The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-09-05
Eleanor Roosevelt
GIRL SCOUT ENCAMPMENT

1reQuenteQ. Inc western Heml-
sphere Girl Scout Encampment,
near Otis, Mass, is situated on a
lake, with plenty of trees to shade
the tents and cabins. When we ar
rived, the girls, representing "a
states and 16 countries, greeted us
through three of their representa-
tives and then everyone passed by
and shook hands.
After this, we started an inspec-
ton of the whole camp, which meant
walking for nearly an hour and a
half, pleasant activity after the
long drive.
My cousin, Mrs. Lyman Delano,
went with me, which made the
whole day especially enjoyable. She
recently resigned as chairman of the
committee which arranges for these
international encampments, but she
is still vice chairman and has a
keen interest in scouting. My
friends, Mrs. Arthur Choate and Mrs.
Frederick Brooke, were both there
and saw many other familiar
faces.
PLENTY OF ACTIVITY
Craft work is carried on in all the
tents and the girls do great deal
of swimming, boating and hiking.
I thought it particularly good that
each unit cooked at least one meal
day and ate it in their own open
air dining room, for this gives
chance for familiarity with outdoor
cooking conditions. The girls who
live in what they call the enchanted
forest, which is lovely grove of
hemlock trees some distance from
the main building, cook their own
breakfast and supper.
Camp Bonnie Brae has stable
and number of horses with very
able teacher in attendance. I think
this is the only Girl Scout camp I
have ever visited where the girls
could learn to ride. 1t has proved
so popular that nearly a hundred
girls signed up for this particular
activity.
None of them have had as many
hours on horseback as would be re-
quired for really adequate training,
but most of them have learned
something about the handling and
care of horses, very good founda-
ton on which to build for future
horsemanship.
We all lunched together in the
main building and I was glad to see
again Mrs. Leigh-White from Eng
land, who has visited many of the
other countries in this hemisphere
since we met last year. Mayor Put
nam of Springfield, Mass, was very
kind and drove Mrs. Delano and me
to the city, while state trooper
drove my car. At the broadcasting
station, was presented with a beau
tiful wooden key to the city. I took
part in the broadcast which went
out to the other groups of Girl
Scouts throughout the country, and
which I think was later repeated to
South and Central American coun-
tries.
The drive home into most beau
tiful sunset sky, was unforgettable.
arrived little after eight, some
what weary, but very happy to have
taken part in this celebration.
PLEASANT VISIT
When ! reached Hyde Park one
evening, I found Mrs. Dorothy
Roosevelt and her youngest daugh-
ter, Janet, had driven from Yer
mont to spend the night with us.
They had visited the library and had
a swim, in spite of the chilly wealth
er which persisted through this
week.
We talked all evening. Next morn
ing, in spite of the rain, sent my
little niece over to the stables to
try to get ride, for she is very
fond of horses. They left us at
noon to take plane back to De-
troit, Mich.
Again we had to shift party over
to the big house, which I had
planned to have out of doors at the
cottage. The rainy weather is max
ing this habit with us. This party
was given by group of Democratic
workers in honor of Mrs. Edward
Conger, who has been vice president
of our Democratic county committee
for long while.
She has given active and devoted
service, not only doing work here
in this county, but being called upon
often to speak in nearby counties
and to help with organization. Mrs.
Conger has many loyal friends and,
since she feels she must resign be-
cause of i'll health, we felt we want
ed to do something to show our
appreciation of her services.
The party was a great success and
/ hope she enjoyed it as much
as we enjoyed having an opportuni-
ty to see her and thank her for
the inspiration she has given us over
q long period.
BACK TO WASHINGTON
A little after FIVE, Miss Thompson
and were on our way to New
York city. We had dinner at o,,r