''*''<*'EEB?''SS'^19S!iSKaE5E5SSdBS£ >50CIAL ANP poxs ^— A— 1?ll n^-. 1^' yi Hntt OlnUege of ^Agriculture 3lt fiforncU IniuerattB ffitbrarg The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014464741 Social Activities for Men and Boys Copyright, 1910, by The International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations Contents PAGE Preface vi Introduction xiii Bibliography xiv Social Features 1 Receptions 1 Banquets and Dinners 31 For Non-members 35 Indoor Games and Stunts 41 Forfeits . 67 Amateur Entertainments 69 Plays 94 Holidays 97 Departmental Specialties 115 Physical 115 Educational ... 133 Bible Study 131 Songs and Yells 145 Association Clubs 165 Camps and Outings 225 Indians and Scouts 361 Miscellaneous 283 Alphabetical Index 293 Classified Index 298 Quotations from Amos R. Wells What is it to be social? It is to appreciate the meaning of life. It is to realize that we are set here in this world, not for houses, lands, gold, silks, praise, authority, fame, but for character. You may make a great stir about socials in your Association, but unless the warm heart of Christ is in them, your socials will be more like the water of Labrador than the water of life. Unless, to win men to the Master, you are willing at least to try to forget self, to lose self-consciousness in service, you cannot be social. Sociability does not consist in forms and trappings, but in the spirit. Forget yourself; remember Christ; seek to wm souls for him. The test of a social committee comes, not in the social, but the day after; not in the Sunday meeting to which you may have welcomed the stranger heartily, but on the street and in the cars. Monday morning. Oh, we need to learn how to smile, — not on our lovers, our friends, the dear ones in our homes, — we know that already; but on the peevish, the cross, the sullen, the ugly. We need to learn how to talk, — not with the friendly, the well- informed, the responsive, — ^we know that already; but with the stupid, the rude, the uncultured and coarse. We need to learn how to shake hands, — ^not with soft hands, and white hands, and warm hands, and strong hands, — we know that already; but with soiled hands, and cold hands, and hard hands, and flabby hands. We do not pray half enough over our socials, either while we are planning them or while we are carrying them out. To converse requires sympathy more than anything else. True con- versation takes us out of ourselves, immensely widens our experiences, deepens our knowledge, and adds to our lives the lives of those we meet. Social — to save! To save from what? Well, from loneliness, for one thing. Social — to save from discontent. Social — to save from uselessness. Take the awkward boobies and transform them into wide-awake gentle- men. Develop latent talent and energies. Social — to save from gloom. Ah, who has greater need of our cheery brotherhood than the depressed young people, the discouraged, those whose tempers have become soured? Preface Spiritual sociability is a sure success. It is bounded by neither space nor time. In every man. in every place, in every undertaking, it is splendidly supreme. — W. B. Abbott. In arranging the material for this book the writer has felt the above so strongly that it has been difficult to tell what to exclude. Everything seems to depend upon the social element. The educational department of the Young Men's Christian Association is not commonly supposed to be built around sociability. Impressions of concentra- tion, "grind," the knitted brow, etc., immediately asso- ciate themselves with the educational department or the institute. Yet one of the most successful depart- ments of education in the Young Men's Christian Associations of North America has been developed through the social spirit. Fellowship, comradery, en- thusiasm, and downright affection are so intermingled with drudgery that drudgery is swallowed up, obliter- ated, forgotten. Men and boys are drawn and held. They learn to love the men who teach, and later to love the Christ within the teacher. So everything is, or should be, social. This book is a collection of suggestions,- aimed to make easier the great work of spreading Christ's joy among men. A great many games are contained herein. They are intended absolutely as a means to an end. It should be an established principle with all to use these activities to help build character. Several books have been written on principles of social work. We take pleasure in presenting some thoughts from these writers. The numerous quota- tions which are found at the tops of the pages througb- out the book are intended not only to inspire social spirit, but may be used on programs, menus, or place- cards at banquets. In a little book called "The Social Element," by the late Edwin F. See, general secretary of the Brooklyn Young Men's Christian Association, the writer lays down the following principal propositions: viii PREFACE First, As a sociological fact, we live as socii and not as indi- viduals. Second, As a religious fact, Christ came to influence and modify these social relationships. Third, The group spirit is in operation among young men outside and inside the Association, and some of our secre- ■ taries are successfully availing themselves of it in the develop- ment of Association life. Fourth, This spirit may be employed in redeeming the Association from the institutionalism which has so largely taken possession of it, and may lead to a real enjoyment of the Association by the membership. Fifth, Eatinj and drinking are necessary social agencies in the work of the Association. Sixth, The observance of the group principle may lead to further efforts in behalf of workingraen. Seventh, Some of the most effective religious work may be done in a social environment. Eighth, The