Counsel for Councillors 



Camp Chequesset, Down on Cape Cod 

 W. G. ViNAL 



Nature-Study Leaders 



The question often arises, — ^Am I suited to leading nature-study 

 trips? or, How can I train myself to become a nature leader? 

 The following notes will help individuals solve the problem. 



Do you take walks in the fields and woods f Or do you prefer th& 

 movies? 



Are you willing to say " I do not know''? If not you will not 

 enjoy leading children. Those who know most say "I do not 

 know" with most ease. 



Do you use ''big words"? Names are only a means to an end. 

 Never require the learning of scientific names. Use a popular 

 language. 



Do you tell true to nature stories? Has your experience been rich 

 enough to enable you to round out a study now and then with a 

 true story? Or is your story telling limited to nursery rhyme and 

 faking. 



What kind of heels do you wear? The kind of heels one wears 

 proclaims deep facts about one's innermost self. People with 

 common sense wear low heels. Out-door leaders should have 

 common sense. 



Do you carry a jack-knife? Guides, tramps, fishermen, boys, 

 scouts, do. 



Will a dog follow you? There are people whom a dog will not 

 follow. A dog makes friends. He knows them. Do you make 

 friends with dogs? 



Will a chicken eat out of your hand? This is a true test of worth. 



Can you whistle? This joyful pastim.e is not a m.onopoly for 

 boys. A whistling girl is an asset to any comm-unity. Can you 

 imitate bird-calls? 



Do you teach nature-study? Are you so impressed with its value 

 that you cannot help imparting it to others? "All foreigners" 

 you say? "All Americans" I say. Have you tried it? By what 

 right have you not? 



Did you ever see the sun rise? Probably not if you went some- 

 where every night last week, and the same the week before that, 

 ad infinitimi. A regular "m-ania" for going. Sharp contrast 



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