Evening star., 1936-08-15

beds!" chimed In Clyde. age 7, who
had joined the group. But we sleep
in real beds and have sheets and big
blankets and the windows are all wide
open so we get lot of fresh air. And
say" he lowered his voice. You don't
have to go out doors to the bath room.
It's right next door and four showers
in the same room, with hot and cold
water"
OUCH luxury was too much for the
new arrival. He had to see for him
self. So they strolled of to inspect
this juvenile paradise
There is a merry little creek which
does duty as a swimmin' hole down at
the corner of the camp grounds, while
play paraphernalia includes slides,
swings, teeters, trapeze. sand piles,
merry-go-rounds, marbles, tennis.
horSeshoes and skipping ropes.
But the vacation is not a childish
orgy Of eating and play. A routine
which includes recreation, duties and
rest periods is carefully followed. Up
at 7, they breakfast in the sunny din
ing hall. At 8 they respectfully watch
the American flag glide to the top of
the fiagpole. From to 10 they help
with the dishes, set the table, sweep the
floor and make the beds. Then an hour
of hiking, swimming, nature studying
or organized playtime.
Dinner is at II. Then quiet from
las to 2;45. The babies sleep and the
older ones read. Playtime from 3 until
445, when the lid is off and they can
yell as loud as they wish. Fifteen min
utes to clean up and then supper. At
the flag is lowered, an hour of quiet
entertainment follows and by $3.50 the
camp is fast asleep.
This well-organized camp Is the
reality of an ideal held by Mrs. John
S. Bennett. Deciding. three years ago,
that the time had come to translate
ideals into action, she, in cooperation
with the Women's Guild of the Central
Union Mission, raised enough TO buy
the 238 acres which comprises Mission
Farm. Another campaign and there
was enough money to build. Ten we'll
constructed buildings sprang up. and
the first group Of children went to
Camp Bennett in July, 1894. They are
sent in groups of 88 and are changed
every two weeks. Churches, organiza-
tionS and clubs furnish names of the
un1erprivileged children.
THE large central building houses the
dining room. library and recreation
hall and up-to-date kitchen. The pan
try is we'll stocked with boxes of cereal.
canned fruit and vegetables, cookies
and crackers. An extra large refrigera-
tor holds sides of beef and veal, gallons
Of milk, pounds OF butter, fresh fruit
and vegetables.
A flagstone walk, made by the chill
dren, leads down to the girls quarters,
Soroptimist Lodge and the Mrs. Will
liam H. Ramsey Lodge Each dormitory
has % clean white beds with mattress,
pillows, sheets and blankets. Wide win
dows give plenty of air. and there is
matron'S room at each lodge. The
lodges are connected by a large room
with modern bath facilities. The boys
quarters are similar and are at the left
Of the main building. Other lodges
take care of the resident director, Miss
Sara Evans: the housekeeper. Mrs.
Olivia Reed, and the five councillors
who have been selected from the ranks
of school teachers.
Over 5000 children have been We
cationed at Camp Bennett since its
opening. and Mrs. Bennett said: I'VE
give them plenty of fresh air and play
time, plus the four staples in food
milk, eggs, bread and butter We Weigh
the children in and out and they gain
from 5 to 10 pounds during their two
week stay with us. Next year we hope
to have 1,500 children at camp during
the season"