Among the most rural regions in the country, eastern Montana and western North Dakota had a rich Communist movement among the area’s small farmers, many of them Scandinavian. A regular feature of political and social life were the outings and summer youth camps for the region’s Young Pioneers at Brush Lake, Montana– site of innumerable political gatherings and today a state park. Below is a dossier of articles on 1932’s camp.
‘Brush Lake Pioneer Youth Camp’ from The Producers News (Plentywood, Montana). May-August, 1932.
PIONEER CAMP AT BRUSH LAKE
JULY 6 SET FOR OPENING; ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 150
The sun is growing hotter as the days get longer. It’s summer time! And summer time camping time for the Young Pioneers. The Pioneer Camp for eastern Montana and North Dakota will be held this year at Brush Lake, Mont.
The camp will open July 6 and will close August 1–nearly four weeks of swimming, sports, and learning something about this world we live in. Classes will be held in arts and crafts, music, drawing, sports as well as in the history of the class struggle and similar subjects.
Because the camp is being held at Brush Lake with its excellent opportunities for swimming, it is expected that a large camp will be held this year. Parents need have no fear that their children will not be taken care of adequately. A large staff of trained leaders will be at the camp and a lifeguard will be on the beach at all times.
This camp is for all children between the ages of 10 and 15. Those who are not Pioneers are especially urged to attend. The committee has decided that each child should bring with him $2.00 in cash. This will not in any way cover the expenses of the child for the period but the committee does not want any child excluded because of lack of ability to pay more.
In order to make the camp a success it will be necessary to ask all the farmers of this section for support. All donations All donations of food and money will be welcome. About 15 tents will also be needed. All those who have tents that they are willing to lend for the duration of the camp should get in touch with the Pioneer Camp Committee, Box 587, Plentywood, Mont.
All Pioneer troops should make collection boxes out of old baking powder boxes covered with paper in order to start off the campaign with a bang. Let’s make the Brush Lake Pioneer Camp a big success.
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FURTHER DETAILS ON BRUSH LAKE CHILDREN’S CAMP GIVEN
By Hans Rasmussen
Parents Should Have No Hesitancy in Sending Their Children to Camp—Best Care Will Be Taken
The rich people can afford to send their children to the sea shore or up into the mountains to spend their vacations. Most of us can’t do that. But there is one thing we should be able to do. We should be able to send our children to the children’s camp at Brush Lake, it is going to be worth while, a vacation the children will never forget. Some people think a flock of children will be turned loose at this camp to do as they please. You need not worry about that part. There are going to be strict rules and the rules are going to be lived up to. Things that you would not allow your children to do at home are not going to be tolerated at the camp.
Mrs. Ruth Bert, wife of our editor, is going to be in charge of the camp. If you knew Ruth as well as I do you would not hesitate a minute about trusting your children to her care–it is absolutely safe.
There will be teachers and instructors there. Mrs. Salisbury will be one, Roy Miller from South Dakota will be another one, his wife will help as cook. At all swimming hours there will be a lifeguard. During the night there will be a night watchman. Of other people who have promised their services as helpers can be mentioned James Ostby and his wife of McCabe, Mrs. Robert Johnson also of McCabe, Martin Homme of Outlook, Mrs. Wm. Herron and Mrs. Hans Rasmussen of Plentywood, and probably Mrs. Art Wankel and others. These are as respected people as you can find anywhere in the county people you can trust your children with at any time and any place. They are not all going to be there all the time but there will be some them there all the time.
The camp will start July 6 and will last 3 weeks. Your children between the age of 10 and 16 can participate. Let us make a go of it. In order to do that we must all dig up and collect what money we can. Practically all the service will be donated but quite a lot of money will be needed just the same. A lot of food will also be needed. Those youngsters can eat a lot. Donate whatever food you can, a sack of flour, potatoes, butter, beans, eggs chickens, a fatted calf–anything in the line of eats. If a pasture can be secured close by we also expect to borrow some milking cows so the children can have plenty of milk.
