SCOUT NOTES

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21354, 22 December 1934, Page 8

SCOUT NOTES

[ISSUED FROM METROPOLITAN" HEADQDAKTZKS.J Camp Courtesies Scouts should not need to be reminded of the fifth Scout Law; but their attention should be directed to putting it into practice in their camping. First let us take the scoutmaster and the group committee. The scoutmaster should make his plans months beforehand and have all equipment prepared. Then he should remember that m camping matters he should collaborate with the committee. He should arrange with the secretary for a special meeting to deal with the camp. At the meeting he should be prepared in every detail, especially about the camp site, the means of getting there, the food and equipment, and the cost. The pit" should be discussed in the committee in a friendly manner, and tne scoutmaster should be ready to answer any reasonable questions. If possible some members of the committee should visit the site of the proposed camp. The camp scheme having been approved, tho group secretary should at once apply to the District Commissioner for "Permission to Camp" filling in two copies of the form which may be obtained from headquarters. One copy" approved will be returned to the secretary. The site of the camp should be clearly shown on a plan so that a visiting commissioner should have no difficulty in finding his way. If the camp is held in another district, the District Commissioner should be advised and full details of the site and date given. A district commissioner should visit eacii camp in his district and report to headquarters On its efficiency. The scoutmaster should then send a circular to the parents giving details of the proposed camp equipment and clothing, and asking thoir approval of their sons attending. We will suppose that the consent of the owner of the land has been obtained end that the scouts have arrived at the camp. There are a number of things which they should not do. Leaving gates open would make them unpopular to say the least of it. Thay should be careful not to disturb stock. They sih-ould not cut firewood without permission. They should not carve their names on trees and should remember the French proverb, "Les noms des fous on trouve partout" (the names of fools one finds everywhere). They should not leave fires burning in the camp, or light them anywhere out of camp. Scouts cannot be too careful with fires this dry weather. It is not easy to be sure when a fire Is out, and scouts should go round &n hour afterwards in order to make certain that there are no embers burning. Should a fire spring up anywhere near, the scouts should help to put it out. The best way to put out fires is with wet sacks, or if sacks are not available, then with branches of trees.

In dealing with the farmer who owns the land, they should show the utmost scoutlike courtesy, and ask if there are any small jobs which they could do to help him. Generally they should behave in such a way that the owner of the land and the people < f the district may have a good opinion of scouts and their behaviour, and be willing to welcome them back again. When the camp is broken up the greatest care should be taken in clearing Up the ground, replacing turf and leaving the site more clean than wihen they arrived. Do not forget to call on the owner of the ground and thank him for his kindness in allowing you to occupy it. A letter of thanks written afterwards is a courtesy which would be appreciated. The observance of the fifth Scout Law is good for the scout, and it will help him to make friends all his life.

"Camping Standards" Scouters who wish to run a camp on the best lines should apply to headquarters for a parchment certifying that their camp will be run on "Camping Standards." There is a small book available showing what these standards are. The camps that decide to adopt this plan will ~>c visited by a district commissioner, who will make a careful inspection and sign the parchment if the camp is all it should .be.