HEALTH CAMP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 January 1944, Page 5

HEALTH CAMP

50 CHILDREN AT STOKE FIRST OF THREE GROUTS BENEFICIAL TREATMENT RECEIVED Fifty children from the Nelson. Blenheim, Westport, Millerton and Karamea districts are at present enjoying the pleasures of a healthgiving holiday at the King George V Memorial Health Camp at Stoke. The basis of the camp treatment consists of regular rest, a balanced diet and plenty of milk to drink and the children respond well to the camp health routine and are all reported to be making good progress in weight and general health. The camp is managed by a staff of eleven headed by the Matron, Miss Hingston. The duties of aides are being competently carried out by three Christchurch Training College students and four prefects of Nelson Girls’ College, who have shown a keen interest in the children and enthusiasm for the ! work. The children enjoy a swim each day after their rest period and other activities are arranged for their entertainment. This evening a picture show will be given by Mr R. Trathen and the children are arranging a concert of their own for next week. The present 50 inmates of the camp, who are all girls, arrived on the 27th December and will stay for one month. At the end of January the camp will be occupied for a month by 50 boys and in the following month another 50, comprising both boys and girls will enter the camp and stay for a month. For the second two months of the camp the children will have a period of school work each day under the auspices of th' Nelson Education Board. COMMITTEE CONGRATULATED The secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Health Camps, Mr E. A. Dobbie, paid a visit of inspection to the camp soon after its opening this year and suggested several improvements, chiefly in regard to additional staff accommodation. Mr Dobbie complimented the committee on the excellent site and congenial surroundings of the camp and congratulated those responsible for its efficient organisation. He expressed the hope that at some future time increased public interest and support would result in sufficient funds being forthcoming to keep the camp open continuously throughout the year as was now being done at the Roxburgh Health Camp, Central Otago. The cost of keeping the children at the camp amounts to 25s per child per week. This cost is borne by the local committees, each being responsible for • the upkeep of the children sent from its | narticular district. Contributions from ! the public of fruit, vegetables and other j donations have been of assistance to ; the committee. j REVENUE FROM HEALTH STAMPS j The Health Camp committees derive a large proportion of their revenue from ! the sale of Health Stamps in their disj tricls. No other special appeal for : funds has been made this year by the Nelson committee, but it is hoped that I the proceeds from the sale of health ! stamps in the district will provide sufficient funds. The Health Department has express!ed the great need for Health Camps to | remain open and carry out their benet ficial work for as long a period as possible and the Nelson committee is endeavouring to carry out that wish.