Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-20
The Community Camps

Two weeks in which to explore
trails, wade creeks and breathe fresh,
crisp air sifted through mile upon
mile of virgin forests of pine and fir;
where nature, most efficient of nurses
and most wholesome of medicines
surest of cures for the hot, tired,
weary, run down or mentally dis
couraged of city dwellers-reigns su-
preme."
How descriptive of just what we
have here in Maine. Yet it was writ
ten for the New York Times about
municipal camps in California. And
why should California be the first to
think about the community making
such provision? There the people at
small expense may get out into the
''open," rejoice in the life by day and
at evening sit through the long twi-
light, listening drowsily to broken
bits of talk, to the sigh of the wind
in the pines, to the murmur Of the
nearby streams; watching the purple
shadows creep UP. ever up, till they
blot the last faint glow from crest of
lone peak and distant mountain
range"
I'm these camps every person must
give short time each day to work.
Tents and cabins must be put to
rights and vegetable gardens tended,
dishes washed and dried, tables set,
and other camp duties performed.
Such tasks are assigned land each
camper contributes one hour daily.
In this way, and in this way only, is
80 inexpensive an outing provided.
Provided for all who register in time,
that is. For these camps are exceed
ingly popular"
Los Angeles has the credit Of being
first in this work. They made such
success with the first of these, locat-
ed seventy-five miles out in the Ma
tional Forest, that they established a
second. These community camps in
that state are located in a national
forest under permit so that no ex-
pense on account of real estate is re-
quired. The equipment of the camps
is simple and inexpensive. the per-
manent buildings being usually the
kitchen, possibly a dining hail. and
some have a constructed swimming
pool where nature has not provided
st.
Now. right here in Maine, we have
the attraction5s we have one national
park and should have another; we
have sweep of sea and coast,
alluring. inviting with arms to
shelter all the community camps
that may wish to accept the
welcome. Then there are the great
woods. the everlasting hills to say
nothing Of the mountains and the in
land waters like-well, sapphires and
emeralds, il you please.
Were we writing for the unac-
quainted it would be possible to revel
in description, but our readers know
that right here in Maine we have ey-
cry opportunity for as many summer
camps as our communities may care
to establish, the views. the clean air
and pure waters, all the charm and
refreshment the tired souls from the
thickly populated ways should en-
JOY If they would know how good it
is to be really alive.
1t would seem that we have now
arrived at the question why with all
these benefactions right at our doors
We are not availing ourselves of
them? Is is because they are not
needed? To be sure the need is not
as urgent in many instances as may
be found in the great congested GEN.
tiers of human beings, but there is
not one Of US but might find benefits
in such Ravens and very, very many
of us who could SO prolong life and
the enjoyment of it. The healing vir-
tues we prescribe for our guests are
there. Physician. heal myself"