Árdís - 01.01.1949, Síða 21

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
19
minute break, when they gather in the assembly hall to sing songs
new and old and learn new ones as taught by the music director.
The three inspectors, for that day, present their report in some
unique manner—a skit or a ventriloquist reports through his
dummy, or there is a rummage sale of articles found lying about.
These reports are received with hilarity and yet with a certain
amount of anxiety as each cabin group is anxious to attain all
credit points possible while in camp. This gathering finishes with
songs and camp yells.
Again the bell rings for classes and another two half-hour
periods of religious instruction.
The same meal routine repeats itself when dinner comes
around, except there may be greater noise and more hilarious
doings, with many of the instructors and leaders doing stunts. This
may be a harmony quartette led by their cabin leader or a comic
song by an instructor. One outstanding act was performed by a
group leader, a minister. He cleared a spot on our table where he
stood to do a clever balancing act with canes and dishes. You can
imagine how much the boys appreciated such a performance. When
things became a bit too noisy the whistle could produce absolute
silence.
The canteen is particularly popular for post cards, etc. It is
open for ten minutes after each meal.
It was unbelievable how the office bell could perform miracles.
One minute the grounds would be swarming with noisy boys, and
the next minute the whole camp would seem deserted. This, of
course, was the rest period. Some would rest in their cabins, others
would go to the reading room to write letters or study, and many
could be seen working at their models in the art and craft rooms.
In a half hour the bell proclaimed the end of rest-period and
time was now their own for extra study — letter writing, sun
bathing, tennis, swimming, baseball or any other form of recreation,
stamp collecting or exchanging, photography, nature study in
groups, or boys in the field developing muscular skills and team
spirit of co-operation and good sportsmanship. And always the
leaders were nearby to assist and advise when needed.
Following the evening meal, preparation was made for the
daily evening service, by those taking part.
Then came the inspirational highlight of the day — Hillside
Service. This name was given to the evening service because, in
the early days of camp this service was always conducted on the
hillside at Upper Temple when weather permitted. This custom