I think this photo could be of a maypole construction, although I cannot be certain. A young boy has shinnied up the pole to the ring, other children are standing under him and observing whatever it is he is doing. Being as the pole is in a clearing and has that ring around it, my guess is either a construction of the maypole or a disentangling of ribbons after the dance.
Or a circus tent. Now that’s a whole other direction….
Who Were They? 
What an interesting puzzle! My first thought was circus tent construction, too. But the fact that it’s all children around the pole, with adults standing watch at a distance, makes me wonder if it’s some sort of physical fitness challenge, where the object is to climb and retrieve a prize from the loop above. I really don’t know, but it’s a fun image to look at.
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Looks later in the year than May. Dry, most kids in warm weather clothing. Not sure what the guy in the foreground is doing is a sweater.
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My husband and I both think Maypole. The pole is not straight..and there are guy wires only on one side..the ring is the clue..where the ribbons are attached. The ground is worn under the pole..great photo! :)
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I think this is a summer camp game of pole climbing, maybe even greased pole with prizes on the ring.
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