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''Each group deposited from £6 to £8 in Bank which was drawn
out in small sums as required by boys.
"An issue of approximately 90 Library Books was made to each
group. The books were excellent and evidently chosen with great
care—just the books boys wanted to read. Post Office and First Aid
arrangements worked splendidly.
"All travelling took place on Saturdays. There was excellent
transport from Walthamstow to Waterloo, and very comfortable
travelling in reserved carriages from Waterloo to Portsmouth
Harbour. The boats were invariably crowded as were the carriages
on the Isle of Wight Railway. (Saturday is a busy day for traffic
on the Island.)
"Food.— The food was good, wholesome, well cooked, and there
was plenty of it. With very slight variations, the food for Masters
and Boys was the same. The camp provided mugs and plates, the
Masters and Boys had to supply knives, forks and spoons. All Mess
duties were carried out by Masters and Boy Orderlies, who worked
in rota. Meals: Breakfast, 8a.m.; Dinner, 1p.m.; Tea, 5p.m.;
Supper, 8 p.m.
"Weather.— The weather during the whole Camp period was
splendid and greatly added to the happy and beneficial time which
each boy undoubtedly enjoyed.
"Tone and Discipline.— Tone and Discipline were excellent and
the most cordial relations existed between the boys and the villagers.
The boys, mainly drawn from the poorest homes, entered very
quickly into the spirit of camp life and learned many valuable
lessons. A few boys in each group were weaklings, but fortunately
the weather was very kind for them.
"Lessons.— A comprehensive scheme of work was adhered to in
accordance with a time-table which included lessons in Health
and Morals.''
(d) Open Air Classrooms in Public Elementary Schools.—
There are four open air classes at the following Departments—Forest
Road Junior Boys (38), and Girls (39), and two at Coppermill Road
Junior Mixed (75), attended by the numbers of children shown.
M iss Wilde (Forest Road Girls' Department) notes:— "Remarkably
beneficial results, the children's spirits improve with their
general health with a corresponding improvement in their attendance
and capacity to benefit from their lessons. Many parents have
visited the school to express gratification at the improvement in
their children's health."