NATIONAL CAMPS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
ltt,—In your columns lately several well-known headmasters
• e reaffirmed their desire for a closer contact between the ublie Schools and the life of the masses to-day. Club, tlement and Scout work has been referred to—most of it 'nimble though, too often, restricted in appeal by fixed eas and too rigid organization. Permit me to offer a plea r a piece of work which appears to offer exactly the scope hich the Public Schools are now seeking. Again and again we are reminded of the great number of ung men and women who, since leaving school during the -War period of trade stagnation, have found no oppor- nity to enter industry. In the Devonport district alone is said that such cases exist in thousands. Now, while ttlements, Y.M. & Y.W.C.A. centres and the like provide teres-ts for the discerning few and others are filling their e with technical training, a youthful army, the size of eh we hardly realize, is drifting into an attitude of " don't re," most ominous for the future. The horizon of these future citizens might be lightened very nsiderably by an act of fellowship coming from the Public hoots, and the most feasible means appear to be a number of e summer camps, on the model of the American Chatauqua. ese should be something much bigger than the usual Ida Camp ; perhaps five hundred campers in each uld be an economic unit. The organization should be Ronal and should be based on the broadest and most demo-; tie lines.
h°011.flasters, University men and others with administra- exPerience would be needed to lecture and direct, and boys from the Public Schools--particularly those who ha ye attended the Duke of York's camp—should give special support in the organization of games, canteen service, &e. Men's camps should be near some piece of work which could be undertaken for a local authority—the clearing of a water- course or building of a breakwater ; and women's camps might be in fruit-growing areas. By these means some con- tribution towards upkeep might be earned.
As to the daily programme, let forenoons be given to class- work in subjects such as Scientific Prog-s, World History, Literature and Hygiene ; and the afternoons to team work on some job or to athletics. Get leaders in social progress to give talks and the Arts League of Service to give plays. Use the words " National Camps," and make them really expres- sive of the country's will to win through.—I am, Sir, &c., Fircroft, Bournville, Birmingham. S. B. MEYER.
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