personal work of the Association should be, as far as possible, in the hands of social leaders. Ninth, Men, not functions, should be the objective of our social activities. Men should be carried through the Associa- tion in adherence to one another, as well as in adherence to lines of work. Tenth, The secretary may largely multiply his influence by seeking to develop Christian manhood in the leaders of groups within the Association. This should be done on the basis of personal friendship. That sterling leader of social activity in the Christian Endeavor Society, Amos R. Wells, says in his book that you cannot be social unless you are social to save. That is putting the matter very strongly. It practi- cally says that gatherings of boys and men just for fun are not truly social, no matter how much fun they have, unless underneath the fun there is a rock founda- tion of character building. Mr. Wells would have every social planned with this in view, and he states very frankly that unless workers are willing to "forget self, to lose self-consciousness in service," they cannot be social. The Y. M. C. A. Press has a pamphlet called "Social Work," written by Walter M. Wood, George L. Leon- ard and George A. Warburton. The following from Mr. Wood's article deals with the need of fellowship of man with man : PREFACE ix An aggregation of over-advertised conveniences, shabbily cared for by attendants and sold to men ait half-price under the guise of membership, does not constitute a Young Men's Christian Association ; neither do fine equipment, good mainte- nance, polite attendants and low cost make, of themselves, an Association true to the spirit of its name. There should permeate the Association the happy, vigorous, and helpful personality that attracts, stimulates, and inspires. The leadership of the physical director is better than the dumb-bell ; the sympathetic heart-throb of the teacher is better than thelesson ; the cordial greeting of the reception commit- teeman is better than the most improved doorman or hat- rack. A man's body may cry out for conveniences, but his heart cries out for fellowship; let him have the first, if pos- sible, but do not deny him the latter. Mr. Wood also deals with the subject of what re- ception committeemen should be like, and gives some straightforward suggestions as to the equipment of good social committeemen. They should have good manners ; "the slap on the back, the punch in the ribs, and the promiscuous 'glad hand,' are usually abomina- tions." They should also have information. The secretary must see that his committeemen are trained and well informed as to the institution. They should have conveniences for work — desks, correspondence facili- ties, record blanks, personal cards — tools for service. Mr. Wood recommends a time schedule, that men may do their share of service. Things committeemen should do: "Meet men at the door, answer inquiries, introduce men to secretaries and other officers, show men through the building, distribute printed matter, welcome and follow up new members, discover and bring together men of like inclinations, invite men to the building, report concerning each man served, gather criticisms and suggestions and report to the secretary." Mr. Leonard deals with the "Relation of the Recep- tion Committee to Strangers." He says that it should be hospitable, intelligent, helpful, thoughtful, continu- ous, confidential and full of love : "I can never forget a scene once witnessed in the reception room of the Twenty-third Street building, New York City. The secretary of the branch had resigned and left the city X PREFACE t before his successor was appointed. During this time the general secretary of the New York City Association made his headquarters at the Twenty-third Street building, and took up much active work on the floor of the reception room. The first evening after the departure of the former secretary I stood in the room in conversation with Mr. McBurney, when a poor young man entered the door. Mr. McBurney was in an instant across the room, at his side, and had him by the hand before many a man would have started from his place. This love for young men was the secret of his power and influence. This should be our motive whenever we are on duty, and if that motive fully controlled us we would broaden unconsciously the sphere of our work and render some of our best service outside the rooms in greeting strangers on the street, or as opportunity offered, and extending to them the hospitality and helpful asisociation of the rooms." The theme of Mr. Warburton's plea is that "Nothing Hves to itself. The insects move in swarms, the birds of the air go in flocks, and the beasts of the field fraternize." Since this is so, and men and boys will gather socially, and too often improperly, as in the saloon, the cheap club, etc., special pains must be used to make features particularly attractive. In closing Mr. Warburton attempts to sketch an ideal social life, and give a hint or two as to how it may be kept up : "To begin with, the building must open well. Entering, you are not in a passage-way, but in a room with rather low walls and with a fireplace at one end. The prevailing colors are warm and rich, and there are no signs except a bulletin board. You may not see 'Welcome' on the wall, but your eye reads it in the face and manner of whoever is in charge. The secre- tary's desk is at one side, and behind it a door leading to the directors' room. There is no bank furniture in sight, and you are glad of that, especially if you have worked late and are trying to balance your accounts downtown. There are plenty of young men standing about who seem to be enjoying them- selves, and some of them are actually leaning over the secre- tary's desk and he does not seem to mind