A Profitable Picnic
A large number of Sunday-schools are in the habit of holding a picnic
every summer. In spite of the countless jests at the expense of the
Sunday-school picnic, the custom is in every way commendable. Where can
teacher and scholars, superintendent and teachers, better come into that
familiar, every-day contact that tells so much of character and for
character, than out under the open sky and in the merry meadows? And yet
why is it that the very word "picnic" makes most Sunday-school teachers
groan, and presents to the superintendent's mind a picture no more
delectable than of hot, dusty cars, pushing, quarreling children,
red-faced teachers, and lunches seized on by ants?
Of course, in moving so large a body of people, especially of
youngsters, many untoward events are to be expected; but nevertheless,
when the picnic is not a conspicuous success, there is usually one
reason: it was not well planned for. So many managers of picnics are
nothing but transportation managers! Getting a reduction of railroad
fare, packing and unpacking the lunches, filing the children in and
out of the cars,--such details sum up their plans. As for
entertainment on the picnic grounds,--why, turn the children loose,
and they will take care of that part of it!
On the contrary, he is a wise man that can entertain himself well and
profitably for a day without aid from outside. The feat is impossible
for most children. How well I remember my own childish miseries on
holidays because I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do! On the
haphazard plan your picnic will go uproariously for a time, but it
will soon "fray out" into a tangle of ennui and quarrels.
In this brief chapter, then, I want to suggest merely one out of many
schemes for a profitable picnic. It will include in the day's plans
all ages and classes, and afford pleasure for mind and spirit as well
as body.
In the first place, arrange with great care a programme of contests.
If it is a joint picnic, some of the contests will be between
representatives of the Sunday-schools that take part; otherwise,
between classes and individuals of the one Sunday-school. Bring in the
girls as well as the boys, and the men and women as well as the
children. Running, sack-races, three-legged races, pole and rope
climbing, boat-races, croquet and tennis matches, base-ball (a game
among the old men will cause much amusement), the marching of
competing companies, broom or flag drills for the girls, leaping, slow
races on the bicycle, throwing the hammer, soap-bubble contests--why,
the number of these sports is legion.
Just a few hints:--
Give no prizes, but "honorable mention."
Let the contests be well planned and advertised beforehand, and set
the scholars to training for them.
Give every one a printed programme (which may be worked off on a
manifolder), and so arrange it that the entire company, if possible,
may be spectators of each contest.
Make everything as short and snappy as you can.
Throughout the programme, work in all classes and ages as best you
may. Don't, for instance, put all the contests in which the little
ones engage in the same part of the day.
In the second place, arrange a literary and religious programme that
shall give a spiritual application to all these physical contests.
Organize a Sunday-school choir, which, after careful previous
practice, will sing some of the many songs that treat the Christian
life as a race, or a wrestling, or a battle. Some of the Bible
passages of similar tenor should be recited. Poems may be repeated
bearing the same lesson. And the brightest of the scholars and
teachers, of course not omitting your pastor, will give some very
brief little essays or talks along this same line. This part of the
day's programme may fitly be placed just after lunch, when in the heat
of the day the athletes will wish to rest, and when all will be ready
to sit down and listen.
Much will depend on the master of ceremonies for the day. Let him be
the jolliest man you can find, but withal a man of deep consecration,
who can make all feel that, whether they eat or drink, or play games,
or whatever they do, they must do all for the glory of God. In this
spirit alone can you hope to have a profitable picnic.