Camping For Boys

by H. W. Gibson

Membership in the "Green Rag" Society is the highest honor the camp can bestow. The following are the requirements for the higher degrees.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SECOND DEGREE. 1. To catch a one-pound fish from Corey Lake. 2. To catch a one-pound fish from any other lake while at camp. 3. To row a boat (passing the rowing test). 4. To be able to swim 50 yards. 5. To be able to walk one mile in 11 minutes. 6. To be able to run 100 yards in 14 seconds. 7. To be able to start three consecutive fires with three consecutive matches in the woods, with fuel found in the woods; one of the fires to be built in a damp place. If one fire fails, the entire test must be repeated. 8. To bring in mounted five different butterflies. 9. To bring in mounted five different moths. 10. To bring in mounted five different beetles. 11. To collect and press 25 different wild flowers. 12. To jump 6 feet in standing broad jump.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THIRD DEGREE. 1. To be able to start a fire with a fire drill, the fuel and material used to be found in the woods. 2. To be able to tell the correct time by the sun at least twice a day. 3. To be able to swim 200 yards. 4. To be able to row a boat one mile in ten minutes. 5. To measure the correct height of a tree without climbing it. 6. To be able to tie and untie eight different standard knots. 7. To catch a two-pound fish. 8. To be able to know and name fifteen different trees in the woods. 9. To be able to perform on a stunt night acceptably. 10. To be able to know and name 25 different birds as seen around the camp. 11. To lead in the Evening Devotions at least twice. 12. To run 100 yards in 13 seconds.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOURTH DEGREE, 1. To catch a three-pound fish. 2. To be able to run 100 yards in 11 seconds. 3. To be able to run 100 yards in 12 seconds. 4. To conduct Evening Devotions. 5. To teach one boy how to swim (test one hundred feet). 6. To influence one boy into the Christian life. 7. To know and to name 25 different trees as found in the woods. 8. To be able to make twelve standard knots in a rope. 9. To conquer one bad habits while at camp. 10. To accomplish at least one definite piece of service as prescribed by the camp. 11. To become a member of the camp council. 12. To be able to jump 16 feet in the running broad Jump.

The tests in Camps Durrell and Becket are based upon Baden-Powell's book,
"Scouting for Boys," and have proven very successful. They are as follows:

HONOR EMBLEMS AND A WARDS 285

HONOR PLAN DISCIPLINE. 1. Doing camp duty promptly, efficiently and cheerfully. (5 points) 2. Participating promptly in preparing tents, baggage and beds for Inspection. (4 points.) 3. Loyalty to captain in all games. (5 points.)

OBSERVATION. 1. Observe the ways of birds, animals and people and jot down a sketch of them in a notebook. (3 points.) 2. Take a walk and upon return to the camp write upon the following six subjects. (a) Nature of by-ways of paths. (b) Different kinds of trees you noticed. (c) People you met. (d) Peculiar smells of plants. (e) Kind of fences you saw. (f) Sounds you heard. (3 points.) 3. Observe sanitary and hygienic disorder and correct the same. (5 points.) 4. After the reading aloud of a story write an account of it. (3 points.)

WOODCRAFT. 1. Observe the tracks of birds and animals and distinguish them. (2 points.) 2. Identify fifteen birds, or fifteen trees, or fifteen flowers, or fifteen minerals. (2 points.) 3. Tie a square knot, a weaver's knot, a slip knot, a flemish coop, a bowline, a half, timber clove, boom hitches, stevedore and wall end knots, blackwall and catspaw turn and hitch hook hitches. (2 points.) 4. Make a "star" fire and cook a meal upon it for the boys of your tent. (3 points.) 5. Find the south at any time of day by the sun with the aid of a watch. (1 point.) 6. Estimate the distance across water. (1 point.) 7. Judge the time of day by the sun. (1 point.) 8. Read the signs of the weather by the sun, wind and clouds. (2 points.) 9. Make something useful for the camp. (5 points.)

HEALTH. 1. Promptness, erect carriage and earnestness in setting up drill. (3 points.) 2. Gain made in physical development during the time in camp. (2 points.) 3. Essay upon the camp-fire talks on "Personal Hygiene." (3 points.) 4. Care of tent, clothing and baggage, in dry and wet weather. (3 points.) 5. Cleanliness of person. (3 points). 6. Proper eating at meals. (5 points.) 7. Win first place in the athletic or aquatic events. (2 points.)