THIRTY-FIRST BIENNIAL REPORT 79 



Boy Scout Training Camp. State conservation leaders have for 

 some time sought effective means of better utilizing the Boy Scouts of 

 America in the conservation program. Seeking a cooperative scheme, 

 conferences between the Bureau of Education and Commissioner C. J. 

 Carlson of the Boy Scouts resulted in plans for a conservation training 

 camp for eagle scouts. Because of educational facilities furnished by 

 the nature guide service at Yosemite, Yosemite Valley was chosen as 

 the location for the camp. The cooperative scheme as worked out pro- 

 vided that the Division of Fish and Game would furnish transportation 

 and instruction, and the Region XII Executive Committee, the camp 

 direction. Each boy was to be chosen on the basis of interest and 

 attainment and to stand a share of food expense. A prospectus of the 

 camp was issued in June. Brighton C. Cain, naturalist of the Oakland 

 Council, was chosen as camp director. 



Twenty-nine advanced scouts, representing 18 different councils, 

 arrived at camp, situated in Camp 8, Yosemite, on August 5. The 

 oldest boys were just over 18, and the youngest, 15. They hailed from 

 27 different cities of the state. 



Instruction began the second day. The boys were welcomed by J. S. 

 Hunter of the division, and the objectives of the camp were outlined 

 by him and Mr. Cain. The morning of each day was devoted to talks 

 and discussion led by conservation leaders and by members of the staff 

 of the Yosemite Nature Guide Service. D. D. McLean led the afternoon 

 field trips. Park Naturalist Carl Russell gave an illustrated lecture on 

 mammals. H. C. Bryant discussed conservation methods and ways in 

 which Boy Scouts may help in game conservation. George Wright, 

 former assistant park naturalist, told the boys of forestry problems. 

 An all-day field trip was taken to Little Yosemite and a day-and-one- 

 half trip to Glacier Point and along the Pohona Trail. First-hand 

 acquaintance with deer, grouse, quail, and with conditions in a game 

 refuge were the tangible results of these field trips. Various speakers 

 contributed to campfire programs. Governor C. C. Young appeared 

 at one of the campfires and thrilled the boys with a fine conservation 

 talk. 



The boys who attended this first conservation camp showed a fine, 

 earnest spirit. Notebooks were kept busy. Discussion showed that they 

 absorbed the fundamentals of conservation and were anxious to resolve 

 them into action. It was quite evident to all those having contact with 

 this training camp that the plan holds great possibilities. Boy Scout 

 officials were pleased. Division of Fish and Game officials were more 

 than satisfied. 



The boys went home with real first-hand experience with game and 

 with refuge conditions as well as with practical conservation ideas and 

 methods. When they got home they spoke at service club luncheons, at 

 fish and game protective association meetings, instituted clean-up cam- 

 paigns, arranged conservation exhibits at schools and in bank windows ; 

 they became leaders in conservation matters in their troops and in their 

 respective communities. No more fundamental educational program 

 could have been inaugurated. 



The boys who received the training were especially selected because of 

 their interest. They were old enough to assimilate and utilize the 