it. In fact, you are not long in finding that he is the center of the social group, for no sooner is your name known than you are taken and introduced to him. _ His manner is frank and kindly ; the grip of his hand is cordial, but it does not injure your fingers ; his conversation is general, and you find that he knows some of your acquaintances, and that the things in which you are interested are not without interest to him. He says nothing about religious subjects, and at this you may be surprised, yet PREFACE xi you think of him as a Christian man oftener than as an official of an organization. Passing on, you are shown the parlor, where various games are in use, just as they would be in 'a well-conducted home. Pictures adorn the walls and everywhere are signs of good taste. The men are not all speaking in whispers as though they were attending a funeral, yet there is an absence of boisterousness. The ceilings are low and the rooms well-lighted. Things look as though they had been made to use. The impression produced by your first step into the place is confirmed as you move about. Everything seems so open. One room opens into another; fireplaces blaze with a cheerful flame; the men are like the place, open-faced and open-hearted. 'Ample room and verge enough.' When the time comes you are taken into the enter- tainment hall to enjoy a concert. The object of the concert is evidently not to make money but to educate and refine the tastes and furnish elevating entertainment. You go out to return as often as you may. You become one of the group who wait to welcome, and the kindly greeting of one night is repeated to thousands. "The things which hinder sociability are care, pride, conceit, shallowness, hypocrisy, hatred. "The things which foster and develop it are genuineness, sympathy, tact, conversation, heartiness, deference, faith, hope and, crowning all, love. In social as in religious life 'Love is the fulfilling of the law.' " We are inclined to agree with Dr. George J. Fisher, in his book on "The Social Spirit," that the Young Men's Christian Association has been merely playing at social work. "Great advances have been made in the organization and development of the physical, reli- gious and educational departments, but few new prin- ciples have been originated with reference to a logical plan of social work, in accordance with which the membership would be really sociable, and the brother- hood spirit would predominate." The following is suggested as a logical plan to follow in creating a social spirit: First. The culture of the senses — Taste: "The first laugh was at the sight of a good meal." Smell: Have the buildings well-ventilated, no stuffy odors from furniture, locker rooms, etc. Sight: Restful colors, pleasing combinations of color, excellent pic- tures. "If the eye be light, the whole body is light." Hearing: Ragtime will often produce coarse singing xii PREFACE and shuffling of feet. A higher type of music will elevate. Cultivate glee, orchestra and mandolin clubs. Think of the power of national airs to thrill the heart. Touch: Wet and damp hands cause repugnance. Second. The formation of natural groups. Dr. Fisher deals with a great truth when he urges the natural grouping of men and boys to do hard work. The best kind of sociability. Third. Prayer is social. United prayer brings the promise of His presence. Bands of men grouped for prayer are a great social power. Fourth. Suggestion. Use the things occurring daily and turn them into sociability. One of the men is to be married. Have a surprise presentation on the gymnasium floor. Have some pranks, laughter and good will. It is talked of for several days and sug- gests more. Fifth. The Emotional. Stir the emotions through those forms of social entertainment which make one think of home, of country, and of brotherhood. Variety. Not too long concentration. Remember the small groups that are inevitable. They must not be antagonized, but converted or overwhelmed by a popu- lar sentiment in the opposite direction. Expectation. Make your advertisements positive. "We are all happy here," is better than "Don't look grouchy." It is very evident that sociability is older than the race itself, going back through the ages to the great heart of God Himself. True sociability is born of love, the beginning and the essence of the Creator's plan. "Love never faileth .... seeketh not its own." It is a law of perfect unselfishness. With this idea caught and retained in the mind, one absolutely forgets self in loving service for his fellows. There is no note of sadness in it, but only one of joy in the privilege of helping in the great plan of bringing about the king- dom of heaven on earth. "Spiritual sociability is a sure success." This book is prepared as a tliesis in connection with special graduate work of the Young Men's Christian Association Training School, Spring- field, Mass. Introduction Sociability is a condition not an act. It may be regarded as the color or the temperature of personal contacts. The so-called social features are of value in proportion as they yield a forgetfulness of self in a more lively attention to the thought and actions of others and in a mutual sharing of pain or pleasure. The splendid collection of things that have worked contained in this volume offers a wide range of sug- gestions with enough of detail to facilitate the distri- bution of responsibility among workers and with enough of cue to inspire further invention of social machinery. It must be remembered that all social devices are but the clothing of, and the medium in which moves, the personal factor. The most important question in connection with any social event is as to the kind and amount of personal influence liberated and the degree to which receptiveness of that influence is furthered. From a Young Men's Christian Association stand- point, five tests may wisely be applied to any con- templated social event: 1. Will it attract men and boys into the Association fellow- ship? 2. Will it aid the Association to assimilate its members into its varied activities? 