HOLIDAY CAMP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 12

HOLIDAY CAMP

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

SCENES AT PORT WAIKATO

MANY HAPPY HOURS SPENT

[from O.ur own correspondent] HAMILTON. Friday There can be few happier or better cared for children than the 211 boys and girls at present enjoying a holiday at the children's health camp at Port Waikato. From hundreds of applicants from all parts of tho aikato the children were chosen as being the most likely to benefit from the holiday, and they will remain in camp for three weeks, leaving to return to their homes on January 25. Enthusiasm and long experience in the conduct of children's camps have made the chief officers at Port Waikato, Mr. W. H. Paul, Mrs. H. C. Boss and Mrs. H. D. Cobb, expert in the science of making children happy and keeping them physically fit. The health of the camp is the special care of Mrs. Cobb, who has many years of ambulance experience. Loyally assisting the principal officers of the camp aro 14 young men and women, who offered themselves as volunteer workers; These are known as "uncles" and "aunts" to the children under their charge. It would be difficult to find holiday surroundings more ideal than those at Port Waikato. The motorist approaching by road, after a drive of several miles along the beautiful seashore, will enter a narrow valley. On his left, nestling under a high bush-clad hill, he will see the gay green and red striped roofs of the permanent camp buildings. Even though the camp is so remote, every effort has been made to make the entrance to it attractive to the eye. Along the road frontage is a tall fence formed of the trunks of punga ferns, which also form a wide, high arch over tho gateway. Immediately inside the gate is a wide lawn with a flagstaff and flower bed in the middle. A cool stream flows through the camp, and tho virgin bush is only a stone's throw away. Attention to Detail In every department of camp routine careful attention to detail is apparent. So well is the kitchen organised that over 200 generous platefuls of meat and vegetables are placed hot on the tables in the matter of a few minutes, while the children aro assembling outside to the sound cf the drum and a lively marching tune. After the mid-day meal they march out again, and an hour's rest is then compulsory. A visitor to the camp at that period would not the presence of such a number of children until he saw them seated in eager little groups under 'the trees. One thing that makes the children feel they are really on a holiday is that they have no dishes to jvash. These are done bv the kitchen staff, and the children's sole task is to make; their beds in the morning and keep the dormitories tidy. The rest of the day is free for recreation, which takes a great variety of forms. With the boys a very popular diversion is fishing from the Port Waikato jetty. Not one but has the soul of an angler, and the hours pass rapidly on the wings of anticipation. And not infrequently it happens that fortune is kind.er to the modest line held by a small, grubby hand than it is to the sleek rod and whirring reel of the adult angler. Concerts in Evening Additional recreation is provided by walks through, the bush and along the foreshore, swimming, games and sunbathing. Every evening a concert is held in the main dining hall, which has a stage at one end, and the children are encouraged to reveal their talent. It is at these concerts that the children look eagerly for encouragement to Mrs. Boss, whose own musical talent euables her to discover and bring out any ability in the young folk. The children show no hesitation and often three or four ar<» on the platform at once, waiting their turn to sing or recite. Private campers- have, also shown their willingness to _ assist in these concerts, and the children are able to listen to some very pleasing items. Dairy Farm Established Although the casual visitor to Port Waikato might assume that the camp was now sufficiently near perfection, Mr. Paul, the president of the Waikato Children's Camp League, has many plans for its improvement. Across the road from tho camp buildings the society has an area of 70 acres, which . Mr. Paul is converting into a dairy farm. After a process of very careful selection by an officer of the Department of Agriculture, 16 Jersey heifers were chosen aa the nucleus of a herd. Ono of these animals was accidentally killed, but tho remainder are now providing milk and cream for the children at the camp. When the camp is vacant is supplied to a dairy factory. It is Mr. Paul's intention to develop tho dairy farm so that the revenue from it may contribute to the cost of keeping t;he camp in good order during the winter months. After the children vacate tho camp on January 25 it will lie made available to tho wives and families of Haniilton«relief workers. A party of about 70 paid a visit last year, and their stay was so enjoyable that they are eager to go again.