"Territory Open to Girl Activity": Socialization through Wilderness in Camp Fire Girl Fiction, 1912–1920

"Territory Open to Girl Activity":Socialization through Wilderness in Camp Fire Fiction, 1912–1920 Elly McCausland (bio) In 1912, a journalist wrote the New York Tribune that "From Maine California, Florida Washington and Hawaii District of Columbia Fires are spreading." Readers were assured "this does not mean war": rather, article referred popularity an organization called Girls that, within space few months, had garnered nearly eight thousand members across United States ("Camp Spreading" 10). Physical education instructor Luther H. Gulick his wife Charlotte created same year, aiming "to consider ways means doing for girls what Boy Scout movement is designed do boys" (Buckler et al. 20). Drawing on pedagogical background, presidency at National Recreation Park Association, position as director Child Hygiene Russell Sage Foundation, which recently supported founding Scouts America, he argued "the old spiritual ideals home" under threat from new conditions social community" (Gulick 6). Echoing contemporaneous academic media discourse identified adolescent society unless properly socialized, claimed "new forms must begin with girls, they still plastic" (6). Interviewed article, himself "radical conservative," voiced support women's suffrage—a woman ought vote "because she is, after all much like man" but because "she's so entirely different"—and proceeded explain how this absolute division gender roles underpinned nascent organization. aimed address saw particularly pressing symptom modern socioeconomic change: "boys get licked into team work, haven't been getting any their training," suggesting troubles lay fact "women's work has never given status"—an issue sought change (10). [End Page 23] Any girl could become member if announced her desire "Seek beauty, Give service, Pursue knowledge, Be trustworthy, Hold health, Glorify [and] happy" 51). Members met once week summertime camping trips supervision older female Guardian appointed by organization's Headquarters. They advance rank (from Wood Gatherer Maker Torch Bearer) achievement honors seven categories predominately related domestic pursuits: Health Craft, Home Nature Lore, Hand Business, Patriotism 53). These native-born Americans; Leslie Hahner pointed out, "Americanization" immigrants was considered key function scouting organizations, including Girls, "supposedly divorced girl's ethnicity; need identify particular nationality, part troop or Fire" (Hahner 122). ensure "dramatized, imbued adventurous spirit, make them interesting," designing Record Book memorialize achievements. The thus "endeavored find some measurement do, well help see romance it" This focus way glamorizing trivial mundane ideological crux organization, evident discusses many inventions advancements before noting, "For reason other we close our eyes this, perhaps used things tarnishes gold" argues, treat daily life brush away dull gray coating apparent drudgery revive inherent adventure human life" conflates soaring achievements engineering lofty aspiration women, yet these elevated...