3/8 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



Best Values from Indian Emblems and 

 Customs. 



Personally I should not want to get 

 insurance for my family by carrying a 

 tomahawk, wearing feathers and the 

 other belongings of a red Indian, nor 

 should I wish to march about the town 

 after a brass band. But I recognize 

 there are plenty of people who like 

 that kind of thing. Hence the success 

 of the Independent Order of Red Men 

 as an insurance organization. 



I think that I could find some ways 

 for my daughters or my girl friends to 

 get nearer nature without wearing an 

 Indian costume and without adopting 

 Indian customs around a camp fire. 

 But nevertheless I recognize the merits 

 of these ceremonies and appreciate the 

 fascination that they have for many girls 

 For these reasons I cordially welcome 

 the noble red Indian and his faithful 

 squaw as symbolized in these Indian 

 emblems and customs including even 

 the pom. pom, pom and the high step- 

 ping dance. It must- be admitted 

 that each of us has an element of the 

 savage down deep in the breast. The 

 primitive appeals to us and there is a 

 charm whether for man or woman or girl 

 in the imitating of the American abor- 

 igines. 



You will observe that I have omitted 

 mention of the boy. He is not ad- 

 mitted to the camp of the Camp Fire 

 girl. One reason why the organiza- 

 tion of the Woodcraft League seems to 

 be ideal is that it provides for the boy 

 as well as for the girl. If Camp Fire girls 

 are to gain a place in the estimation of 

 young people, it would seem necessary 

 to form a similar organization for 

 Camp Fire Boys. If a thing of the 

 kind is good for the girl why not for 

 the boy? 



One that loves the woods and fields 

 and a nearness to nature in every re- 

 spect cannot fail to hail with delight 

 the growing prosperity of the Wood- 

 craft League. It is well balanced and 

 is not unfair in providing for only one 

 sex. 



But there is an even greater reason 

 for the supremacy of the Woodcraft 

 movement over all other organizations 

 in which Indian emblems and customs 

 are employed. Mr. Ernest Thompson 

 Seton, who some fifeteen years ago 



started this great movement, has had a 

 variety of imitators, but none have sur- 

 passed his organization in the genuine- 

 ness of its Indian outdoor spirit. It 

 is an artistic movement and I surely 

 could not prefer one who goes in the 

 spirit of commercialism to teach me 

 the poetry of Hiawatha. Athleticism, 

 however good and efficient, fails at the 

 essential point, if it is limited to 

 athletics or if athletics are made the 

 most prominent and conspicuous feature. 

 Mr. Seton has wisely put first the artistic 

 and emblematic spirit. This he knows 

 from A to Z. He is a master in Indian 

 lore. He has lived for much of his 

 life in close study of the Indian cus- 

 toms, habits, sign language, and has 

 so intimately mingled with chief and 

 squaw that he himself is almost an 

 Indian, at least so far as getting the 

 Indian's point of view is concerned. 

 And even better than that, he is on in- 

 timate terms with nature. If I were 

 about to adopt any form of Indian 

 dress or custom, I should seek help 

 from a naturalist. Mr. Seton is a pro- 

 ficient naturalist. He has included in 

 his Manual an unusually large amount 

 of nature study. 



But there is still another reason why 

 the Woodcraft Movement is superior 

 to all other emblematic organizations. 

 Mr. Seton has with himself associated 

 experts in camp life, Indian lore and 

 nature study. The spirit in which he 

 has opened this great movement has 

 the stamp of genuineness. It does not 

 savor of money-making nor of a com- 

 mercial enterprise. He has with him 

 many great, good and eminent men, not 

 only in his Council of Guidance, but in 

 his National Council. Their names may 

 be obtained by writing to the office. 

 Mr. Seton years ago originated the idea 

 and gave it wide publicity in his beau- 

 tiful book entitled, "Two Little Sav- 

 ages." 



In the Woodcraft Manual are seven- 

 tv-nine pages devoted to genuine na- 

 ture study that should meet with the 

 hearty approval of every naturalist 

 whether he swings the tomahawk or 

 the pocket lens. We cordially com- 

 mend to every reader of this magazine 

 The Woodcraft League of America. 

 Full particulars may be obtained from 

 the office at 13 West twenty- ninth 



