BOYS' BRIGADE SEASIDE CAMPS.
[TO THE ELITOE Or THE "SPECTATOR.")
Sin,—The Boys' Brigade is this year celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, having been founded by Sir William A. Smith in 1883. It is the pioneer of the great voluntary organizations which are doing so much for the nation's boyhood. At this season thousands of the boys are looking forward to the camps, which form so valuable a part of the training, and we are anxious that this year shall see a great advance in the number of boys attend- ing, particularly from the crowded districts of the Metropolis. Last year nearly 20,000 boys attended camp, including 3,503 from London. This unfortunately represents considerably less than half the boys under the London Council. The ambition of the Committee is for every boy to go. The boys are keen to go; the officers are anxious to take them ; employers are most kind in letting them off fro in work.
The one thing which stands in the way is the lack of funds. The average cost per boy is 16s., and the boys themselves pay the greater part of it, in many cases saving for the whole year to do so; but unless the Committee is able to supplement the boys' pay- ments a large number are unable to attend, and those who cannot, being the Poorest, are the very boys who heed the holiday most. Only those who have actually seen the boys in camp can fully realize all that the change for one brief week from the dreary surroundings of workshop or factory means to them. The sea air, the good-food, and the healthy open-air life have an almost magic effect on them; while their capacity for enjoyment is a thing to wonder at and envy.
The boys on whose behalf we appeal are boys of character and backbone, who all the year round voluntarily undergo the training which the Brigade proyides. Through the winter they receive instruction in military drill, gymnastics, and other exercises; they are trained in habits of discipline and self-respect, and the whole training tends to produce a strong, vigorous, and patriotic type of manhood. The climax of the training is reached at the summer camp, when the fruits of the instruction are manifest in the ready obedience of the boys, their high sense of duty, and the spirit of comradeship and goodwill which invariably prevails. • In view of the thirtieth anniversary, a special appeal is being made, and it is hoped that many who read this will be disposed to help this truly patriotic work. -
Contributions will be gratefully received by the Hon. Treasurer, or the London Secretary, The Boys' Brigade, 34 Paternoster Row, E.C., and cheques should be crossed "Union of London and Smiths' Bank."—We are, Sir, &c.,
ARGYLL.
CHARLES BERESFORD (Admiral), CHEYLESMORE.
JOHN M. MOODY (Major-General) . (Chairman of the London Council).
A. F. BUXTON (Hon. Treasurer).
ROGER S. PEACOCK (London Secretary).
London Office, The Boys' Brigade, 34 Paternoster Row, E.C.
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