◆ SpookStack

-2- Norwich State Hospital, Dani,_son, Connectient. (17 participatits are working along- Side patients in camp setting constructing cabins and undertaking a program of recre- ation, arts and crafts.) Period covered: June 19 to July 2 In addition to preliminary orientation, full time responsibility as.a group for every hour of every day for eight weeks, for sixteen patients, began June 28. In addition to erecting several tents for living quarters for patients and staff, work was Gone around a waterfront area. Only ten meals a week are served so the group provides for all breakfasts and all meals on Saturday and Sunday (cooking over an open fire) -- quite primitive! A number went to Sturbridge Village in Massachu- setts, a reconstructed colonial village, last Sunday. One carload went to the ocean. We had Quaker silent meeting for worship Sunday morning, but have difficulty scheduling our meditation periods since we are the staff of the institution, instead of only auxiliaries. One of the participants was bitten by a snake, but both the participant and the snake survived! Editor's note: We have had no reporting by . participants from this project as yet, so this material was excerpted from a general report. Mentally Retarded Jewish Foundation, Washington, D.C. (6 participants are working in interdenomina- tional institute assisting in programs of teaching and recreation.) Period covered: June 19 to July 4 Py The first part of the week was spent on orientation. We met with staff and each was assigned. In most cases we will act as substitute teachers while staff goes on vaca- tion. The remainder of the week was spent working with children and the teacher we were assigned to. Business meeting went quite snocthly; most of our minor problema concerning our house, and our Work, were straightened out. As a group we have had somé trouble getting used to the idea of meditation. As the group members become more at ease with one another during meditation, it should become more beneficial on the whole. On Saturday the entire group went to Mount Vernon and also to the Washington Cathedral. The second week we continued our individual assignments. This weekend part of the group went on camping trips and six to a concert at the Water Gate. Afterwards we went to a coffee house. We discussed some of the difficulties we've been having in disciplining the children and the Foundation's consulting psychi- atrist discussed disciplinary problems with us. Our greatest achievement is in our growing understanding of the children through daily contact. Fuctionally Disturbed ' - Five Acres, Altadena, California. (6 participants are undertaking a recreation pro- gram, including short camping trips, with emotionally disturbed children. ) Period covered: June 19 to July 2 aurk assignments at Five Acres are general and designed to allow utilization of tacilities while providing an opportunity for creative planning for the children (and selfedefense for the staff!) Assignments consist of supervising and participa- ting in indoor games and activities in the library and gymnasium as well as crafts and woodworking. In addition off-campus activities such as swimming lessons, beach ‘rips, hikes, and field trips are assigned. We have achieved many things this week both as a group and individually. At least of equal significance to us, iowever, is the achievement to survive a half-day, to break up periodic fights-to- -he-death, and start decent relationships with most of the children in, spite of it all. fe have learned alot about them and more about ourselves, our tolerance and abili- ‘lee. We have had a problem getting together for the planned daily meditation. It —