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195
School Camps.
The Fifth Annual School Camp organised by the Local Education
Authority was held at Dymchurch, Kent, from 16th June to
14th July.
During the week prior to departure, all children were subjected
to medical examination in order to ensure, as far as possible, that
they were clean, free from infectious disease, and otherwise able to
stand camp conditions.
Children Attending Public Elementary Schools.—In
order to afford the opportunity of an educational holiday at the
seaside to as many children as required such a holiday the parents
of children over 10i years of age were given the opportunity to
avail themselves of the facilities offered.
The school camps for these children were held as follows:—
Girls (216) 16th to 30th June.
Boys (266) 30th June to 14th July.
Children Attending Knotts Green Special School
(64 Boys and Girls).
Realising the health and educational value of school camps in
the case of ordinary school children, the Education Authority wisely
decided to extend the facilities of 1932 to include physically and
mentally defective children attending Knotts Green Special School.
Considerable care is necessary in the selection of such children,
but after the encouraging results of the first camp in 1932, there
was a 50 per cent, increase in the number of children at the second
camp in 1933. These defective children were under the able supervision
and control of Mr. Brewster, who has submitted these observations
on the special school camp:—
"These physically and mentally defective children improved considerably
and enjoyed wonderful health. They achieved enormous appetites
and did ample justice to the camp food, which again was excellent in
quality and quantity.
"The cripples and physically weak—especially in one case whose
"chair" existence has always curtailed his outlook and activities—enjoyed
every minute. This enlargement of their environment and vision, I am
certain, will have a lasting and markedly helpful effect in our efforts to
combat the narrow, cramped and selfish outlook that their physical deformities
foster. The extra work, time and care expended by the staff was
thus amply repaid.