by Veronica Clarke, who started the Homestead Summer Camp, now called Glimmerview.

The summer camp connection for my daughter, her friend and myself started in the summer of 1980 when she and two college students wanted experience in their chosen field -- education.

Homestead, our rambling old house at Devonshire Bay, was the location. We started with seven children ranging in age from three to ten years, providing a safe, happy, fun-filled environment for the children of working parents.

The camp grew and grew, until we were obliged to relocate.

This we did in August of 1983, when we purchased Glimmerview with almost four acres of play-yard, "jungle,'' and field, later to become a nursery and then a primary school.

What were the necessary ingredients for a successful summer camp? I would say: 1) Imagination; 2) Innovation; 3) Initiation.

For example, children need to use their environment: a clump of trees is a camp; palm leaves are horses; ferns are fans; fallen logs are seats; barriers are bridges; and so on.

We give the children a wide range in initiating activities, while at the same time keeping a low-profile but watchful eye on them.

The title of this article stems from an incident at Homestead. Every Tuesday the children made sandwiches and wrote the name of the filling on sandwich flags.

On this particular day a group was playing "offices'' on the tank, making two rooms by pegging blankets to the clothes line -- one room for the office staff and one for the President.

The "lowly office boy,'' aged four, was sent to fetch the President's lunch.

I put the assorted cheese, chicken, egg, and peanut butter sandwiches on a silver tray which Tommy carried to the chief.

Back came little Tommy with a very serious face and a deep voice to announce "The President only likes peanut butter sandwiches.'' The staff and campers have witnessed numerous imaginative programmes, such as "The Horse Show.'' This comprised human horses and ponies with a show ring, rosettes, even a PA system when the announcer let it be known that Event Number Four could not start because Blazing Star had to use the bathroom.

We have had gymnastic displays, Spiderwoman, Batman, Ninja Turtles, Barbies, Cabbage Patch Kids, fashion shows, cowboys, indians, and even a casino! Our favourite play performed by the children is about a spoiled brat girl who abuses both her family and her toys. Her toys rise up one night and accuse her of being mean and rude and rotten and rich.

It has always amused us that this unfortunate child should be taken to task for being rich! Children enjoy hammocks, tents, screen houses, and huts. Before Hurricane Emily demolished two of our huts, the children would divide themselves into three groups: Big Girls, Big Boys, and a mixed group of younger children.

The girl's hut might read "Definitely no boys'' while the Big Boy's sign would read "Girls enter at your own peril.'' Never again will I see such housekeeping with brooms, dusters, paints, hammers and nails, and such well-decorated huts with wild flowers, pictures, home-made chairs and tables -- and all in glorious seclusion to read, chat, play board games, sew, and colour.

I have dealt with the imaginative side of Summer Camp. But the directed activities also played a major part. Activities such as swimming, cooking, day trips, and Cup Match when the whole camp is divided with the appropriate colours and we play a very serious game of cricket! Arts and crafts games, concerts, fashion shows, and trips to places of interest all over the Island, from Somerset to St. George's.

I remember well a camping trip when we heated the baked beans by solar heat when the fire wouldn't light. I remember how fascinated the children were when we toured the laundry at the old St. George's Hotel. I remember the first trip we took along the Railway Trail between Glimmerview and Gibbets Island and how the children's flip flops kept getting stuck in the mud and the children shouting "Yuck! Yuck! Double Yuck!'' thus naming this stretch "The Double Yuck Trail.'' In conclusion, a successful Summer Camp needs a diversity of children and activities. The children come to Glimmerwood Summer Camp from all parts of the Island and from overseas, thus forging friendship which they renew in following years.

Summer Camp is exhausting, rewarding, and fun.