The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-03


 Frederick s. Chase, president. Will liam M. Johnson was reappointec superintendent.
 The report, as prepared by MT Johnson, covering the activities oi the club during the past year is as follows:
 The year 1897 marks the forty ninth year since the organization of the Boys Club of Waterbury. Or ganized in 1888, the club has func- toned without interruption for nearly half century-for the most part under the capable guidance of Nicholas Pop" Combellack, who served his community from 1891 un- til his death in 1936. Throughout these years he created an organiza- tion that became one of the strong est clubs among the 291 Boys clubs in the country and which stands as a monument of boys work in our city
 Community Program
 We are still well aware of our job in the community. With increased leisure, periods of slackening in work, improper home conditions, modern youth freedom and ques- tionabe forms of modern recreation, the need of wholesome, character building and supervised recreation for the youth in his formative years is very apparent. The best of minds inform us that the proper direction of youth is the vital need of the country; their future is determined by past environment and conditions surrounding their very childhood contacts. It is essential that the great energy inherent in every healthy youngster be provided out lets of a healthful and interesting nature. This problem of youth di- rection has now become increasingly conscious in the minds of the older and responsible members of large communities. We can see it in the function of present social agencies, the position it has assumed in the curricula of our universities and the place it is now given in the several departments of government agencies, be it municipal, state or national.
 National Organization
 Our club is part of national or ganization whose special function is work among the underprivileged boys of the community. Believing in a sense of proprietorship as an important element, the boy joins the cllb by paying few cents each month for dues. Some who seem- ingly are unable to obtain the money, are helped by doing some form of work and others are given their membership outright. En- rollment for the past year has been larger than for some time past, in- dicating a necessary outlet in our community for boys desiring our facilities. Although our membership is not strictly confined to boys, about 80 per cent of our member ship of fifteen hundred are of gram mar or high school age, the bal ance being older. This older mem Der also pays larger fee-a great help to us financially-though his use of the club is much less than that of the younger boy.
 To accommodate our membership more effectively, many changes have been made in the interior, al- though the exterior of the club building is very much the same as when built. New departments have been created and others enlarged so that our present layout now appears to fit our needs in taking care of our several divisions. The change in the front of our building three years ago, of moving our dining room upstairs, has provided senior activity room in Whcih is located our business office. An Intermediate room for boys of high school age, a Junior room for younger boys, a Library for readers and club groups, Gymnasium for active games and classes, swimming pool, shower baths, a boxing room and class rooms, are all part of our club ac- tivity department. In our home de- partment we have fifty-five bed- rooms, a dining room and kitchen. At times one feels the need of more bedrooms to accommodate those ap- plying for rooms, but with a reces- sion in business comes a recession in applications and our building then seems adequate. The gymI nasium is taxed to capacity during the winter months and as we use it for showing movies, we feel the need of an assembly hall for these groups. But we fit them all in as well as we can-keeping the gym busy all day and evening. Our great wish is some substantial seating equipment, easily transported, to to replace our folding chairs. These are unable to stand the necessary wear and tear given them and are becoming rapidly depleted. We are using benches to a great extent, but find these very difficult to handle, especially when moving from one floor to another. We also lack an adequate and convenient room for storage purposes.
 Physical Department
 Gymnasium and physica depart ments are not subject to much change, but the current trend in in- door recreation during winter is de- cidedly basketball. It has taken hold with young and old, the one playing 1t and the other watching the game. Therefore, when our phy- sical director left for another posi- ton ir the middle of the year, we obtained a man who came from one of the foremost states in basketball prestige, Indiana. His knowledge of the game will in all probability de- velop great future activity in this sport. Leagues in all classes are functioning and representative teams in each division have been chosen. Although our aim is to provide recreation, interest and ac- tivity to all boys, yet we feel an outstanding group offers mark for the boys to aim at and the privi- lege of urging them to more ef- flcient play. This condition is dem-