CHILDREN'S CAMPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 16

CHILDREN'S CAMPS

BRITAIN'S SYSTEM CENTRALLY-HEATED HUTS FIFTY NATIONAL GROUPS [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Sept. 28 The Government is having constructed 50 national camps for school holidays and evacuated children. It is expected that by the beginning of the year they will bo well advanced. Half that number are already in various stages of progress. The Ministry of Health and the Board of Education will decide upon the use which is to be mado of the centres. A visit paid to one of the first to bo completed, high in the Chiltern Hills, is described by a special correspondent of the Times. In tho beautiful woodland sito the dozen buildings which make up tho camp stand in 20 acres of ground, with access to woods on three sides, | Although five miles from a market town it has t)een connected with main electricity and water services, so that tho camp could be used in winter as well as in summer. The huts of cedar wood are grouped on two sides of. a green square, crossed by a hedge and trees. Running north arid south on one side of the site are six dormitory huts, each taking 58 children and two teachers* or supervisors. They will sleep in doublo tiers of bunks, arranged down the sides of the lofty, airy dormitories. Within easy reach are lavatory huts, each fitted with 12' shower-baths, as well as lavatory, basins. For niglit time sanitary accommodation has boon added to each dormitory hut. Tho assembly hall and the dining hall (with kitchen in an attached wing) are close by. Alongside tho outside wall runs a verandah where leisure time can be spent and lessons given. All cooking will be done by electricity, although steam also will be available. All the huts are raised 18in. off the ground on concrete blocks. The.v are centrally heated by radiators and lit by electricity. There are quarters for the camp manager-and for the head teachers of tno visiting schools. Another block provides accommodation fox* tho permanent camp stafF. From tho camp entrance in a small country road to the boiler-house a metalled; road is being built so that supplied may be brought to the door by vans. - , Flower v beds will be,] aid between the dormitory blocks and. the children will probably be encouraged to spend much time, in flower and vegetable gardening. ' The original estimate of • cost was £22,000 for each camp. - .