A look at Camp rules
It is often said "rules are made to be broken." When rules which are too stringent are set down this is all that is done. But good rules should be and usually are followed.
Rules, like anything else, need to be modernized. Last year the University looked over the rules regarding women's closing and they were modernized. Legislatures yearly revise rules and throw out the ones that have become antiquated.
The rules at the Midwestern Music and Art Camp are no exception. How long it has been since they were looked over and revised? For the past six weeks one of the favorite discussion topics was criticizing camp rules.
After talking with many campers, counselors and instructors in the camp, there are changes which could be made without lessening the morals of the campers and making the six-weeks a sin holiday.
As reflected in editorials on this page and the next, the big three rules are the three "D's." No drinking of alcoholic beverages, no driving or riding in private cars unless with parents or an instructor, and no dating of non-campers are all stringently enforced.
These rules are all good rules and should remain. No respectable teenage camp could condone alcohol in any shape and still maintain a reputation. There is no place that campers need to go that present transportation cannot get them there. And dating of non-campers would only lead to trouble.
But there are other rules that need to be altered. First, a 9:30 curfew for high school age youth is a little early. Most of them during the summer time are allowed to be out until midnight at home. Considering the fact that they are in "school" here, 10:30 closing and a 11 p.m. lights out seems much more reasonable. Still they will be getting enough sleep, but they also will be able to have a longer evening.
Second comes smoking. It is a known fact that some high schoolers smoke in today's world. The percentage each year increases. Many parents allow their teenagers to smoke at home, so why should the camp outlaw it
here? With registration forms and health certificates, the camp could issue a smoker's permit. This, signed by the parents, would allow the camper to smoke in his room, just like he can do at home, with parents' permission.
Some campers take to cigarettes to prove how big they are and how grown up they are. The permit would not allow this youth or the one who smokes behind his parent's back to smoke at camp. But to the camper who already smokes it gives him the freedom which he sometimes needs.
A third rule is probably the most controversial. "Making out," "petting," "parking," or whatever else it may be called has become common among teenagers. To stop it at camp would be ridiculous. But now with the "45-degree-angle" rule it forces the youth to seek better places to hide farther away from any chaperone.
A possible solution is a special lounge or area somewhere that would allow chaperoned "making out." Here a chaperone, preferably a counselor who also has a date, may watch television, drink soft drinks, eat candy bars and "smooch" under certain ground rules. Only couples should be allowed to enter. This will not stop some campers from seeking out the darkest corner of Daisy Hill, but it will not force others to seek out these spots.
The last rule which needs revamping is that which bans campers from certain local establishments just to keep them away from the "college" crowd. There is nothing wrong with the Hawk's Nest or the Call Cafe. There has never been a rape there, and alcohol is not sold. Places which do serve alcoholic or cereal malt beverages should be banned. But to ban just because it is a "college" hang-out is immature.
These suggestions come from a past camper. They are only suggestions. But it is hoped camp officials will take time to study them and consider them. They are workable, and they may add to the maturity of the camper. After all placing more faith in a camper, as any young person, is recognition of maturity. —Robert Stevens
"These Weren't Damaged In The Riots-They Went To Pieces Years Before"
CAMPER EDITORIALS
All of the editorials on this and the adjoining pages, except the lead editorial by Robert Stevens, were written by campers attending the journalism division of the Midwestern Music and Art Camp.
Summer Kansan editorial page Friday, July 21, 1967
KANSAN TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Newsroom—UN 4-3646 —— Business Office—UN 4-3198
The Summer Session Kansan, student newspaper at the University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 St., New York, N.Y. 10022. Mail subscription rates: $4 a semester or $7 a year. Published and second class postage paid at Lawrence, Kansas. Attendance: School accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the Summer Session Kansan are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or national origin.
The opinions expressed in the editorial column are those of the students on the staff of the paper. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the expression of their opinion. Any opinions expressed in the Summer Session, Karsan State Board of Regents.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
"OVER HERE, HENRY, I D KNOW OUR BOYS ROOM-ANYPLACE!"
For example, when a juvenile is arrested for a first offense drinking violation, the parent is forced to appear with the minor in court and usually pays the court costs. The juvenile is left with no legal punishment, little understanding or discipline for his offense.
In most states where juvenile codes are established, parents of a juvenile are held responsible for their child's actions. The child therefore receives little discipline from the District Attorney or Probation Officer.
Too much freedom
Law enforcement officers and parents give minors too much freedom and too little responsibility. Criminal authorities claim that the lack of responsibility is the cause of juvenile delinquency.
Minors in most states are allowed the responsibility of driving at age 15 but they are not totally responsible for their actions while driving.
The Juvenile Code should be revised to make minors responsible for all their actions at 15.
The same juvenile is picked up for the second time on a drinking violation. He receives a lecture and has his hands slapped, but he still has not learned responsibility for violations.
Juvenile codes don't provide minors with the chance to accept responsibility for their crimes. Punishment is usually directed to the parent, who occasionally punishes the child.
Minors could then be tried in court as adults but receive less severe punishments.
—Cliff Mills
Camp Council a farce
Quite often, it seems, the elected representative refuses to bring up such "unimportant" matters. Yet when he does attempt to represent the views of his colleagues, he is shot down because of the myriad rules which exist.
The phrases "Wiley says so" and "because it doesn't look good" have become notorious answers to practically all questions, although students supposedly have the liberty to express their opinions through the Camp Council.
When questioning one camper how she felt about the activities of the Camp Council, she replied, "I couldn't say because I don't know what it is." Another six-week camper said, "What has it done?" "My representative never goes to the meeting" was the reply from another camper.
Once an important matter is brought up in the council, it is extremely unlikely that any change will go into effect before this
year's session is over because of the long-drawn-out process.
First, the camp representative must present his case to the council. If, by some stroke of luck, the other members feel strongly about the topic, it will be brought up at next week's meeting of Mr. Wiley and the counselors. The bill has a great possibility of being vetoed by Wiley, yet there is a slim chance that he will approve of the suggestion. If he does, the change is reported to the counselors, who then tell the campers. By this time, a minimum of a two-week time lapse has passed. Yet it is hopeless even to dream of getting as far as to speaking with Wiley because all the other administrators are too scared to change such ancient rules.
In a word, the Camp Council is a farce. It merely gives the impression that campers' opinions are being viewed, but actually it's a replacement for a suggestion box.