11.30

This seems to be the popular hour for swimming in nearly all the camps.  It follows the ball game, the tennis match, the camp work, and usually the temperature of air and water is just right for a swim.  Allow no swimmer to go beyond the line of patrol boats.  Have some one on shore who is keen to observe any boy who may be in need of assistance.

Twenty minutes is sufficient length of time to be in fresh water.  When the boys come out of the water, have a towel drill, teaching the boy how to use the towel so that his back may be dried as well as every other part of his body.  This rubbing down induces circulation of the blood and gives that finish to a swim which makes the boy feel like a new being.  It is unwise to permit boys to lie around undressed after a swim, for physiological as well as moral reasons.  Swimming tights should be wrung out dry, either by hand or by a wringer kept near the swimming place, and hung out on a rope or rustless wire, stretched back of the tent.  Do not permit wet clothes to be hung in the tent, on the canvas or tent ropes.

12.00

Beds or bunks should be made up for inspection.  Three men or boys may be appointed as inspectors.  Considerable interest and pride is taken by the boys in having their canvas home look neat.  This training in neatness, order and cleanliness is invaluable. (See chapter on Awards.) The inspection should not take over twenty minutes.  While this is going on those who have kitchen or table duty will be busily engaged getting tables in readiness for dinner.

12.30

Mess call for dinner.  This meal should be the heartiest meal of the day, and plenty of time given to the eating of the food.  Mail is usually given out at this meal in camps where there is but one delivery a day.

1.15, “Siesta.”

“Siesta,” or rest hour, follows dinner.  In the early days of boys’ camps this suggestion would have been laughed at, but today it is looked upon as highly hygienic and considered one of the best things of camp and strongly to be commended.  The boy is advised to lie down flat on his back, in his tent or under the shade of a friendly tree, and be quiet.  He may talk if he wishes, but usually some one reads aloud to his fellows.  This gives the food a chance to digest, and the whole body a nerve and muscle rest before the active work of the afternoon.

2.00 to 4.30

These hours will be spent in various ways.  Usually it is the time for athletic sports, baseball games, quoit[1] tournaments, tennis tournaments, excursions afield, boat regatta, archery, water sports, scouting games and other activities in which most of the campers can engage.  The big outdoor events should occupy this time of the day.

[Transcriber’s Footnote 1:  Flat rings of iron or rope are pitched at a stake with points for encircling it.  A ring used in this game.]

4.30

Where daily inspection is a part of the camp plan the boys will begin getting everything in readiness for that important event.  A general bustle of activity will be in evidence and every boy on the qui vive[2] to have his tent win the coveted honor pennant, usually given for the neatest tent,