Surveying

The following practical suggestions on surveying in a boys' camp have been
especially prepared by H. M. Allen. Surveying is an important subject for
study and practice, as it is both interesting and useful and may serve as
a stepping-stone in the later education of the boy.

The surveying may be roughly divided into two parts, simple and advanced.
The simple work includes that which can be carried on with a few cheap
instruments easily secured or made by the boys. The advanced work requires
better instruments and is adapted to high school boys. Only the simple
work will be described.

Home-made

The instruments needed in simple surveying are, compass, measuring tape,
draughtsman's scale, protractor, drawing materials and a small home-made
transit. The leader should, if possible, become familiar with some good
textbook on surveying, such as Wentworth's Plane Trigonometry and
Surveying. He should also get some civil engineer to give him a little
instruction in the rudiments. It is well also to get some practice before
going to camp. Any vacant lot or gymnasium floor will be suitable. If the
leader is near a small lake that will be especially desirable.

The transit is easily made. A flat board should be selected, about twelve
inches in diameter, which will not warp. Upon this a circle is marked
about ten inches in diameter. For this purpose use a pair of drawing
compasses. Then with a protractor lay off the degrees of the circle. A
small brass protractor can be bought for 15 cents, a good one, large size,