HEALTH CAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 10

HEALTH CAMP

BENEFITS TO CHILDREN

MORE FUNDS NEEDED

, The first meeting of the newly-elected committee of the Otaki Health Camp Association was held on Wednesday. The finances of the camp, present and prospective, were such as to give the committee many fears as to whether the camp could continue to function as in the past. "It has been our aim," states the executive committee of the association, "to keep the camp open all the yea* round, and its need and the benefits accrued have been very evident. There have been some 500 children, in batches of about 60 for an average of six to eight weeks, in the camp. It has cost a little over £2000, and the average cost per child at the Wellington Hospital and at many orphanages is not less than 6s per child per diem, the Otaki Health.Camp hasmanaged to keep its expenses down to Is 6d per child per diem. The balance-sheet presented at the annual general meeting was particularly satisfactory. REGULAR INCOME NECESSARY. "The foster parent scheme, which began in' a good way, has gradually petered out as the novelty wore off. The staffs of some firms still contribute" in this way. The main source of the present income is from the envelope system from the school children, through the Education Board. "The camp can be carried on very efficiently to benefit from 500 to 750 children a year for £2000," states the, executive. "Are there not 2000 people able to sacrifice £1 a year each as members of the association to keep the institution functioning? The joy that comes to", those helping in the happiness and returned health of the children repays with interest tho small amount given. It is a pity that the camp is so far out of town, as more visitors would manifest their interest and the Wellington citizens would have their pride awakened in their most beneficial undertaking.