The day is clear, the sun casts long shadows as it rises back of the
woods, all is still, when suddenly a long whistle blast is heard
followed by the bugle call, "You can't get 'um up, you can't get 'um up,
you can't get 'um up in the morning," and an immediate babble of voices.
Out of every tent comes tumbling weird looking figures in bathrobes,
pajamas, sweaters and bloomers, tousled heads and half-clad feet. A
line-up on the drill field, and setting-up exercises begin under the
direction of the game counsellor or physical director. Ten minutes of
work and then a mad rush for tents, wash basins, and the wash house,
laughter and joking, dressing and hair brushing, and four whistles
sound. Housekeepers, housekeepers, housekeepers, come! There they go
carrying in the lanterns that have hung on the the lamp posts--trees in
this case--all night.
Are your tables ready? Get the bread, the butter, the milk, and so on
and so forth. The Director appears, a sign that it is time for morning
colors. The Color Guard, five girls from one tent, all in Scout uniform,
"fall in," the bugler joins them, assembly sounds and everyone but the
housekeepers line up on the field. "Right dress, Front," and the Color
Guard, bearing the flag marches to the flag pole as the Colors are
hoisted and the bugler plays "To Colors." All pledge allegiance to the
flag, sing the Star Spangled Banner. The Guard leaves the field and with
a "Right Face, Forward March," all file in to breakfast.
There are always announcements to be made, some questions to be asked,
and after the meal is over, or just before classes, is a good time to do
this.
[Illustration: "SPECIAL DELIVERY." CAMP POST OFFICE.]
Inspection follows--all too soon for some. Tents must be in order,
grounds around them clean, trash boxes emptied, and each girl in her
tent, the chosen leader of the group, called the Patrol Leader, Court of
Honor, or Orderly, at the door. The Director hears a murmur, "Here she
comes, here she comes"; then all is still. A salute, a thorough look at
grounds around, trash box, basins, cots, a look into a blanket or two
for fear that hurry has caused some mistakes, and sometimes a look into
dress suitcases, for cleanliness, and order must begin on the inside, a
word of commendation, a suggestion for improvement and possibly a
reprimand, follow.
The bugler announces the time for classes, each group whether far or
near changing from one class to another, until the noon hour brings a
free period to all.
The signalling class is under the trees back of the mess hall, the First
Aid group in a shady spot on the edge of the woods, the basketry class
near their base of supplies but sitting on the grass in the shade, the
nature lovers in the woods to find new birds and ferns and flowers--and
so it goes.
During the working hours, the housekeepers have been busy performing all
kinds of necessary camp work. Some Scouts enjoy all of it, others none
of it, but rarely does anyone fail to do her part. Dinner is served, the
Scouts marching in to the mess hall, as they do for all meals, and being
excused when all have finished. Much talking and laughter, but
orderliness and courtesy, with an occasional sigh when something does
not please, or a prolonged "ah" when it does, make the time and all
there is to eat disappear in what seems a short time.
Dinner is followed by rest hour, always difficult for some temperaments,
but a real necessity in camp. Sometimes it is necessary to discipline in
order to have quiet, or have counsellors on duty near the tents to
insure rest. Whatever can be done to make the Scouts realize the
importance of obeying this rule, should be done.
Nothing is more looked forward to than the distribution of the mail
unless it is the Canteen. A whistle call and all tent representatives
fairly fly to the post office window, and eagerly listen for the names
of their tent mates. Which group has the most mail--are there any
packages?
Letter reading, letter writing, reading, mending, laundry work, fill the
time until the afternoon classes begin.
At five-thirty when the call for supper is sounded the Color Guard "fall
in" and while all Scouts stand in Company formation at attention the
Colors are slowly lowered. The Color Guard is changed every day, each
Guard representing a different tent.
After supper, canteen is opened. Perhaps a table out of doors is used as
a counter, or one in the mess hall if it does not interfere with
housework. Three or four Scouts assist the counsellor who has charge of
the canteen and all the goodies on sale for that day are arranged in
tempting fashion before the very eyes of the waiting group.
There are so many things to do after supper that each Scout is given the
privilege of making her own choice, and can join a group for a row, or a
walk, a game of ball or a sing, but all must be back in time for the
camp fire, and goodnight songs, First Call, Taps, and evening
inspection, and last to make sure that all Scouts are safe and happy and
all tents in proper condition, flaps back and sides up when possible.
This closes one day. Others like it may follow, but as a rule no two
days are alike. Hikes, visitors, storms, comings and goings, all vary
the schedule tremendously, but all are needed to teach us how to camp.
_Life is sweet, brother, ... There's day and
night, brother, both sweet things; sun, moon, and
stars, all sweet things; there's likewise a wind
on the heath._
--_Lavengro_