AMERICAN 
HOMES AND GARDENS 
June, Igt2 
All the boys in camp are taught to swim and soon lose any fear of the water 
quirements differ accordingly, and one finds a little of every- 
thing in some of them, where the ages run from say ten to. 
sixteen. 
The religious life is never over emphasized, and there is 
but little sectarianism. Sunday, as a rule, differs from other 
days in that camp costume is doffed and a simple suit is 
donned, for church services, either at the nearest church or 
in the form of simple religious services at the camp itself. 
The rest of the day is often devoted to reading, writing let- 
ters, a short walk, and a talk on some interesting topic, after 
supper, or, in some camps, a row on a nearby lake is en- 
joyed before bedtime. Although camp management does 
not encourage actual study, all of them are prepared to fur- 
nish competent tutors for boys who are desirous of making 
an advance in some special line of study, for which assist- 
ance an extra fee is charged. 
Although these camps are to be found north, south, east 
and west, doubtless those in New England are typical of 
the prevailing manners and customs of the average camp. 
No state in the Union is more favorable for camp life than 
the state of Maine, always a synonym for the ‘‘call of the 
wild,” so naturally this state can lay claim to some of the 
most attractive camps for boys, from the point of beautiful 
surroundings, far from the heart of civilization. New 
Hampshire, too, is ideal for the purpose, and throughout its 
hills and vales, and bordering the shores of its lovely lakes, 
several excellent camps are to be found. Likewise, Massa- 
chusetts and Vermont can lay claim to several finely equipped 
camps, and the project, in this section of the country, is 
broadening each year. The methods pursued in each of 
these camps differ in detail from the rest, but the funda- 
mental principles of all are the same. 
The larger camps are often divided into two distinct 
camps, one for the older boys and one for the younger 
boys. Each is considered as a separate establishment, and 
each is rigorously maintained in every respect wholly dis- 
tinct from the other. Besides the owners of the camp, who 
devote their entire time to its interests, there is generally a 
superintendent and his wife who oversee and care for the 
several features of the camp, also a head councilor, espe- 
cially gifted in dealing with boys, and a councilor for each 
tent. The councilors are always chosen for their fitness in 
some special direction, as well as for general culture and 
ability, being carefully selected from well-known schools and 
colleges. ‘The value of their companionship is inestimable, 
sharing as they do with the boys all the pleasures and duties 
of the camp life, incidentally winning their confidence, and 
helping them with advice and assistance. 
In all camps the boys literally live outdoors. They sleep 
in tents, eat in tents, and some even sleep on cot-beds be- 
neath the stars. Save on rainy days, the rest hours and 
handicraft lessons—comprising a feature of several of the 
camps—take place outdoors. The tents are generally of 
khaki, of uniform size, opening at both ends and absolutely 
waterproof, with board floors well off the grounds. In 
some instances these tents accommodate four boys, in others, 
five boys. The dining-tent is a separate feature, sufficiently 
large to accommodate the entire camp. 
Many of the camps are now equipped with modern 
plumbing and sanitary systems and supplied with running 
water from pure mountain springs, though some few still 
depend on the well for their water supply. Where the 
well is the means of supply, the boys are obliged to carry 
the water they require to their tents, and in such instances, 
just after breakfast, what is known as the pail-brigade is 
formed, each boy setting forth, pail in hand, for the well, 
where a choreman fills his pail with water. 
Besides the tents, each camp boasts a building, sometimes 
of rustic design, and generally containing one main room, . 
which is always characterized by a great open fireplace. 
