Arizona republican., 1915-02-28
CLUB NOTES

companionship of boys an girls may
 have safe realization. It recignizes
 that recreation is one of the most compelling forces in the life of both young and old and that institutions
 to which society has objected are
 really responses to sound human
 needs. It is one thing to close bad
 places of amusement but quite anx-
 other to open healthful ones. If
 youth must play, donce, go to the
 theater or attend the moving picture
 shows, then it becomes the duty of
 the community to provide a proper
 place with sufficient safeguards
 Each community solves the recre
 ational problem according to local
 needs-activities fit conditions. In most every place are to be found
 such agencies as schools. churches, women's clubs, Y. M c. A, Y w. C. A. and others interested in health
 ful amusements, but such agencies working alone are not sufficient There must be coordination of effort of best results are to be ob- tained. This work is best accom- plished through a field secretary, from National Playground Associa- ton or some other equally efficient
 organization. who with expert knowl- s edge and an outside inclusive point or view, is able to do for communi- ties what they are not able to do for themselves.
 Financial support may also come
 from various sources but it is felt by those who have made d deep | study of the subject that because the
 building of a splendid citizenship u and the prevention, rather than the
 cure of vice are truly municipal
 functions that public recreation cen ters should be supported by public | taxation. By such means only is it l' possible to bring all recreation forces 5 into efficient cooperation.
 B. It was natural that the need for T. play centers should first be felt in IS the more >congested centers but now : cities of all sizes and even rural U communities are considering equip ping and operating childrens play u grounds for children must play if II they ale to develop into normal y healthy beings.
 'a Experts are agreed that play is I " necessity, that it is the best form Of
 physical exercise, that the first veal - of a childs' life should be devoted ." to physical education, that adequat. space and proper equipment should 'o be provided. that play to be wortl while. should be organized and tha i the most important factor is a com 'u petent play leader.
 It Is claimed by those who hay, y made thorough investigation tha
 children left to themselves play littl
 In fact that the average is 90 De . cent loafing to 10 per cent play Tn y. play being mostly of the dramati = type and not nearly vigorous enougl .s, to be of value as physical exercis -. and We all know the dangers of in ''' discriminate loafing Through or 'p agnizations under competent leader
 ship only are the best results ob tained. of course there is a grea h deal of free play and a wise leade ~, knows when to efface himself
 ' In play social habits are forme
 , and morals and character developed = Team games of the play ground re -. ouire submission of individual wi to the welfare of the team Ne - Standards are set up. standards a self control. of helping the other fel .or low, of fighting shoulder to shoulde o, for the honor of the team and ot. defeat preferable to unfair victory o. Fairgrounds pay dividends in bet
 SchOl at in baa | aa better morals in better neighborhoo
 feeling and more vital and mol ,o wholesome life. Juvenile delinquenc ,s in the majority of instances is mere ,o ly the play instinct gone wrong bt air cause not properly directed Thwart me ed nature seeking the easiest outle .ba Leisure is increasing all over u ,n- country and it is becoming quite ,e- important to train for leisure as we ,ra as for work for Satan still fin, ,tb work for idle hands to do. In g no address before a joint session
 the senate and house of the presel .ial legislature of Arizona Dr. R. Bl vc ms KleinSmid, emphasized this xel m point. He said, Tt is wise ma .vo who knows how to spend his leisu ant hours. He added further that fro ci- his experience in dealing with Il ,n criminal element he found that ich was the improper use of leisure tin ,n- that caused the trouble
 est Properly supervised play groun, ice ana recreation centers teach Il ,n proper use of leisure time Ear he formation of play habits is one
 it the best safeguards against futu cts delinquency.
 by The activities of recreation avs system includes not only games al It athletics, but gardening, wood wor It arts and crafts, singing, wadin for swimming, storytelling, pageants al -- in fact everythin that will bring i, ~~ and happy self expression.
 Anything that promotes the ge
 eral welfare by increasing the su
 ] total of human happiness is uui