The daytime hike gives the camper an opportunity to see something of the
surrounding country, and to have the experience of following paths and
trails, of climbing and coming into touch with the deep woods, and all
of their beauties. Also the necessary routine and rules of an organized
camp would prove unbearable to the all-summer hiker if she did not get
away from them once in a while. The very purpose of the camp would be
thwarted. All children are not so constituted or trained that they can
go off and sleep in the woods even for one night, but they should be
encouraged to take hikes varying in length from five to twenty miles
according to the child's ability to endure.
The daytime hikers should leave camp by ten o'clock, each one properly
shod and clothed and for convenience carrying her own luncheon either in
a knapsack or in a little, well-wrapped parcel. She should have her
individual drinking cup, and if the hike is to include a swim in some
far-off lake, a bathing suit and bath towel should be taken. There
should be an objective for these daytime hikes and the paths and roads
should be well known by some member of the party. Two hours is none too
long a time for the noon rest and luncheon and the return trip should be
planned to bring the campers into camp before supper. It is never wise
to start out with a group of girls who cannot keep about the same pace.
Nothing is more fatiguing than exerting oneself to keep up to a pace or
on the other hand to slacken one's pace for the accommodation of the
lagger. There should always be one person in charge of the entire group
and she should have as many assistants as the size of the group
requires. One counsellor to every ten girls is none too many for a
daytime hike. Under no circumstances, even though there were but six
girls, should one counsellor assume the entire responsibility for a
week-end or overnight hike. There should always be at least two older
people. The great opportunity for studying Nature should be taken
advantage of and if possible a nature study teacher should accompany the
girls. All hikers on return to camp should be examined, and any
blisters, bruises, cuts or strains should be reported and properly
attended to. There have been cases where from neglect, a blister on the
foot has become infected, causing serious trouble.
Girl Scouts when hiking along highways should walk in single file on the
left hand side of the way, thus giving them an opportunity to see
approaching vehicles.
There are many interesting signs that can be made by Scouts when hiking,
to mark the trail or note conditions observed. These signs and their
uses are given in the Girl Scout Handbook and should be learned and put
into practice. The use of them develops the powers of observation and
makes for alertness.