American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-04-15
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS
BY Madge Z. Whistler.

are all familiar with The New West
that great little magazine published at
Twin Falls. From the June issue of
1914, / quote from an article on uni
flying Tdaho's School System" by Miss
Grace Shepherd: ITO interest the
children ard patrons with things
worth while the boys and girls clubs
is one Of the best means. From a
most humble beginning three years
ago the work has increased through
the hearty cooperation of the teach
ers and county superintendent until
today thousands OF children are en-
rolled In clubs and are raising corn,
potatoes, alfalfa, pigs, poultry, or are
cooking, sewing, or canning vege-
tables and fruit. The work is done I'm
cooperation with the national club
work and with the extension work of
the agricultural college. Nothing that
has been introduced into the schools
has lone 80 much to awaken the pat
rons to the realization OF the true
mission of the school,"
hiioabC yCdi hdo toluc W uc anu
nov we are hopeful that the schools
Of Power county may enter this new
field Of endeavor.
Probably most of you are unfamil-
lar with country schools but the most
casual glance into the typical rural
school room would a~cquaint you with
its limitations. We can give little ad-
equate instruction in agriculture, do
nestle science or manual training with
our present meager equipment and
limited means, o a we hope to
accomplish much along these various
lines for years to come. The county
teacher, Industrious as she IL, has her
hands over full with the routine we
from the school room. Perhaps we
have hampered her by making the goal
OF her labors a bookish ono, but In
the educational realm today we are
undergoing, not a lowering OF stand
ards and ideals, but a change of atti-
tude toward them, SO that now, an
industrial ideal or standard enjoys
the recognition which is It's Just due
as opposed to the purely classical one
which so long took precedence. We
realize that Charles Dickens, in a
speech In Hartford, Connecticut. sew
enty years ago, spoke truly when he
said: Nothing is high because 1t Is
in a high place; and nothing is low
because It is in a low place. This is
the lesson taught us in the great
Book of Nature"
Place, then, Is not the determinate,
but fulfillment of the purpos for
which a thing was created. This be-
ing granted, our busy teachers may
teach fingers to sew or to weave rath-
er than to solve problems, which life
will never present to them. She may
place histories on the highest shelves
while she helps to plant potatoes In
the school garden. Both she and the
children will derive benefit from the
change. willing to do It? Indeed she
Is! Our Idaho teachers are the plucky
sort It takes to be pioneers.
A few weeks ago, Mr.. T. w. Potter,
the state supervisor over the various
clubs of Idaho boys and girls was with
us for a brief visit. Wheile he was
here we visited six country schools
and the grades above the fourth in
the American Falls and Rockland
schools giving to those pupils who de-
sire to identify themselves with the
movement an opportunity TO join n
or more of the clubs.
The object OF the club movement Is
manifold. IL aims to supplement and
make nor practical the work of the
school by enlisting the cooperation of
those AT home. II aims to disseminate
through the medium of the pupils,
from instructions they receive, i'm
proved methods that are easier. cheap
er or more wholesome methods of ac-
complishing ends in the home, and
broadening from more efficient ser
vice In the home, uplift communities,
thus serving the best interest of the
state. President Brannon of your
State University says: 1T connects
the young people with life and with
the practical things which are indoors
and outdoors of their homes. IL we
start the boys and girls right, there
is little doubt about their successful
finish In organized industrial work"
The boys and girls clubs of this
state are now under the supervision
OF the agricultural extension depart
ment OF the University of Idaho.
Professor o. ID. Center, as director
OF the same is n man of rare ability
and wide practical experience. The
state educational department and the
United States department of agricul-
ture are working together in this, so
the outlook is bright and promising.
The potato, corn, sewing, cooking.
poultry, pig. alfalfa. handicraft and
garden and back yard clubs are bound
TO bring beneficial results. Some of
our teachers met Miss Amy Kelley.
the cooking teacher of the extension