BOYS’ -BRIGADE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 28 January 1936, Page 7

BOYS’ -BRIGADE

ANNUAL CAMP

ON MAORI PAH ESTATE

(Contributed) Object: The advancement Tm of Christ’s Kingdom among CpHp 3 Boys, arid the promotion of Tglua Lro habits of obedience, reverI Jr! erice ) discipline, self-respect rtf) and all that tends towards !l true Christian manliness. The annual camp of the Ist Nelson Company of The Boys’ Brigade, connected with the Nelson Baptist Church, was held during the Christmas holidays, on the property of the Maori Pah estate. Except for a shower on the Sunday, the weather was all that could be desired for camping. A happy party of boys in uniform seated on top of a lorry load of camping gear and provisions, left the city on Boxing Day for their camping ground. On arrival, the usual boy let loose” spirit, had the upper hand for a short while, after which the boys were told l off for different duties, and by lunch time camp was something, like in order. The afternoon was spent in finishing off the camp and in swimming. After tea, a few games and a devotional service brought the first day to a close. Routine work commenced the next morning with the cook and two orderlies at 6 a.m., and reveille at 6.30 a.m. We were fortunate in having our Chaplain, the Rev. Mr Fear, in camp for a few days. The boys enjoyed their early morning P.T. exercises under his command. A typical day’s programme was: Breakfast at 7.30 a.m., followed by inspection parade and tent inspection. Dinner at 12.30 p.m. Tea at 5.30 p.m. Devotional service in the large marquee at 8 p.m., then supper and lights out at 9.30 p.m. During the mornings and afternoons various badge work was carried out, and tramps to places of interest and swimming w;ere indulged in. One morning the lunch baskets were packed and the day was spent at the Peninsula, where games and sea bathing were enjoyed. An evening attraction was the setting of the eel basket, and at the breakfast fable next morning those who had never tasted eel declared it quite a delicacy. On the Sunday Church parade was held at il a.m; and 7 p.m. The chairman ’of our Boys’ Brigade committee, Mr G.V". Edmonds, conducted both services, giving the. boys many fine thoughts which would be a help to them during their lives. One afternoon the boys were invited to go out to the Pah to try their hand at net fishing. An enjoyable time was spent putting out several drags, and speculation was rife as to the result when the net came near the shore each time. The hoys returned to camp, tired, but with a plentiful supply of fresh fish, and after a swim sat clown at tea time to enioy the catch. • - • • The last day of the year saw the boys busily engaged gathering firewood for their bonfire, ready to see the Old Year out and to welcome in the New Year. New Year’s Day was visitors’ day. A perfect day with a blazing sun made a real picnic day for the boys and their friends. A bus load and a nuniber of private cars brought about 70 visitors to the camping grounds and many expressions of approval of the camp were I heard. In the afternoon sports and j swimniiiig for badge work were held. | The devotional meetings held every evening at 8 o’clock brought a marked atmosphere among the boys, and the short addresses by the leaders were very inspiring. The Rev. Mr Fear, Mr G. V. Edmonds and Mr C. A. Chapmap were in charge of these meetings. The camp was in charge of Lieut. C. A. Chapman, with Staff-Sergeant G. O’Connor as Quartermaster, We wish to thank all those who assisted: to make this camp such a success,