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KIWANIS FRESH AIR CAMP

Niles Kiwanis Club was formed in 1922. In 1924, Mr. John Wilder, Niles industrial leader, was president of the Niles Kiwanis Club. He was largely responsible for involving all Trumbull County Kiwanis clubs in this new venture. They set up a Fresh Air Camp for special children.

Dr. C. B. King was appointed chairman of the camp committee, and through the efforts of the joint committee, the camp closed its first season, already a decided success.

In 1926, Al Engle was chairman for the Niles committee, and due to objections of the State Board of Health which claimed the camp site was damp, a new and beautiful site on A four-acre wooded campsite on the north side of Mines Road, about a half mile east of the Niles-Cortland Road was purchased for $2,400 and a stock company formed. The mess hall was moved from the old site to the new, and a new dormitory was erected. The camp has been operated at the Mines road site continuously since that time. At this time, the Hubbard and Newton Falls clubs dropped out, preferring to follow their own local activity.

The camp was established to provide a healthy atmosphere for children from 6-12 years old who needed dental work, had nutritional deficiency, or might be susceptible to tuberculosis infection. They were chosen by Ann Llewellyn, the county public health nurse and they stayed at the camp from six to eight weeks.

A 80 foot deep well, equipped with an automatic electric pump, supplied plenty of pure water. There was a mess hall, and a dorm that housed the boys at one end and the girls at the other end. The office and personal quarters of the supervisor were in the center of the building. There were four paid supervisors and three volunteer staff who helped teach the children to be kind, helpful and thoughtful at all times. Volunteers guided the children in playing games, doing art work, caring for the pets of the camp, and also they told stories around the camp fire. The recreational equipment was donated by business and individuals. There was a tree house built in 1933 and rested on three sturdy tree trunks about 30 feet in the air. The long sloping stairway beckoned the youngsters to visit this adventurous area.

The Fresh Air Camp did wonders for every one of its young campers. Every child gained weight, was stronger and had a much healthier body at the end of the season. Their strict daily routine was a very important factor in making this project uniquely successful. By 7:30 every morning they had brushed their teeth, washed their face and put their clothes on and were ready for breakfast, which consisted of cooked cereal, fruit, bread and milk. Lunch was a full dinner and the evening meal consisted of soup, sandwich, fruit and milk. Mary Lukick was the camp cook for many years and served very healthy meals.

One of the first improvements included recreational equipment --seesaws, swings, slides and sandbox. Another year the camp acquired a new bathhouse made of stone block and contained a hot water heater. Also WPA-designed toilets were installed.

Of course, the campgrounds would not have been complete without a tree house. In 1933, one was built which rested on three sturdy tree trunks and it was about 30 feet up in the air. A long sloping staircase beckoned the youngsters to visit this adventurous area and the young campers anxiously awaited their turn to sleep over night in the tree house.

Over the years the children readily adopted pets, including, “Laddie” the camp mascot and a pony named “Blossom”. For many of the children, this was the first time any had made contact with a live animal. It must have taken a great deal of patience on the part of some staff to train the children to love and share the pets as well as taking care of their daily needs. Laddie was a big friendly Shepherd dog. He made the camp his home by choice and he came to mean a lot to the kiddies and to the staff. Each night he took his position at the door of the dormitory building as sentinel and guardian. When the alarm rang in the morning, Laddie made it his duty to see that all the children got up. He made the rounds and pulled the covers off of anyone who remained asleep and barked at them until his efforts took effect.

Over the years, many people volunteered and gave financial assistance. By 1940 the camp could accommodate 72 children. Soon however, World War II broke out and that program, like many other community projects had to be put on hold. Now, all that remains are memories and a picture that hangs on the wall in the Westenfield Room at the Niles Historical Society Ward-Thomas Museum.

Chairmen of the Niles committee for the camp since 1926 have been: Walter F. MacQueen, 1927; Jack Stafford, 1928; John Wilder, 1929; Dr. G. A. Woodworth, 1930 and ’31; P. T. Alfonsi, 1932, ’33, ’34.
Camp officers for this year were Harry L. Cook of Niles, president; C. E. Inman of Warren, secretary and treasurer.
Camp committee for 1934 from the three clubs participating were as follows:
Warren: C. E. Inman, chairman, William Atkins, W. B. Craig, A. L. Oakes, William McFarland, and P. G. Laughlin.
Girard: Dr. Thomas K. Jones, chairman, Dr. D. R. Williams, Dr. H. E. Chalker, Dr. Joseph F. Nagle, Dr. G. L. Moore, and George Davis.
Niles: P. T. Alfonsi, chairman, H. T. Eaton, Dr. J. R. Hoffman, W. E. Jones, H. L. Cook, and F. E. Tout.

The new camp, while covering only a few acres, is a choice beautify spot and centrally located. Beautiful, large shade trees cover the entire premises, allowing just the right amount of sun and shade. This results in the children developing a healthy coat of sun tan without any painful sunburn.

There are two main buildings. One is the dormitory building which is divided in the middle, one side for the boys and the other for the girls. The other building housed the kitchen and dining room. Both of these places are kept spotlessly clean and absolutely free from all flies and insects at all times.

A small shelter in the yard covers a unique shower system. The water is heated by means of a coal stove attached to a hot water storage tank, the kind used in homes.

An abundance of fresh, cool, pure water is supplied by an 80 foot well equipped with an automatic electric pump. The water and milk are tested weekly in a Warren laboratory.

Recreation equipment includes seesaws, swings, slides, and a sand box.

Accommodates 36 Children
A total of 36 children are accommodated for a period of 9 weeks during each summer. Of this total, 8 children are from Niles, 8 from Girard, 8 from Warren, and 12 from the county. It was in 1932 through the cooperation of the Trumbull County Health League that 10 children from the county at large were selected in addition to the regular quota from the three clubs. In 1933, the health league continued this policy and in 1934 the number from the county at large was increased to 12, in addition to the quota from each club. The purpose is to benefit the undernourished and underprivileged children of the county, to improve their health, and build up their resistance against disease.

Children Happy
Naturally one would think that children of this age (12 years is the age limit) would be homesick when kept away from their families for so long. However, after the first week, there are never any cases of homesickness, and when the kiddies are asked if they would like to go home, a loud chorus of “noes” is their emphatic answer.

The effect on the children each year has been outstanding. Not only does each child gain weight, but they take on a sturdy, healthy look, and their resistance is built up to help them in future months and future years.