3. Will it socialize the members by bringing different indi- viduals an-d groups into such contacts as will increase their krterest in each other, reducing their prejudices and cul- tivating their sympathies? 4. Will it recreate or relieve from the tedium and enervating strain of one's usual line of thought and action ? 5. Will it culture or grow the finer sensibilities and appre- ciations ? When judged by such tests it is believed that the suggestions in the following pages will show many points of strength. Walter M. Wood. Note It has been impossible to satisfactorily classify this book; many of the paragraphs might well appear under several dififerent headings, and the final placing has been somewhat arbitrary. There has been no attempt to discriminate between men and boys in the general divisions, as very often a feature would fit either. It is left to the one using the book to select and adapt to his peculiar needs anything he may find that appeals to him, and the indexes will aid in locating any desired item. Acknowledgment and Bibliography The author is indebted not only to the following publications for valuable assistance, but also to the scores of Association secretaries who have taken time and thought to contribute their best social events for this book. "The Social Element," Edwin F. See, Y. M. C. A. Press. "Social to Save," Amos R. Wells, United Society of Christian Endeavor. "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. "Social Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. "Social Work in the Young Men's Christian Association," Walter M. Wood, George L. Leonard, George A. War- burton, Y. M. C. A. Press. "The Social Spirit," Dr. George J. Fisher, Y. M. C. A. Press. "Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games," Albert M. Chesley, Spalding's Athletic Library. "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft, The Macmillan Co. Association Boys, New York. Association Men, New York. Physical Training, New York. Official Handbook, Boy Scouts of America, New York. Key to Classified Index Besides a full Alphabetical index the book is subindexed under the following classification : Banquets and Dinners. Boys. Camps and Camping. Clubs for Boys. Committees. Dramatics. Educational. Entertainments. General Social Events. High School and College. Holidays. Industrial — Men and Boys. Members and Non-members. Musical. Outings. Parlor Tricks. Patriotic. Physical. Railroad Men. Receptions. Religious. Socials for less than Twenty. Socials for more than Twenty. Socials including Ladies. Songs and Yells. Summer and Outdoor Affairs. Y. P. S. and Y. W. C. A. SOCIAL FEATURES Receptions and Socials 1. PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION General secretaries will welcome the following plan to make the new member an intelligent, enthusiastic Association man. In the large cities it is astounding how little the member knows of the ideals and actual operations of the Young Men's Christian Association. In most places no intelligent effort is made to inform him. Result: he goes about town a user of one of the privileges — gymnasium or educational; he is not a part of the great Christian brotherhood. Upon mak- ing him such depends the future of the Young Men's Christian Association. Here's a way : Hold at a regular time (every two weeks if pos- sible), and in the same room (not too large) a Recep- tion to New Members. Men, on applying for member- ship, are given receipts for dues, and are told that their tickets will be issued at the reception. It should be carefully and kindly explained to them that the presi- dent and general secretary desire to meet them, and they will, of course, welcome an opportunity to witness a few stereopticon pictures illustrating the Y. M. C. A. work. A card, granting the use of the privileges until the time of the reception which the member can attend, may be issued. It may read as follows : Young Men's Christian Association, Blanktown, N. Y. This card grants the use of the (desired) privileges to (name of new member) until (date of reception). The president and general secretary will be pleased to meet you socially on the above date in the Sir George Williams Room at eight o'clock. Stereopticon, music and light refreshments. You will receive your membership ticket at the reception. 2 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Do not try to get up the kind of social that best pleases you, but the kind that best pleases others. — ^Amos R. Wells. Tickets will have to be issued to members who, for one reason or another, may be absolutely unable to attend such a function, but they should be handed, and urged to read, an interesting statement (well illus- trated) of the work of the local and world-wide Asso- ciation. Present: new members, president or vice-president, general secretary, and as many representatives of the various departments (both emploj^es and committee- men) as possible. Program 1. Song, "The Son of God Goes Forth to War." The Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain; Ilis blood-red banner streams afar: Who follows in His train? Who best can drink his cup of woe. And triumph over pain, Who patient bears his cross below — He follows in His train, A glorious band the chosen few. On whom the Spirit came; Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew. And mocked the cross and flame. They climbed the dizzy steep to heav'n Thro' peril, toil and pain. " O God ! to us may grace be giv'n To follow in their train ! 