During the life of the camp there will be a program and entertainment every Friday evening–it’s going to be good ones too and we expect big crowds. Whoever can do so should bring some food along whenever they come. For further information see the nearest secretary of the United Farmers League, or write Mrs. Erik Bert at Plentywood.
Below you will find one of the rules and regulations for the camp which you can rest assured will be strictly lived up to at this camp “A Pioneer is careful of his own and other workers’ health. He lives clean in body and thought, valuing his time as well as the time of others. A Pioneer does not smoke, curse or drink because these habits hurt a Pioneer’s body and make it hard for him to be always ready for the cause of the working class.”
This is a typical schedule of activities for all children.
7:00 All up.
7:15 Morning exercises.
7:30 Breakfast.
8:00 Clean up tents and inspection.
8:30 Class, Pioneer organization.
9:30 Music.
10:00 Sports.
10:30 Class, principles of economics.
11:30 Swimming and help in the kitchen.
12:30 Dinner.
1:00 Clean up dining room.
1:30 Current History.
2:30 Arts and crafts and dramatics circles.
3:30 Study circles.
4:30 Swimming and help in the kitchen.
5:30 Free period.
6:00 Supper.
6:30 Clean up dining room.
7:00 Games and dancing.
8:00 Discussion.
9:00 Bed time.
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APPLICATIONS ARE READY FOR PIONEER CAMP
All Children, Whether or Not Pioneers Can Go to Brush Lake Camp
Don’t you want to go camping this summer? Wouldn’t you like weeks at to spend nearly four Brush Lake, swimming and hiking, playing base ball and kitten ball? There will be room for about 100 children at the Brush Lake camp this summer. Aren’t you going to be one of thein?
The cost for the whole camp will be only $2 and we are sure that if you try real hard you can have that much by July 6 when the camp opens. Each Pioneer troop should cover baking powder boxes with paper and write on them: “Help the Brush Lake Pioneer Camp.” Take these boxes to every big meeting you go to and pretty soon you’ll find that the boxes will be pretty heavy and you’ll hear the clink of pennies and nickels and dimes that means that your troop will have enough money to send every member to camp…
We’re going to have some fun at camp! When we wake up in the morning we’ll splash around in the lake for a 5-minute dip just to wake us up and give us a good appetite for breakfast. After breakfast when we’ve cleaned up our tents and washed the dishes, we’ll begin our classes.
We’ll study about the conditions of workers in Germany and France and China and we won’t forget to learn about the workers and farmers right here in the United States. We’ll learn the life stories of those workers who have given their lives to help us win a better world to live in. When you come back from camp you’ll be able to tell your mothers and fathers things they didn’t know before.
The applications for camp are ready now. Every one who wants to go to camp should fill one in and send it to the Pioneer Camp Committee, Box 587, Plentywood Montana. Of course those applications received first will be given first consideration. So send in yours. Remember that you don’t have to be a Pioneer to go to camp.
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PIONEER CAMP OPENS JULY 8
So as not to interfere with the July 4th celebration at Brush Lake the opening of the Brush Lake Children’s Camp has been postponed to Friday, July 8. A large enrollment of children is expected and adequate arrangements are being made to take care of them. No child will be accepted whose application is not filed in advance, so that parents should send in applications immediately. These should contain the name and age of the child and whether or not he will be able to pay $2 to cover his expenses. Every effort will be made to take care of these children who can pay only part of their expenses but it is necessary to know beforehand how much we can expect for each child.
The application should be signed by one of the parents. It should be remembered that only children between the ages of 10 and 16 are eligible.
There is not yet enough money on hand to open the camp and a strong appeal is made to all those who have donation lists to circulate them and send them in at once. Parents are asked to send a baking of bread and some butter along with their children in addition to whatever other supplies they bring.
