are Dads who are so very busy Making "cash" for boys like me and you. There are Dads, and how we always love them, "Who have time to come if we just call, It's the Dad who thinks enough of his boy To take time for a game of ball. Dads There are boys who make us happy, There are boys who make us blue, There are boys who raise a lot of thunder If they're asked to do a thing or two ; There are boys who sing and smile and whistle; Some who grouch and frown and make us sad, But the boy who's surely on the right track Is the boy who sticks close to Dad. (Tune: "Sweet Adeline") 0 Lad 0' Mine, (0 Lad 0' Mine) ; Dear Lad O' Mine, (Dear Lad O' Mine) We'll stand as one, (We'll stand as one) In rain or shine; (In rain or shine) ; Each night and day, (Each night and day), I'll always say, (I'll always say), You're the best friend in the world, O Lad O' Mine, (O Lad O' Mine). (When boys sing, substitute "Dad" for Lad )