Evening star., 1922-11-05
CAMP IS USEFUL.
Normal School Enterprise
Aids Nature Study.

MRS. S. S. ALBCRT1S, who for
AVl twenty years has been teaching
in the Wilson Normal School of this
city, was the originator of the plans
for the little camp known as the
very popular with the girls of the
various classes. who have enjoyed its
privileges since 1t was built. in 1912.
Mrs. Alburtis is director of the ma
ture-study work at the normal school
and in addition to her regular duties
In that capacity she organized an in
terest in garden work in Washington,
for which the city should be very
grateful. Because OF poor health.
however. and the pressure OF her
academic duties. she found it neces-
sary to reiinquish the supervision Of
the garden work in September of last
year. In accepting Mrs. Alburtis'
resignation from this work, which
was purely voluntary on her part. DR..
Ballou, superintendent of schools.
said:
In accepting the resignation of
Mrs. S. S. Alburtis. in her capacity as
supervisor of school gardens at a
nominal salary of 81 per year. we
1eeply regret that her work at the
Wilson Normal School made it incum-
bent on Mrs. AIburtis to take this
step
The superintendent referred to the
remarkable progress made in school
gardens and nature-Study work In re-
cent years under the valued super
vision of Mrs. Alburtis. given with
the utmost zeal and at great per-
sonal sacrifice. A vote of thanks was
rendered her.
Ali of which would suggest that
there is very broad field for careers
for ambitious girls who have at heart
the interests Of their community as
we'll as their school gardens This
short resume of the patient and de-
tailed labor of Mrs. Alburtis in this
successful work of hers also helps to
understand the fundamental idea be-
hind the building of this charming
little camp. where the members Of
the camp association enjoy many
parties over the week ends. and pres
ent students at the normal school can
enjoy the privileges of getting their
nature-study observation work done
within a radius around comfortable
headquarters.
1t was while on an observation
class expedition along the canal that
some of the girls studying under Mrs.
Alburtis deploTed the necessity for the
long tramps requisite to get all the
material desired. And then they came
upon the spot where the camp now
stands. 1t is near Sycamore Island.
Although the girls themselves built
ard paid for the camp, 1t was on land
under litigation and they now have to
pay rent for the use of the house. The
girls raised the money by giving
lunches. theatrical benefit parties and
the first class of 1912 even donated its
class-night tax to the fund
The drawing class designed the plans
for the little house, and the girls who
use the camp have made all the fur
niture in it themselves. The father
f.f iNt ~
that first class, made the chimney for
IL, and the class in mathematics work
ed out the project of the cost of all
ms terials. The class then organized
itself into club known as the Nor
NAL School Camp Association, with
officers and house and grounds COM
mittees.
AS time passed there were many
changes in the membership of the
club, and at present only four Of the
original seventy girls in the club are
members. They are Mrs. Agnes Solem
Buchanan, Miss Natalie Further. Miss
Anna Heider and Miss Marian Ander-
son Newman. Mrs. Alburtis and Miss
Helen Wise are the two original fac
ulty members who are still with the
club Miss Alvina Carroll. secretary
to DR.. Ballou. is also charter men,
Der of the organization. The club
officers this year are Miss Emile
Moss, president; Miss Marian Ander-
son Newman, vice president: Miss
Elsie Green, secretary. and Miss M.
Alvina Carroll, treasurer. There are
twenty-five girls in the club.
This girls camp has been the scene
of many pleasant gatherings. at some
of which world-famous men and
women have enjoyed its hospitality
and endowed 1t with historic memo
ries. John Burroughs, the great
American naturalist. spent number
Of pleasant hours there and taught
the members how to bake clans
properly. Ever since then the club
has held clambakes. using Mr.. Bur-
roughs' splendid recipe. Among the
many well known local people who
have visited at the camp are Mrs.
Ellen Spencer Mussey, Commissioner
Oyster. former School Supts. Davidson
and Thurston, DR.. Wells w. Cooke
and present Supt. Frank Ballou.
The members of the Audubon So
ciety have for several years now made
the camp their objective when on
their spring walks and hundreds of
teachers and children connected with
the public schools have recollections
Of delightful afternoons spent at this
charming spot.
Even although much building on
neighboring lots has rather dimmed
the charm OF the location, the camp
is still prime favorite with the girls
and those In the nature study classes
look forward with keen anticipation
to trips out there.