The next few summers we had a Scout Camp at Harrison MacFarlane’s shore in Fernwood. At camp, the things we had learned in our Scout’s Handbook were put into practice. Under the guidance and help of our Assistant Scout—Master, we learned to prepare meals, cook, wash dishes and keep the kitchen area and tables spotless - no crumbs, no greasy utensils, all garbage disposed of and all food covered. Wednesday was Visitor’s Day when many parents and friends came for a little outing and to visit a short time with their boys.

The Camps were run with discipline without seeming to be. A “Court of Honour”, consisting ofScout- Masters and Patrol Leaders, met regularly to discuss plans and/or problems. I do not remember that any serious problem ever arose. Our Scout-Master, beloved by each of us, set an example true to his Christian calling and to the Scout Promise; each of us tried to emulate his example. He had one activity which few of us enjoyed following. The first thing each morning early, he encouraged us to go for a dip in the Bay. It took a lot of will power, which some of us seemed to lack, to crawl out of our warm blankets, race across the dewy grass, across the sandy beach, and to dive into the cold, chilling water. With the shock ofthat first plunge, sleepiness took wings and we were ready for the fun of the day. Permission was given for anyone to go “skinningvdipping” if he wished; the early morning hour and the distance from any habitation were sufficient reasons for thinking that this practice would not be disturbing to anyone. This invigorating dip was always of short duration; the temperature of the water and the smell of bacon in the chill morning discouraged dallying.

Cubs and Rovers

After a few years, the Scout Troop expanded to include Wolf Cubs (boys aged 10-12) with J.B. Lewis as Cub-Master and Morris Deacon as Assistant Cub—Master. The Cubs were taken to camp for a few days during the summer of 1934 and 1935. The boys in the Pack included Brewer Auld, Robert Cairns, Allison Deacon, Harold Drummond, Arnold Hill, Edwin Lewis, Charles McCarville, Ross Matheson, Alan Scales, Henry Scales, Donnie Simmons, Gordon Simmons, Walter Simmons, Edgar Taylor, Lee Taylor, Wendell Taylor, Waldron Auld, Waldon Moase, Joe Murl, Francis Handrahan and Norman Tucker.

The boys who were in the Scouts, graduated to “Rovers”. A Rover Crew was organized in 1934 and con- tinued for one or two years. The Crew met on the second floor of the annex to Robert C. Auld’s store. From a review of the minutes of 1935, I noted a number of the Rovers’ activities which were carried on by the Rovers: A variety of books were obtained from the library and distributed to persons in the community. After two weeks these were collected and returned to the library. The book written by Lord Baden-Powell, “Success and Happiness” was studied. One Sunday the Rovers attended the Baptist Church, Central Bedeque in a body. Three Rovers spoke: Ira Lewis, Robert Jardine and Morris Deacon. A Social Evening was planned and successfully carried out.

The meetings generally opened with flag-break and the repeating ofthe two Great Commandments. The meetings closed by repeating the Scout Promise and by a prayer by one of the Rovers.

As with any organization, strong dedicated and inspired leadership ensured success. When Rev. Crowe accepted a call to serve in Marysville, NB, the Scout Troop in Bedeque and Freetown sustained an irreversible loss. Although J.B. Lewis and others carried on for a spell, the enthusiasm and spirit of adventure did not endure. Many ofthe young men now had other priorities and interests and this led to the eventual cessation

of the Scout Movement in this part of the Garden of the Gulf. Submitted by Morris Deacon

GIRL GUIDES

A Girl Guide Company was formed in 1943, under the direction of Miss Carrie Holman of Summerside. Girls from Upper, Lower and South Freetown all participated under the direction of Mrs. George Lewis, Miss Lucy Chowen and Mrs. Wilfred Burns. The meetings were held in the United Church Vestry, or the church yard, as occasion and weather demanded. Many activities took place, such as cooking over open fire at Scales’ Pond, nature trails in Birch Grove woods and camps at Fernwood. Much credit for the suc- cess ofthis venture was due to the mothers ofthe girls, who made the uniforms, and tested the girls for badge requirements. On one particular Sunday, the Girl Guides of Freetown took charge of the service at United Church of Freetown, under the direction of Company Leader, Joan Scales and Patrol Leaders Betty Profitt, Edna Evans and Katherine Auld, with twenty-one Guides in attendance.

Among those who were enrolled in this company were: Joan Scales, Betty Profitt, Edna Evans, Katherine Auld, Shirley Lewis, Mary Lewis, Agnes Heffell, Hazel Heffell, Erma Smith, Marjorie Smith, Marion Taylor,

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