Because in camp we live in the open, and away from the conventional
surroundings of city life, is no reason why we should feel that anything
is good enough, as concerns the table and the serving of meals. The way
the table is set, the food brought to it, served, dishes removed, washed
and wiped, does make a difference to everyone of us whether we are
conscious of it or not. Certain work has to be done and it is far better
to do it in an efficient way and in a way which will help us, than it is
to do it in an easy way, and perhaps get into very bad habits. It makes
no difference of what material dishes are made, or what the tablecloth
is, there is no excuse for not having everything clean and orderly and
attractive in its very simplicity. The camp table should be as well set
and according to the same rules, in as far as possible, as those a
Second Class Scout follows in her test. Those who act as waitresses
should do so with as much care and understanding of the right way to do
the work as do those Scouts who work for the Hostess Badge.
[Illustration: TEAM WORK IN POTATO PARING]
Dishes should be washed and wiped and dish towels washed according to
the rules laid down by the best authorities. (p. 61.)
A good housewife throws away nothing that can be utilized. Therefore,
what is left in the serving dishes after a meal is over should be taken
to the kitchen, all of one kind put into a dish and kept for future
use. If quantities are well gauged and each Scout eats all that she
takes on her plates, there should be very little waste from the table.
There are two ways of clearing a table, washing the dishes, and so
forth, which are used in camps. One is considered easier than the other
because it divides the work among the entire group, but there is a
question as to whether it is as sanitary a way as the other, or as
helpful to the Scout. It is the method of having eight campers scrape
their dishes, stack them, fall in line, dishes in hand, and in
succession wash, rinse and wipe them in pans and with towels common to
that one group. As can readily be seen this methods breaks the rules
being taught to Scouts as to the proper way of washing dishes: namely,
to wash glass, first, silver next, change the water and wash saucers,
cups, plates and so forth. No mother would think of having each member
of the family stack her dishes, take them to the sink, wash and wipe
them and put them away. This method would be considered most inefficient
and confusing.
A better way is to have two girls from every table of sixteen,
responsible for the dining room work, this work to be done under
supervision and according to the most approved standards. Of course,
this work is relayed so that each girl has a chance to learn it.
There are many young women with homes of their own whose houses are
badly run because they have no idea how the daily housework should be
done. They cannot do it themselves and they cannot direct another. The
camp is the one place where the Scout can learn what to do and how to do
it, and use for the benefit of a large group the training which she
receives. There is not a mother who is not anxious to have her child
know how to do these homely tasks in the right way.
[Illustration: THE TOWN PUMP]
With a counsellor presiding at each table to help in serving and
maintaining order, there is no reason why each girl should not learn if
she has not already done so, the simple table manners which add so much
to her attractiveness. People are not born with good table manners; they
acquire them by being taught and by watching others, and sometimes a
good appetite and being hungry makes them unmindful of others and of
what they do, even if they have been taught. There is no desire on the
part of any Director to make of her camp a finishing school, but she
should be filled with a keen desire to make the most of every
opportunity to give what will be of help to the girls as Scouts and as
women. The time spent at the table can be most profitably filled by
guiding the conversation into interesting channels and by being merry,
while eating.
The Mess Hall should always be kept swept, either a fire burning, or a
fire laid on the hearth if there is one, fresh flowers on the tables.
If the room is used also as a recreation room it may be possible to have
a writing table with writing materials on it for the benefit of all
campers.