Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-05-23
SUMMER WORK FOR CHILDREN.
Boston Women Are Interested in Pro-
viding Fairgrounds for Them.

Boston Women Are Interested in Pro-
viding Fairgrounds for Them.
Some branches of the WORK 81 the
Massachusetts, Emergency and Hygiene
association appeal to prblic interest and
attention at this time with especial force.
because preparations must now be made
for carrying the work forward If it is to
go on. One Of the most interesting Of
these is the establishment of summer
Fairgrounds for poor children.
Last summer, by kind permission Of
the Boston and Brookline school COM
nittees, the association was allowed the
use for Fairgrounds of sixteen school
yards, in addition to the uninclosed land
on Hildreth place. These Fairgrounds
were superintendent by women, many of
whom spent hours every day in helping
the paid matrons. All the yards were
provided with sand and toys, but each
had by preference its special amusement,
one building sand forts, another 8 Baby
lon of blocks which rose and fell daily.
while flower beds made third delight
full; in others the Kitchen garden"
games, telling stories, drawing pictures,
cutting paper toys, playing games, sing
ing or learning to knit passed the time
happily and usefully. The matrons had
such success in controlling and pleasing
their charges that the police wondered,
and many mothers thanked the kind
caretskers for their children's improved
behavior.
How are the children benefited by
these Fairgrounds? One matron en-
Enthusiastically declared that she could
give twenty good answers to this ques-
ton. They are amused and instructed
all summer, are kept out OF dark and
dirty tenement houses, often from brutal
parents. They are taught cleanliness,
obedience, and, even while at play, con,
sideration for others. Their forlorn
lives are frightened and sweetened by
contact with wise and loving grown
people.
The bathhouse at 81 Prince street,
another branch of the association work,
is well patronized, and it is hoped it may
soon be selfsupporting. The prices for
baths are fifteen cents for men, ten for
women and five for babies.
The Children's Home, at 81 Parmenter
street, which was opened Nov. 1, is an
outgrowth of the winter playroom Of
1890. 1t is bright, sunny house, fur
nished plainly, but attractively. The
matron and her assistant live in the
house. The housekeeping is simple, in
order that the mother as well az chill
dren may learn that comfortable and
pleasant home may be maintained with
q small income The children are well
coined from till 9p. III. The little ones
are warmed, amused and made happy
from till 4. The older ones from till
come for advice, sympathy and in
struction. In the afternoons groups Of
little boys and girls learn to mend and
sew on buttons, bringing their own cloth
ing to repair. Older girls learn to cook.
In the evenings there are talks, read
ings, singing, gymnastics and ''Sloyd."
The plan of the Stamp Savings society
has been introduced, hundred children
thus learning prudence and self denial.
The work of the house is to try by exam
pie to teach these children how to i'm
prove their home life, and by advice and
instruction to teach them to care for
themselves physically, as well as to give
them higher standard morally.-Bos-
ton Globe.