The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1913-05-09
WORKERS TO
MEET AT RICHMOND, VA.

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Representatives of new profession
are to gather in Richmond, Va, from
today to May 9Th, to attend classes
for recreation workers. 1t seems that
within the last few years some six
thousand positions in recreation work
have been created.
A number OF the playground and
recreation experts are giving their
services without expense to conduct
these classes at Richmond. E. B.
DsGroot, now with the Chicago Play
ground Association, formerly with the
| Chicago South Park Commissioners,
has had the expenditure of nearly
100000 a year for recreation in Chi
cago. He is to have charge of the
courses dealing with playground
equipment.
George W. Ehler, director of the
Department of physical education at
the University of Wisconsin, was for
merly secretary of the Baltimore Pub
lie School Athletic League and also
of the Baltimore Children's Play
ground Association.
George e. Johnson, besides serv-
ing as professor of play at the Uni
versity of Pittsburgh, has developed
one of the strongest playground sys-
TENS in the United States at Pitts
burgh, Pa.
Lee F. Hammer of the Russell Sage
Foundation, formerly with the New
York Public School Athletic League,
Mrs. James J. Storrow, Boston, chair
man of the committee On folk dancing
of the Playground and Recreation
Association of America, are among
the leaders who will take part in the
direction of these classes.
The week following the classes
hundreds of recreation workers and
volunteers who are serving in re-
creation commissions throughout the
country will be in attendance at the
Richmond Recreation Congress.
1t is expected that some delegates
from India, China, South America,
and from some of the European coun
tries will be present.
One of the delegates to the Con-
gress is P. A. Conard, for some years |
of the Y. NJ. G. A. in Ur-
uguay. Mr.. Conard has had occasion |
to note the tremendous impetus Civ
en- the play movement in other coun-
tries within the last few years. Will
liam Jennings Bryan, upon his recent |
tour of South America, urged the
need of play and materially helped
the progress of the movement.
The Playground and Recreation AS
ISOLATION of America constantly has
more requests for help from foreign
countries than 1t can meet. One OF
the ardent supporters of the move
ment, c. M. Goethe of Sacramento,
recently aided the move
nent in many countries in the course
Of a tour around the world. Mr.. and
Mrs. Goethe have agreed later to
give a years time at their own ex-
Dense to helping to start the work
IN the right basis in Korea, India,
Siam and other Asiatic countries.
A few years ago the thought OF
was completely linked
with congested districtsy A play
ground was merely a free place to
play. Now the value of recreation
or all is recognized and supervised
play is urged quite as much for the
,hild with acres Of lawn as for the
,ne whose sole backyard " is
Ire-escape.
And this is increasingly true as
night be proved by a tabulation OF
etters asking for help which are re-
,eived by the Playground and Recre-
ltion Association Of America. So ma
w problems needing wise and care
ul thought have arisen that a spe-
.ial hour at the Recreation Congress Z
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