Scouts' Camp Is Interesting
Visitors Find Boys of County Well Pleased With Outing At Mountain Resort
By Nelle Mae Howk
REDLANDS, July 5.-- Camp Arataba near Seven Oaks, where the San Bernardino area council of the Boy Scouts of America is encamped, is a place of thrilling enchantment to the boys who are attending the camp and to those who are visiting at various times during the six-week encampment.
It is located among the massive pines, high on the mountainside, at an elevation of 6,970 feet, near a clear mountain stream which is fed from the snow-capped hills above where one cannot miss the thrill of happy boyhood life filled with the cleanest, most wholesome life the splendid leaders of scout work are giving these boys. Boyhood at its best and faces shining are seen from early morn till the day is done.
Many improvements have been made in this second year of Camp Arataba. Many more are yet to be made. The greatest need of the moment is a mess hall. Water has been piped to camp, grounds being cleared to a wider expanse, and kept in splendid condition. The work of the camp is divided among the boys in charge of leaders who are responsible for the accomplishment of the work assigned to their group for the day. The quick, cheerful accomplishment of that work is ever in evidence -- the good-natured rivalry for honorable mention in personal and camp cleanliness, the ringing shout of praise given the winners show the breadth and nobility of the unselfish scout training. The scout aim throughout is that of the highest standard, leading and encouraging the boys to the highest type of manhood.
Scout executive George W. Walker is in charge, with Howard K. Merritt of San Diego, former scout executive of Riverside county, as camp director.
Visitors at Camp Arataba this weekend were Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Abbott and guests, Mrs. H.P. Wheaton; Mr. and Mrst. J.T. Cranmer, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Putnam, Mr. and Mrs. Barlow. Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Howk and son of Redlands, Miss Beas Eby and Mrs. E.R. Forsy of San Bernardino; C.A. Stobaugh and T.T. Workman, scoutmater and party of six Boy Scouts of Bloomington, and party from Victorville. The Bloomington scouts with Mr. Workman and Mr. Stobaugh and four of the camp boys left shortly after breakfast for an overnight hike to Greyback.
The visitors assembled with the scouts in their open air theater for morning services of which the boys had charge. The meeting opened with song and prayer led by Mr. Walker. The 12 scout laws were given and explained by 12 scouts. The law of the scouts as man to man and the selfsame laws as given by "the Heavenly Scoutmaster" with the rewards for obedience were expressed by the boys as they see them. Mr. Merritt gave a splendid lesson talk and the meeting closed with song, and prayer in unison.
The afternoon was devoted to showing the visitors over the camp. No points of interest were overlooked by these enthusiastic boys. A period of rest or recreation was enjoyed, then camp the call to mess. Heads bowed reverently and then such "good eats" as Mrs. Strawn and the scouts set out. At the close of the meal happy songs made the mountainside ring.
Sunday as the shadows fell, and night folder her cloak around us, we gathered around the camp fire. This was to be Indian night. The blanket-wrapped war-painted warriors assembled, the campfire was lighted by Brave Lash and the pow wow began. A pantomime of William Penn and the Indians was given by the braves, Indian legends and historical happenings of our own section of Southern California were told by others. Chiefs Walker and Merritt made short impressive talks. Each was greeted with the grunt of approval in true Indian fashion. The session closed with the scout evening song "Day is done, gone the fun, from the lake, from the hill, from the sky; all is well, safely rest, God is nigh." With heads bowed we visualise the song again as we hear the bugle from the mountain side and in our hearts know indeed God is near.
Keywords: Arrowhead Area Council, Camp Arataba, Camps, Councils, George G Walker, Howard K. Merritt, Non-OA Societies, Scouting, Tribe of Siwanis
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