BOY SCOUTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1923, Page 4

BOY SCOUTS.

(Contributed). It is now practically settled that the two Hokitika troops will start oil after Christmas for ten days to a fortnight’s tramping camp through Kuinara, Ureenstone, Lake Brunner, Jackson's and back by the old Christchurch road. Granted that the scout training is of value, it follows that this summer camp period is of the greatest importance to the hoys. In a day or two in c-anip, where the hoys are definitely scouts all the time, more can be accomplished than in innumerable odd hours at scout practies where intervening distractions may spoil a large proportion of what has been attempted. Parents ale oiten nervous of allowing their boys to attend camp at first and it is worth while to emphasis** that the scout motto o! "Bo Prepared” is put into practice on these occasions. Among possible objections the most frequent is that in case of illness or accident, the party might be cut off from medical help. The average picnic party, as a matter ot lact. runs a much bigger risk, as not only are Eir-t Aid appliances an essential part of a scout’s camp equipment, hut the hoys themselves are specially trained in dealing with accidents. At the "wildest" portion of '.he journey planned. the party will not hr* out of touch with railway or telephono, as cyclists will he specially included. As regards health generally this is always the scoutmaster's chief care, and such dangers of over fatigue, damp clothes or blankets, and unwholesome food are carefully guarded against. I he boys themselves are made responsible for their own health and feeling themselves responsible partakers nt a big adventure are likely to be much more carolul than when near to home. They knew they can in emergency “run home to Mother." It is much to be hoped Hail no hov will he kept from the ramp by his parents’ ienrs lor hisafety. hut that fathers or mothers will discus., doubtful points witli the Scoutmasters.

Employers of boy labour are also asked to* realize that a scout camp is not :*. mere holiday oi laziness, and where hov scouts apply for lime olf to attend ramp, this ought not to la* lightly refused. With the schools rlnsml substitutes (guild in many cases be er.-iiv found, and tin* boy who sets out to train liim-iTI as an el'ieient citizen deserves a certain amount nl consideration from those for whom he works. I lie more complete the attendance the better the result for each individual. Tt is hoped to get the Wolf Hubs away to camp sometime in January lor lour oi live (lavs. These will probably choose a spot comparatively near to home and a roof over their sleeping quarters ol something more substantial than canvass is intended. While on this subject of camp it might he well to mention i hat the second troop would he glad to hear of partly used touts and similai eqtiipment tor disposal.