2. Responsive Reading (expressing Association ideals). President. (1) The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice. Audience. (2) / will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. President. (3) Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. Audience. (4) Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. President. (S) Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 3 A merry heart goes all the day. Your sad tires in a mile-a. — Shakespeare. Audience. (6) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. President. (7) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways? Audience. (8) By taking heed thereto according to thy word. President. (9) I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Audience. (10) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. President. (11) If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. All. (12) That they all may be one; as thou. Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 3. Musical Selection. 4. The World Basis of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion : The Young Men's Christian Association seeks to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples in their doctrine and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of His Kingdom among young men. 5. Stereopticon, showing views of the Association in all lands. 6. Song, "America," Our Fathers' God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might. Great God, our King. 7. Prayer by Representative of Religious Work. 8. President's Address of Welcome. 9. Introduction of new members. (If the suggestion is tactfully made, each will rise and introduce himself.) 4 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Let not the social committee forever push forward the same merry- malcers. Try to find fresh talent. Be a committee of Columbuses. — Amos R. Wells. 10. Question Box. 11. Song, "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God: Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have tirod; We are not divided. All one body we. One in hope and doctrine. One in charity. Onward then, ye faithful. Join our happy throng. Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song: Glory, praise and honor. Unto Christ the King: This thro' countless ages. Men and angels sing. Chorus: Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. 12. Refreshments. Workers should be careful to find out and remember the name, occupation and church prefer- ence of each new member and in what he is most interested. 2. HIGH SCHOOL RECEPTION PROGRAM. Pianists— John Scott, Ivan Kauilman. Cornetist — Signor Visconsi. Yell Leader — Max Ades. Lower Hall. I. Everybody gets acquainted but (?) "Cheer up, the worst is yet to come." II. "Pentathlon" Contests. These contests are exceedingly serious, therefore refrain from all levity. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 5 Happiness has been defined as having things; better, as having what you want; better still, as being able to do without what you want. — Rollins. 1. Somewhat Elephantine. J. Schoonover, '10 R. Larr, '11 A. Merrill, '12 O. McAfee, '13 First Second • A Boxer Uprising — The Shores Twins. 2. Hitting Hard and Furious. C. Lyons, '10 J. Brophy, Capt., '11 C. Brosius, '12 W. Crist, '13 Fit St Second 3. "Polly" Contest. R. Lammers, '10 K. Offut, '11 S. Clark, '12 C. LaFlower, '13 First Second ■ "Biscuit Shoot." O. Tipton, R. Ogden. 4. Easter Novelty. M. Ades, Capt. '10. E. Kuhns, '11 I. Miller, Capt., '12 K. Jones, Capt, '13 First Second Mexicana-Americana. R. Burns, H. Tressell. S. Italian Ensemble. 1910 1911 1912 1913 First Second Assembly Room III. Just Among Ourselves. 1. The Faculty — Principal C. J. Waites. 2. School Athletics— Chal Hamill (Football Coach). 3. Our High School Girls — Theodore Needles. 4. The Student Council— President Nehf. 5. The High School Spirit — H. E. Dodge (Secretary Y. M. C. A.). 6. Presentation of Prizes and "Loving Cup" — George O. Dix (Treasurer School Board). 7. Refreshments. The student council, which had the reception in charge, selected a man from each of the classes for captain, and he in turn chose three associates to repre- sent that class in the pentathlon contest. One member of the student council was master of ceremonies, and 6 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES There is an emanation from the heart in genuine hospitality which cannot be described — but is immediately felt and puts the stranger at his ease. — ^Washington Irving. as each contest was to be called for the captain chose his men, and all four men thus chosen would come down to the platform before the contest was ^ an- nounced. In this way all possibility of the boys "tur- keying" was practically eliminated. The contest listed as "Somewhat Elephantine" con- sisted of placing eight peanuts in a row, three feet apart. The test was to carry them one at a time on a knife blade and deposit them in a cup. The winner received five points and the second man three. The "Boxer Uprising" consisted of two of the fel- lows boxing blindfolded. The contest listed as "Hitting Hard and Furious" consisted of driving a dozen nails in a piece of hem- lock four by four and about two feet long. The fellow who drove all the nails in first, with every one straight, was the winner. The one listed "Polly Contest" consisted of each fellow eating two crackers, and the one who could whistle in the natural way first after eating the crack- ers was the winner. The "Biscuit Shoot" was contested by two fellows standing in a barrel, equipped with a pair of boxing gloves. They kept at the contest until one of the bar- rels was shot to pieces. The "Easter Novelties" consisted in tying pieces of string seven feet long to hard-boiled eggs -with the shells off. Each fellow placed the end