A Boy Scout’s Day in Camp

A BOY SCOUT'S DAY IN CAMP By Dr. Carl F. Eyring, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences. • Brigham Young University.* Nestled on the banks of Timpanogos creek, at the foot of the great mountain, the Boy Scout camp of the Timpanogos district council is located. As the tourist makes the ride over the Timpanogos loop, he sees between the Alpine Summer school campus, of the Brigham Young University, and Provo river, the sign "Boy Scouts of America, Camp Stewart" worked out in letters made from tree branches in a characteristic scout style. Entrance to Camp Stewart Timpanogos District Council B. S. A. The writer spent two weeks in this beautiful scout camp and has felt that parents generally would be interested in the activities of a typical scout camp. This is the reason for chronicling the events of a Boy Scout's day in camp. All night the boys have slept under heavy quilts and blankets getting the most of sleep while night still reigns. As the sun's rays bathe the gray- green peaks with the light of a new day, into the still morning air penetrates the fine melody of first call. Dreams and reality are now mingled, and the scouts begin to sense that they must bid slumber goodby for another day. At the sound of reveille they are sufficiently awake to struggle into stockings, shirts, trousers, and shoes. The boys' courage now is surely to be tested Timpanogos creek is heard calling: "Come, my good scouts, fill your wash basins from my stream, dash my ice water over your neck, into your ears and about your drowsy eyes and feel the clean effect of an early morning wash." Each boy with courage responds: "It is so early in the morning, your water is cold, but clean I'll be, so here's for a fine wash!" Soon rosy faces and combed hair are the rule and not the exception at camp. "Lineup," says the scoutmaster, "hands on hips place, now forward *Dr. Eyring is Scout Commissioner of the Timpanogos District Council, Boy Scouts of America. '

1082 IMPROVEMENT ERA and back, so. Fine! Now raise your hands high above your head, breathe deeply of this pure mountain air." With these simple setting up exercises the boys become glad that they have parted with sleep and have greeted the fresh morning of another summer's day. At the bugle call of assembly we see groups of boys marching in order from the six large tents, out from among the aspens, spruce and fir, to the clear space which surrounds the flag pole. Soon all the boys in camp, seventy or eighty in number, stand at attention facing the rising sun. At the command of the presiding officer the color guard steps forward, takes the neatly folded flag from headquarters tent, and then briskly hoists it to the top of the pole where it meets the gaze of loyal scouts at scout salute and receives a kiss from the first ray of the sun which filters through the aspens. A leader steps forward and thanks God for the light of a new day, for the joys of the beautiful scout camp, and for the food which is to be eaten that day — a scout is reverent. Then the boys scatter to their tents soon to return with plates and cups which glitter in the sun light. The scout's delight, the bugle call — "Soup — soup — soup, etc.," sounds on the morning breeze and in two columns the boys file past the smiling cook who gives liberally of whole- some food. Dish washing in steaming hot water, bed making after proper airing, are finished, assembly for general instruction is over and the boys are ready for the day's work and play. STUDYING BIRDS, PLANTS, FLOWERS AND TREES The morning is the period for scout instruction, the boys being divided into four sections. One section meets a nature lover who points out the characteristics of birds, flowers and trees — how the water ousel lives along the mountain streams both in summer and winter and makes its nest under the banks of streams and behind water falls, how the aspen is the nurse tree of the forest, how to distinguish the spruce from the fir, how the stick- seed forget-me-not comes after over grazing as a punishment to man, how to recognize the snow-berry bush, the Oregon grape and the mountain lover. Another section goes into wood-craft where knives and axes are sharpened, where ropes are spliced, and where native dead timber is made into camp seats, hammocks, hat racks, etc. The boy gets a real thrill felling a dead tree, cutting it into proper lengths and making out of it camp equipment.

A BOY SCOUTS1 DAY IN CAMP 1083 He gets a real experience similar to that of his grandfather as he sits astride a real cooper's vice. The third section receives instruction in signalling, first aid to the injured, map making, fire building, cooking, compass, etc., receiving the ability to pass the tests required for advancement in scout work. The boys of the fourth section, first class and merit badge scouts, using native materials only make bridges, or build shacks with thatched roofs, or, using leather from the tops of old shoes, they braid hat bands and watch fobs. At noon the bugle sounds first call, the morning work closes, and a hand and face wash is in evidence. Then again the delightful call, "soup — soup — soup — etc.," is heard and the boys are soon filing past the cook to the mess tent. A second time the scout washes dishes; but why should he mind wash- ing dishes three times a day when a spoon, a fork, a knife, a cup and a plate can be so easily cleaned in steaming hot water with the aid of a dish cloth tied to the end of a stick? After a thirty minute rest or nap the scout is ready for the afternoon. He may go on a hike to Stewart Cascades, or through Bird Valley to the Big Tree, returning by way of Salamander Lake, or he may remain in camp to work on bridges and shacks or to pass tests which enable fiim to move up in the rank of scouting, or he may remain in his tent and read or chat with his pal. There are very few of the boys who spend an fternoon of leisure. Most of them partake of the real scout activity. An hour before sundown, after a hike, and especially after the day's hike to the top of Tim- panogos, the boys may be seen enjoying the fresh water of an improvised swimming pool — a scout is clean. Almost too soon old Sol approaches the near-by peak. Soon his shafts will disappear from between the branches of the blue spruce, ind Old Glory must be lowered as it kisses the last rays a fond good night. From head- quarters tent steps the bugler and first call is again heard. Boys are seen gathering around the tents and at the call of assembly they form near the flag pole facing the setting sun. Slowly Old Glory is lowered as the boys stand at scout salute. In each scout's heart is kept alive a love for the grand old flag and the ideals for which it stands. Again the mess tent is filled with hungry boys and once more the food is used as a source of boy energy. A camp council of all leaders is called, camp problems are discussed and camp policies are passed upon. Thus man and boy leadership has the chance to manifest itself. An hour before dark the "chief" of games leads the boys in "hot breeches," buffalo hunt, chain tag, medley relay, etc. At dark the council fire is lighted. On stunt night, each troop puts on a clever stunt, and the boys sing wholesome foolish songs in real boy fashion. On court of honor night, scouts are awarded merit, second, and first class badges. After a good story, an inspirational talk, a benediction, and the singing of taps, the boys are ready for bed. They move slowly to their tents where again they are to meet sleep and rest in his strong embrace. Boy-dreams and the strains of taps mingle, a real scout day closes, and the boys go to play with the faries of the night. Over and over again with ever diminishing intensity the strains of taps resound. This benediction falls upon the sleeping camp: Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hill. From the sky, All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. At camp Stewart the successful boy scout day has been made possible by the leadership of Scout Executive A. A. Anderson, Professor J. H. Paul, Deputy Commissioner Roy Passey, Deputy Commissioner B. Glen Smith, and Camp Cook Elof Nelson. Provo, Utah.