THE BOYS' CLUB MOVEMENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 12

THE BOYS' CLUB MOVEMENT

♦ WORK FOR CITIZENSHIP MORE ACTIVITY L RGED ;t'[tO.'J OCR OWV CUKKSSI'OXDK.VI.I LONDON. September 5. Not long ago the Duke of Gloucester said that those who did not bring courage, resolution, and inspiration to boys' club work quickly fell away, while those who persevered found in it a joy and happiness greater perhaps than almost anything in life. But even they were immeasurably strengthened if they had the sympathy, interest, good will, and active suppoi". of the public. A report for 1933-34 on uuilding for citizenship has been issued by the National Association of Boys' Clubs. 'Tn every town throughout the United Kingdom," the report says, "there are boys needing clubs; in every town there are men and women who will support such a club once its object is made clear. Too often, however, no action will be taken unless there is a driving force to rally such support and to bring together an effective local committee, and an expert at hand to advise on premises, to ensure that the club is started on the right lines, and to watch over it in its early days. "The support which the club movement is receiving from an ever-widening circle of friends places on it an increased responsibility. It is not sufficient to add to the number; clubs must more and more strive for an adequate realisation of the ideal of fitness in mind. body, and spirit, and be always a little in advance of the conscious needs of the body. Some leaders have noi always made the utmost of the possibilities of the club in training boys for leisure because of doubt as to the best methods of approach." To assist in developing and teaching the club technique, the association has arranged a number of courses in music and drama, and has published handbooks on handicrafts and on play production in clubs. A grant of £IOOO. which was made by the Pilgrim Trust for the development of handicrafts in flubs, has enabled special handicrafts to bo started in nine federations and '.'.'A flubs. Another grant mr.de Sv the Pilgrim Trust for the encouragement of camping has been distributed where the need was greatest. The national association came into being because of a belief among club leaders that their ideals and methods were too vital and of ton urgent an importance to the national good and to the well-being of the boy for their development to be left to chance. Leader? from all over the country now accept one common basis for their work. The remaining objective has been s n t out ns "more clubs and better clubs." Towards that goal the national association is pressing forward with a sound basis of experience to aid its leader, and with specialist advice and practical experience adding constant!}' to tho store of knowledge.