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Purple People Eaters

  
    Purple People Eaters on South Broad Street

It was a late 50's summer after my first year in architecture school. After working part time at the Y during the school year I was happy to take a job as a day camp counselor for a group of 9 and ten year old boys. The adventure began the first day when I learned that they had not been able to get a Jr. Counselor for my group. I was warned that things would be a bit hectic for a few days. Next there was a mix up with assigned rooms so we had a nomadic start to the summer. No bunk room, no Jr. counselor it was a tough start

The groups, called bunks in keeping with what may have been a tradition had names. So one of the first orders of business was selecting a proper name. The boys first considered Nomads and then quickly decided on the name Purple People Eaters. A name based on a song popular at the time. Having a name meant they were ready to mark their turf. The arts and crafts room became the Purple People Eaters production central for all manner of insignia required to adorn and announce the Purple People Eaters. There were masks, placards and sundry Purple People Eater paraphernalia. Purple People Eaters deserved, required respect even deference. Their sign on the bunk door made that clear.

I was never a member always an observer, or coach. Members ruled. For example, during the first days of camp there was a minor squabble between two boys. All activity was stopped. It was agreed that the matter even though minor must be resolved. The group decided that there should be a trial. Judge, jury, advocates were chosen. Most of the boys had seen trials on TV and needed little additional coaching. After that first trial it trials became the way that disputes were settled. Most interesting was the fact that the problems were settled the goal was to avoid punishment.

Trials however, took time and soon were also used to prevent problems. They would ask those involved if they thought it was worth forcing a trial. Was the issue worth giving up swimming. I don't recall the need of a trial after the first few.

Most groups have a member ready to be a scapegoat. The Purple People Eaters were no exception. He was a socially and physically accident prone awkward boy. He broke his thermos during the first week. His progress during the summer was dramatic.

One of the advantages of the camp was flexible scheduling. Some days there were double swimming. There were often double bunk periods which could be used for arts and crafts or field trips. Somehow it was decided that the Purple People Eaters should take a trip to City Hall which was about 6 blocks away from the Y. So we set out walking up Broad street with canteens and full Purple People Eater paraphernalia. They were a curiosity, and happy to explain who they were to anyone on the way who asked.

Once in City Hall we headed for the Mayor's reception room. Why not try to see the mayor? The Purple People Eaters became the center of attention. They explained with all of the enthusiasm of a ten year old. And while we did not get to meet with the mayor, at least I don't think we did, there was a story photo in the major paper.
he Purple People Eaters were now well known. Parents called to find out who this camp different camp counselor was. Truth be told parents had become aware that their sons were in something different this summer before the trip.

Internally there were problems because the trip was a spur of the moment thing and had not been authorized. This meant that some those receiving phone calls had no knowledge of the trip. Perhaps fortunately the center director's son was one of the Purple People Eaters. His pride and enthusiasm may have made a big difference. In the end it seems that most of the reaction was positive. And then Purple People Eaters were celebrities. After all how many ten year olds get their pictures in the paper?

The mile club
The boys were all shapes and sizes. Some came from a culture of non physicality. The mile club came from a national standard, however, milers had intense pride from their accomplishment. At some time during the summer every one in the group ran a mile. Perhaps, the mile run that describes the character of the group the most was the run by the lad who could have been a scapegoat. Group members would practice and then announce when they were going for their mile. The Purple People Eaters cheered him on every stride every lap. And when he completed his run he was treated as a hero. It mattered not who ran the first or the last. They were all proud club members.

The Purple People Eaters did many things of note but I remember most their contributions to the weekly Oneg Shabbat. They did skits that were musicals. Every one was involved and the rehearsals took place during the week. The show I recall the best was based on the musical South Pacific. Two productions were very impressive. They started with the little known song Dites moi. Two boys started and were joined by more each line. The whole group sang the complete song while acting out mini skits that had written. Finally they wove the existence of the Purple People Eaters and the difference they represented into the song, "they've got to be carefully taught." I have often wondered how Rogers and Hammerstein got away with these songs. Songs that in some ways are still ahead of their time.

I can't remember much else about that summer other than the Purple People Eaters. Some of the boys signed up for extra weeks because of the group. I wonder if any of them remember.