ITRY] NATURE STUDY AT QUINIBECK CAMP 191 



That walk to hear birds in song, with the dew on the grass with 

 the sweet freshness of the sunrise air is one of the rare camp 

 •experiences. 



After breakfast at assembly Mrs. Fry may make announce- 

 ments relative to her work, — the nature studies that will be made 

 •on the coming all day hike, the weekly breakfast picnic, the evening 

 class in the big skiff on the lake, those who have won honors in 

 nature. 



Mid-morning finds her with other groups — in the flowers and 

 ferns — or perhaps again the birds or trees, the classes again being 

 ■systematically arranged. 



She is always in her bungalow during the afternoons at certain 

 hours and there is a steady stream of girls who call on their way to 

 the bathing beach. It is interesting to be behind the scenes at 

 that time. One girl comes to pass on another 5 of the 28 species 

 ■of ferns at Quinibeck, a test for securing another point in her 

 nature credit. Another com_es to report a special bird, one of the 

 76 species found at camp — or to secure help in the identification 

 of a flower. If the day has been rainy an4 the walks impossible 

 the classes meet indoors and Mrs. Fry has unusual bird games with 

 beautiful bird cards. And she has collected mounted flowers and 

 ferns which she used to supplem.ent her out-of-door work and her 

 library is at the disposal of the girls. 



The evening walk is a time of charm — the evening songs of the 

 hermit thrush and bobolink — and it is an opportunity to meet 

 another group. 



No two days are alike — the camp program is too full — too many 

 adjustments must be arranged with the various interests clamoring 

 for each girls 9,ttention — but the regular walk hours — the after- 

 noons at her bungalow insure each girl who is taking nature as 

 part of her camp work, adequate attention. 



When a girl has mastered 10 flowers, or 5 ferns, or 10 birds, or 

 5 trees she has won a point. Ten points are needed for the "N" 

 for nature and when a girl has won that her name is posted on the 

 Camp Honor Board as a candidate for the Blue Q. An "N" is 

 one of the requisites together with various other activity credits 

 for the highest camp honor, the white C. Q. for Camp Quinibeck. 

 Thus the incentive of competition and awards is added to the 

 intrinsic interest of the nature study itself. 



