Scouting, Volume 20, Number 5, May 1932 Page: 127
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MAY 1932
Vol. XX, No. 5
A Magazine of Information for All Scouters
Copyright, 1932
by Boy Scouts
of America
Vacation Planning
THE big idea during vacation time is camp, and now the
thoughts of all true Scouts and Scouters are turning to-
ward the open spaces. It should be the ideal of every
good Troop to have 100% of the boys out for a camp period
of a week or more this summer Of course, this camp may
be an authorized Troop Camp or it may be the Council Camp
to which the Troop goes in a body under its own leadership.
This will depend on local conditions. The important thing is
to so organize for this coming summer that every Scout will
have a chance to experience the big thrill of living out of
doors; and in organizing for this vacation season we must give
particular thought to the Scout who
goes away only for a short time, the
Scout who is "city bound," the working
boy and all other Scouts who are for
any reason unable to be at camp.
Every city and town presents prob-
lems to boys left without proper leisure
time, leadership, activities and interests.
In the interest of good Scouting and
good citizenship we must work out plans
of a constructive nature not only to
build up our camping program, but also
to give adequate leadership to these stay-
at-homes during the summer months.
SCOUT Troops may become some-
what disorganized during the sum-
mer period due to the fact that Scoutmasters go on vacations,
many of the boys attend camp, others go away with their par-
ents, with the result that the attendance of the Troop falls
off. It is easy, under such conditions, to decide, "We may as
well lay off until fall," with the result that many active Scouts
who want to carry on are unable to do so, and have to mark
time for as long as two months in the year, waiting for fall
activities to resume.
Since Scouting is an outdoor game, it seems highly logical
that Scouting should show great activity during the summer,
as indeed it does. By a little careful planning on the part of
the Scoutmaster, Troop Committee and the Council Scouters,
it is possible to prevent any slowing up of the program during
this time of year
The dangers of allowing a Troop to go slack during mid-
summer are self-evident. The boys lose their touch with
Scout activities, the continuity of the year's program is broken
up, the leaders lose their grip on the situation, the boys are
unable in some cases to obtain recognition for advancement,
and it is within the bounds of possibility that Scouts and
sometimes Scouters under these conditions will lose interest,
with the result that resignations may be received in the fall
due to "other interests."
The Scouters who wish to make a study of the constructive
things that Patrols and Troops can do during the vacation
period, are urged to read the two little pamphlets issued by
the National Office, "Vacation Programs" and "Vacation—
Where Will He Go." These pamphlets are the result of
a commission of Executives appointed to make a study of the
problem, and their report is embodied in many helpful, prac-
tical suggestions which are covered in detail.
THE institution with which the Troop is connected has a
definite responsibility in this matter, and should see to it
that leadership is so arranged that the
Troop can carry on, even with a small
attendance, during the vacation period.
If the Troop Committee in an institu-
tion takes this matter up actively, much
can be done to keep the Troop on the
active list twelve months of the year
Problems of administration may be
met within the Troop by
1 Combining two Patrols into one
provisional summer Patrol, under the
leadership of Patrol Leaders who are
going to be on the job all summer
2 The definite planning of leader-
ship so that there will be someone in
charge all through the summer
3 Setting up a special Troop pro-
gram for the summer, which will make allowances for summer
conditions and gear in with the Council plans.
LOCAL Councils everywhere for many years have planned
summer activities and methods of combining leadership
for Troops and Patrols, in order to set up a good vacation
program for the summer for boys who are unable to attend
camp, or who could go for only a very short period.
Such activities include overnight camps, industrial hikes, ath-
letic competitions, organized community* Good Turns, archery
practice, use of swimming pools, parents and Scout picnics,
visits to parks, zoos, art galleries and museums, specialized
hikes for meeting advancement requirements, inter-District
and inter-Troop rallies, regular Court of Honor sessions,
competitions in Troop gardens, patriotic hikes, and District
camp fires.
Councils have found it necessary to make a preliminary sur-
vey in order to find out what Troops and Leaders would be
active throughout the summer Districts are then so organized
as to combine Troops under the general supervision of a Dis-
trict Commissioner with the result that every Scout in the
city or town has an opportunity to meet regularly with some
Troop, go on hikes, and receive the necessary leadership and
encouragement in his Scout advancement work during the
period when he is not sleeping under canvas at Scout Camp.
months of freedom to the breeze,
MAY, 19 3 2
Annual Meeting, National Council, New York City
Page 127
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 20, Number 5, May 1932, periodical, May 1932; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth312974/m1/3/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.