Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-04
MRS. WESLEY /. BlITHE
On AIDING Poor Children

THE impetus given the impressionable
l. child by intimate and constant contact
with people of force, character, ability and
purpose is the most valuable feature of the
vacations given poor children by the Chill
dren's Country Week Association, according
to Mrs. Wesley L. Blfthe, president of that
body.
'Whcn you consider that the children
affected run from six to twelve years said
Mrs Blithe, (which is conceded to be the
most impreSsionable period in their life, and
that they come from homes and environment
where none of the above mentioned de-
sIrable conditions exist, actually living with
such people as ] have described for n period
of two weeks, the importance of that feature
can be readily seen.
"Thc Country Week Association, while
independent of any other organization;
nevertheless forms connecting link and
works in harmony with other social service
associations Of the city in tacklng one i'm
portant phase of the whole big problem.
Outings Have Lasting Results
eve then not only give n large number
of children each year an outing that improves
their health and gives them lot of pleasure,
but We do an important work IN giving
them a good start at critical period, and
forming in them certain useful ideals and
habits that will stand them in good stead
later on. ,
"Thc association, founded in 1915, started
with annual outings for a dozen children.
1t was more or less an invitation matter in
the early days and handled, Through force
| of circumstances, in a none too scientific
! manner Thus one hostess would write that
she wanted to care for period Tor chubby
| little girl with blue eyes and light hair an
| other preferred brown eyes and red hair,
| while another would designate twins as the
type of guests that she would entertain. 1t
| then resolved itself into a hunt for the type
| of child desired which meant that from
every standpoint desired results were not
| obtained.
Vow we are giving 5000 children a year
! n two weeks outing, we have entire control
! of the matter and we can organize and carry
| out plans in our nine camps and farm cen :
! tcrS that we feel will produce the desired
| results.
! working in CO. operation with social
agencies of known reputation We are able,
supplemented by some investigation on our
mart to select the children who appear to
most need our services.
How Vacation Starts
"A week before going on the vacation
| each child IL carefully cNHmincd by Il
physician as to condition, cleanliness and
other details concerning It's physical stand
ing Just before taking the train to its
destination each child is examined and
having satisfied requirements, Is sent on his
! or her outing
Taken in groups of twenty five to sixty,
/ each Chllu lMlnculHtelS upon arriving dt the
vacation spot comes under certain intlu
rnces, The childish heart, delighted by the
fact that there is something doing, usually
responds.
Each one is shown his quarters, his bed
and other things that will be more or less
important to him during his stay. lie il
tanght to make his bed and required to take
caro- of it. He is introduced to the house
mothcr the cOunselOrs and other people
about the camp with whom he Is going tc
come in contact during his stay.
"RcatiOns having been established and thu
| child having absorbed some Of the atmOS.
nhcrc of the surroundings, he finds hlmsc
facing a program calculated to dcvelOr
order, system good health, good times ant
n score of other important fundamentals fo
his benefit
This program, carried out for two weeks
will do n lot to develop health and character
i'm the young child and give him a purpos,
in life that he probably never had before.
Groups Handled Separately
"But this is not all that is done. GrouD
of boys and girls are handled separately, a
Thus, under the very huppest conditions mr.
much to the happiness and well being of tn
child in later years.
1--WE also have a center for girls from
twelve to seventeen years and n seashor
center at Cape May Point for children an,
mothers, whose health may require tha
kind of climate.
zone OF the great needs Of the city tha
I.w hope some day TO provide is place 70
q. %