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KAMPER KANSAN
Friday, July 12, 1968 obit
Cooperation needed for effective camp
When we as teenagers disagree with a situation, we often can be noted for our violent and fiery protest.
This has become increasingly evident as the first three weeks of camp have passed, and we have begun to realize the faults of this camp.
But are we, as protestors, helping to cause or eliminate problems?
First of all, campers must realize protesting is not the only way to change camp policies. If we as teenagers would act as maturely as we expect to be treated, the administration might change.
Look at some of the immature stunts campers have already tried. Putting toothpaste on toilet
handles, standing in the middle of the street to antagonize drivers and pressing all the buttons in the elevators to break it, illustrate just a few of the ridiculous and unnecessary tricks that have been pulled.
One must remember that rules may restrict everybody just to control a few that misuse their freedom.
Undoubtedly there is a need for some serious changes in this camp's rules and undoubtedly protesting will be needed to bring it to the attention of the administration. But do you see yourself as part of the reason for inflicting these rules?
Secondly, it may be argued that if the camp treated campers maturely the campers would act maturely. The basic problem is—what is the cause and what is the effect?
Possibly, immature acts of campers in the past forced the administration to make stricter rules. If this is true, it is then our responsibility to show the administration that we as mature teenagers can independently control ourselves and respect more liberal camp policies.
Efforts to change are definitely needed by both campers and administrators. If we can change, we also expect camp policies, procedures, and rules to be revised to cope with teenagers of today and not those of 34 years ago.
—Sid Speltz
Letters to the editor
July 3,1968
Sirs:
A fact not realized by many of the authorities at the Midwestern Music and Art Camp is that campers are living, THINKING, human, people. While we came here prepared to study in college-prep courses, it seems that the treatment of the campers contradicts itself inside the classroom and outside the classroom.
We are treated and expected to behave as adults in the classroom, but the minute we step outside the door our maturity decreases by leaps and bounds in the eyes of the authorities. The incentive to excel and enjoy work is lost in the tight restrictions placed upon us.
To cite a few of the many examples: a camper was sitting in the lobby of Murphy Hall and was about to light a cigarette when she was approached by an authority, who said that she, as a camper, could not smoke in the building.
Anyone who has been in Murphy has surely noticed the many ashtrays sitting in the halls, and we are sure that these ashtrays are meant to be used by people. Are campers not people? Must we go sit on a sidewalk or street to have a cigarette and look like something nearly subhuman?
We were told in letters from the directors of the different divisions that places would be provided for campers who wished to smoke. Where are these places? The streets and sidewalks? In addition, the lounges of all dorms are provided with ashtrays to be used "by guests only." Why can't
campers, who pay quite a bit of good money to come here, be allowed to use the facilities?
The restrictions on when and to whom we may speak is another example of the way in which we are treated like children. There are many interesting people on the campus who are not campers, and communicating with people is, or should be, part of every person's education.
Campers certainly agree that the rule of not dating non-campers is justified; however, the rule that prevents merely talking to a university student or a Lawrence High School student definitely does not seem justified. Most parents would not send their child to a camp for six weeks if they did not feel that he was mature enough to know right from wrong and when to go to bed.
This brings up the topic of bedtimes. Most students have enough sense to sleep when they need it. Many don't need as much sleep as some, and others need more than some. Why, since we are treated like adults in the classroom, can't we be treated in the same manner elsewhere?
We certainly have enough sense to know when to go to bed. Many people study better at night than they do during the day, and so they relax after dinner or after classes, and they then find that they haven't the time to study before "lights out," and the fact that "lights out" occurs when it isn't yet dark outside makes the whole thing seem rather ridiculous.
What we are asking, then, is for
respect. Because if respect is not shown to others, how can one expect any in return? We are not asking for a repeal of all rules, because we are intelligent enough to realize that rules are needed. What we want is to be treated with the respect we as intelligent human being deserve to be treated.
Contentment blocks camp's potential
Contentment is the basic reason for this situation. Band Camp is content in providing a camp that will keep students happy but will not give them the opportunity to gain as much as possible during the summer.
Referring to something as two-sided usually denotes a good and bad view. Most things are two-sided and Band Camp is no exception. However, in this case, the two lives of Band Camp, its social and academic lives, are both lacking.
"To give young people the beautiful experience to study in the fields that they are most interested in is the real reason of camp," said Russell L. Wiley, camp director.
True, most of the campers are here to study in specified fields but must this be the only area in which they learn?
Expanding the camp's social life to include discussion groups, prominent speakers and other
—Signed by 50 campers
Kansas City, one of the largest cities in the U.S. offers a multitude of opportunities that would correspond with our studies. Large newspaper offices, dance theatres . . . only 50 minutes away! Why not take advantage of them?
similar programs would give campers the chance to partake in a unique learning experience. For, how often do 2,000 teenagers of various religions, races and ideas have such an opportunity?
There is so much which Band Camp can do to give itself a stronger, well-balanced life. True, many campers will be satisfied with a mediocre camp but is this any justification when a few adjustments can correct the situation?
