Fathers and Sons’ Outings

Fathers and Sons' Outings [Pictures and accounts of fathers and sons' outings, in addition to those already mentioned in the last number of the Era, have been received from Superintendent F. B. Smith, of the Boise stake, held at Lowell, eight miles out in the sage brush west of Nampa, July 11-14; from the South Sevier stake, where Superintendent Harold Anderson reports a successful outing on July 12-13; at Pals Camp, Sevier Canyon; from J. Austin Watts, Fre- mont stake, whose fathers and sons' outing was held in Teton Canyon, August 9-11, where 160 fathers and sons participated; and from Superinten- dent Samuel F. Andrew, Union stake, La Grande, Oregon, who reports an outing held August 8, 9 and 10 at the Jerry Thompson ranch. The pictures accompanying are very interesting, some of which will be used as we find space in the Era. Thank you. Over ten thousand fathers and sons have participated in the outings this year. — Editors.] Rigby stake, July 26-28, held their fathers and sons' outing at Alpine Springs where permanent camp was made. The picture shows a few mo- ments' stop at Commute valley. There were 51 automobiles and trucks carrying about 300 men and boys, two of the stake presidency, 11 bishops, four bishop's counselors, and a number of high councilmen, the oldest being 78 years of age. The oldest father was Charles Moore, 84 years, and he youngest son, John Robert Fayer, 6 years old. Hiking and nature study by the scoutmasters were educational features. There was community cook- ing. At a weenie roast the first evening, 100 pounds of weenies were served; and at the noon meal, a mulligan stew served 275 people. Everything was carried out in good order — no swearing, no tobacco used, no tea and cof- fee. Everybody had a good time and came home deliciously tired, ready to boost for another fathers and sons' outing next year.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1143 A caravan of boy scouts from Malad stake left July 12 and returned Sa- turday, July 21, from a trip through Yellowstone Park. There were 207 in the caravan. They motored all the way to Yellowstone, through the Park, observing its wonderful formations, took a swim in Mammoth Hot Leaving Malad Standing in the center from right to left, are: 1. William H. Richards, stake president; 2. George A. Wilson, stake superintendent Y. M. M. I. A.; 3. Daniel P. Woodland, stake recreational leader; 4. W. S. Anderson, stake scout leader; 5. Chester O. Thomas, scout leader of the Malad First ward, Malad Stake Scouts at Yellowstone Park

1144 IMPROVEMENT ERA Springs, and left the Park, entering the Jackson Hole country where they did some fishing. Stake President William H. Richards, Stake Superinten- dent George A. Wilson, Recreational Leader Daniel P. Woodland, Stake Scout Leader W. S. Anderson and Scout Master Chester O. Thomas had charge of the party. The latter is the scout leader of the Malad First ward, which has 87 registered scouts out of a Church population of 1,110. The cut shows a few of the autos ready to start. Taking 207 through the park is a big job, but it was well done, and everybody had a good time. Cassia and Burley stakes. — Possibly the first memorial service in the United States for President Harding was held in the mountains about twenty-five miles west of Oakley, Idaho. In the center of a little clearing among the majestic pines, under Old Glory waving at half mast, a group of one hundred and fifty sorrowing fathers and sons met at 2 p. m., August 3. The stakes were celebrating their fathers and sons' outing and were camped in a beautiful canyon, not more than one-half mile apart. The regular morning exercises had been held. All had joined in pledging allegiance to the flag and were now engaged in keen contest games. The final test between two of the wards was almost to a finish. Interest was intense and Burley and Cassia stakes outing at Cottonwood Canyon, 22 miles west of Oakley, Idaho excitement at its highest, when, at about 10:30 a. m., word came of the President's passing the day before. Like a flash the news spread from group to group and there was a solemn silence. Everything stopped, scores were forgotten, sons rushed to their fathers, the fathers to companions, and soon all were in one group. The scene reminded one of a flock of sheep grouped together to protect themselves; for their master had gone. Arrangements were made for the two stakes to join and pay tribute to the dead President at 2 p. m. At the time appointed the bugle sounded and the crowd as- sembled in a half circle against the pines and around the half mast flag. Slake Deputy Commissioner Rosel H. Hale presided at the service . All joined in singing "America" and the opening prayer was offered by Presi-

