Page:Handbook for Boys.djvu/166

 CHAPTER III

CAMPCRAFT Hiking and Over-night Camp By H. W. Gibson. Boys' Work Secreatry, Young Men's Christian Association Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Several things should be membered when going on a hike: First, avoid long distances. A foot-weary, muscle-tired and temper-tired group of boys is surely not-desirable. There are a lot of false notions about courage and bravery and grit that read well in print, but fail miserably in practice, and long hikes for boys is one of the most glaring of these notions. Second. have a leader who will set a good easy pace, say two or three miles an hour, prevent the boys from excessive water drinking, and assign the duties of pitching camp, etc. Third, observe these two as given by an old woodsmn: (1)Never walk over anything you can walk around; (2) never step on a thing that you can step over. Every time you step on anything you lift the weight of your body. Why lift extra weight when tramping? Fourth, carry with you only the things absolutely needed, rolled in blankets, poncho army style.

Before starting on a hike, study carefully the road maps, and take them you on the walk for frequent reference. The best maps are those of the United States Geological Survey, costing five cents each. The map is published in atlas sheets, each sheet representing a small qudrangular district. Send to the superintendent of documents at Washington D.C. for a list. For tramping the boy needs the right kind of shoe, or the trip will be a miserable failure. A light soled or a light-built shoe is not suited for mountain work or even for an ordinary hike. The feet will blister and become "road weary." The shoe must be neither too big, too small, nor too heaby, and be amply broad to give the toes plenty of room. The shoe should be water-tight. A medium weight, high-topped lace shoe is about right. Bathing the feet at the springs and streams along the road will be refreshing, if not indulged in too frequently.