The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-28

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 over to finding an outlet for their play instincts. That is the place the Boys Club has in the life of the boy of community. Witness our own club. School is out, he dashes to the club or his home and then to the club with that feeling of enthusiasm he receives in anticipating competi- ton. He Is @ member of the Scor- pions, or Wolverines or Tigers and must be present to get his points for his team. He lines up against his opponent to help his team mates to build up their score. Every day Q different form of competitive play is offered and points are given for abli- ity, attendance and conduct. HIS time is used in developing himself, in creating fun which is an exter- nal sign of joy and happiness, he IS facing Q competition and Q mingling of personalities which will tend to create a broader vision of life. He enjoys 1t. He goes home happier, cleaner and certainly with Q greater understanding from his contacts with both playfellows and instruc- tors. for these boys entertainment. 1t IS large, well lighted with running track, basketball court, indoor base. ball diamond, gymnasium equipment of all kinds. After their period on the gym they retire to on up-to-aatS shower room with hot water at VI times and then into the swimming nooi to finish off their day of ac. tiyity. The gym Is the playground of the club and Q continuous pro. gram must be maintained. Volley ball leagues. basketball leagues, base- ball leagues, squad groups, touFn1 ..,. ment play--all are for the boy' We have even gone beyond our own doors in obtaining competing groups A State Junior League and resultant tournafnents have been sponsored ivr the past few years. We ma that " inereascs greatly the interest to the boy of grammar school age. " oHess ,..s him road trips, very unusual TOT a. nn,s and creates desire to make that narticuinr team, Our team IS now firmly established in the league ana has been outAtted to compare w'th the others.
 Equipment
 Some years ago, we deternlnoa .'a that our bowling alleyes, ot put tWo alleys, were not providing the actiV. ity to tho greater number that . hoxine room would. We refioored the alleys at the time and found the change very beneficial. It haS slnce deveioped into 0 real exercise room md gym for individual and not group work for the older members, ], it Ia in use for wrestling, boxing ana general exercising throughout tne day. It is equipped with cheSt- weights, punching bag, exercise nag, wrestling mat and weight bells. " is tho real exercise room Of the ciup and allows the larger gym 10 pe used for group games ana m"s'
 m m attempt to live within our ineome. we have had to withhold many needed expenditures ana TO. ,,airs hut we have found that some repairs had to Do made. Fms WIZ tho case in regard to our pool nea.. or, It apparently sprunk . ieak, pus upon examination we found that Y reuulred thorough overhauling ana reniacing of parts. This improved the circulation of water to the pooI s.sa rnvsadied the condition of heats ing the pool which was very eanhhs to us. Ia ao oil burning apparatus and functionS for hoating water only. It has lateIy shown signs of leaking and we aIs Y toid will have to Do replaeed. Inis ia sonnewhat unforeseen ana VIII mean n substantial expenditure. it must be done In tho very near sus ture and will mean 0 severe oF@" on our limited means.
 Camp
 The last season firmly estaplisnga the Hoys' Club camp in the minds of our younger members. Ecguiar eroups of the boys were taken 70 the camp On WeSh~S .s.... weeks of the summer. The camp situated on property Of mine m Choshire has not the advantages naceasary for permanent camp, put with tho kind pefinission Of the Ma- ple Hill Dairy, we were ape to usv their swimming pool for the boyy swim period. Although we gre n"s ,o'. outflttcd for c permanent suinsnva n., ca,np. we hope to build ag we go on and inter establish Q full time camp s,,ch as wo had in the past. But we cannot expect very large pay mentg by our boys and with tnc heeo a of practically everyth,ng ,,, nnyo im an bide @ camping line. we VII nave oso,s 1 y' Its olir time until the means presens .Sa .s seif. However, c start hes been m"ue 1.a and with our physical instructor m III charge the boys spent some JoyouS times together.
 -F Other Activities
 A very necessary part of the boys Club program is the activities ouVs,ss ,ass of gymnasi,im activities. A plaSo for the boys to gather and amusv, !S, and enjoy themselves in indiviauhl ,,astinses. This is conducted TOT tnS juniors in the game room where a,l kirds of current games are enjoyeu' ft is equipped with Ping Pong tapies' srnail pool tables, disc pool tables, table baseball game, tabowl ana ever 50 many other games--all under su- peryislon. For the older boys our new lobby is open for them at aii times of the day. Here they may play ping pong, bridge. lnonopoly; chess, checkers, pocket billiards ana many other games.
 Our library has been dressed up with great deal of the furniture formerly in tho lobby. Chairs ana rugs bought for the lobby were