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CHAPTER II CAMPERCRAFT Camping Out Every boy who knows the fun and help of camping out looks forward to living in the open. Not so long ago camping out meant rou hing it in the extreme—sleeping in an uncom- fortable bed Without proper'clothing and food. Some of these things may be necessary at times, but the wise camper aims to ' live comfortably. Camping out offers a number of priceless benefits and is also beset by one or two dangers. Those who are wise campers get the good and avoid the dangers. The good things are the pure air, the bracing and lung-healing power of the woods, the sun bath, the tonic exercise, the nerve rest, and the joy that comes from control of mind and body. The bad things are the danger of rheumatism from sleeping on the ground in damp clothes, the exhaustion from bad nights through insufiicient bed clothes or an uncomfortable bed, and the discomfort and ill health arising from irregular meals and badly cooked food. ‘ By wisely selecting the equi ment, the place, and being in- formed regarding the simple es of camping, every Woodcraft Boy will find a camping out experience the biggest thing in his life and one he will look back on with great pleasure and for- ward to with the keenest anticipation. It can and should mean a return to the home with the body strong and healthy, the mind bright and happy, and the soul strengthened and fortified because of the experience of coming close to the earth in company with other boys of similar tastes. If any judgment is used in promptly changing wet clothes when not in action, in never sleeping directly on the ground, and in placing the bed in a dry place and that there is plenty of warm bedding, there will be no danger of either colds or rheu- matism. It is always wise to have some warm clothing es pecially for cold or damp weather. It is also good to go on the trip with a definite object. If the 169