Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-30
BY ANNE TOMKINS GIBSON. NJ. d
Head Of Iriquols Camp for Girls.

Il would seem superfuous in the light
or results thrillingly made manifest in
these vital days, TO urge the value OF
physical training and discipline. As
Miss Repplicr inmitably says, The FUN
habit of speech is never more regret
table than when the cause is so good that
IT needs but temperate champiOning."
Yet To add a plea for girls in these times
that promise such a strenuous future
for them. appeals to a physician in the
light of a duty. \ sound mind in
sound body is what they will be obliged
to have In order to endure. A child has
IN four years become a vital asset the
burden of reproduction will rest upon
the generation now approaching woman
hood.
I'm the current issue Of business
periodical is an illustrated article tell
ing of important business interests
which provide tennis courts, picn.cs,
swimming pools, even camp life for their
employees They know it is not wasted,
this bread thus cast upon the waters,
but is an investment bearing interest
large enough for all to share.
From the physicians standpoint
prophylaNis outdistanCes cure in life's
race Prepare to live" is the modern
thought. The physical examinations
that form a preliminary condition to
most occupations reveal defects that in
many cases need not have existed. A
heart permanently crippled through neg
leCted rheumatism, a curved spine at
in it's unnatural lines. chronic ear
troubles, undeveloped lung capacity
and more. It is with no small concern
that we consider the physical endurance
Of our girls and young women today
For example the medical certificate for
the land army requires detailed physical
examination and consequent classifying
Of the candidate according to her health
strength and working capacity. What
girl wants 20 be located in Glass or
even D when a represents normality?
The present day especially tests those
whose selves and forbears have been
privileged in many ways, yet who may be
underdeveloped along one or more lines,
Reduced resistance to disease is q COM
mon complaint, not enough fresh air liv-
ing in close. hot houses Cthat was scarcely
a universal defect this past winter).
Lack of exercise, especially walking, is
responsible Nervous and emotional con-
dtions form common and tremendous
handicap, and are no small factor in de-
termining life results Now, how about
meeting all this with CounteraCting in
fuenCes? For boys this need has long
been felt and supplied, but only very re-
Gently has the girls right to the same
care been fully acknowledged with
pride and emphasis | say that girl is
as good sport, as courageous, as capa-
BILE and maybe--if given the chance
as accomplished in the sports as boy.
Yet she has had that chance for such
few years. Sleep, fresh air, exercise.
hydrOtherapy. sports, healthy companion-
ship and stimulating occupations form
the greatest combination in the world
and are now available for our girls
through various organizations, the
Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and summer
camps Such things cannot be secured
in cottage or hotel life, delightful
though that may be in its way;
but could any one conceive of its being
equally healthful? Add to all this the
careful and trained supervision that
camps afford The growth in character
as well as body bears testimony to the
true value Of this natural life. OF course
the nearness to nature has its effect, but
with the young the nearness TO the right
sort Of human nature under these condi-
tions is very telling. / have seen un-
expected qualities develop and grow
which might never otherwise have come
TO light. The methods used must be in
dividually and intelligently applied by
those in charge, but the girls themselves
are unconscious of the changes taking
place in them. A good habit so easily
and quietly supplants an undesirable
one that the transition is not felt. The
atmosphere Of camp life is indescrbably
balanced ii seems all play; il is so
happy. There is always something
doing" as the girls say, and that sOme-
thing has been carefully planned and IL
very worth while. Then consider the
value of the experience in cooperative
living, its mutual considerations, train
ing in self-ContrOl and self-reliance.
Recognition of merit plays an important
part in the camp life but the fact that
"A reward has to be earned by true en-
deavOr is always emphasized by the
girls themselves; they also learn to be
good losers, to play fair.
Camp spirit is no mere phrase to
these good comrades 1t stands for all
that is highest and best in themselves.
for an earnest striving toward physical
perfection, for love of nature and
knowledge Of the lessons she teaches
| through the great outdoors.
Ae.1- Z0.eX.11- ZH.,. Il. n