Evening star., 1949-08-28
Girl Describes
Conference at
Hood College
Prise Contribution
By Louro Peck, II
Anocostio Hioh School


Among the many lucky boys
and girls who went to camps and
conferences this summer. I was
delegate at Hood College in
Frederick, Md, for a week and it
was one of the most. wonderful
experiences I have ever had.
Most of the delegates were
there for the first, time and didn't
know what a church conference
would be like. There were others
who were second-year delegates
and a few who were third-year
delegates. as was.
The schedule for each day was
planned and we rose each morning
at 6:45. After dressing and max
ing our beds, we went to morning
watch, which was a portion Of our
day set aside for personal medi-
tation, reading the Bible and
prayer.
Hood is a girls college and the
campus is very pretty. Three
dormitories, the chapel, the Ii
brary, the alumni hall, the Y hut,
the observatory and the new gym
nasium are all conveniently ar
ranged. The rose arbor, shrubs
and shade trees add much to the
appearance Of the grounds.
Our councillors were all expert
enced Christian leaders and they
made our week of camp lots of
fun. We had two classes in the
morning. They were very inter-
esting and many different courses
were offered. I chose one on
stewardship, which dealt with the
usage OF our time. talents and
money. and a course on "The
Teachings of Jesus"
Tug-of- War Ends Games.
The afternoons were devoted to
recreation and commission work.
There were four commissions i.
faith and life. stewardship, out
reach and fellowship. One Of the
big events was the faculty VS..
students baseball game. Twelve
tennis courts were there for our
use also and the track event went
over with a bang! Both girls and
boys were allowed to- participate.
The event closed with a giant tug
of-war between the boys and girls.
There were about 10 Of us tugging
when the rope broke.
Our 65-voice choir was quite
popular during conference. Our
director and organist were excel
lent and inspired us to do our
best. Mrs. Anne Kylin, our camp
organist and leader Of the class
called Drama and Pageantry in
the Church. is also the organist
Of the church I attend. On our
first night there she gave a
dramatization of the Book of
Ruth. She has memorized the
whole book and gives it word for
word.
The Rev. Mr.. Jeans, pastor of
Tabor Presbyterian, was our YES
pers speaker and I know all the
boys and girls will remember him
for his ready smile, friendly ways
and wonderful sermons. We had
our vespers in q beautiful amphi-
theater on the campus.
Candlelight Service.
Hood conference is noted for its
inspirational candlelight service
held on the last night. One must
see it to really appreciate it.
When darkness had fallen the
delegates formed q huge circle
around a cross Of candles in the
ground. The. camp director, the
Rev. Franklin B. Gillespie, stood
at the head of the cross with a
candle which represented the light
Of God. He lighted the candles Of
the four commission chairmen,
who were stationed near the cross.
They in turn lit the candles Of
the student council delegates In
the huge circle surrounding the
cross. Every one with q lit can
die then turned to the person to
his left and lit their candle and
so on around the circle until each
delegate had a candle that was
Pickering out into the darkness.
There were 220 of US and all our
lights shown brightly.
The Rev. Gillespie then told us
to turn our backs to the cross and
when we had done this all we
could see was our one small can
die flashing into the darkness.
We left Hood with regret, for IN
that week we tasted life border
ing on perfection. Many delegates
made the decision there to be-
come full time, Christian workers.
Camp was truly a wonderful ex-
perience and I am very grateful
to those who made it possible for
me to 60. II more boys and girls
were given the opportunity to go
to camp, this world would indeed
be better place to live IN.