Green Mountain Camp - Post 6

[Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry regarding Green Mountain Camp]

[January 3, 1918 - Boston, Mass continued]
     That night we arrived at camp rather late - that is, after eight and the five or six girls with me helped with the express cart & its load bound for camp. The darkness was great, and we had one lantern between us to light our way over boulders and through mud holes. The load was extremely heavy, and difficult, as the handle was not at all stable. Two or three of us finally pulled off our shoes & stockings, to make it more comfortable walking through the puddles! Finally the cart was left in the road for the next party to deal with. 
     Arrived at camp all were hungry as bears - for it was after nine then & we commenced a fire. Suddenly we bethought ourselves of the possibility of another party without a light. Back we trudged, but were home again as soon as possible to partake of delicious scrambled eggs & bread & butter.
     Other motor trips & picnics included: Sunset Lake (North Pond) on a Sunday afternoon to avoid general homesickness, when families visited a favored few; a supper party at the Bradley's house, where a last first aid class was given, & final examination taken of each girl by Dr. Burnett.
     On cool evenings we enjoyed sitting about a camp fire, telling stories & playing games - such as drop the handkerchief, Roman Soldiers, etc. One warm evening, a large number played base ball with Mr. Moffit as the [illegible] sport.
     One evening a big thunderstorm kept most of us inside - and then games kept the girls occupied. At frequent intervals, and nearly every day a storm came up at some time. Practically every trip was interrupted by a sudden shower.
     On our last evening, after the Bradley's party, the night was warm & very clear with a beautiful new moon shining over the water. We sat together in the full enjoyment of the scene & sang songs. Every girl felt the spell of the evening, and must have had a realization of our intimacy and all that it meant in the camp life. Some particularly had found companionship undreamed of & a phase of broader vision on life than heretofore had touched them.
     It was with great preparation and bustle that camp broke up the next morning and at the same time with a sensibility of true friendship between us all.

Green Mountain Camp - Health Talk

[end of journal entry for 1917 camp season]

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell

Green Mountain Camp - Post 3

 [Grace Ware Holbrook Journal Entry regarding Green Mountain Camp]
[January 3, 1918 - Boston, Mass continued]
     The first afternoon Dr. Grace Burnett examined the girls who had not brought certificates. Later, a few went in swimming, the rest watching and waiting, to see the effects; some were not allowed to swim, but others were sceptical [sic] owing to reports of the "dangerous pond." A twenty-five-foot portion being roped off to prevent the possibility of going out over one's depth, and someone of responsibility always being on hand at the swimming hour proved enough, and soon all those who could, were longing to learn to swim and never missed a day.
     The first day acquaintance was not easy, for many of the girls never having been out of their homes were naturally shy with so many strangers about. Their first night's experience at sleeping out caused them to be up or at least wide awake at dawn. each proceeding night their sleep improved till in three or four days they slept soundly till the rising bell sounded at six o'clock.
     First of all with bloomers over their nightgowns, they had calesthenics [sic] in the barn with Helen Bradley. Each day a certain number were portioned to a duty, & four girls set the tables for the day, and helped the cook with the food preparation.
     Breakfasts were of cereal, fruit sometimes, and eggs, also cocoa and bread. Inspection at nine oclock of all the tents meant that everything should be neat - no str**gs etc on the ground, bags and shoes under the beds, and all else out of sight with the exception of a small piece of oilcloth on which were laid each each person had on her bed with her toothbrush and comb and brush.


to be continued...

© 2010, copyright William C. Haskell