A Girl Scout camp is the Scout's own camp, and she should feel the
responsibility of making it and keeping it in as Scout-like a way as
possible. There are two things for her to work for, the Camp spirit and
the maintaining of Scout standards. It is said that with a group,
"morale" is in importance to work, as _three_ is to _one_. This theory
has been proved by experts who have experimented with small and large
groups. It is well to make the Scout Laws the Laws of the camp. They
must, however, be understood and lived up to to be effective and for
this reason time must be taken each day to talk about them, discuss them
and make them of practical value.
Fortunately in every Scout camp a group of girls will be found who are
born leaders. Those in that group who are awake to the Scout ideals are
of the greatest help in all matters and should be encouraged. They can
accomplish much by way of example and in some cases can handle a
situation as well if not better than a Director. Work delegated to them
should be explained carefully and inspected for their sake as well as
others, and any lack of thoroughness or judgment pointed out and
explained that they may learn the better way.
[Illustration: This Mess Hall is open to wind and sun, but rolled up
canvas walls are ready to be dropped.]
Those girls who are negative in thought and action, should be watched
and every effort made to help them to come into line. They are bound to
have followers and this group causes trouble generally through
misunderstanding and ignorance. There should be but one interest on the
part of each camper and that is _to be a Scout_, not only in looks but
in thought and deed. This is sometimes hard, for conditions are not all
as they are in one's home, and to adjust one's ways of living,
especially in regard to eating, is not easy.
It might be well for the camper to realize that the object of a Scout
camp is to give the best and as much as can be paid for by the income
from board, and that the price of board is small in order that all
Scouts may share in the joys of living in the open. With these facts in
mind it is easier to accept conditions that may not be just to our
liking. Wherever we choose to live, indoors or out of doors, alone or as
one of a group, we have to face certain facts which must be dealt with
and not ignored if we would be healthy and happy and have our
surroundings livable.
In dealing with these facts there is certain work to be done which a
good many people call "drudgery," but if this work were neglected those
very people would be the first to complain.
We must eat to live, therefore, food must be prepared, cooked, and
served, dishes washed and wiped, tables set, and kitchen and mess hall
kept clean in every respect.
We must sleep to maintain health so beds and bed-clothing are necessary.
These need care as well as the sleeping room, and all personal
belongings in it.
We must be clean to be decent, and try as hard as we will, trash
collects and must be properly disposed of. Wash houses and latrines are
necessary and they must be kept clean.
Who should be more interested in doing this work and in doing it well
than the Scout herself? She should take the greatest pride in keeping
her camp up to the highest standard always. It can be done without great
effort on the part of any one Scout if each one tries to remember a few
things, among them:
1. That thoughtfulness reduces the amount of work to be done and saves
time and money.
[Illustration: "BY THE SHINING BIG SEA WATER." A Mess Tent for use in
clear, dry weather.]
2. That unless the work _is_ done conditions will be unbearable and camp
will close.
3. That the work she does benefits herself as well as others. It is the
waste and trash thrown or laid down where it does not belong, work half
done that has to be done over, thinking of our own desires instead of
the Scout standards, that are at the root of any trouble. Do not call
the camp duties drudgery, call them opportunities for service.
4. The fact that the Girl Scout pays board does not absolve her from
this work. If the Scouts do all that they can to be of service, and
serve cheerfully, many opportunities are offered them that otherwise
would be prohibitive.
Every girl entering a Scout camp has placed before her a camp program
which if taken advantage of offers her the best the camp affords. There
are always girls who accept the program and use it in full. They know
that in order to BE PREPARED they must grasp every opportunity to
develop along Scout lines. On the other hand there are girls who seem
too lacking in interest, too blind to the opportunities, too inert to
take advantage of it, and they leave camp having missed the very things
for which they came.
The helpful Scouts who belong to the former group are real camp helpers,
and the Director can always depend upon them, the Counsellors can depend
upon them, and they are the power which makes or mars the success of the
camp.
It is in camp that girls have the opportunity to express themselves
along lines quite different from those used during their ordinary daily
life. Entertainments are always hailed with delight, and any Scout who
does a good stunt, takes part in a play, or gives expression through
dancing, reciting, or singing, is contributing to the fun and joy of
all.
Aside from parties and plays and other fun-giving times, there is Scout
work which can be done in camp better than anywhere else. This work
includes the study of nature lore, woodcraft, certain forms of
handicraft, swimming, and hiking. The advantage of spending a part of
each day on these subjects as well as the Grade Tests and Merit Badge
tests, is found in the fact that the Counsellors are prepared to give
the work in the best possible way and under the best conditions.
Also there is inspiration in seeing what other girls do and in trying to
do as well if not a little better. Then too, what is learned in camp is
taken back home to the girls who have not been privileged to go to camp,
and they gain through the camper's experience. There are a few things
which every Scout should know after living in the open for a few weeks.
One is that we are dependent upon people, and that people are dependent
upon us; therefore, we must equip ourselves to give; another is that the
great out of doors is full of interesting things which can give us far
greater happiness if we learn to know them and try for a time for each
year to live with them, than the things to which we turn during the
winter for recreation and excitement.
[Illustration: THE CAMP LIVING ROOM]