from the great

central fire

First recorded by Ernest Thompson Seton, a founding father of the American camping movement, the Law of the Woods is the timeless code of ethics that unites many generations of the Camp Kooch-i-ching community.

The Law of The Woods

From the Great Central Fire, I light this, THE LAMP OF BEAUTY.
From it are these three rays:
BE CLEAN — Both yourself and the place you live in.
BE STRONG — Understand and respect your body. It is the Temple of the Spirit.
PROTECT ALL HARMLESS WILDLIFE — And be ever ready to fight the wildfire in the woods.

From the Great Central Fire, I light this, THE LAMP OF Truth.
From it are these three rays:
SPEAK TRUE — Word of honor is sacred.
PLAY FAIR — Foul play is treachery.
BE REVERENT — Worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of Him by others.

From the Great Central Fire, I light this, THE LAMP OF fortitude.
From it are these three rays:
BE BRAVE — Courage is the noblest of all attainments.
BE SILENT — It is harder to be silent than to speak, but in the hour of trial it is stronger.
OBEY — Obedience is the first law in the woods.

From the Great Central Fire, I light this, THE Flaming LAMP OF LOVE.
From it are these three rays:
BE KIND — Do at least one act of unbargaining service each day.
BE HELPFUL — Do your share of the work.
BE JOYFUL — Seek the joy of being alive.