of his string in his mouth and began chewing it, which, of course, brought him closer and closer to the egg until finally he took the egg in his mouth, ate it and then pulled the string out. He was not allowed to touch the egg or the string with his hands until he drew the string from his mouth. The fellow who finished first was the winner. The "Mexicana Americana" consisted in tying two towels . together and putting them over two fellows' necks, and then on their hands and knees they tried RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 7 Let the social committee get others, if possible, to arrange the games and other entertaihment ; at any rate, leave a majority of your number free to promote the general zest and sociability. — Amos R. Wells. to pull each other over the floor. Two goals were marked the same as in football, and the fellow who pulled his opponent across the line was the winner. The "Italian Ensemble" consisted of each captain and his three men standing together, each man having a banana. At a given signal each captain ate his banana and when he had finished the fellow next to him then began to peel and eat his, and so on down the line. The senior class won the contest and was awarded the "loving cup," which consisted of the largest dish- pan we could buy in the city. This was placed in a large box and carried on the stage by four of the largest high school boys, with each man lifting as if the box weighed a ton. The cup had the following engraving in black paint, "Presented to the class of 1910 for marked ability in the Pentathlon Contest, September 17, 1909."~Terre Haute, Ind. 3. AN INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL Collect a dozen or more pictures representing noted buildings or characteristic scenery of as many different countries. Number but do not label them. Arrange them about the room, on walls, mantels, etc., and provide each guest with a program, a pencil, and a card containing all the numbers on the pictures. Require them to guess from what nation each scene is taken, and to write their guesses opposite the list of numbers on the cards. At the close of a half hour, collect the cards ; and, while they are being examined by the committee, pro- ceed with the musical part of the program. This should consist entirely of national airs, played as a medley, or singly with variations ; or they may be sung by ladies or girls dressed in appropriate costume. Germany, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, and America would all be capable of bright represents- ■ ''-^^^ .■■v ■ ■*■"■ " RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 9 Close the social promptly, and when people would like to have more of It. — Amos R. Wells. tion in song and dress. "Hidden Nations," or, as The Voice gives it, "A Tour of Nations," may be intro- duced. We give vi^ith one variation the list published in that paper, from which the idea will be readily taken. The game may be conducted orally or in written form. If rewards are given, in this or the former contest, they may consist of small flags, .or of other patriotic emblems. A Tour of Nations 1. Nation from which we start: Germination. 2. Actors' nation : Impersonation. 3. Nation for criminals : Condemnation. 4. Murderers' nation : Assassination. 5. Nation for astonished people : Consternation. 6. Nation for pests : Extermination. 7. Nation for rulers : Domination. 8. Nation for their subjects: Subordination. 9. Nation provoking disapproval : Abomination. 10. Teachers' nation : Explanation. 11. Their pupils' nation : Examination. 12. The rebels' nation : Alienation. 13. Nation for labor unions : Combination. 14. Nation for unwilling people : Declination. 15. Nation for people in danger of smallpox: Vaccination. 16. Soothsayers' nation : Divination. 17. A floral nation : Carnation. 18. A politician's nation : Nomination. 19. Nation for contagious disease : Contamination. 20. Nation for seed-sowers : Dissemination. 21. Nation for deer : Stagnation. 22. Nation for the resolute : Determination. 23. Nation for choir boys : Intonation. 24. Nation for new kings : Coronation. 25. Nation for the deluded : Hallucination. 26. The poets' nation : Imagination. 27. Nation for travelers : Destination. 28. Nation for those whose official business is ended : Resig- nation. 29. Nation for benevolent people : Donation. 30. A charming nation : Fascination. 31. A nation of sects : Denomination. 32. The critics' nation : Discrimination. 33. The nation at the climax: Culmination. 34. The nation we have now reached : Termination. 10 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth and conquer a crown; And three with a new song's measure Can trample a kingdom down. — O'Shaughnessy. The lunch or supper may include one or more articles of food supposed to be from each of the several promi- nent countries : P'rench rolls, omelet and coffee ; German sausage or pretzels; Irish potatoes; English roast beef or plum pudding; macaroni, spaghetti or fruits from Italy ; Scotch oatmeal parritch ; and Yankee doughnuts, succotash or pumpkin pie. Or there may be separate tables with a complete bill of fare, and a waitress in costume for each nation, thus giving a wide choice. The latter way is mio&t profitable, as some will pay for several suppers before leaving. Both the supper room and the parlor should be tastefully draped with flags of the various nations, and a stirring march may be played when supper is announced. — From "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Chris- tian Endeavor. 