Health Suggestions for Camp Meeting by L. A. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1914

Health Suggestions for Camp Meeting

By L. A. H.

THIS is the time of camp meetings, and also the time for a few reminders on what to do and what not to do from a health standpoint. The camp meeting season need not be one of danger to health. Most of our conferences observe great care in providing the best health conditions at these gatherings.

We shall take it for granted that the camp officials are making general provision for camp sanitation. A suitable location is secured, high and dry, away from river bottoms, marshes, dumping grounds, manufacturing establishments, or objectionable living sections. The important matter of proper water supply receives attention, and either we are assured that the water is pure and safe, or provision is made for boiling all that is used for drinking purposes, taking care that it is not made unsafe by the use of impure ice in cooling it. The disposal of garbage is arranged for by placing covered receptacles to receive it, and appointing a man to see that the receptacles are used and that they are duly emptied. Sanitary toilets are also provided, made fly proof, and supplied with disinfectants. A health officer or a sanitary committee is appointed to look after the things that make for health.

After all has been done that can be done by those in charge of the camp to safeguard the health of the campers, there are precautions to be observed by individuals. Instead of being the occasion of sickness, the camp meeting may be one of physical benefit and recreation, as well as a spiritual uplift and blessing.

Plan for the meeting beforehand. Count it a vacation if you wish, and arrange definitely for it, planning to stay through the whole meeting. Think of it as an essential part of the annual program. Look forward to it gladly, expectantly. Prepare to receive a spiritual blessing. Prepare to get physical benefit. Prepare to enjoy the meeting in general.

Take with you a good supply of bedding. Plan for a bed raised from the ground. Have a floor in the tent. Two or three small rugs will be desirable.

Clothing should be ample to provide against any kind of weather that may come. Have warm underwear and sufficient outer garments for cool evenings and mornings. Don't forget rubbers to use in case of rain. Umbrellas should be taken.

Probably all our camps have dining tents or provision for supplying cooked food. The bill of fare is usually planned for health. Where it can be afforded, it is better to use the camp cooking facilities than to cook in the living tents; it will save time and labor.

If food is taken from home, let it be of the strictly healthful kind. Leave at home the things that are at all questionable. Canned fruits are in place; rich jams, pickles, and preserves are not. Do not make camp meeting a picnic affair. At least one warm meal a day should be provided. Be very careful about using left-over foods. Dry foods make good camp meeting food; they do not easily spoil, are quite digestible, require thorough chewing, and prevent hasty eating.

It is a part of healthful living that the food be palatable and relished. Do not go through a camp meeting season on a fare that is too restricted in quantity, variety, or preparation. Two weeks of living out of paper bags cannot be for the best.

Bear in mind that attending meetings all day, sitting most of the time, is quite different from working at hard labor in either the house or the field. The quantity of food required is different, and one should eat accordingly. It is easy to overeat at almost any time. At camp meeting it may be more so, and the results are especially bad.

Try to get some exercise every day. Watch the bowels, guarding against either looseness or constipation. Observe regularity in eating and in all daily habits. Do not eat between meals. Do not let ice cream take the place of regular food. Remember that a combination of milk and sugar is not good. The changes in the manner of living while at camp meeting must be guarded at the best. Indulgence or dissipation will be especially liable to cause harm.

The fresh air and sunlight of a camp ground should be beneficial to all. Arrange tents so they may be opened for daily airings and sunnings. Avoid the gathering of dampness under floors or in the contents of tents. See that water does not collect under or around the tent.

Do not put things under the tent floor that will decay or cause bad odors. It does not take much of this, or many days, to create a source of possible serious illness to those of your own tent and to others. Those who take down the tents sometimes find pretty bad testimonials of their occupants. A few steps to the garbage barrel should not stand in the way of the proper disposal of things that should not be in the camp.

Children should have consideration as children. They cannot be expected to attend meetings as constantly as the older people. Wholesome play and recreation are as good at this time as at other times; but, of course, they should be under suitable conditions, and with proper supervision. It would be good for both parents and children to take a little walk together after meals before going to meeting. Children should have their usual amount of sleep.

L. A. H.