The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-02

There is one drawback to the camp.
hoYever-the children hate so TO leave
when their time is up. For two weeks
the city IS practically a remembrance Of
the past Even home is forgotten. The
little ones have had a taste of nature,
rambled among the trees and bushes at
their leisure. and seen dear old Mother
Earth In her true state. They have prac-
tically lived out of doors altogether.
BETTER Than Medicine.
The children have lived the life that
was intended for them. The trip has
done them more good than a. the medi-
cine and even the most skilled physician
could ever dream Of accomplishing. The
longing for nature is soon implanted in
the very systems of the waits, and it is
only natural that when the time arrives
they should be reluctant about returning
to their hot, stuffy homes in the city.
damned and crowded. and where their
playground is the street.
The children are selected by members
OF the Associated Charities, ard only
those who are really deserving are taken.
Their ages run from babies one month
old. together with their mothers. TO boys
and girls twelve years Of age Fifty new
Corners are taken to the camp every
Wednesday At the same time, the same
number-thOse who have had their two
weeks stay-are returned 20 their homes.
feeling as they never did before, with
rugged compilations, and longing for the
free. 0pen-air life again.
Mrs Edna Keene Bushee is superin-
tendent Of Youthville this year. She has
several assistants in the kitchen and
young woman and man to look after
the children.
Other Volunteers Help.
In addition. there are several other
young women who have volunteered their
services, and who wait on the table and
attend TO the various other details around
the camp. Two policemen-Owens and
Clinord-are on duty in that part OF the
park. and pay especial attention to the
vicinity where the temporary summer
village is located.
Youthviue. however. doesn't need an
officer Of the law 10 regulate its denizens.
Mrs. Bushee Is the mayor. Her word is
law. But very little discipline Is neces-
sary. The boys and girls are usually too
busy planning trips TO the creek or the
woods to even think Of getting into mis-
chief. The feature OF each day at the
camp is a swim in the "old swimming
hole" just west of the camp and near
the bride path which is often used by
President Roosevelt during his horseback
rides through Rock Creek Park.
When a little villager does something
contrary 10 the rules Of YOuthville he is
deprived Of his swim for as many DAYS
as the seriousness Of the charge is con-
s'dered necessary. One day. however.
without his regular plunge generally has
the desired effect, and the townsman
is usually an ideal citizen from that time
on. The boys and the girls battle sepa-
rately. All have bathing suits, and are
accompanied by an older person, TO be
on hand in case Of an emergency.
Visit by John JOY Edison.
John Joy Edison, chairman Of the sum
mer outing committee Of the Associated
Charities, visited the camp yesterday
together with Mr. Weller. the secretary.
Owing to the fact that Mr. Edison has
only recently returned from a trip abroad
this was his first visit Of the season. The
conditions in general impressed him as
being better than ever before.
The children sleep in tents-the girls and
the mothers in the center Of Youthville
and the boys in the suburbs. Just across
the road. These canvas coverings, rnsuy
of them, are owned by the Associated
Charities, while the others have been pro-
vided by Gen. Aleshire, the Quartermaster
General of the United States army.
The picnickers-for that's what they
are-arise shortly after o'clock In the
morning. They have all the milk they
want, plenty of meat and eggs, together
with all sorts Of vegetables. which are
raised on the farm. The menu varies
more than one would imagine. To this
part OF the programme Mrs Bushee gives
her personal attention and arranges the
bill for each Of the meals. Supper Is
served at $50 o'clock.
After the evening meal the youngsters
congregate under a large tent-the con
vention hall of northumberland indulge in
different entertainments. Naturally, there
are geniuses among the children. and
these give recitatiOns, songs, and do other
stunts for the amusement Of their COM
panions. At SIS o'clock a bell rings out
on the still, clear air of the evening
Every last one of the citifed vacationers
knows what this means. and quietly they
go away to their respective quarters.
LulIed to Sleep by the Winds,
With the flaps of their tents wide open.
tired from the days fun, ana nothing
on <heir minds but anticipation of the
morrow, the poor children Of the Capital
are lulled to sleep by the winds In the
pines. The hum Of the city is missed.
but most pleasantly.
Two or three times each week the young
folks are treated to ice cream. Next to
swimming, this is the great feature Of
the day. From the time the big freezers
are brought out Of the cellar in the morn
ing until the cream is made and con-
sumed great excitement prevails. The
kitchen assistants need not worry for
want Of help to make the cold dessert.
From one to three dozen boys are al
ways on hand to turn the cranks with
the hope of scraping the paddle when the
cream is frozen as a reward When the
ladle is eventually brought out a scramble
follows that resembles a lot of chickens
trying to pick corn out Of a tin cup all
at the same time.
I'VE could use s2Oo0 nicely in making
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