Evening star., 1920-02-01
boys WILL PROFIT
BY Y. M. c. A. PLEA
Work for Juniors Is Vital, But
Cannot Be Made Self
Supporting.

One of the non-revenue producing
departments OF the y. NJ. c. A. now
support during the coming year IN
the $4,000 campaign is the boys de-
partment. which occupies large
part of the budget.
This department is under the direc-
ton of experts and separate facill-
ties are maintained for their eXclu-
sive use at 1882 G street. including
a gymnasium, swimming pool, run
ming track, shower baths, club rooms,
game rooms and social rooms
The entire equipment is designed TO
interest and attract youngsters. and
TO meet needs of all classes from
grammar school students to those
boys who are employed. Great em-
phasis is placed on the work with
boys between the ages of twelve ana
eighteen years.
Forms of Entertainment.
Entertainments, scout exhibitions
and circus furnish plenty of fun
Boy Scout troop, the officials state,
is the largest in the city. Competis
tions between scout troops are heid
in the boys building. Scout life saw
ing and merit badge tests are con
Quoted there. In the last two weeks
six different troops have used the
natatorium at specified periods.
Continuous cooperation is given 10
the churches and some of the socia i
centers of the District. Many OF tne
former are taking advantage Oh tne
physical privileges in connection with
Sunday school classes and clubs Two
of the social centers are being sup
piled with leaders for boys clups ana
gymnastic instructors. The schools OF
Washington are given the use OF the
gymnasium three days a week LOT
basket ball practice, as we'll as place
to hold games with other teams.
An average of fifty boys is found
at the weekly illustrated lectures on
Wednesday nights, which are furnlsh-
ed by the d. A. r. These talks are
accompanied by moving pictures or
lantern slides and will continue
throughout February and March.
Then there is the educational tea
ture. Frequent trips are made 10
places of interest and of educatlonal
value. such as the Congressional Ii
brary, the Capitol, government print
ing office. bureau of STANDARDS, etc
Bands of twenty-five to nifty pOyss ;
visit these buildings. There are zop
books read monthly. and twenty mag
aZines are on file in the library Ed
ucational films interspersed with sood'
clean comedy reels are shown at reg
ular periods without charge to the
members and their friends.
Physical Departemnt.
In the physical department classes
are graded according to the size and
weight of the boys. and there is an
instructor attached to each class potn
in the gym" and in the swimming
pool. The Yankees basket ball team
is one of the leading quintets in the
District. having defeated some OF the
best clubs in the game.
There is the Thanksgiving day run
and the marathon is held annually,
while a hobby show takes place dur
ing the last two days in December az
Guiding aeroplanes. toys, STAMPS
coins. mineral specimens, wood carv-
ings, painting. beadwork, etc. These
are open to the public.
The membership of the boys de-
partment has increased from 500 in
1917 to 657 in January of this year.
During 1919 the gym class had the
largest attendance. A small mem
bership fee is charged. but it is en-
tirely inadequate to keep up the de-
partment, and once year 1t is neces-
sary to appeal to the general public
for funds to defray the cost OF cur
rent expenses.
The campaign workers have raised
ss.323 to date This sum would have
been greatly augmented had the Or
ganization been able to put all us
Solicitors in the field. but illness and
pressing business ueHdhuS oiee
played havoc with the personnel dur
ing the past week. 1t is urged by
Clifford l. Johnson. director of the
campaign, that contributions be sent
direct to the Y. NJ. c. A, 1885 6
street. and thus save the time Of
those who are giving so unselfishiy
of their service to the task of Sc
curing the quota of $4,000 which
must be raised to carry on such de-
partments as that of the boys from
which sufficient funds are not de-
rived to make them self-supportlng.