World War II life for kids demonstrated at Carnegie Library day camp

Times-Herald.com (Georgia): World War II life for kids demonstrated at Carnegie Library day camp
Could You Be A World War II Kid?"

That was the question for local youngsters during a camp June 29 at the Carnegie Library in downtown Newnan. Children were able to attend the camp and see what it was like to be a kid in England during the time of the London Blitz.

Campers learned about victory gardens, rations, relocation, and the differences between the experience of an English and American child. Sponsoring the event was the Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation with special funding from the Edgar B. Hollis Testamentary Trust.

The camp was conducted by Dr. Annette Laing, creator of "Imaginative Journeys" which she started in 2003, and her assistants Lindsey Jenkins and Lauren English.

During the camp, every daily challenge of living as a child during the Battle of Britain was explored. Each child was transported with each becoming an evacuee of that era. Activities included handling real pounds, shillings and pence; learning how to extinguish an incendiary bomb; "savoring" meager meals resulting from severe rationing; donning a gas mask and other period gear; and playing wartime games.

"The camp is really fun!" said Taitum Boston and Saramae Brodnax, "We're learning a lot. Being a World War II kid would be fun, but scary at the same time."

"The camp is really good," said Brayden Ferrel. "I don't know if I could be a World War II kid though."

The children in the camp were given a ration box and a name tag, just as the children in England during World War II would have gotten when they needed to move due to danger from the bombings. Then they experienced what it was like in a foster home. They made their own toilet paper out of newspaper, put up black-out curtains, and swept the floor. Their breakfast was a digestive biscuit and a glass of whole milk, and their dinner was toast and beans or toast and salmon paste, just as the children during that time period would have eaten.

At the end, they heard from Carol Bruke about what it was like to be an American kid during World War II and compare the experiences of the children in the two countries.

Dr. Laing is formerly of Great Britain and resides in south Georgia where she conducts special historical programming built around different themes for children. Prior to launching "Imaginative Journeys," she was a tenured history professor at Georgia Southern University.

"Our kids' camps are always exciting and thought-provoking and silly, but never boring, preachy or dumbed down," she said.

She has been praised for the scope and originality of her camps and is also the author of "The Snipesville Chronicles," a middle-grades focused, time travel series.

The Carnegie Library is a non-circulating reading room operated by the City of Newnan at 1 LaGrange St. at the Court Square in downtown Newnan. For more about Carnegie programs call 770-683-1347.