HOLIDAY CENTRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23205, 19 May 1945, Page 4

HOLIDAY CENTRE

Innovation Proves Popular Leisure-time Problem Defeated Although an innovation in Timaru, children’s holiday centres are becoming recognised and accepted as an important social service in many parts of New Zealand. Two years ago the first experiment was made in Wellington, and since then more cities and towns have planned organised recreation for their youngest citizens during the school holidays, and this week Timaru children have been similarly provided for. Under the auspices of the Methodist Church, the holiday centre was established in the church hall at Waimataitai, and the doors were opened on Monday morning to all primary school and younger children—on that first morning more than 100 attended. They have enjoyed themselves because the attendance increased each day, on Thursday 170 children being present. With the assistance of voluntary helpers end the district officers of the Physical Welfare branch of the Department of Internal Affairs, the Rev. M. A. McDowell, South Island Youth Director of the Methodist Church, is directing the activities which commence at 9 o'clock with a “make and do” hour. During this period the children are free to choose among the equipment provided for pottery modelling, painting, gramophone music, cut out work, dice games, reading (books have been arranged attractively by the Timaru Public Library), whatever they want, and because they have all been interested in something, a happy harmony has been maintained without recourse to discipline. After a free issue of milk, story-time follows. Mr McDowell has been telling, in serial form and illustrated with moving pictures, the Life of St. Paul. Then everyone adjourns to Ashbury Park for games under the guidance of the physical welfare officers, and to end the morning there is film entertainment or a concert. Service to Community Holiday centres are an outreach of the churches into the community, providing a definite service to the community, Mr McDowell told a reporter yesterday. Mothers are especially appreciative when some organisation undertakes to provide supervised recreation for the children during the holidays, and not only because it relieves them of the effort to keep them amused. It is, as Mr McDowell mentioned, a practical attempt to cope with the leisure-time problem. It is generally accepted that it is when he has nothing else to do that the child does what he should not do, trivial or serious, and by providing him with the means to occupy himself creatively and with games, holiday centres are getting at the root of juvenile delinquency. Dr. C. E. Beeby, Director of Education, has given his approval of the scheme, and has said that he prefers organisations outside the schools to plan and direct the holiday centres although in Christchurch, for example, the four churches in the district, with the assistance of the headmaster, used the school and equipment very successfully. A parents’ night held during the Timaru course brought forth many ideas for the expansion of the scheme showing that parents are ready to co-operate with those willing to undertake the work. A feature of the holiday centre here has been the kindergarten section under Miss H. Hancock, where 40 preschool children have been catered for. They also have equipment for modelling, painting, cut out work and indoor games. Yesterday they had made the modelling mixture too wet but were delighted with the clay pies they were then able to make. To ensure a follow-up to the work of the centre it is the endeavour of Mr McDowell to see that all the children have some connection with Sunday Schools. Those who do not already attend their own church organisation are encouraged to become members so that they will continue to have some supervision over their leisure time.