THE OUTDOOR WORLD 
99 
an attractive cover and illustrations 
into an attractive volume. One reads 
these poems and songs with a feeling, 
Is there anything supernatural about 
these hills of Wilton, Me., or any un- 
usual genius in the girls? It is both. 
The environment has much influence, 
but the associates have more. There 
among cultured men and women the 
girls are encouraged to give expression 
to their own individual talent. They 
receive the expression of appreciation 
from their associates, the kind of com- 
mendation that we all value. 
To receive an unabridged dictionary 
at the end of the school year as a prize 
for some essay is not nearly so thrilling 
as suddenly to hear a song sung by the 
whole Pow-wow when that song comes 
fresh from the heart of some enthusias- 
tic fellow camper. The girls surprise 
themselves, to say nothing of the camp 
managers and the parents. Can it be 
possible that my Susie, Julie or Emma 
wrote that poem? Why, that essay sur- 
passes anything we have ever seen pro- 
duced in our school ! 
You are right, father and mother. It 
is not written for the sake of writing 
but for the sake of expressing. The 
girl feels the song and the poem. The 
environment is inspiring. It is feeling 
not form that makes good literature 
whether it is in “Kineowatha Kamper” 
or Walt Whitman’s brag of self. One 
overlooks personal idiosyncrasies, yes, 
one even delights in them, if accom- 
panied by enthusiastic thought, if there 
is something vital to thrill and inspire 
the hearts and lives of others. Here 
girls are taught to find themselves. It 
is worth the time expended and the 
cost to obtain the literary expression 
alone of this camp. Many a girl has 
gone home feeling not only that she has 
discovered the paradise of nature, but 
a mine of literary expression within her 
own capabilities. Here the joy of self- 
expression and the grace of naturalness 
are given free scope and are encouraged 
to grow into all possible fullness. 
For one-third of a century I have 
edited literature by young people, have 
encouraged them to write, have taught 
to that effect in the schools, yet I un- 
hesitatingly say that some of the most 
charming of all literary expression, of 
all freedom from artificiality have been 
the articles, poems and songs published 
in “Kineowatha Kamper.” 
If you, father or mother, would like 
to know more of this kind of work, if 
you realize that personality as well as 
physique is what you want to develop 
in July and August camping, then get 
further particulars in this matter by 
writing or telephoning to Edward F. 
Bigelow, ArcAdiA: Sound Beach, Con- 
necticut. 
To Readers of The Guide to Nature 
Who Are Not Members of the AA. 
BY A MEMBER. 
1'hose who are broad-minded enough 
to realize that “the world is full of a 
number of things” besides those which 
civilized man has invented, and know 
that an appreciation of natural ob- 
jects does not necessarily imply a 
wishy-washy, sentimental view of those 
things should have enough interest in 
the progress of natural science to join 
The Agassiz Association. 
The Agassiz Association is not a 
personal affair, it does not confine its 
interests along any special lines; it is 
essentially a naturalist’s organization 
and its members are of all ages and 
study all branches of natural science. 
It seems to hold a place among scien- 
tific societies similar to that that John 
Burroughs held among scientists. 
There is no red tape connected with 
a membership in The Agassiz Associa- 
tion. Every one picks out what he likes 
and lets the rest go. To join the Asso- 
ciation merely proves the individual 
member’s mind, and distinguishes the 
really interested from the half-hearted. 
It is not enough merely to r§ad The 
Guide to Nature. Any one who pre- 
sumes to be a naturalist should be 
proud to be a member of so old and 
well established an association. Per- 
sonal gain has never been the motive 
of the chief workers but a desire to 
help and to encourage those who are 
learning to like natural objects or nat- 
ural science. 
We cannot all devote as much time 
to these things as we might like to do, 
but at least, when we have found the 
intellectual pleasures and had our 
views broadened by what Burroughs 
called “the beauty and wonder of the 
world,” we should aim to interest and 
awaken others. A pleasure shared is 
doubled. Let us pull together. Our bit 
is more effective when used through 
an agency like The Agassiz Asso- 
ciation. 
