Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-25

bean bags and quiet games for hot af- teTnoons. The children knew some of these and 1 taught a new one at each visit.
 We also took up folk dancing, but l with the exception of those on the West Side most of the children were not familiar with these dances and as was little difficult to teach them. I chose the simple ones and planned to teach one at each visit l found that except in Greeneville, where they liked them very much. The Virginia reel was their favorite.
 The girls at Round Pond devoted ! some time to sewing and at other playgrounds some time was given to The boys at Hobart avenue enjoyed their croQuet set and were always ready to challenge the teacher and me to a game.
 At Lake street the older children liked the rope swings and basketball
 The small children on all of the and sand boxes. I think that the past season was most successful and en- joyable one and I hope the coming season will be more so.
 Year Was Encouraging.
 We have every reason for encour- agement at tlfis time. said President Stanton, on the close of a most suc- cessful year. All those engaged in the playground work took pains to do their best, and the cooperation which has been received from the people of the city speaks well for our future work He then called for nominations for of f1cers. and the following were unani- mously reelected: President, John B. stanton; first vice president, Henry F. Parker; second vice president, Mayor T. C. Murphy; secretary, Arthur L. Peale: treasurer, John M. Lee.
 A vote of thanks was extended the church for the use of the rooms for the evening. As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned Stereopticon Talk by President Stan-
 ton.
 An interesting talk on Play and Fairgrounds by President Stanton fol- lowed the business session. He told of the various amounts spent for the recreation of the boys and girls in the larger cities, and stated that a total of S1O0,0o0,000 was expended each year for that purpose. Fairgrounds of cit ies all over the country and in Eng land and Scotland were shown by the stereopticon, the speaker explaining the various cO.nmendable features of each.
 The purpose of this organization, said Mir. Stanton. is body building. We feel the need of attention to the phys ical welfare of our boys and girls. We often feel that athletics are only for the strong, but class contests are be- ing instituted in which the work of the weak boy is just as important as that of the strong boy. The Greeks developed a fine type of physical and intellectual manhood The Greek cared for the strong and perhaps neglected the weak. We are solicitous for the weak, but often forget the normal child. If good food, fresh air and ex- certainly must be good for the strong. Good health is the first requisite Of good education.
 The Moral Side.
 There Is moral side to the play ground movement. Play is life to the young, and in it they develop their moral sense, a sense of fair play and teaches the boy not to give up if beat en, that failure to win is not defeat. That is what he needs in the game of life, sQuareness and determination to succeed. Courage, good will. co-opera- tion, self control and perseverance can be taught the boy and girl on the play ground.
 Recreation Necessity.
 Recreation Is a necessity not only for the children, but for the grownups The idea of recreation has a strong hold on the people, for a persons work is usually monotonous and tiring, without some diversion The average school boy or girl has leisure time of 63 hours a week, and during that time his character is going to be developed. with the teachers and su- pervisors of the playground as well as the other lessons mentioned, will tend towards developing the best kind of character. The home the school and the church we have always regarded as the institutions wherein the child must be developed, but there is anoth- CT institution which must take a part in the work. and that is the municipal ity. The city must furnish the room