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and bed-time community singing alternated with story reading,
and the change retained the popularity of both. Indoor games
were noticeable during the whole month only by their absence.
Morning by morning throughout the month would see the
keenest rivalry to prove which tent, in cleanliness and tidiness,
should be the best of the day. Were any added incentive necessary,
it was certainly provided by the special prizes given for the
best tent in each period.
Every effort was made to introduce as much variety as possible
in the menu, but in this matter very careful experiment is
needed, for due consideration must be given on the one hand to
the cooking facilities available and on the other to the tastes of
the boys. Among other changes, both cooked and uncooked green
food were introduced as opportunity offered.
One prominent feature of this year's Camp was the new bathhouse,
a great improvement both as regards beauty and utility
on any previous structure.
Miss Wise reports—
It is with great pleasure that I present this Tenth Annual
Report of the Girls' Camp, held this year at East Cowes, Isle of
Wight.
The party consisted of 259 girls and 11 staff, and we travelled
on Saturday, 10th August.
The journey was most enjoyable, and the facilities afforded
us by the railway company made it very easy and pleasant.
Although an early start from Plaistow had to be made, no one
was late, and all were checked in and ready for the train at 6.23
a.m. To save the awkward journey from Plaistow to Waterloo,
and the difficulty of dealing with a big crowd of children at such
a terminus, the railway company arranged for the party to travel
direct from Plaistow to Southfields, and to change there into a
special non-stop train to Portsmouth. The children enjoyed the
novelty of the boat trip from Portsmouth to Ryde, and the last
train journey from Ryde to Whippingham, the nearest station for
camp, was impatiently borne as the excitement of nearing East
Cowes grew greater.
The East Cowes Camp is situated in a beautiful spot about
a mile and a half from the sea ; the River Medina is seen from the
playing fields, which cover about sixteen acres.
The buildings consist of four well-built dormitories, with
staff quarters, bathroom, etc., attached, and communicating with
one another by a covered way. A large marquee served as dining
room. There is also a house with staff dining room, kitchens,
and additional accommodation.
As it is a much smaller camp than Dymchurch, we had the
advantage of being the only party there, and had our numbers
been fewer, one of the buildings would have been kept as a recreation
room or dining room for wet weather.
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