No one doubts for a moment that camping is a good thing for children as
well as for grown people, but like many so-called "good things" the
results accruing from it depend upon the person or persons in charge.
For a Girl Scout camp the Director is generally engaged by a council or
a committee and is made responsible for the camp as a whole, including
the health, safety and happiness of the group, the standards established
and the furthering of Scout principles and aims. The Director may engage
as assistants, volunteer or paid counsellors. They may be Scout Captains
or people who know little about the Scout work, but whoever they are all
should qualify as to character, willingness to cooperate, love for
children, ability to teach or to do well one or more things, and possess
a personality which will make for happiness and success.
The number of counsellors will depend on the size of the group and the
work to be done. One counsellor for sixteen girls or for every two
patrols is none too many. There should be a head counsellor who takes
the Director's place when necessary, and who assists her in many ways; a
nurse who is responsible for the personal health of the Scouts and who
teaches First Aid and Personal Health; a counsellor to have charge of
each subject listed on the program, a handy-man if the camp is large and
there is much heavy work to be done; a cook and cook's helper, and last
but not least, someone to do all that no one else does--keep records of
all kinds, write letters, arrange for the coming and going of campers,
supervise the canteen, and be helpful generally.
[Illustration: Well-built floors keep out ground damp, and make level
and steady supports.]
It is most desirable when possible to engage Scout leaders as
counsellors, but they should qualify as do all other counsellors, for
the camp specialties.
The Director must think in universal terms and put personal feelings to
one side. She must aim for oneness of purpose and solve all problems
that seem to block the way. She must be an example always and her
imagination, understanding, resourcefulness, strength, and devotion to
her work are her tools. She should understand the necessary requirements
of the various groups as concerns their religious training and make
provisions for helping the girls to live up to these requirements. Those
who must go to church every Sunday, observe Feast Days and Fast Days,
should have a counsellor of their own faith to be responsible for them.
For those girls whose belief makes it necessary to abstain from eating
certain foods and being particular as to the dishes they use,
arrangements must be made to meet their needs.
Because it is not always possible to allow each member of a large group
to attend church on Sunday, especially as camps as a rule are not near
communities, a simple Scout service should be arranged at which the
Scout Promise and Laws are repeated, purely non-sectarian hymns are sung
and a short talk given on Scout-like subjects. Great care must be taken
to keep this service in accord with the policy of the Scout
organization, which is absolutely non-sectarian.
A Director's specific duties vary according to the size and type of the
camp and the number and duties of her assistants. She should, however,
in all cases see that the program adopted is being lived up to, that the
camp is in a sanitary and safe condition in every respect, that the
proper food is being served, that camp regulations are being obeyed and
that any illness is being cared for. She should improve every
opportunity to give the children something of usefulness and value by
calling their attention to the best and diverting it from all that is
not helpful.
She should cultivate the ability to read the temperature of the group
and when necessary to forestall difficult situations, discuss with it
squarely, fairly, openly and truthfully any misunderstanding or
dissatisfactions and do away with them as soon as possible.
If a Director is responsible for the money spent in running the camp she
should see that there is no waste and that the greatest possible returns
are procured for all expenditures. These will include such items as
food, cartage, labor, salaries, canteen supplies, materials for
occupational activities, necessary replenishing of household equipment,
and telephone calls.
It is hardly possible to equip and run a camp on the income from a low
rate of board, but the running expenses should be met and the children
will help by cooperating to this end if encouraged to do so, even to the
point of cheerfully foregoing some of the things they like and want and
are accustomed to having at home.
[Illustration: "A SLACK RAG OF CANVAS 'TWIXT YOU AND THE STARS."
Shipshape tents secure from wind, set up with stakes.]
The condition of the equipment during and at the end of the camp season
is largely in the hands of the Director. Careful supervision, and a few
rules that are carried out, make it possible to use the same equipment
for many seasons before it begins to show wear. An occasional accident
may happen but this is unusual. It is well to remember either when
working with an individual or a group that it is only possible to form
habits by constant repetition. To tell a child to do something and not
to see that it is done, is of little value to the child or anyone else.
One of the chief duties of a Director is to know that the things are
done which have been mapped out as essential to the welfare of the
camper.
Counsellors should meet often, even daily, with the Director and report
on the work being done, make suggestions for improvements and establish
a basis of cooperation. At such meetings plans for any special occasion
should be made and duties assigned. If the children need time to
themselves and entertainments for relaxation and to break the routine,
it is also true that the Director and Counsellors must have free time to
work out their individual problems and indulge in some form of play. An
occasional afternoon out of camp or the opportunity to have a little
party by themselves is suggested. In a large camp near the city, a full
day a week should be allowed to each Counsellor.
The Director's work is unending from the opening to the closing of camp,
but she has a rare opportunity to work with girls, to help them in many
ways, some of which are quite personal, and perhaps to be an influence
for great good in their lives. All depends however, on what she is
herself, and what she considers is the purpose of the camp.