Figure 1.--Here are camps at a New York camp, we think in the 1920s. Facilities at this camp were still very basic, but water activities were still very popular. We are sure what the boys are ding here. They seem to be sbuilding some sort of dock.

There were many stanndard activities at camp including hiking and handicrafts. Here Daniel Carter Beard inspired countless ideas about camp craft of varying practicality. Another standard actibity at camp was water activities, including swiming and boating. Gradually a host of new activities were added to the camp experiences, depending in part on the facilities at the camp and the capabilities of the staff. One of the features of Scouting has bee the tendency to add techonolgical innovations to the activities program. Thus radio became popular in the 1930s and each susscessive generation updated the program to include merit badges with the latest technology. Scout camps, however, tended to stress the essential basics of Scouting. While facilities have changed sinificantly over time, the basic activities have retained their popularity. Some camp activities have passed from the camp scene. One of these is sinaling with flags. Manu of these activities are overlapping such as camping, hiking, and outdoor skill.

Archery

Archery was once a very popular actibity at Boy Scout abd other summer camps. This has declined in recent years, but has not disappeared. It was popular because the boys were unterested nd virtually every ca,p could offer archery. It did not require alot of expensive equipment. Abd it fit in with Indian Lore programs. Ernest Thompson Seton offered advise as to launching an archery program, "The tribe should own a Standard Target--that is, 4 feet across, circular, made of straw, with a thin oilcloth cover, marked with a 9.6 inch center of gold (called by some of our tribes "The Buffalo's Eye"); outside of that a 4.8 inch band of red, next a similar band of blue, next of black, next of white. Sometimes black rings of the right size are made to answer. In scoring, the gold is 9, the red 7, the blue 5, the black 3, the white 1. The shortest match range for the target is 40 yards. If it is a 3-foot target the match range is reduced to 30 yards. A target can be made of a burlap sack about five feet square. This should be stuffed full of hay or straw, then flattened by a few quilting stitches put right through with a long packing needle. On this the target is painted of exact right size. Each boy should have a bow that pulls from 10 pounds up; about one pound for each year of his age is a safe guide for boys up to sixteen. He should have at least 6 arrows and a quiver. The arrows 25 inches long, with 3 feathers, cone-points of steel or iron; brass points are useless. A guard or bracer for the left wrist is needed, and most boys require a glove to protect the fingers of the right hand. Bows can be bought, but it is more creditable if you make them yourself." Creditable yes,but they never worled as well a commercial versions and it took a lot of time away from actual archery. So most camps supplied commercial bows. This reqquired some thing of an investmnt, but the vows and arrows could be used iver and over again,

Bicycling

Bicycling was not a common activity at Scout camps. Most american boys had bikes and Scouters wanted to present activities at camp that the boys could not do at home. In addition, if distbced needed to be covered, the idea was ti hike, im part because roads did not exis into the wildrness area that Scouts like to create in their camps.

Boating

Water activuties were a promary camp activityu. This might include row boarsm cannes ans sailboats. Canoing was especially popular at Scout camps. Here water safety and how to use the oars and paddles are important skills to master. Sailing is a little more complicated, but especially popular.

Camp Fires

Cooking

Drama Skits

First Aid

First aid is emergency care for injured or ill persons by ordinary individuals until they can receive professional medical care. Today first reponders can reach the injured much more rapidly than ever before because of modern communications, espcially cell phnes. Even so, emergency first aid oriperly administered can still be a matter of life and death. It is important at camps, not only in the camp itself, but also outings such as hike, nature trails, and camping. In addition most ca,ps had water activities which offer some dangers if not properly supervised. First aid is thus an important skill for every Scout to be prepared to administer. It is a merit badge that every scout should earm. With some knowledge of first aid, a Scout can provide immediate care and help to someone who is hurt or who becomes ill. First aid can help prevent infection and serious loss of blood in emergeny situations. It could save a limb or even a life. First Aide from the very beginning of Baden-Powell's couting for Boys was an importnt part of Boy Scout progrms, imvluding camping. There isquite a bit to First Aide programs and they hve changed over time. Common topics include: Accidents--Minor, Artificial Respiration, Bleeding, Cardiovascular System, Drowning, Fire Emergencies, Fractures, Heatstroke, Shock, Simulations, Moulage , and Triangular Bandages. Scout camps offered the opportunity to practice skills and carry out demonstrations and help Scouts gain the skills need to ear his merit badge.

Handicrafts

Here Daniel Carter Beard inspired countless ideas about camp craft of varying practicality.

Hiking

Scout camps, however, tended to stress the essential basics of Scouting, especially outdoor pursuits like hiking and campin. . While facilities have changed sinificantly over time, the basic activities have retained their popularity.

Native American/Indian Lore

Outdoor Skills

Outsoor skills covered a wide range of topics, including electing good camp sites, pitcing tents, preparing bedding. preparing for adverse weather like rain, building fires, fire prevention, tool use, and much more.

Signaling

Some camp activities have passed from the camp scene. One of these is sinaling with flags.

Singing

Swimming

Another standard actibity at camp was water activities, including swiming and boating. Swimming was especially important at Scout camps.

Technology

One of the features of Scouting has bee the tendency to add techonolgical innovations to the activities program. Thus radio became popular in the 1930s and each susscessive generation updated the program to include merit badges with the latest technology.

Other Activities

Gradually a host of new activities were added to the camp experiences, depending in part on the facilities at the camp and the capabilities of the staff.