The Camp Fire Girls Do Their Bit

In Short

This novel follows the "Winnebagos," a close-knit group of Camp Fire Girls, as they contribute to the home-front efforts during the First World War. Set largely at the historic Carver House, the story balances lighthearted hijinks—involving a troublemaking goat named Kaiser Bill—with the serious intrigue of uncovering an enemy agent. Through their service, the girls learn that adventure is not limited to the pages of history books but is found in modern efficiency and personal sacrifice. It remains a poignant, briskly paced portrait of adolescent idealism meeting the stern demands of a global conflict.

The Story

The narrative opens on a train, where Lieutenant Robert Allison, traveling home to recover from war injuries, is captivated by a mysterious young woman. This woman turns out to be one of the Winnebagos, a group of friends led by their mentor, Nyoda. The girls have gathered at Carver House, a colonial-era home, where they immerse themselves in domestic war work, knitting socks and participating in patriotic drills.

The plot thickens when the girls befriend the "Heavenly Twins," Agony and Oh-Pshaw, whose father is a lawyer investigating local sabotage in munitions plants. Suspicion falls upon Veronica, a young Hungarian refugee living with the Winnebagos, when she is seen acting secretively. Sahwah, one of the most spirited Winnebagos, struggles with her own intuition; she notices Veronica’s nocturnal disappearances but remains fiercely loyal to her friend despite mounting evidence.

As the summer progresses, the girls’ lives become increasingly entangled with these larger events. The "artist," a man who frequents the circle, is eventually revealed as a foreign agent, having manipulated the trust of the girls and Mr. Wing to steal sensitive documents. The climax arrives when a dramatic rescue occurs in the "Punch Bowl," a local landmark, where Oh-Pshaw must overcome a paralyzing fear of water to save an injured man. Her bravery in this moment proves her character, marking a transition into true leadership.

Simultaneously, the Winnebagos navigate interpersonal growth. Agony, accustomed to leading and being the center of attention, faces a profound, humbling realization when Oh-Pshaw is chosen for an honor she herself craved. This failure allows Agony to develop a more grounded, service-oriented perspective. Meanwhile, the mystery of the stolen papers is resolved, and the spy is identified. The story concludes with the girls reflecting on their experiences. Lieutenant Allison and the mysterious "Maiden" find their connection, and Sahwah, standing before a portrait of the house's original owner, concludes that modern life offers its own unique, significant form of adventure. The girls leave their summer retreat transformed, having moved beyond their romanticized views of the past to embrace the responsibilities of their own era.

How It Unfolds

The train ride encounter Lieutenant Allison catches a glimpse of a mysterious young woman whose laughter haunts him, setting the stage for a series of romantic and suspenseful developments. He eventually realizes this girl is part of the Winnebago group, linking the soldiers' world to the girls' domestic sphere.

The mystery of Carver House The girls settle into their summer home, but the atmosphere is quickly clouded by whispers of sabotage and suspicious behavior. Sahwah discovers that Veronica is keeping secrets, forcing her to choose between her loyalty to a friend and her patriotism.

Patriotic drills and competition To "do their bit" for the war effort, the girls engage in rigorous marching drills. They compete against rivals, focusing on discipline and "pep" to secure a trip to Washington, which serves as a catalyst for their personal development.

The spy is revealed Tensions reach a breaking point when Mr. Wing is duped by a clever operative posing as an artist. The truth comes out during a series of intense interrogations, proving that the enemy is closer and more cunning than the girls initially imagined.

The transformation of the Twins Agony and Oh-Pshaw experience a shift in their relationship as the latter proves her mettle in a crisis. This change in dynamic forces the girls to redefine their notions of leadership and individual worth.

The People

Sahwah is the heart of the group, a girl of deep intuition and fierce loyalty. She wants to live an adventurous life and often compares herself to historical figures, but she ultimately learns to value the "modern" adventures of her own time.

Nyoda serves as the group’s "Guardian" and lode star. She is the calm, wise presence who guides the girls’ moral development. She is not just a leader but a surrogate sister who fosters the group’s harmony through her own example.

Hinpoha is the romantic dreamer who sees life through the lens of chivalry. She initially struggles with the drudgery of wartime tasks, such as knitting, but finds her place by learning to appreciate the beauty in her surroundings.

Veronica is the enigmatic Hungarian refugee who holds the group in suspense. She is stoic and fiercely independent, burdened by a past she cannot fully share, yet she remains a dedicated member of the Winnebagos.

Agony and Oh-Pshaw are the "Heavenly Twins" who bring a new energy to the group. Agony begins as a somewhat arrogant leader who is used to being the best, but she undergoes a significant evolution, learning to value humility and the success of others over her own ego.

In Its Own Voice

"War isn't a bit like I thought it would be," she sighed plaintively, with a vengeful poke at the knitting, which Migwan had just restored to her.

Hinpoha expresses her frustration with the tedious nature of home-front service, struggling to reconcile her romantic notions of war with the reality of knitting socks.

"It looks as though you were telling fortunes," remarked Sahwah, watching the petals alternately whirl and sink, "like tea leaves, you know."

Sahwah observes Hinpoha's habit of turning mundane objects into tools for divination, highlighting the girls' tendency to infuse their daily lives with imaginative play.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the transition from childhood fantasy to the hard realities of adult responsibility. The book argues that "High Adventure" is not reserved for the knights and princesses of history books but is actively created by those who commit themselves to their country and their community. It explores the tension between individual ambition and the collective needs of the group, suggesting that true maturity requires the ability to set aside one's own ego for the greater good. By framing domestic service—like knitting or drilling—as a form of heroism, the book validates the contributions of young women during a time of national crisis, insisting that their internal struggles and growth are as significant as the geopolitical conflicts raging elsewhere.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical snapshots of early 20th-century youth culture will find this an engaging, if occasionally earnest, look at the era. The book captures the distinct flavor of the Camp Fire Girls movement, emphasizing a blend of outdoor skill-building and patriotic service. It feels like a time capsule of a period when the world was changing rapidly and young people were expected to step into new roles of responsibility.

Modern readers may find the dialogue and the girls' melodramatic flair for the "romantic" to be of its time, reflecting a 1910s perspective that prioritizes moral instruction and civic virtue. The dialect used for the character Hercules is a product of its era and may strike contemporary readers as dated or insensitive, serving as a reminder of the period's limitations regarding race. However, for those interested in the history of female independence and the specific way adolescents processed the First World War, the book offers a fascinating, sincere window into the period. The bond between the Winnebagos is the lasting core of the story, providing a comforting, rhythmic sense of community that remains relatable even a century later. It is a story about the quiet, steady work of being a good citizen and a better friend.