While the academic life is far beyond the mediocre level simple improvements would lend to an even more fulfilling summer.
—Linda Eisenberg
Movie types inadequate
The lack of pre-planning which caused the lower-quality movies shown this year could be remedied next year by ordering earlier and by placing this responsibility on a less-overworked office.
The Bridge on the River
Kwai . . . Oklahoma . . . Rebel
Without a Cause . . . Damn the
Defiant . . . A Raisin in the
Sun . . . Gambit . . The List
of Adrian Messenger.
"You bunch of pinkos! What do you mean you don't like Walt Disney!"
—Kansan Cartoon by Don Wallace
Walt Disney's Savage Sam and The Great Locomotive Chase . The Rare Breed . The Prisoner . The Barbarian and the Geisha . Zotz . The Cowboy . Taxi for Tobruk .
An almost steady diet of cowboy, war and animal movies can scarcely be called edifying for students of the average age of 16. Available now at SWANK, according to officials there, are four Academy Award winners; three which received nominations and
Granted some of these films were not available while Brandon was placing his orders. Earlier checking to see what would be available could have changed this year's movie program from mediocre to excellent. Early orders, the only real answer, can make the difference in next year's program.
Films such as these are available now at SWANK Motion Picture, Inc. and cost no more (in many cases less) than the ones now scheduled for the camp.
It is usually possible to rent any film on the SWANK list by submitting an order one to two months before it is needed. To improve the movie program next year, there must be a change in the present camp policy of ordering films three or four days before they are to be shown (as Russell Brandon was forced to do this year).
All of these award-winning movies could have been entertaining Band campers this summer had more pre-planning been used.
On the Waterfront . . . The Anatomy of a Murder . . . Captain Newman M.D. . . . The Mouse That Roared . . . Good Neighbor Sam . . . Behold a Pale Horse . . . Fail Safe . . Advise and Consent . . .
six which have been presented awards by organizations such as the National Board of Review, Parents Magazine or the International Film Festival.
These films boast a team of stars like Henry Fonda, Walther Mathau, Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Sidney Poitier, Peter Sellers, Omar Sharif, Michael Caine, Walter Pigeon—the list is practically endless. Also, all of these movies have been approved morally for adults and youth by the Legion of Detency (National Catholic Office for motion pictures).
Surely the above-mentioned movies could be accepted "morally" next year by most of the camper's parents. Out of the films which have been announced for this year, many have received no special award. John Wayne seems to be upstaging just about everyone as the actor seen most often in Swarthout Recital Hall.
It is preferable to show different films each year. But previous use of a film is no real excuse for substituting an inferior work in the place of a readily-available top-rated one.
What about extra and unusual movies which could add an exciting, provocative angle to the camp evenings?
When Comedy was King (with Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Bustor Keaton and the Keystone Kops) . . . The Cat and the Canary (a silent movie) . . . The Hard Way (a documentary on poverty) . . Hand in Hand (a beautiful, frequently televised tale of two children and religion) . . When Brave Men Die (a documentary on sit-ins, draft card burning, Martin Luther King's march on Washington, D.C., and so on).
For the average price of $15 these shorter films could be a supplement to the program, providing stimulating material for all campers wanting to take advantage of them. This camp is composed of students of high intelligence and varied interests. Movies such as these would undoubtedly add a new dimension to the entire camp program.
Presently the movies are an integral part of the camp's social program. This week, for example, three were scheduled. Surely the administration could put forth a little extra effort and pre-planning to overcome scheduling conflicts in order to insure excellent movies instead of mostly average ones.
— Linda Ehrlich
kamper kansan
Camp Office—214 Murphy Hall
UN 4-3755
Kamper News Office—112 Flint Hall UN 4-3646
The Kamper Kansan, camp newspaper at the Midwestern Music and Art Center of Chicago, will be on Fridays. It is written by members of the Journalism Division of the Camp.
The opinions expressed in the editorial columns are those of the editorial staff of the newspaper. Guest editorial views are not necessarily those of the editorial staff. Any opinions expressed in the Kamper Kanan are not necessarily those of the Midwestern Music and Art Camp or the University of Kansas.
Accommodations, goods, and employment offered in the Kamper Kansan are offered to students without regard to color, creed, or national origin.
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Photography Bill Seynour
Adviser Roberts Stevens
Editor in Chief Steve Tonar
News Editor Allen Hartz
Editorial Editor Sidney Speltz
Feature Editor Doris Bolinger
Sports Editor Donald Wallace
Photo Editor Gall Walman
Photograph Michael Albert, Linda Daniels, Linda Erlich, Linda
Joan Jarvis, Michael Albers, Leslie Daniels, Linda Ehrlich, Linden Eisenberg, Ruthann Lehmman, Mriel Maffelt, Stephen Osborn, Darryl Knackey, Cathy Ramirez, Anita Schroeder, Douglas Uunadu, McNiel Viets, Diane Wanek, Eric Kramer, Terri Staab, and Heather McNiel