CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 7, 3 October 1941, Page 4

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CAMPS

Extending The Service Dr. R. A. Shore, of the Health Department, presided this week over- a conference of children’s health camp representatives, districts represented being Wellington, Auckland, Otago and Southland, Canterbury, Nelson, Waikato and Wanganui. Dr. Shore said the health camp policy was pretty well defined now. There were to be four permanent health camps for children, open the year round, in Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury and Otago, with semi-perman-ent camps for children, open the year round, in Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago, with semi-per-manent camps at other points, these being at present Nelson and Gisborne. Wellington’s camp waji at Otaki. Additions had lately been made there in the form of a new kitchen dining-room, recreation room and conveniences. Flans were being prepared for a new camp to be established on a lovely site at Pakuranga, some 12 miles from Auckland, an ideal site in every way. Hitherto summer health camps had been held at Motuihi Island, but the new permanent camp would be much more convenient and suitable. In Christchurch, through the Trust Board, they had been able to acquire the property near the city known as “Glenelg.” Additions to that building were being made so that Christchurch would be well provided for with a camp to accommodate 50 children at a time (six-weekly periods). Otago and Southland were being given a new health. camp on the edge of Roxburgh, where climatic and other conditions were particularly suited to the purpose in view. The buildings were practically completed and the camp would be open for business on November 0.

Of the two semi-permanent health camps for children in Gisborne and Nelson (to be opened for four months each year), the former would be opened on October 11 and would accommodate 30 children. The Nelson camp provided for 50 children at a time.

In each ease the Health Department appointed the matron, haring perhaps the best knowledge of the tyi>e of woman required for such responsible work. As the movement bad an educational side, the Education Department was co-operating with enthusiasm in the provision of schoolrooms and teachers, as it was considered that it would never do to allow a break in the school routine of the children in their most impressionable years. Toward the cost of this service a vote of £lO,OOO was placed ou the department’s estimates this year.