Children on camps of the Pomeranian voivodeship in the Second Republic (in the light of archival sources)

Abstract

In the interwar period camps for children were  one of social welfare  forms.  They were intended for children from poor and unemployed families and  those of  single parents.  Two forms of holiday camps functioned: recreational camps and day camps.  Mostly  they were organized in summer.  The camps usually were run by NGOs (nongovernmental organisations), state structures of local social policy only established standards, inspected and financially supported NGOs. In the particular  years of the interwar period, the number of camp participants changed (from about 1500 persons in 1927 to about 10 000 ones in 1937).  Camps were characterized by the following routines : in the morning  trips were often organized; in the afternoon  plays, games, talks about school and practical subjects took place, in the evening children sang  near the fire.  Efficacy of camping out  is difficult to evaluate, but certainly it did not cover all children who needed it.