4. HOME RECEPTIONS Home receptions have been thoroughly tested, and proved to be one of the best social features of the boys' departments. It is seldom difficult to secure invitations for groups of boys to some of the finest homes in the city. The host is glad to provide the entertainment and the surroundings cannot fail to make their impression, especially upon the boy who is not privileged regularly to enjoy such things- These receptions almost invariably increase the interest of the host in the boys' department work. After several years' experience the secretary of the Cambridge, Mass., Association writes: "Our home socials are limited to groups of fifteen boys. The group is so small that every one of the fifteen gets acquainted with every other one. They play games around one large table, so that there is created a much stronger social spirit. The influence of a good home and a fine Chris- tian hostess is something that cannot be given in the RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 11 If thought unlock her mysteries, If friendship on me smile, I walk in marble galleries, 1 talk with kings the while. — Emerson. building. There is a cultivation of good manners. The boys are on their best behavior in a good home." — E. M. R., Association Boys, Vol. I., No. i. Home socials have many advantages over those held in the Association rooms. In some cases the ideals of boys have been changed because of an even- ing spent as guests of a noble, tactful woman in a hgme of refinement and culture. In every case where parents have been invited to entertain a group of boys, they have entered enthusiastically into the scheme, and have done more than they were asked to do. The secretary makes the arrangement several weeks in advance, explains all the details to the hostess, and asks her if she will assume the entire responsibility of the evening's entertainment. We have found it best to have a group of about fifteen boys meet at some rendezvous and come to the house in a body with the secretary. I will mention a valentine social given to a Bible class of older boys. Mrs. A — decorated her rooms, arranged suitable games and made valentines for each boy. On each valentine suggestive pictures were arranged, and the boy was asked to compose in a limited time some verses appropriate to the picture. This was heartily entered into, and some remarkable talent was displayed. A suitable prize was given for the best and most appropriate verses. Refreshments were served and the conversation was made bright and jolly by jokes and conundrums. In another home — that of a peanut broker — a peanut social was given, at which several unique features were introduced by the hostess. In this case the host, who had not before shown any particular interest in Asso- ciation work, was drawn into sympathy with it and led to give it his support. In these socials the boys come to know each other better, and the secretary has opportunity to come into 12 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES "Let there be no chink of the money-cup about your socials." That is a wise rule ; none the less wise that there are many exceptions to it. — Amos R. Wells. closer touch with them, and to win the cooperation of the host and hostess. There is an atmosphere about the home social which does not pervade the Association building. — F. W. Evans, Boys' Work Director, Nor- folk, Va., in Association Boys, Vol. I., No. 6. 5. A DIME SOCIAL Music and two or three bright recitations or readings may open the evening, after a general conversational time, while the guests are assembling. A paper or talk may be given on the process of coining. This may either precede or follow the dime game which we quote from The Household. See that each person present is provided with a United States dime and a lead pencil, also a siheet of paper upon which the following list has either been written or printed, with numbered blank spaces for the answers. When these have been disitributed, announce that a certain length of time will be given in which to find upon the face of the coin the following articles : 1. Fruit of a tropical tree. 2. What the Siamese twins were. 3. What a lazy man seldom gets. 4. The divisions of a country. 5. The cradle of liberty. 6. Another name for an isithmus. 7. Something a schoolboy makes. 8. Something a bootblack wants to give you. 9. What we love to sing. 10. What a self-conceited man does. 11. What you might do if very angry. 12. Part of a river where the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet is sometimes found. 13. An instrument to catch sound. Find upon the reverse side of the dime : 1. A sailor's measure of distance at sea. 2. Two articles for trimming a child's hat. 3. A number a miser is sure to take care of. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 13 It is sometimes a compliment to be neglected. There are people to whom we are very polite, not because we crave their affection, but because we dread their touchiness. — Rollins. 4. The brow of a hill overhanging a precipice. 5. A pleasant companion on a dark night. 6. What makes the forests green. 7. From the letters that form "One Dime" make thirty- three words, common and proper nouns. Key Articles found upon the face of the dime : 1. Date. 2. United. 3. A head. 4. States. 5. America. 6. Neck. 7. Figures. 8. A shine. 9. America. 10. Knows (nose). 11. Stamped. 12. Mouth (Greek letter, Delta). 13. Ear. Articles found upon the reverse side of the dime : 1. Knot. 2. Wreath and bow. 3. One. 4. Edge. S. Bow. 6. Leaves. — From "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. 