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SCHOOL CAMPS AT PILGRIM FORT, GATERHAM.
School camps were held, as usual, during the summer months
at Pilgrim Fort, Caterham, which is situated about 800 feet above
sea level. At the beginning of this year a new cookhouse was
built and equipped with a large coal-burning range and, at the same
time, a heating stove was installed in the hall which is used for
lessons and as a dining room.
A new scheme, whereby the arrangements for caretaking and
catering are controlled by the Education Committee, has been
adopted.
The Fort has accommodation for 40 children to camp at one
time and, in cases where one school is unable to provide this number,
two schools combine, each sending a party of 20.
There are about 20 weeks in the year during which it is practicable
to send school parties to Pilgrim Foit, but school holidays
fall during six of these. In 1937, 15 weekly camps were held;
Croydon school camps during 11 weeks, a Slieerness school party,
and children from the Public Assistance Committee's Homes during
the other 4 weeks. The following is a list of the Croydon schools
which sent parties to Pilgrim Fort, with the number of children
from each school:—
Ashburton Senior Mixed (Boys) 44
Kingsley Senior Boys' 42
Kingsley Senior Girls' 48
Oval Senior (Boys) 40
Oval Senior (Girls) 41
Portland Senior Girls' 43
South Norwood Junior Boys' 40
Sydenham Junior Boys' 40
Tavistock Senior Boys' 44
Waddon Senior (Boys) 35
Waddon Senior (Girls) 41
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On each occasion, two teachers were in charge.
All the children in School camps are medically examined before
proceeding to the Fort and the blankets in which they sleep are
disinfected each week.
During the year several Scout groups and other organisations
also camped there for week-ends, thus bringing the season's total
of visitors up to 650.