For the information of those who may not have had application blanks, a list of the things each child should bring are given again: One straw tick or cot, two blankets, one quilt, one knife, fork, spoon, cup, plate, bowl, two bars face soap, one bar laundry soap, two bath towels, envelopes and stamps, one swimming suit, any kind; one pair tennis shoes, one pair overalls, shorts, bloomers or pajamas for sports. Other simple underwear and clothing at least two sets, two pencils and pad, size 81⁄2×11, sports equipment and musical instruments.
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PIONEER CAMP AT BRUSH LAKE
(Received Too late for last week) Today, Friday, July 8, is the opening day of the big Pioneer Camp at Brush Lake. Much interest and enthusiasm has been shown by the people in western North Dakota and the eastern part of Montana in this children’s camp. More and more applications of children have come in every day lately, the attendance will be some over the one hundred mark.
For the last couple of days instructors and cooks have been busy getting the camp ready. Trucks with food and tents have gone out there, but today is the big day where people from many counties will bring their children and more food and more tents to the camp. Today is the day when Mother Bloor will speak at the children’s camp. It is her 70th birthday and is going to be nationally celebrated. She is going to celebrate the day among “her” children at Brush Lake.
A milk route has been established and which the farmers living southeast of Dagmar are going to contribute milk each day, so the children can be supplied with plenty of milk during their three weeks’ stay at the camp.
Every Friday evening there will be a good program and speakers at the camp, to which everybody is invited and big crowds are expected. People who can do so should bring some kind of food along whenever they come. A hundred youngsters can eat a lot in three weeks’ time.
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FIFTEENTH ANNUAL PICNIC TO BE HELD FRIDAY ON DAY OF CLOSING OF CHILDREN’S CAMP
For the last fourteen years the big annual farmers picnic in Sheridan county has been looked upon as one of the biggest events in the northwest, and is practically known from coast to coast. Once a year farmers have gathered by thousands from far and near and listened to speakers of national reputation. Thru these picnics Sheridan county has been known all over the United States, and the farmers of this part of the northwest looked upon as being the most. enlightened and politically active to be found anywhere.
This year is the 15th anniversary of these picnics and it has been decided to hold it at Brush Lake on Friday, July 29. Friday is the last day of the Pioneer camp at Brush Lake. About a hundred children have had. a glorious time for three weeks, they will be leaving the camp with a better understanding of the struggle for existence than they had before. On that day the parents will be there to take them home. Before these Young Pioneers leave they are going to give a program, and it is going to be a good one. Everybody should be there and take that in, that alone will be worthwhile going for.
Besides this there will be good speakers. A speaker of national reputation is expected from New York, at this time we do not know if he will be able to get here, but don’t worry, we will have others who can take his place, and good ones too. Come and get acquainted with your Communist candidates, its a fine bunch and you can’t help liking them.
As far as the speaking program is concerned it will deal with two questions, the election campaign in the country as a whole and in our county, and the imperialist war. In the present election campaign the candidates of the Communist party all over the country stand against imperialist war, against the wars that the Wall Street bankers are going to try and make us fight so that they can have “prosperity” again. Point 6 of the Communist platform reads: “Against imperialist war, for the defense of the Chinese people and of the Soviet Union.”
The speakers will explain just what the struggles of the Chinese people and the development of the Soviet Union mean to us, and will show just how the Wall Street bankers are preparing to drive the United States into the new world war that Japan has already opened in Manchuria.
The water is fine for swimming and the lake is big enough to hold all of us. Let us all take off one more day before harvest and go picnicking next Friday, and make this 15th anniversary the biggest lone of all.
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87 Children
At the Brush Lake Young Pioneer camp there are 87 children and 23 more applications which they cannot accommodate. The children are having a wonderful time besides receiving useful training.
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News From Brush Lake Pioneer Camp
Our regular classes started Saturday morning. We have many new experiences that we do not get in our regular schools. We have swimming, baseball, kitten-ball, drills, tumbling, marching, hiking, boxing, wrestling, revolutionary songs, music, dancing and camp programs. We have practice work which involves the role of the trade unions. We have a study circle, one hour and fifteen minutes on the ABC of Communism.
