The Washington herald., 1915-12-05
Many Benefits Are Derived
by Youngsters Who Are
Connected with Christian
Association.
SUMMER CAMP FEATURE
By EUGENE N. FOSTER,

BY EUGENE NJ. FOSTER.
Youth. and tender youth at that. vii
have its day on Saturday, December II
1915, when the Prep class of the boys
department. Y. NJ. c. A. will hold its an
nual meet in the gymnasium OF the asso
citation.
The Prep" class is made up of young
sters between the ages of . and Il, tn
youngest class in the association. ant
, is under the direct charge Of w. Y. Nc
MILAN.
A large and admiring audience will un
doubtedly be present. for the associa
ton has extended special invitation L
all mothers and fathers of those who be
long to the class. while the general pub
lie will also be admitted.
The events will be divided into two
classes. Those open to boys under 10 l.
years will be a 3-yard dash. a one-lar
race on the track. standing broad jumI
and a relay race. while the boys l01-
or over will have the same events with
a potato race added.
The first event will be started at p. m
sharp. and three ribbons Will be award
ed for the first three in each event.
While the "Preps'' will have their day
on the 1lth, they are not the only mem
bers of the association who are given q
chance at winning a prize. for the asso-
citation il planning a number of athletic
competitions.
On New Years Day the association
will hold its annual reception and the
yearly aquatic meet will be held for the
entertainment Of their guests.
In March the large annual meet will
be held and all members are privileged
to enter. Soon after this meet is over
the gymnastic meet will take place and
following that event, about the LIST OF
April. the boys will hold their annual
circus exhibition.
To end up the winter season a large
banquet Is held at the association. at
which time all prizes won during the
year are awarded to the lucky young
sters. This event is looked forward TO
with much pleasure by the young gen.
try. for not only do some of them re-
ceive prizes. and all OF them a good
feed, but some of the boys try them
selves out as orators of the day and drift
Off into such eloauence that they have
to be reminded that they are not in the
United States Senate, but merely talk
ing to their association "buddies"
Although the banquet closes the win
ter season, the association does not stop
work, but plans are Immediately begun
for the summer camp. which Is held an
nually and attended by large numbers Of
the boys. The association has a camp
site near Annapolis. Md, and the camp
is established there for about a month
each summer.
At the close OF camp season there Is q
short vacation In association work, but
II Is not long before arrangements start
for the beginning OF another year of
what could be rightfully named Man
D,,nI
ganization that does more good in de-
veloping both mind and body of WASH
ngton's future manhood than does the
boys department of the Washington
Young Mems Christian Association.
We are fortunate IN having In WASH
ington a number Of organizations that
do 50 much to aid In the proper bringing
up Of the young boys that will make our
future good citizens. but no organization
that uses such systematic and efficient
1t Is a known fact that the right time
for proper development of a person is
not after he has reached his majority
for then he has strengthened any defects
he may have upon birth or received dur
ing his younger years-but is during his
growing age
The boys department, Y. M. c. A.. is
solidly on that principle, and
with that end In view has welded to-
gether a corps OF efficient directors that
have made a special study Of young
boys.
They have certain age limits. however.
which are from s1-2 TO 10 years.
When boy Of from s1-2 to 12 years
comes into the association he is put into
what is called the prep class, and is
under the personal care OF w. L. Nc
MILAN. a man who has been associated
with boys work for a number of years.
In this class the boys physical condi-
lion is made note Of. II any defects are
'ound special line of exercise is given
him and he Is watched during the whole
period Of his membership. All improve
nents are noted on his chart and upon
-eaching the age limit for his class he
sraduates into what Is known as "A"
class, open to boys Il and 13 years of
lge. and his chart Is turned over to E.
B. Fuller. who Is the ruling head in all
physical work in the boys department.
Fuller Is an authority on athletic work
md has made a special study of boys.
he Is idolized by all Of the members Of
he association and is looked upon as a
ather by the youngsters.
He has as his assistants a body of bows,
allied leaders" or assistant instruc-
ors." who are selected from the mem
ership and work for the honor of the
,osition.
These leaders are what Is known as i
he physical department committee, and
heir work Is divided into different
lasses.
One lot are in charge Of swimming. one
OF In charge Of apparatus work, one in |
harge Of calisthenics. while others are 4
assigned to games and contests.
The leaders in the various classes vie \
With each other for the honor of hay-
ng the most efficient team, and In this
ray a good-natured rivalry IL stirred I'D !
etween the various teams which causes |
hem to exert themselves to have their
cam excel
After q boy graduates from "a" class
e goes Into '.B'' class, which IL COM
osed OF boys Il and Is years Of age: