162 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



would make it necessary for them to beat him up. 

 It squelched him. Nevertheless, during this trip 

 he picked up a new interest. 



We have yet to find a lazy child. Minds and 

 muscles move willingly. Again and again we have 

 been assured that this or that child could not or 

 would not learn. But under Trail School environ- 

 ment he formed new habits. Under the zest and 

 spell of interest he joyfully and tellingly applied 

 himself. These children are one hundred per cent 

 concentrated. They have the burning morale 

 of interested youth. They are doing things. They 

 want to do still other things. They want to learn. 

 Many of their activities would be classed as work — 

 except by themselves. 



To help complete a flower exhibition two girls 

 and two boys voluntarily climbed nearly twenty- 

 five hundred feet up the mountainside. When 

 they had gathered the desired plants they made a 

 side trip for another rare flower. Two of these 

 children were considered dull and lazy; yet how 

 energetic and concentrated they were — an excel- 

 lent illustration of how interest and development 

 create and administer discipline! 



The mountain trail is a part of the earth's most 

 influential environment. It is an avenue of in- 

 terest. It mingles life, motive, opportunity, and 

 desire. Whoever travels the trail is enjoying living 

 and learning; is going somewhere. In trail environ- 

 ment Mother Nature mingles facts and fun, and the 



