our_history

In November 1942, when he founded what was then known as the "Outdoor Physical Fitness Club," Dr. Andrew A. Gour could not have foreseen that it would still be in existence over 60 years later. Dr. Gour was sickly and handicapped in infancy and childhood and at the age of 12 secretly started doing exercises in a quest for perfect health. The results were so gratifying that he made the art of healing his life's work. An osteopathic physician, Dr. Gour was a pioneer in gymnastic, dietary, and nutritional fields, as well as a lover of the outdoors. He was an editorial writer on the Chicago Daily News for 5 years and contributed articles on physical training to various publications. He also engaged in cancer research from the standpoint of nutrition. In a book entitled "Naturally Stay Young," Dr. Gour stated that "Youthful old age depends upon what one has done with his years of youth." Dr. Gour died in June, 1955.

On Sunday, Nov. 15, 1942, a group of men and women met at the Physical Fitness Outing Congress, which was held at the Museum of Science and Industry. At the time, there was much concern about the physical condition of young Americans. Half of the first 2 million men called by draft boards for World War 2 were rejected as unfit. Those who were accepted were only in good enough condition to respond to the process of becoming physically fit. The nation was made up of "softies and weaklings, the result of luxurious living and bodily neglect." The Physical Fitness Division of the National Recreation Department sent representatives to investigate the movement with the intention of promoting similar groups throughout the country. The group pledged to join or support a movement to combine upper body training with regular hiking. Out of this movement, the Outdoor Physical Fitness Club was born.

The club members followed a schedule that included hiking to the site of lunch and 20-30 minutes of upper-body exercise, which consisted of calisthenics and games employed to supplement the legwork of walking. Lunch in cold weather was around a bonfire. There was a circle discussion of a current topic of interest, group singing, and games. Then the group resumed hiking to the time of returning home. Members were asked to bring out their "Treasure Chest Community Songster" on every outing. They were encouraged to wear the official club emblem, in the shape of a maple leaf with white lettering. The hike leader and a designated "guide" carried whistles. The guide stayed at the rear of the group and signaled to the leader by blowing the whistle the appropriate number of times if he/she wanted the leader to slow up or halt and wait for stragglers to catch up.

When the tide of battle in the second world war swung our way, members grew less and less concerned with the original goals, and the club turned into a club that was involved in hiking only. When hikers became reluctant to perform calisthenics at lunchtime, "being more interested in the contents of their knapsacks and thermos bottles," the name was changed to "Forest Trails Hiking Club" (January 1950).

In its early years, the club had officers, and elections were held at annual dinner meetings. Club bulletins were full of news, useful information, editorial comments, and drawings appropriate to the season. In early years, members boarded buses and trains to reach the start of the hikes. This custom slowly evolved into the present system of hikers driving their cars to places designated in the hiking schedule.

Over the years, members have come and gone, but the club has continued to be a source of fellowship and healthful exercise for those who make the effort to come out on Sunday mornings. We look forward to continuing our tradition well into the future.