Ten huge buses opened friendly jaws yesterday morning and swallowed 410 boys, all between six and fourteen years old. Then the mechanical magic steeds galloped off toward Surprise Lake Camp at Cold Spring, N. Y., bearing their noisily enthusiastic charges toward Vacation Land and freedom from New York’s withering heat.
Nearly 1,000 relatives and friends gathered in and near the courtyard of the Central School of Business at 214 East Forty-second street to see the boys off. The buses and the overflow of farewell wavers tied up traffic, but no one seemed to mind. Even perspiring automobile drivers who happened by accident into that portion of East Forty-second street smiled good-naturedly, caught up in the prevailing holiday mood of celebration.
FEDERATION PROJECT
Surprise Lake Camp is the largest summer recreation place operated by the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies. It will furnish a romping playground for boys who would otherwise have been forced to confine their search for amusement to the city’s sweltering streets.
Among yesterday’s departing group were thirty boys from the Association for the Improved Instruction of Deaf-Mutes. Other children were sent by social service departments of various Jewish Federation institutions. Most of them recently have been under medical care.
Others were from homes handicapped by illness among other members of the family. All received thorough physical examinations.
EDDIE CANTOR REMEMBERS
For two weeks the boys will have their fun at the camp. Then they will be replaced by another batch. Already 100 boys are at the camp, which is divided into two sections—one for young men over sixteen, the other for those under that age. Max Oppenheimer is the camp’s director. David Herling, registrar, was present yesterday to see the ten busloads of boys off. Frederick M. Warburg is president of the camp. A staff of counsellors is already at Cold Spring.
Eddie Cantor, who annually gives a benefit performance for the camp, wired from Hollywood yesterday morning: “Thirty years ago just about this time I too was leaving New York for Surprise Lake Camp. I have never forgotten those wonderful days and the people who made possible this vacation. Hope you all have a very pleasant stay and that Surprise Lake Camp will always live in your memories. Best wishes. Affectionately, Eddie Cantor.”
There were last-minute farewells. The boys cheered. Some of the anxious mothers pressed pennies into their hands to buy post cards. They were off!
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