The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-02
'Y' AIDS BOYS
TO BECOME MEN
Organization Worker
Points Out Attributes OF
Membership
BY ADAM SMITH
'Y' PHYSICAL Director

Boys do become young men
quickly. The fact is obvious to all,
but in the YMCA it is so evident
day after day that there may be
a tendency to stress the fact that
Boys of today are young men
Of tomorrow"
Many YMCA secretaries can-tell
you of experiences that they have
had in working with youth. Those
that have been serving the associa-
tons for a number of years will
not take credit for counciJing and
guiding many of the prominent pro-
tessional and business men of the
community. Many "Y" secretaries
count these experiences as some
Of the joys of their service with
the citizens of the community.
The YMCA is a character serv-
ing organization, many young men
and boys that could not pay a
membership fee were aided, en-
couraged to become a member.
The YMCA has a special fund con-
tributed by business men and the
community chest, that see TO II
that all worthy boys that want to
take part in the ~" activities
they may do so. There has not
been a boy that wanted to associate
with other boys in the YMCA re-
fused a membership. Many of the
worthy boys of yesterday r con-
tributing and aiding the worthy
boys of today.
Stated briefly, the term "practir
cal application" best explains the
YMCA's contribution to the basic
christian detectives. Too much
has the brotherhood of man just
been the subject of debates, lee
lures or preaching too little has
any real effort been made to put
it into practice.
From the youngest splasher in
the pool Or the smallest boy at the
camp, to the oldest member OF the
volleyball club, contracts at the
Icy" are made with an associa-
ton of boys and men, which ex-
emplify the spirit of unity and
brotherhood. No questions are ask
ed about creeds, nationality back
grounds Or economic conditions.
All that matters is whether the
individual is a good fellow and
plays the game squarely.
Members are tactfully encourag-
ed in this attitude through a leader
snip which is trained according to
the objective of the association
which is Ito extend the rule of God
III the lives of young men and boys
in the community, the country and
the world at large" All this sym
bolized by the triangle with its
equal emphasis on Body, Mind and
Spirit.
Yes, boys do become young men
quickly.
Let US take a glance at a "Y''
member back ID years. He joined
the "Y" when 10 years old, quickly
became a "regular," played games
took hikes, Joined" a group, went
on the gym, like to swim, played
basketball, went to camp. joined
the "Gra-Yyy. He knew four mem
bers Of the staff and was intimately
acquainted with one OF them. He's
% today, and still in the member
ship of the YMCA. He is one OF
the users of the association and
an active committeeman. He has
a keen interest in the boys who
are now in the membership and
r travelling the path he Travelled,
and he's taking his place in the
community-he is q community,
asset. He is one of the younger
church leaders in u city.
He was never a cause" or prob
lem. Just an average boy, typical
of hundreds in this city. His father
has said more than once, my wife
ard l have often talked about how
fine it was that had his con-
facts with the YMCA. You will
never know how grateful we are
or how much the "Y" helped him
and u.s."
When we see this young man to-
day, know of his interests and on
earns, we believe he is, in part
at least, a product of the YMCA.