This photograph shows a student's healing ceremony at Freshman Camp, which takes place at Springfield College's East Campus. One student is laying on the ground, while a group of students are surrounding him. The campers appear to be holding sticks as they are kneeling or sitting by their fellow camper. The picture is not dated.
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Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
Edgar Munroe Robinson largely organized and implemented the Freshman Camp. The first Freshman Camp was held in the third week of May 1930. The camp focused on Field Sciences, (such as insects, plants, astronomy, birds, reptiles) and activities such as archery, camp, engineering, axemanship, handcrafts, Indian lore, woodworking, leatherwork, newspaper, signaling, storytelling, swimming, water safety, and boating/canoeing. The first overnight Freshman Camp was held in May 1931. Robinson brought many of the boys’ work and physical education ideas from the YMCA and Boy Scouts of America to Springfield College and its Freshman Camp. He also assisted in building the two camp lodges: Pukwana Lodge and the Pueblo of the Seven Fires. The Freshman Camp tradition continues today with the College’s Outdoor Pursuits program for students. Outdoor Pursuits is a week-long camping program that takes place at Springfield College's East Campus. The program begins a few days after the college's classes end in May and is offered to all freshman but is required for specific majors of the college. During the week, students are assigned different jobs, such as the cook, office assistant, day time security and health and safety aide.
