“STAY-AT-HOME” CAMP

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 2

“STAY-AT-HOME” CAMP

Popular Y.W.C.A. & Event By the end of the first week of school holidays, leisure time often begins to’ pall. Mothers are driven to desperation by their children’s query: “What shall I do now?” The Y.W.C.A. has the answer for girls. It will begin a “stay-at-home” camp today for girls from nine to 13 years of age. There will be a programme of games, singing: drama, and folk dancing, a picnic and many other events.

The “stay-at-home” camps were first held by the Y.W.C.A. many years ago. They lapsed for some years, but were revived in 1954. They are held every school holidays, and the response from the girls has been so great that the numbers have had to be limited. Sixty girls have regis-' tered for the camp next week, and preference was given to girls who would otherwise have to stay at home alone because their mothers were working. The Y.W.C.A. has a waiting list of girls wishing to take part in the "camps.”

The director is Miss Elspeth Cook, programme secretary of the Y.W.C.A., who will be assisted by several leaders, including senior schoolgirls. When the girls arrive at the Y.W.C.A. this morning they will be formed into six groups of 10. Worship will oe taken each morning by Deaconess Hemi Park.

The girls will go roller skating at New Brighton, and then go foi a walk along the beach. On another day they will go for a picnic at the Blue Triangle camp at Spencerville. A visit to an ice-cream factory should be popular. They will also see a display of dolls dressed in the national costumes of many nations, and will attend the Canterbury Public Library for story hour. Rehearsals will be held for a concert to be held on’ Friday afternoon to mark the close of the camp.