Evening star., 1948-08-01
.YWCA Offers
'Stay-at-Home'
Camp Program
Youngsters Enjoy
Varied Activities
Bv Frances Lide

By Frances Lide
The setting was an Indian village.
CYou could tell that from the teepee
in the background and the camp
fire laid in the center of the room)
From a nearby piano came the
rhythm of an Indian war dance,
thumped out by a very young
"squaw" (who could be identified
from the war paint, looking suspi-
ciously like lipstick, streaked across
her plump cheeks)
In a few moments, the campfire
was encircled by ring of figures,
a few with bands across their fore
head, one in full Indian dress and
most with paint literally smeared
on their faces. A narrator an
nounced the approach of two
braves" And the drama was on.
1t took 5 minutes or more for the
story to unfold; then, with due cere-
mony, the fire was lighted.
Suddenly some one produced
bag of marshmallows. The atmos-
sphere changed like magic. Solemn
Indians turned into chattering mag
pies, and the ceremonial gave way to
a typical marshmallow roast.
This was my introduction to
Camp Stay-at- Home, which is be-
ing conducted from Tuesdays
through Thursdays at the Young
Women's Christian Association,
Seventeenth and K streets NV.
los Enrolled
The Indian theme was carried out
in connection with the regular camp
craft period. And the small camp
fire. carefully built in a metal con-
tainer filled with sand in the bot
tom, added realistic touch to a
program that has kept 105 young
sters happy for the past four weeks.
The mornings are given over to
such activities as handicraft and
creative dramatics. The afternoons
are crowded with swimming lessons
in the YWCA pool, tennis instruc-
ton IN the gym, modern dancing
and classes in posture, polse and
personality"
Family Day was being observed
during my visit and delighted moth
ers exchanged testimonials on the
benefits of the camp.
ut is an all-day program, you
know" one of them volunteered.
my children enjoy every minute
of it. When they come home in the
afternoon, they are happy and tired
enough not to want to do anything
else"
Another, who had worked with
similar groups, had high praise for
the supervision. The leadership Is
excellent" she commented. Il
haven't worked with girls this age,
but I know enough about 1t to rec
ognize that the directors here are
really tops"
It wasn't necessary to interview
the Youngsters to get their reaction
Despite the presence of their moth
ers. they gave undivided attention
to whatever happened to be going
on at the moment.
+ Some of those in the handlcratt
class had their fingers deep in
plaster of Paris as they made casts
for what ultimately will serve as
book ends, bearing the print OF
their hands. Others were stitching
on aprons. A 13-year-old, who was
making a skirt, slipped out to use
one of the VS. sewing machines.
! Asked what they learned in the
posture, poise and personality
! classes. a young teen-ager eX-
blamed: I'VE study things like walk
ing down stairs and now to intro
duce people. We practice manners
and. when we do something wrong,
our teacher corrects u.s."
Play Produced
/ Few of the campers had more fun
than a young group which staged a
production of Sleeping Beauty.
Everybody wore costumes-some
furnished by the Y, others brought
from home. And nobody minded
when the props had to be 1mpro-
vised. A revolving piano stool made
an excellent substitute for a spin
ming wheel. And the sound effects
were superb, as the entire cast
Joined in to reproduce the walls OF
the infant princess during her
christening ceremony.
The lunch hour is happy period
at Camp Stay-at-Home. The girls.
who bring their own lunches and
may buy milk or a soft drink, divide
into age groups. Some remain IN
their camp" quarters. Others go
out into the patio between the
YWCA and Strong Residence, while
still others gather in Farragut
square across the street.
Before they 60 back to camp,
everybody must take a rest.
The camp is opened each morn
ing with an assembly and ends with
a gathering in Barker Hall Tor sing
| ing and announcements.
Miss Rena Brown, who is CO.
ordinator of the camp program, has
the assistance of professional mem
bers of the YWCA staff, several
professional instructors and three
or four volunteers. The girls pay a
$40 fee, which covers a medical
examination and the cost of ma