The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-01-15
YEARLY REPORT OF r
YIN. C. A. ACTIVITIES
Record Of the Physical Department
and the Work Done Inside and
Outside the Inst tuition

On June 18th, 1920 Oscar j. Lii
icnstein Of New London, came to
Bennington to serve, as secretary Of
the physical department Of the local
/ Y. NJ. G. A. which position had been
made vacant by the res gnation Of
4 r.. A. Holloway.
/ Because Of the urgent need for re.
iuYenation Of the interior OF the AS.
ISOLATION building, no summer sche-
dule was planned for the physical de.
| paTtment; the latter part Of the
month Of June and the month of July
being spent in supervision Of work
within the buI lding However, few
summer activities were carried on by
the physical department. Swimming
parties were conducted twice week
at which time instruct on was given
! in the various swimming strokes, div
ing and aquatic games. Though
/ hand apped by Inadequate swimming
places large number of boys and
young men took advantage Of the out
5ngs to Niger Dam" and Colgates
Pond Hiking and camping parties
were also enjoyed by members of the
association.
During the course Of the summer
the physical director accompanied
several parties of boys to the "Y"
camp which is located in a beaut full
psot on the side of Harmon Hill about
three miles outside the town. On
these outings the members of the par.
ty carried their own pack containing
provisions and such equipment as
would afford amusement during their
stay at camp.
Throughout the summer. the Asso.
citation placed its physical director at
the service Of the young people Of
bennington by having him organize
games for the boys and young men at
the Fairgrounds Of the Welfare AS
ISOLATION.
The annual field day and outing of
the Young Peoples Societies of
southern Bennington county was held
at Sand Springs, on Saturday, July
Gath. The Association was asked 10
assist in this event by having its ply
steal department secretary plan and
direct the sports. Those present at
the outing entered heartily into the
track, field, and aquatic events. A
sim lar outing was conducted for the
societies of the northern part OF the
county on September End, at Man
chester, Vermont.
On October 18th, class work in the
gymnasium was started. The classes
have been very well attended The
attendance throughout the first two
months has been very regular The
average number of members in each
class being double the attendance OF
mid-season months of last year.
The policy OF the physical depart
meng has been radically changed.
This no doubt, is partly responsible
fer the increased attendance at
classes Upon summarizing the ply
sica' department. records Kept during
the season 1919-192O It is noted that
groups composed Of non-membe.s
were given more attention and were
permitted more privileges than mem
beers of the Assc citation received. The
first steps taken in form ng the policy
&C the physical department for this
season was to change this condition.
The members were divided into five
classes; Business Men. Seniors. Inter.
mediates, Employed Bows, and Jun
iors. The Seniors, Intermediates,
and Employed Boys meet in class
session three times each week. while
the Business Men and Juniors have
two classes weekly Under this pcli-
cy the members OF the aAssociat on
are given a varied program Of physi-
cal activities.
The extension work Of the physical
department in the public schools has
also undergone a change which is de.
cidedly super or TO that work Of prev
Gus years. During the past years It
has been the custom or plan 70 have
I the pupils OF the Graded School come
to the y gymnasium during the mid
die of the school day, necessitating
their return to studies after a period
OF physical exercise. This year,
through the cooperation Of Superin-
tendent d. w. McCle'land, an ar
rangement has been made whereby
the pupils of the Junior High school
come to the Y NJ c. a. during the
last school period on Monday, We'd
nesdays, and Fridays These groups
are accompanied to the gymnasium
by a teacher.
This method or arrangement is a
source of more enjoyment and is more
beneficial to the pupils than the ar
rangement OF previous years. In the
gymnas um, calisthenics with equip
ment may be had; competitive games,
races. and apparatus work are also
possible. These periods, coming as
they do at the end of the school day
allow the pupils chance for shower
baths after their exerc SEES.
An arrangement similar to the
above has been made for the Senior
High School because existing condi
tions make this arrangement impos-
sible. Therefore,, the physical director
conduct the. High school class in the
auditorium Of the. school on Tuesday