The Camp Fire Girls Behind the Lines

In Short

This narrative follows a group of Camp Fire Girls vacationing in California during the early months of American involvement in the Great War. As they transition from a care-free summer of camping and Shakespearean performance to the somber duties of the home front, they grapple with personal choices regarding patriotism, duty, and sacrifice. The book serves as a historical document of the era’s domestic anxieties and the idealized, earnest spirit of youth-oriented volunteerism that defined the period’s popular literature for young women.

The Story

The Sunrise Camp Fire girls, under the guidance of the charismatic and wealthy Mrs. Burton, arrive in the town of San Juan Capistrano, California. Their trip is intended as a peaceful retreat, but the shadow of the war looms over their experiences. The girls—including the reticent and impoverished Gerry Williams, the spirited Peggy Webster, and the scholarly Bettina—are eager to contribute to the national cause. Their efforts range from canning and gardening to organizing a theatrical production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It to raise money for the War Camp Recreation League.

Parallel to the girls’ efforts are the clashing ideologies of two brothers, Dan and Billy Webster. While Dan is a robust, patriotic young man ready to volunteer, his twin, Billy, identifies as a pacifist, struggling with his internal resistance to the conflict. Meanwhile, the girls befriend Felipe Morris, a local young man with a temperament far removed from the soldiers of the nearby National Guard cantonment. Felipe, hiding his fear of the draft, attempts to avoid service by planning to flee to Mexico. In a moment of weakness and infatuation, he convinces Gerry to elope with him, hoping to escape the war’s demands.

The plan quickly unravels. Gerry, feeling the weight of her deceit and her affection for Mrs. Burton, finds herself caught in a web of dishonor. Before their escape can fully succeed, the narrative pivots toward a moment of genuine, sobering danger. Billy, despite his earlier pacifist leanings, secretly investigates a group of traitors at the military camp. In his attempt to thwart their sabotage, he is severely injured, becoming a hero in the eyes of the community. This event forces the characters to drop their illusions. Felipe, shamed by the contrast between his cowardice and Billy’s bravery, eventually seeks to enlist, hoping to redeem his past. The book concludes with the girls reflecting on their limited reach, longing for a chance to serve more directly in France, and ultimately looking toward a future where they might contribute to the restoration of a war-torn world.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The girls arrive in the historic and scenic atmosphere of San Juan Capistrano, where they explore old missions and discuss the possibility of reorganizing their group on a "war basis."

The camp and its discontents Tensions simmer as the girls navigate the expectations of their guardian, Mrs. Burton, while interacting with local men whose views on the conflict vary from eager patriotism to hidden draft-dodging.

The call to performance The group decides to stage a play to raise funds for the War Recreation League, an endeavor that demands cooperation and reveals the differing levels of commitment among the cast members.

The shadow of betrayal Felipe Morris lures Gerry into a plan to flee the country, a decision marked by secrecy and a profound lack of perspective on the honor and sacrifice the moment requires.

The revelation of character Billy’s discovery of saboteurs at the army camp leads to his injury and exposes the true nature of his quiet, independent courage, shattering the false peace of the group.

The shift toward service The reality of the war forces the characters to mature, with Felipe seeking redemption through military service and the girls committing themselves to future humanitarian work abroad.

The People

Mrs. Burton serves as the group’s emotional and financial anchor. A former actress, she uses her resources to guide the girls, though she struggles to balance her protective instincts with the girls' growing independence.

Gerry Williams, the group’s newcomer, is defined by her poverty and her desperate desire for a life of wealth. Her infatuation with Felipe leads her toward a moral crisis, though she eventually moves toward a more honest understanding of her responsibilities.

Felipe Morris is the story’s primary agent of conflict. His indolence and desire to avoid military service make him a foil to the soldiers around him; his character arc is a slow, painful awakening to the demands of duty.

Billy Webster is the intellectual center of the book. His transformation from a detached, principled pacifist to a man who recognizes the necessity of collective sacrifice is the most significant emotional development in the story.

In Its Own Voice

"I suppose our ideas of helpfulness are rather vague and foolish, but that is why we wished to talk the situation over with you and Mrs. Webster and arrange some definite plan."

Bettina explains the girls' desire to formalize their volunteer efforts in support of the war.

"Women are not soldiers at heart, in spite of those thrilling Russian women and their great 'Battalion of Death.'"

Mrs. Burton offers her perspective on the gendered divide regarding military service during the 1918 conflict.

"The old care-free days having passed away, they will also devote their energies to aiding the children of France and to doing 'their bit' toward the restoration of that land of our affection."

The author provides a summary of the characters' future trajectories in the closing epilogue.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the search for purpose in a time of national crisis. The book explores the friction between the romanticized, "care-free" adolescence of the era and the harsh, disciplined realities of modern warfare. It asks whether one’s personal moral code—specifically pacifism—can survive when confronted with the immediate threat of global tyranny. Ultimately, it argues that true maturity is found in the transition from individualistic, self-centered desires to the humble, sometimes painful acceptance of service to a cause greater than oneself.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of domestic life during World War I will find this book a valuable, if dated, piece of literature. It captures the specific, earnest tone of 1918, where the language is formal, flowery, and often overtly didactic. Modern readers may find the pacing slow and the period attitudes toward gender and duty to be relics of a very different time. However, the descriptions of the California landscape are vivid and enduring, and the internal struggles of the characters—particularly Billy’s navigation of his own conscience—remain relatable. It is a work that feels like a time capsule, preserving the ways in which youth organizations were mobilized to support the war effort. Those who enjoy historical fiction or who have an interest in the "Camp Fire Girls" movement will appreciate the author’s dedication to providing her young audience with a sense of moral gravity amidst their adventures. It is best read as a study of the expectations placed upon young women a century ago, rather than as a fast-paced thriller.