The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-22


iods to suit their classification.
Aside from these age and type clas-
Sification groups, are group clubs
formed solely among boys who are
commonly found in school or class
room association, neighborhood or
common interests association. These
usually evolve into basketball teams
which are IN turn organized into
leagues for competitive purposes.
The chief drawback In respect to
these groups IS our inability to pro-
vide them with all the space and
time desired by them. Thirty-six
teams have comprised these groups
competing in our leagues. Indepen-
dent teams using our facilities in
clude o dozen more.
Basketball
Basketball is not the only sport in
the gymnasium, although 1t occupies
most Of the winter sport for older
boys. But our youngest members or
Cubs, seven to ten, are organized in
squads, and spend most Of their
time In floor games and running
track competition. Older boys, or
Midgets and Juniors, obtain the
first fundamentals Of basketball,
and also engage in squad relays and
games. Intermediates compete IN
basketball leagues, baseball leagues,
hockey, archery, and running relays.
Seniors engage in boxing, fencing,
archery, .badminton, gymnastics, and
also have their basketball leagues.
Weight-lifting is another sport only
INDUCED in by Seniors who have q
desire to develop their physique in
this manner. The boxing room is
used chiefly by senior boys who en-
Joy this form Of exercise. II Is used
almost constantly throughout the
day.
The swimming pool and showers
are also classed as physical depart
ment activities. They are offered to
the boys at all times of the day.
Younger school boys use them after
school hours, the older boys In the
evenings. It assures the Boys Club
boy of having a. clean body with all
of its healthfuB advantages. We
think Of the boy as diving into a
pool that is only required to have
water in it. But maintaining this
pool has many mechanical and
chemical requisites for publication.
It is regularly inspected by state and
city health inspectors, and must be
kept at the right temperature to APP
peal to the boy. Our furnace for
heating this water gave way after
many years Of faithful service and
required installation Of a new one.
1t was replaced by an oil-burning
power circulated system which will
automatically keep the temperature
Of the water the same throughout
the year. This should serve us for
many years to come and is very
desirable and acceptable replace
ment at this time.
Life Saving
During the Spring and Fall of the
year, classes are conducted In Life
Saving and First Aid. Boys are
passed for the other Red Cross ex-
animation after having been taught
to swim. It is rare to see boy who
does not learn to swim within a
short time of using the pool.
Although we think Of the physical
activities in the Boys Club as the
most appealing to the boy, he is al
so offered many other opportunities
of social and educational nature.
A game room is always open to him
during his leisure hours. To the
younger boy or Cub to Junior class,
a game room stocked with all types
of boys games, pool tables ping
pong tables, boing room, are avail
able for his entertainment. The IN
termediate has his own room made
suitable and stocked with games for
his age. To the Senior, the main
lounge or lobby is always available.
The library can be used by all OF
these groups and is very often used
as a meeting room for group club
business meetings.
For the younger boys, classes are
conducted in Woodworking and air
plane modelling. Stamp clubs, scrap
book clubs and leaders clubs are
formed. One of the outstanding
clubs organized this past year Is the
Service Club. To them Is entrusted
the conduct and actions OF mem
bers and friends at our social activi-
ties. All Of our weekly movie shows
are supervised by them, also Hal
lowe'eu and Christmas parties.
They, in turn, have their own par
ties at stated periods. Other forms
of social activities are dances after
our basketball games, annual gym
exhibition, open house program on
Washington,s Birthday, sectional
basketball tournaments, award night
program.
Simmer Camp
We once again were given per-
mission to operate our summer
camp on property In Middlebury
owned by the Thomas Kelly estate.
To them we owe many thanks for
helping to provide about twenty-five
boys week for eight weeks a very
interesting summer vacation. Many
changes were made by our camp
groups to the extent that the State
Inspector gave us full recognition
for the year Our one lack Is ade-
quate water facilities which must be
improved in the future for contin-
ued successful operation. To dis
continue this activity, boys finding
a real enjoyment of outdoor life
will feel a great loss. We hope that
means Of obtaining water facilities
mill srpoeos1f ffaalf and o110W IIS 10