June, 1912 AMERICAN 
and then, too, parents would 
not always be willing to 
spend a Summer in the local- 
ity adapted for such a life. 
So, all in all, the Summer 
camp fills a long-needed 
want in the realm of boy- 
hood. 
All these camps are lo- 
cated with a view to the 
natural beauty and _ health- 
fulness of their surround- 
ings, and as a result they are 
chiefly found among the 
mountains, close to the 
shores of lakes or rivers. 
Some few are inland, but 
these are in the minority, for 
the best liked diversions of 
camp life are the water sports, which demand a nearness to 
some body of water. All are remote from the pretence of 
conventionality, with the open face of nature as an inspira- 
tion and a comrade, and amid the quiet hills and vales the 
boys obtain a fund of health and strength sufficient to draw 
upon during the strenuous Winter school days. 
The rule of the average camp demands that a regulation 
camp costume be worn, thus tending to create a democratic 
spirit, and, too, where a certain color is adopted, and the 
initial letter of the camp name adorns a sweater or a blouse, 
HOMES AND GARDENS 
ae boys have built their own diving stand 
215 
not a little camp pride and 
sense of indivuality is the re- 
sult. The usual camp re- 
quirements include a heavy 
sweater and two flannel 
shirts, or blouses, two sleeve- 
less jerseys, and a cap, also 
two pairs of khaki trousers, 
one pair of flannel running 
pants, two pairs of heavy 
woolen stockings, heavy 
shoes for mountain climb- 
ing, and two pairs of tennis 
shoes. Also a simple suit 
for Sundays or exceptional 
entertainment. Besides his 
wearing apparel, each boy is 
generally asked to bring a 
rubber blanket, two pairs of 
heavy colored blankets, a pillow, two laundry bags, and the 
usual toilet articles, towels, etc. A rubber coat is optional 
in most camps, but if he has one he can bring it, and he can 
also include, if he wishes, rubber boots, bathrobe, baseball 
suit, bat, ball, gloves, tennis racquet and balls, fishing tackle, 
paddle, hunting knife, hatchet, camera, musical instruments, 
hammock, small mirror, a few books and games. Each 
article has to be plainly marked with the owner’s name in 
full. Since the boys range in age from eight to twenty 
years, according to the age limit set by each camp, the re- 
Mess-time, showing the line of happy, hungry youngsters who are spending their outing time in the camp for boys 
