HAPPY SHOUTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 9

HAPPY SHOUTS.

SUNSHINE CAMP. IDYLLIC MOTUIHI ISLAND. CHILDREN FINDING HEALTH. \ As soon as you land, almost any day, from steamer or launch, at the wharf; at Motuihi Island, you hear the shrill; and happy cries of young children. You' may see them at once, playing in the 1 sand or splashing in the calmer water of the southern side of the island; or perhaps those cries are borne by the] wind from where a light surf seethes up the hard northern beach, hidden from sight by a narrow neck of sand and grass. j These are under-developed children I from city and country, who in this idyllic spot are claiming new health and strength from warm sunshine and the 1 fresh sea air. They are some of the 150 boys and girls who constitute the first | of the health camps held this year by the Community Sunshine .Association. Long delayed as a result of the infantile paralysis restrictions, the camps are to be open only to children classed in category "C." All these boys and girls came to Motuihi suffering from disability in one form or another, but already the staff sees marked changes. A few days, they say, can make a wonderful difference. Faces and bodies have become brown and healthy-looking; appetites have increased tremendously. The pangs of homesickness that some may have felt at first disappear as the children adapt themselves to their new surroundings and changed routine. Those whose progress is not »o marked and so satisfying will be kept on for a term additional to the minimum of three weeks. Orderly Programme. Sunshine, fresh air, good food and healthy sleep—these arc the main ingredients of the remedy being administered to the children. They are all quite small, coming mainly from Auckland and surrounding districts, while 50 arc from Thames. They include a> few

Maori children. Each day in camp is < based on an orderly programme, which I jjivee the boys and girls as much time i in the open air a* possible. From their .• I beds in the six separate dormitories now i ! in use they rise at 6.30 to dress, waeh, ' I fold their sheets and blankets, tidy up and sweep the floors. Breakfast is being prepared meanwhile, and certain of the children help in preparing the dining . room. There U toothbrush drill twice a day, which means a caieful cleaning of ' teeth and a final jrarple. With hreakfast over, dishes washed and the dining room tidied, it is down to the beach for everybody, as fast as • their legs can carry them. I'nder the J guidance and watchful eye* of members : of the staff they build castlei- and motor 'cars in the sand, run racer, and play games on the beaches, and splash and --wim in the sea. About 11..'1K they go up ajjain to the camp buildings on Ihe tree-fringed western headland of the inland to prepare for lunch, which fol--1 low* at noon. The gong is rung, and the children lino up to enter the dining room. They 1 stand at their places to sing grace, and 1 then—how they cat! Tin. , air here make*. '.for vast appetitie-. anil it seems only u '■-. matter of second- before handn arc 1 j raised t<> signify that a .-croud helping Mis wanted. There is salmon pie today.! [with pudding to follow—and in most 1 'leases two helpings of pudding. The 'idining room staff find that tho children '•eat more and more every day. ■ Afternoon Siesta. >; It i* time now for the afternoon 'isiesta, and for an hour or more the boys and girls lie on their beds w itli books "comics."' Some have letters to read •;and write, for there is a special mail ■ twice a week. Well rested, they line I up again with cups for a portion of their s |averasre. milk consumption of two pints "jper child per day, and then it is the .'beach again. Tea comes at ."> o'clock, Rafter which they visit the beach once t more, returning to the camp in time to ■ be in bed before dark. Occasionally 'there is- a concert after tea—the girl> i presented one thin week, an* the boys ! planned a big show, with boxing matches. diand hekas by Ilangi, a Maori boy from i-jThanies. as the chief attractions. i- On wet days the recreation room c above the dining room is usrd, hut the d weather has been very favourable m> e far. The daily routine will be. somev what different for members of the next

draft, which enters camp on March 10, for school lesson*, will hegin for those above Standard 11. The se-ond camp, at which '-'*0 "ill attend, will be named the "Hotary (amp" in recognition of the Auckland Rotary ( lull's annual contribution to maintenance funds. Four further camps me planned, making us in all. Many country children ' «il] attend the later camps. The honorary Miperiniendent i* Major N. .1. Levien, O.Bi;, and l«o Health Department nurses nv at )>iesent on duty. They «ill lie relieved later by nur»es appointed I' , the cifltion. At the camp the children •''Vβ distinguished \>\ their .-ih.nt un 11• u ni*. the \i«\ - in khaki .ind thr ;jnls in gieeji, and white .— tjll helmet'.