This class we all like the best because it teaches us of the world we now live in, also of a world which we hope to live in in the near future. We have had squad meetings, have elected a squad captain, Milton Evenson, and we have named our squad The Lenin Followers. Our squad instructor is Roy Miller. There are 15 Comrades in our squad, from the age of 14 to 16.
We are all mighty hungry when meal time comes and we have good food and plenty of it. This is our first camp experience of this kind, and we all like it. We wish to thank all those who have made this camp possible. We sincerely sympathize with all those of Pioneer age who could not attend the Brush Lake Pioneer camp.
Squad Two, THE LENIN FOLLOWERS
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Pioneers Appreciate Farmers’ Support
Brush Lake, Mont. July, 1932.
“Dear Comrades:
“We are surely appreciating the support of you other comrades and friends who have donated and helped us so much. We are enjoying it immensely. There are about 85 children at camp. We are divided into nine squads according to our ages. We have a leader for each squad as well as a name for each squad. Each squad puts on a program with one other squad. We have had some splendid programs–lots of home talent.
“We do each days’ work and play by a schedule. We get up at 7 o’clock and have morning exercise. Then we either swim or just wash ourselves for about ten minutes. Next, we dress and eat breakfast. After breakfast each squad has work to do, such as sweep the pavilion, wash dishes, wash clothes, carry coal, etc. We change jobs each day. At 9 o’clock we have a crafts circle in which we do all sorts of things. We have sewed red scarfs for the Comrades who have none and at present we are making belts. In the next period we sing.
“We learn new songs and practice the old ones. The next period is the one we like so well, swimming. After we have had dinner we have an hour for rest period before we begin the next class. In this next period we usually practice for programs. Next is the sports period in which we learn tricks or tumbles or else we play games. Then we have a real study period. In that period we learn about the class struggle and read books or pamphlets about Joe York Harry Simms, Tom Mooney, the Scottsboro boys, the five year plan etc. Then we swim again and then eat supper and we have good meals too. Until 8 o’clock we learn to dance. From 8 o’clock until 9 we either have programs, meetings, games, or some other entertainment. At our camp meetings we make our own rules and decide on our punishments. All the Comrades attend the meeting.
All together we have enjoyed it all and we all hate to think of going home so soon.
Comradely, RED COMET SQUAD, Hazel Rasmussen.
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Collect Food
Mr. and Mrs. Art Wankel, Raymond, motored to Brush Lake with supplies for the Pioneer Camp on Wednesday, collecting some at the Producers News. Anyone with fresh vegetables, butter, eggs and any food of any kind to contribute to the camp is asked to leave at the news office, also, anyone going to Brush Lake to inform the P.N. beforehand.
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Celebrated Mother Bloor’s Birthday
7 a.m. The whistle blows. Another day of sports and learning has begun for the 77 children enrolled at the Brush Lake Pioneer camp. Out of the tents they run to the edge of the lake where they take their morning exercises before a 10 minute dip in the clear, cold lake water.
First the pledge: “Are you ready for the cause of the working class.” Clear comes the answer from 77 throats, “Always ready–I stand ready for the cause of the working class in its struggle for freedom and pledge to observe the Pioneer rules at all times.”
Cooking for Pioneers
One-two-three-four. The exercises warm us up before the dip. Splash, we’re in and out again and hungry for breakfast. Lining up in squads the children] pass three at a time into the cook car where Mrs. Rasmussen, Mrs. Stubeck, Mrs. Herrin, Mrs. Menholt and Georgia Rebo are taking care of the hardest job at camp. After breakfast each squad helps clean up under the direction of its leader and squad captain. While some clean the grounds others sweep the pavilion, wash the dishes, peel potatoes and go for water. Each squad has a different assignment every day.