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1145 Upper: Solomon E. Hale, three sons and three grandsons. Lower: Orson P. Bates, three sons and six grandsons. dent William T. Harper. Impressive remarks were made by Superintendent Edward H. Hale, of the Cassia stake, Superintendent Preston Pond of the Burley stake and Elder Orson P. Bates, of Oakley. The benediction was pronounced by Elder Bodley. Not one in that little group will soon forget experiencing those feelings of grief, those thrills of love for our wonderful country, nor the memory of Warren G. Harding. Superintendent H. R. Kirkham, Bingham stake, reports that the fathers and sons' outing of that stake, held August 2-3, had Dr. Shattuck, a pro- fessor of botany and astronomy, along with the boys, who gave them a lec- ture at the camp-fire meeting, one evening on the stars and the wonders of

1146 IMPROVEMENT ERA the heavens; and in the daytime, hiked with the boys to the top of the mountain, showing them the seven stages of plant life from the lowest to the highest. President Heber C. Austin made the hike also and took part with them. Patriarch R. L. Bybee, 85 years of age, interested the boys with stories of experiences of long ago, followed by others, in like vein. Upper: Dr. Shattuck giving us our first lesson on botany and earth formation at the beginning of hike of fathers and sons' outing of Bingham stake, August 3. Camp was known as Camp Kirkham. Lower: At the top of the earth and the end of the hike. Does not show the canyon, but we were on the top of the mountain. This was the best hike we have experienced in all our outings. The North Weber stake outing was held July 17-19 on the South Fork of the Ogden river near the junction of Beaver Creek — the most successful and best organized outing ever held in that stake. The oldest father to attend was past 85 years; and the youngest son, 4 years of age. The picture shows Thomas D. Brown and his 2 sons, 6 grandsons, and 4 great-grandsons.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1147 The Geyser source of Ogden River. Thomas D. Brown, sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons.

1148 IMPROVEMENT ERA The other picture shows the source of the Ogden river where it gushes forth from the mountain side. The hike to this place was a crowning feature. Enough water flows from its hiding place in the mountain to fill a large canal. By a little labor this beauty spot could be made accessible to auto- mobiles and would make a grand and beautiful place for future scout camps. The grounds were kept spick and span and no dull moments were found in camp. Among the visitors present were two members of the stake presi- dency, two of the high councilmen and seven members of the bishoprics. Pals. — The pictures repre- sents James R. Ware of Mon- roe, Utah, and his little son, at the South Sevier outing. Superintendent Harold An- derson of the M. I. A. South Sevier stake writes: "This title is very appropriate. If every father and son in this beautiful land of ours could create and maintain that wonderful spirit of comrade- ship which was so beautiful- ly expressed by you and your son on the fathers and sons' outing of our stake, the most glorious manhood the world has ever known would grow up. May thjat feeling of comradeship continue and you grow stronger, is my wish and congratulations to you." A True Beer Story. — A scout's mother informs the Era that the boy scouts of LaSal, San Juan county, were on a hike August 15 up "the Pass,'" located on the west of Mt. Peal, LaSal, San Juan county, Utah. They were in camp for three days and enjoyed themselves in various ways, including a climb up Mt. Peal. On the second night of their stay a huge cinnamon bear charged the camp, and the boys started to climb trees. The bear must have been terribly wounded by someone whom the bear had attacked, as it was evening and the scouts had three big bonfires burning at the time. One little fellow could not climb very well, so the scoutmaster helped him up his tree, which left the scoutmaster at the mercy of the bear, of which Bruin was not slow to take advantage. He snatched a firebrand out of one of the fires and fought the bear off. The bear started to climb a tree after one of the boys, who had hidden in the thick branches of the tree, so that the bear could not reach him. The bear came down off the tree and renewed his fight with the scoutmaster. A forest ranger was visiting the scouts that evening, but all this time he was trying to get an oversized cartridge out of his gun so he could get a shot. Failing to get the bullet out, he picked up another firebrand and helped the scoutmaster drive the bear out of camp. Hardly any of the boys slept that night, and, needless to say, when the parents of the boys met them the day after with a good lunch at a place appointed for the purpose, they were an excited bunch of scouts.