THE BOYS' BRIGADE.—SEASIDE! CAMPS:
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SFECTLTOR.1.
SIR,—We shall be grateful if you will allow us space in your columna to bring before the public, the 'excellent work being carried on by the Boys' Brigade, with special reference to. the summer camps of the London Council.
The work of the Boys' Brigade, the prototype of the Brigade movement, is now well known and universally, recognised as one of the soundest methods of training boys of the working classes in those virtues which mean so much for the future manhood of the nation, The Boys' Brigade now numbers sixty-five thousand members throughout the country, of whom some ten thousand belong to the London Council, while. throughout the world the total membership is one hundred and five thousand boys.
The training the boys undergo extends over the five impression- able years from twelve to seventeen, and how fruitful is the result is shown by the robust, self-reliant type of young man who passes out of the Brigade. Not only is he physically above the average, but he is-morally and mentally better equipped for his life work and the service of his country.
Throughout the winter the boys are trained in military and physical drill ; on Sundays they receive religious instruction in the Bible classes ; while during the week all sides of boy nature are catered.for in. the gymnasium, the clubroom, the band, and other agencies, all of. which play their part in the all-round devela)ment of the boys.
During the summer months swimming, cricket, and scouting are extensively carried on under proper control; but the most important feature of the summer is the week. or ten days' camp, which provides not only a healthy holiday, for the boys, but a training of the greatest value. The boys keenly anticipate the camps for many months in advance, and* it would. be difficult to exaggerate the physical and moral benefits of the change to boys whose daily work occupies them for long hours in shop or factory.
The London Committee have instituted a central fund from which to make grants to supplement the boys' payments ; but hitherto the support received has been altogether inadequate. It is earnestly hoped that the result of this appeal will be such as to place the fund upon a sound and satisfactory basis.
At present only three. thousand of the ten. thousand boys of the London Council are able to attend camp. The full cost of the Camp-4s beyond- the means of the. boys; and it-entails). ne little effort for them to save the half-oust, which is the amount usually eharged. The cost per boy is about 15s. for a week, and it. is estimated that a sum of £2,000 would be required to give the whole of the ten thousand boys of the London Council an opportunity of tasting the delights of a week by the sea,—surely amoderate amount when welsonsider the benefit to the boys and the value of the.movemant: to the Empire.
We confidently appeal to all who have the welfare of the nation's boyhood at heart to enable the Committee to carry on and extend this truly patriotic work. Contributions should be addressed to the London secretary, or the honorary treasurer, the Boys' Brigade, 34 Paternoster. Row, London, E.C., and. cheques crossed "Union of London and. Smiths Bank."—We are, Sir, &c..„
ARGYLL.
JOHN M. MOODY, Major-General. A. F. Brocrow, Hon. Treasurer.
Roe= S. Praoonr, London Secretary..
London Office, 34 Paternoster Bow, B.O.
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