New Britain herald., 1929-07-27
THOUSANDS ATTEND
 OLD CAMP MEETING
ForestVile Retreat 64 Years
 Old-0nce Tented City

Before the close of the present week some 10000 people will have attended the camp meeting SCI vices at the Methodist camp ground situ- ated in the wooded hills east Of Forestyille. This camp ground is one Of the oldest Tn the United States having been founded back in the summer of 1865 in the closing days of the Civil war. when the nation was torn by strife. Not one year since that time has meeting been emitted. until at the present time thousands attend from states throughout the union
 In the carly days Of the camp meeting the services were held n he open. rough pine benches be ng used 10 seat the hundreds who 2ame. Straw covered me ground 70 absorb the dampness. Those who stayed during the week lived Tn tents. and for more than 3O years the tented camp meeting came to be known throughout the country.
 Today the camp IS perhaps the most modern of its kind 10 he found anywhere. There are 115 cottages comprising the present meeting place. covering 1 acres of ground. A covered auditorium capable Of seating 1000 people stands in tho center of the grounds Surrounding he structure are 45 church cot lages all owned and supported by Methodist churches in the state, During the camp meeting members of these churches make lhcir home n these houses.
 Recreatonal Facilities
 The athletic and rccrcational fa- ,ilities have not heen neglected dur .ng the growth of the camp and now more than five acres of lanl have been made into an athletic field with ball diamond. tenn,s courts, and children's playground. The playground is modern In every respect and there can be founl nearly every known piece of play ground equipment comparing favor- ably vii h that in some of the states largest parks. The playground is at sufficient distance from the audi. torium so that there is no noise 10 disturb or detract from the meet ngs.
 To take care of the thousands who come and remain for weeks and months, a complete and modern sanitation system has been installed. the sewage disposal plant being without equal at any other camp The camp is situated on a slope so hat there is natural drainage.
 A Well Ordered Resort
 The grounds might be classed as } summer resort, as hundreds re- main in their cottages from Me. morial day until Labor Day. there heing about 90 cottages in addition to the church cottages. The cot. taees are placed about the camp T orderly fashion. avenues having been laid out so that they radiate from the center of the camp simi- larly to the spokes Of a wheel. These avenues are named after ci- ties. A casual visitor is struck by the orderliness and neatness of the camp which is subject 10 rigid rules Of conduct and order with strict enforcement.
 To accommodate the summer campers there are a store and res taurant which remains open during the period of the camp meeting and Chautauqua program. More than 200 people can be taken care of at one sitting at the restaurant.
 The Chautauqua program con- mences at the conclusion Of the camp session and is similar to those conducted throughout the country.
 "Old Time Religion
 There is still to be found that group characterized as the shout