Then the classes begin. Some build a cement step and while they work they discuss the conditions of cement and building trades workers. Others make Pioneer ties and as they sew they discuss the conditions of workers in textile mills. And so the classes go during the day, music, dramatics and sports, until every one is tired enough to tumble into bed at 9 o’clock.
The camp opened July 8 when all children were enrolled. None was allowed to enter after Sunday.
Celebrate Mother Bloor’s 70th Birthday
The opening night addresses were given by Mother Bloor, Andrew Omholt, Ervin Nelson and Charles Taylor.
It was Mother Bloor’s 70th birthday. Young as the youngest Pioneer she inspired all those present to follow her example of 35 years devotion and struggle for the cause of the working class.
Friday nights are parents’ night, and all who are interested are urged to attend the programs by the children each Friday. This is a treat that no one should miss. Already there have been splendid programs put on by different squads which have been tremendously popular. The best of these will be repeated Friday for the parents.
Still Need Vegetables
All those who attend the programs are urged to bring bread, butter, and lettuce or rhubarb to the camp. A few chickens would also be used to good purpose.
The leaders of the girls are:
Sadie Hill, Beldon, N.D.; Clara Tames, Columbus, N.D.; Julia Kjorstad, Williston, N.D. The leaders of the boys are Roy Miller, Frederick, N.D.; Marion Ostby, Froid, Mont.; Henry Umback, Raymond, Mont.
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COMMENCEMENT AT BRUSH LAKE CAMP IS GREAT SUCCESS
After three weeks of success the Pioneer camp at the shore of Brush Lake closed last Friday with a splendid commencement program.
All the way through the camp turned out to be more of a success than anybody had dared to dream. Bringing more than a hundred people together and providing them with housing and food for three weeks on a bare sea shore is a bigger undertaking than most people realize, especially when money is scarce and food not too plentiful.
Supported by Toiling Farmers
The most remarkable cooperation and interest was shown at this camp. Food was brought from far and rear, and there was never a day where everybody did not have their three square meals of well prepared food. A milk route had been established where farmers freely donated plenty of milk to the camp every day.
Without compensation cooks and teachers worked from daylight to dark. Little boys and girls would be washing dishes, peeling potatoes, and be very much interested in the task assigned to them.
Hundreds Attend Final Program
The last day was the big day, commencement day, people by the hundreds had come from far parts of Dakota and Montana to take in the program and bring home the Young Pioneers. The program was put on entirely by the youngsters themselves. One little girl acted as chairman and everything went just like clock work. People sat there for hours very much interested, applauding again and again, all agreeing it was the most interesting and best program they had ever attended. That anything so interesting and well conducted could be put on by a bunch of so-called “Red” children was a surprise to many of the spectators.
Several Speeches
The leader, Mrs. Ruth Bert. opened the program by a few remarks in which she thanked every body for the splendid spirit and co-operation which had enabled them to make the camp a success from start to finish. Roy Miller gave a short report of the activities during the three weeks stay. As the last part of the program Erik Bert, Hans Rasmussen and Chas. E. Taylor each gave a fifteen minute talk.
The day wound up with a dance in the pavilion, and during the night the Young Pioneers departed for their respective homes, most of them sorry to leave the camp where they had spent so many happy hours.
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Attend Commencement
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cosper, Margaret, Lois and Montana Cosper, Thelma Gilmore, Bill Weiss, Mr. and Mrs. O.B. Snuggins, Martin Homme, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weiss motored to Brush Lake Friday, where they attended the Young Pioneer commencement program and attended the dance in the evening.
Producer’s News was a radical rural voice that became a Communist publication in the late 1920s. First published in Plentywood, Montana in Sheridan County, one of the few places to elect Communists in the 1920s. as the organ of the Montana Non-Partisan League beginning in 1918, took a left turn and passed into the hands of Communist editor Charley Taylor and then the Montana Farmer-Labor Party in 1924. In the late 1920s the paper became the voice of the United Farmers League before becoming the organ of the Communist-dominated Farm Holiday Association in 1935, ending its nearly twenty year run in 1937.
