Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-04-01
REGULATED PLAY ESSENTIAL
Benefits OF The Physical Department
Of The Y. IA. c. a. As Told By
Director Meredith.

AhV Ao1AcHt II tue f-u9SlC@d depart
lrent OF the Y. NJ. c. A. To the Com
n,uaity."
Through the supervision of the
physical department Of the Y. NJ. C. A.
alout 100 men, boys and girls are be-
ms benefited by physical training.
Some may question this statement but
think they do not confine their physi.
cal work to the Y. M. c. A. gymaa-
stun but so out and teach It TO the
children in the four ward schools of
cur city They do not claim 70 have
this type OF work established To
complete system but they do, how
ever, contend that in the near future
they viii have it advanced TO a good
system. 1t is TO be real zed that il
will take time and plenty OF hard
work, not only by the physical dlrec-
tor OF the Y. NJ. c. A., but by the prin-
cipals and teachers and even the chill.
dren of our city schools who are con-
pected with this splendid movement.
physical training
The physical department OF the Y.
NJ C. A. does not confine physical
training TO indoor work, but as soon
as the clcsing of indoor work. outdoor
work will begin on the Athletic field
This work will be composed OF sprint
ing, pole waiting. high jump, running
broad jump. hurdle race, tennis, base
ball, aad various either kinds of
games. Swimming is also taught and
all boys are protected while using the
swimming pool Many parents have
kept their boys from joining the Y. NJ.
G. A. on account rf the danger OF
drowning. Such danger as this does
not exist at the Y. NJ G. A. swim
ming pool. but think of the danger the
boys ere in when they go 10 the creek
or river fer swimming purposes. Now
mothers and fathers don't you think
it Is better to have ysur boys partiei-
pate in the kind of sports mentioned
where they will be protected, super
vised and trained under good environ
ment?
Gov. Cherries e. Hughes gives rea-
sons why we want playgr1nnds. The
same can be applied as to why We
want more physical training.
First. Tibet we may conserve the
health Of our people, to strengthen
them physically. This will naturally
help to keep Down diseases.
Second. To conserve the morals of
the people
Third. That we may aid in the de-
velopnent of the sentiment OF honor.
Play is the best way to teach hoy to
be honorable and straight.
We have many examples OF chill
dren who have net had any super
vision over them while at play from
the age to is years. Most of boys
form into gangs and occupy their lei
sure time in vigorous outdoor sport
end games. They often stone peddlers
CO tramps; fight with each other and
with other games: play practical
jfkes; make raids on farmers orch
ards and melon patches or. II in the
city, they make raids on the corner
grocery stores and act as young saw
ages. In many cases of this kind they
are caught while in the act and are
brought before the juvinle court.
Some are fired while others are put
into pr They also learn to use
great deal of profane language. II
those same boys could have had the
opportunity to play under the direc-
item OF some e cd supervisor they
would have been different boys. 1t
can be readily seen that there are
ln9ny reasons for the need of teaching
aid supervision of play.
First. Safeguard against over-exer-
ton. Even If child has the play
ground we'll equipped will he make
choose the heaviest work for exercise
that can be had at that place. II that
same boy could be under the care OF
the supervisor he could be taught the
elementary exercise OF play. receive
his exercise regularly which will
strengthen and develop him proper
t'rnately and make him a good type of
manhood.
Second. Develop leadership in play
ers. 1t is reasonable to believe that
If a number Of children are left all
alone at play without supervision
they will quarrel among themselves.
If these children had the opportunity
to play under the direction OF a super
VISOR they would be taught to play
the game that had been planned for
them according to the rules; taught
to be agreeable with each other; that
the larger child should not Impose up
on the smaller child; taught to dc JUS
tice to all other children end favor to
none. So it can be seen that by hav-
ing supervision over children while at
play they can be taught to play fair.
10 homer and respect their superior Of
ficers as we'll as their mother or faith
CT In many cases it has been seen
that by naHowing child TO 20 and
come as he wished and do whatever
he wished to do grew up TO be dis