Árdís - 01.01.1953, Blaðsíða 79

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
77
If there is time before the dinner bell, at 12:00 o’clock noon, we have
choral singing, or prepare for the closing night concert.
Usually the first or second night in camp we have a talent
discovery night, as plans for the farewell evening have to be made.
This sort of an evening is a great help for the girls to mix, become
acquainted, and gain confidence. I know many long and loyal
friendships can be made at camp. After a hearty dinner (and
believe me they sure have healthy appetites at camp), the rest
period of one hour in silence, takes place. Then, the afternoon
recreation period; daily swimming and sometimes after, if the
weather is suitable, treasure or scavenger hunts, nature study and
camp trips, trips to the store, competitive ball games, etc.
At five o’clock — supper. The evening program is very varied,
games, stunts, charades, quizzes, dramatics, stories, singing, bonfire
and weiner roasts, with camp fire singing. Other camp features
are a silent supper when the girls don blankets and pose as silent
monks, and not a word is spoken by anyone, regardless. The girls
sure enjoy that along with the backward supper; the table settings,
dessert first; and the campers clothes are put on backwards. The
camp staff all co-operate in this. Often we have one picnic supper.
We try to keep the girls happily busy, and out of the dormitories
as much as possible. Special activities are planned for rainy days.
After 9:15 p.m. we have our evening snack, taps and the Lord’s
Prayer outside. Then to the dormitories to get ready for bed.
At 10:00 o’clock the retiring bell sounds and at 10:15 lights out
and one more healthy happy day at camp has ended. Incidentally,
just after lights out, I usually take a stroll through the dormitories,
bid them goodnight, make sure each girl has enough blankets, and
“All is Well”.
The only sad moment I have seen at camp is the tearful
farewells, brightened by promises of letter writing, and assurances
of being back at camp again next year.
And please, let me, in conclusion, say that camping has grown
to be an important enterprise. As in the past, the future growth
of camps, depends on leaders and counselors of insight and imagina-
tion; for the camp counselor must have sufficient vision to under-
stand that the guidance he gives his youth campers today, depends
the citizenship of the world tomorrow, and the determination for
good or evil in the future of the world.