New Britain herald., 1924-09-16
Y. M. [. A. POPULAR
 SUMMER CENTER
One,Filth of City's Population
 Used Bathing Facilities

LatHS dh Nll' h' Ah' N' H NhilSs AHN summer, according td the. report , submitted to the board of directors by General Secretary Clarence Il. Barnes at meeting last evening. Mr, Barnes pointed out the need of additional hand ball facilities and sad the "" intends to start a class in public speaking and one in sales manship during the winter,
 His reports was as follows;
 Activities for the past two | months have ccntered around the | baths, swimming pool and hand ball court. Camp and outings were out standing features of the boys de- | partmcnt. Repairs and repaintmg | occupied the employed foros to a large extent.
 "rhe shower baths and swimming pool were well patronized as is in- dicatcd by the number of baths talk en--11,373. This bare statement of activities does not convey an ade- quato idea of the comfort and con- VenicnCe of our bathing facilities, What it means to many men and boys 10 have access to shower baths and swimming pool fin hot wealth CT can only be realized by a view of the use 10 which these facilities are put in the summer months. Not only have they been used in this way but the physical directors have emphasized, the need to learn to swim. The latter part of June public swimming campaign for school voys was conducted. During July and August 15 swimming classes for boys and 80 classes for men were held, while 36 men and boys were given private instruction. Fifty-four men and boys thus learned to swim.
 Hand ballshas continued its pop ularity through the summer and more men desire to play than can be accommodated, indicating the need of additional space for this game.
 utilizing the summer months when the demand for use of the gymnasium was least the men have repainted and panelled the physical department offices, repainted the lower part of the gymnasium in two colors, ,revarnished the woodwork and stall bars, repaired and repainted the apparatus, painted the running track and mats, cleaned the floor re- marked and oiled it and put all things in good shape for the coming season.
 "The-water tank on the roof has been repainted and repaired and an additional hot water storage tank has been installed to take care of the additional demand for hot water. The floors of the building have been cleaned and reoiled and 3kfrious small repairs made.
 The state committee conducted a training group for gym leaders at Camp Hagen before the regulah camping period to which we sent a delegation of older boys, MT, Herg- strom took part in the teaching and condumted the social program at this time. The physical department also ran the games at the Every mans Bible class outing and con- ducted several overnight camps and outings for our own boys.
 The gymnasium classes for boys opened September s, and those for men will start October 6. The in- dications are that the gymnasium will have a very big season.
 Boys Department.
 "The attendance of New Britain boys to the State Y. M. c. A. camp at Chester was most satisfactory. The number of boys attending-40 Was the largest that we have ever sent there and was four times as great as last season. In fact, only one other city, New Haven, sent a larger number. Twenty-Five boys camped for two weeks, some for & month and a few stayed all summer. Mir. Loomis, the boys secretary, de- voted half of his vacation to the camp. where he had charge of the physical and social activities. The boys had splendid time and all re- turned much benefited by their out ing. The cooperation of this associ- ation in Camp Hazen was source
 of great satisfaction to the state au- thorities.
 For the boys who remained in the
 city over night camps, hikes, out
 door games and socials were held
 along with swimming parties. In the
 building various game tournament'
 were run off. The game tables have been recovered and repaired. A cir, culating library has been secured
 and is in good use,
 Plans for the fall include organi' zation of boys cabinet for self l government of the department, {
 Hi-Y club, radio club, Bible classes
 orchestra and a dramatic club Loca ! business and professional men have been secured to lead these classes