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The evening of Friday, July 19th, saw some two dozen
enthusiastic teachers and other helpers erecting canvas in intermittent
storms of wind and rain. By 11 p.m. they were sitting
down to a well-earned supper by candle light in the small marquee.
Sufficient canvas had, by this time, been put up to cover the
weary sleepers and to put blankets and other stores under shelter.
On Saturday morning a necessary but very unpopular reveille at
6 o'clock enabled an early start to be made on the large marquee,
the erection of which in half a gale of wind needs considerable
care. During the day, however, the weather improved, and the
remainder of the work proceeded satisfactorily until the late
afternoon, when a heavy downpour of rain and general weariness
called a halt for the day. On the following morning another
early start was necessary to complete the essential work of establishing
the Camp. The early evening saw these willing helpers
departing in various conveyances, the less fortunate ones proceeding
to the local station and from there completing the journey
in a crowded excursion train.
The first party of boys numbering 161, mostly from schools
in the north of the Borough, entered the Camp on July 25th in
glorious sunshine, and during the whole of their fortnight's holiday
the same glorious weather prevailed. Great care had to be
taken during the first few days to prevent the serious effect of a
too sudden exposure of tender skins to the rays of the sun, but
the precautions taken happily avoided any severe cases of sunburn.
The change over took place on August 8th, and the difference
between the "brown-skins" who left the Camp in the morning
and the "pale faces" who arrived in the afternoon was very
noticeable. Unfortunately, the day of brilliant sunshine was
followed by a night of torrential rain. This would be most unwelcome
at any time, but coming on the first night of any party of
boys is an experience the Staff has no wish to have repeated.
However, these boys had only another evening of rain during
their fortnight, and although the sun was not quite so consistent,
the weather generally was almost as good as for the previous
party.
During the whole month the health of the boys remained
excellent, and the almost complete absence of tooth-ache does
credit to the inspection by the Medical Department of the children
before proceeding to Camp. The usual amount of home sickness
was experienced—this being mostlv among the junior boys.
The usual outdoor activities were indulged in and proved as
popular as ever—cricket, camp golf, football and rounders—each
game having its particular devotees. The increasing popularity
of the last-named amongst boys of all ages is specially noticeable.
Sea bathing and mud walks were organised according to the
state of the tide, and the usual competitions arranged towards
t c close of each period, these being selected to give the athletic
and non-athletic boys equal chances. In the hour between supper
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