The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-17

new movement for girls, and its d.
rector. Mrs. Charlotte J. Farnswortn.
sees a larger significance in the camp
ideal than the mere enjoyment of
outdoor sports, the learning of wood
craft, handicrafts. and the freedom
of dress and mode of living.
mot that jollity and good times are
not the accompaniment of every hour
spent In camp" said Mrs. Farms
worth. but that there is a much more
serious purpose back of everything
the girls do than a mere good time
There are, to be sure. the water sports
Of swimming, diving and canoeing;
the delight Of horseback riding, the
competitive games of tennis. basket
ball and baseball, the Craft House.
with Its fun of working In hand made
5ewelry, leather tooling, wood block
ing and stencilinE; and most of all. the
joys Of the open road in walking and
riding trips But. under all these ac-
tivittes, and connecting them as beads
are strung on a cord, 10 the purpose
which unifies them and gives them
real meaning and lasting value.
This purpose is to help the girl
to find her own capa hilities and to
levelop them. and to see her relation
90 the group, ner social responsi BILL
tiles. 1t means more to the girl than
the mere fun of 1t, when she has pass
ed her swimming test can swim the
required hundred yards and stay up
fifteen minutes; when she has been
greeted by the approving cheer of the
camp. she feels much more than that.
She has not only gained skill In swim
ming. but she has reached a recog-
nized standard and can feel the sat
isfaotion Of accomplishment. which
LIS the stimulus to further efforts.
Ever present is the effort to de-
velop the love OF beauty in each girl,
in whatever kind OF craftsmanship ap-
peals to her. She is encouraged and
assisted to express herself in her
designs and execution. Jewelry makes
the strongest and the most universal
appeal and offers the girl an oppor-
tunity to express her own ideas in the
design of her ring or brooch, and in
the care and finish of her execution,
. realize beauty and the value of
good craftsmanship.
From her favorite camp activity
or from her general experience she
chooses design which shall symbol
ize her, chief interest, and carves 1t
on a wood or linoleum block with
which to stamp the decorations on a
gown or chiffon scarf. An again, she
feels toy not only in the possession
of beautiful object. but in the reali-
zation OF her own ability.
But II is perhaps in her social re-
lations with her camp fellows that
there comes to her experiences Of the
greatest Joy and the deepest value.
When a girl has taken her share of
the burdens and often the not incon-
siderable discomforts OF a short camp
ing trip, carrying her own pack
helping to set up camp, cut ana lay
the henlock bed, make the camp
fire. cook and serve the meals do
her share towards entertaining the
group around the big fire. help to
clean up and pack up and withal be
always cheerful In spite of obstacles,
she Is learning to be a part of a com
munity and to feel that II Is quite as
important to help the rest to have a
good time as 70 have good time her
self
'Tn camping. as in swimming and
craftsmanship. there Is a standard to
meet, and the same satisfaction in the
conscientiousness OF having met It.
When her. camp craft team meets the
team OF a neiEhhor camp in a com
petitive contest. she finds herself
working with the utmost care and
effort--not to beat the other team
but to reach as high a standard as che
can. and II the other team can teach
her better ways, TO be anxious to learn
from them.
She finds her place in the camp
life as whole. She learns to be a
part OF the whole and to know the
experience OF team work.
This feeling shows itself In the
composftely composed camp songs.
which are a present-day illustration
of the way In which folksongs and
ballads were made in earlier DAYS.
Truly. the girl is fortunate who
can spend her summer leading such
a life of joyous achievement. and she
will return home not only trimming
with enthusiasm. but aroused and en-
riched with an understanding Of ser
vice"