…much of his vacation activities as would be interesting to our Tribe. It was found, however, that there was so much to tell that this plan could not be carried out.
So the Saturday afternoon following was devoted to the report of scouts. At this council, which lasted about three hours, some very interesting reports were made on the work done during the vacations. Several of the boys made collections and turned them over to the Tribal Museum, and we now have a very interesting exbibit of bird’s nests, an exhibit of minerals, which was given to one of the boys by a mineralogist; turtle’s eggs; a snake and a walking stick.
Several of the Woodcrafters had achieved coups during their vacations and put in their claims, with the satisfactory witnesses for approval by the High Council. Since that time the following has been done.
Scout reports on local birds.
Hikes.
Practising of two songs — “Allouette” and “Aw-nee”.
Practising the snake dance.
The giving of nicknames to the boys. (In our Tribe we are quite particular about the giving of Indian names. We find that it adds much to the council to give nicknames from time to time, and await the exceptional deed on the part of the boy before the real Indian name is given. Such nicknames as “Walks-Much”, “Wiggler” and “Fine Fire” have been given. An Indian name was given to the chief.)
A little bead work has been done by one of the Braves.
Head bands were made by several.
One new member was brought into the Tribe.
Claims for 19 coups and 4 degrees have been passed by the High Council.
A soccer team has been formed.
A soccer ball was purchased from the funds in the treasury.
Three of the councils have been held outdours around a real fire. At two of these councils the fire was lighted with the rubbing sticks. At the third council Wakonda refused to bring fire. For each of the outdoor councils a fire-keeper was appointed, who prepared the wildwood material for the evening’s council fire.
At the outdoor council the Tribe permitted members of the members’ families as visitors, and they were requested to sit in an outer circle but not enter into the doings of the council.
We had a visit from a Chief of another Tribe, who told stories. He told the story of “How Woodcraft Started”, as told by Black Wolf.
Election of new officers.
At the indoor council a new method of lighting the imitation fire was used. A flashing electric light arrangement was used to give the effect of a fire underneath the yellow silk to represent an actual fire.
A grass mat was made by the members of the Tribe from instructions in the Manual.
A demonstration of the making of five of the fires was given by the Guide. These fires are still intact for demonstrations to the boys.
A Saturday trip to the Newark Library to see their Natural History Museum. It was originally planned that the boys go out with the Insect Club in connection with the Junior Museum of Newark, but owing to the rain the time was spent in the Natural History Library of the Museum.
A Contribution to the War Work Fund.
The Council of Guidance, according to the request of the War Work Council of the Y.M.C.A. of New England, has released Mr. Philip D. Fagans, the Executive Secretary of the League, for about three weeks during November to act as the Boys’ Campaign Director for the State of Massachusetts in the effort to raise $100,000 among the boys as their share of the $35,000,000 to be raised for work among the soldiers at home and abroad.
The State is divided into districts, each with a campaign director for boys’ work, and in each district every town and city has its own committees and directors. Mr. Fagans will work with the district leaders. The campaign ends November 19th.
The Woodcraft League makes this arrangement as one of its contributions to the country. It is hoped to follow out most of the plans previously made for November and to keep the Woodcraft work up to date. Headquarters expects to comply with the requests of the guides and members, but may have to ask your indulgence in some matters.
The Woodcraft Manual.
Frequently we are asked about one thing or another by a Guide or Big Lodge Woodcrafter, and in many cases the answer is “Look in the Manual”. We do not believe that any Tribe will do good all-around work unless the members either own or have access to the Woodcraft Manual. Even in the midst of these times we believe that the American boys and girls could make no better investment than this. What about your tribe? Do they really know Woodcraft? Have they all copies of the Manual?
A distinguished educator wrote us the other day:
“I have examined the Manual and it makes me feel like going back to nature and becoming a disciple of the trees and plants, the insects and birds, the wild plants and the wild beasts. It must be an education in itself to pass through all the stages of a Woodcraft League. It means vigor of body, keenness of mind and cleanness of heart.
“You may well devote your life to this work, for nothing will be more wholesome for the boys and girls of America than the Woodcraft League.”
If it makes a man feel that way it will produce the same results and more among the members of your Tribe. See that they get copies to-day.
Notes.
Mrs. Grace Thompson Seton has spent the best part of October organizing the Washington Auxiliary of the Woman’s Liberty Loan Committee, which has resulted in a brilliant campaign, in which the women’s work in the various sub-committees was responsible for over $2,500,000 of the total $19,000,000 subscribed in Washington.
The Woodcraft Potato Club of Valley Cottage has kindly loaned to Headquarters an unusual exhibit of the work of the club not only in potato growing but in canning and preserving. They worked out a very comprehensive system of encouraging the children to do good work, as may be seen by the row stakes, bulletin boards, totem, etc. When the potato blight struck them they plowed under their potatoes and turned to other vegetables. Included in the exhibit is a choice lot of canned vegetables, fruit and jelly. The exhibit will remain at headquarters until about the middle of the month. Come in and see it — bring your Tribe members.
Ernest Thompson Seton, Chief, and Philip D. Fagans, Executive Secretary, presented Woodcraft in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse on October 10th, 11th and 12th. In Buffalo they spoke in eight schools, held a conference and a grand council; in Rochester they spoke in two schools, held two conferences and one grand council, while in Syracuse one meeting was held at the Free Public Library. Mr. Seton and Mr. Fagans also spoke in Bridgeport, where four Woodcraft Tribes have been organized, at the High School, Friday, October 19th.
