HEALTH CAMP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 71, 6 January 1936, Page 6

HEALTH CAMP

MOST SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING. CHILDREN'S GREAT ENJOYMENT YOUNGEST CHILD AGED SIX. The health camp was happily established for four weeks in the Staveley Hall at the week-end and yesterday, everything appeared to be working comfortably. Sleeping accommodation has been arranged in the main body of the hall, which has been divided across with a curtain. The diningroom is in the supper room and yesterday, having just been mopped out, was very attractive. Two electric coppers and two electric boilers have been installed. The water supply is obtained from a neighbour's" - well and pumped across the road. "We have things running to the clock," said the camp-mother (Mrs H. J. Constable) yesterday. Breakfast was at 8 a.m., it was explained, and yesterday consisted of porridge, poached eggs and brown bread and honey. Then followed toothbrush drill after which the children were taken for a saunter. A half-hour's rest on return was followed by freedom until a wash and brush-up for dinner, which yesterday consisted of soup, roast lamb with thick gravy, peas and potatoes, and milk pudding and gooseberries with cream, and "there was hardly a crumb left over. You should have seen the food go." Again the teeth were attended to and then followed half-an-hour's rest and then play until a short religious service was conducted by the Rev. A. A. C. Lion. This procedure will be varied later by picnics, walks, and possibly little concerts. When seen yesterday the children were playing about on the green in front of the hall. There are twentyfour children, the vacancy having been filled. The oldest is twelve and the youngest, Joan, is six, Avho having lain down on her bed yesterday afternoon was fast asleep with the abandonment of her age, despite comings and goings. The children are to be weighed frequently, so that at the close of the camp the "in weights" can be compared with the "out weights."

People have been most generous, it was explained yesterday, and thanks will be officially returned at the closo of the camp.