6. A PRESS SOCIAL Edit an oral newspaper, with some ready speaker in charge as editor-in-chief, to explain and conduct matters. For the editorial page, have several four- minute papers or addresses from a pastor and other contributing editors, on topics of general or current interest. The page in charge of the news editor should consist of selected clippings and written items, either local or of wider range, concerning the work of the Association. A department of personals is amusing, if planned long in advance. It consists of head lines and short but thrilling incidents clipped from newspapers, regard- ing people whose names chance to be the same as those of certain members of your Association. Collected and pasted on a card or sheet of paper, they can be read by the editor of the department, and afterwards passed around, to satisfy any who may suspect him of improvising. For your literary page have one good short story told, original if possible. Impromptu attempts at its 14 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The social committee has not completed its task until it has trans- formed every other committee of the Association into a social com- mittee. — ^Amos R. Wells. pictorial illustration follow. For the best sketch thus made, an illustrated book, such as "A Daily Message for Association Members," was once given ; and to the least successful artist, a poirous plaster, warranted to draw. For your advertising columns, prepare in advance a list of familiar modern advertisements, retaining the phraseology, but substituting the name or initials of your Association for the thing advertised ; as "Life is a constant battle, made easier by using Y. M. C. A." Appropriate literature may be displayed on a table, the foreign and curiously printed newspapers predominat- ing. Serve pressed refreshmients, consisting of lemonade (pressed lemons) and pressed chicken sandwiches, to which may be added ice cream pressed into bricks. Auction off some articles, like a pressed meait loaf, compressed yeast cakes, etc., toward the close of the evening. A suitably pressing form of invitation could be used. — From "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. 1. FATHERS' AND SONS' SOCIAL Purpose: This social is conducted with two distinct objects : 1. Helping the father and his son to become better friends, and more companionable. 2. To interest the father in the affairs of the Association. Invitations: About two weeks before the social, it should be thoroughly advertised among the boys, and they should be told to bring their fathers with them on the night stated. No boy should be admitted with- out his father (unless possibly an older brother or other relative should take his place), and no father is admitted without his boy. Then about a week pre- RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS IS If good people would but make their goodness agreeable^ and smile instead of frowning in their virtues, how many would they win to the good cause! — Archbishop Usher. vious, the father should be sent an invitation saying that the officers of the Association wish to second the invitation of his son to come to the social. Program: As the boys and their fathers come into the building, they are furnished with a program with such events as the following named upon it: 1. Game of Checkers. 2. Game of Ping Pong. 3. Game of Table Croquet. 4. Short Dash. 5. Broad Jump. 6. Spirometer Test. 7. Hop, Skip and Jump. The boys and their fathers may begin playing these various games as soon as they come into the building, and as later ones come, the first arrivals adjourn to the gymnasium for the games at the end of the pro- gram. Each boy competes with his father, and the winner is indicated upon the cards. At the proper time a game of volley ball may be arranged, the boys playing against their fathers. A tug of war is also successfully used by dividing the sides evenly. A short musical program may follow, if it does not make the program too long, and light refreshm.ents be served. If the social is for older boys and their fathers, by having an open swim at the end of the program some fathers may avail themselves of the opportunity of taking a swim with their boys in the "new-fashioned swimmin' hole." The results of a social of this kind may be very far- reaching. It is certainly gratifying to see the fathers take off their coats and becomie boys again — comrades of their sons. Try it ! — H. H. Moore, Spokane, Wash. 8. AN ANIMAL SOCIAL A social event for Bible class members, which was used with success at Youngstown, Ohio, might be of value to others. A week previous to the event postal cards were sent out calling it a "Surprise Social," to take place imme- diately after Bible class lesson. Only boys over thir- RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 17 If your social committee is unsuccessful, the probable reason is that it is not enough of a prayer committee. — Amos R. Wells. teen were invited. The postals stated that a prize would be offered for the boys who would hand in the largest and neatest lists of names of animals, birds, and fishes found in the Bible, with the references where found. A number of boys handed in very creditable lists. The winner had seventy-five different animals, birds, and fishes ; the second, sixty-five ; and the third, sixty. When asked how they had secured them, they answered they had commenced at Genesis and looked the Bible through. This was good practice. At the social, animal crackers were passed around and each boy had to draw his animal on the blackboard. On a list numbered to correspond with blackboard figures each boy wrote his guess ; when the list was completed each boy exchanged and corrected his neighbor's list as the leader read the correct name corresponding to each number. The next event was the old game of pinning the tail to the donkey, which needs no description. Taking the boys by rows as they were seated, a prize was offered for the boys who could best imitate a barnyard fowl or animal. The imitations ranged from the proud soprano bantam cock to the lordly red-combed chanti- cleer who "Waked the priest all shaven and shorn." Pigs, chickens, cats, "old mooley cows," Rover the dog, Dick the horse, and Tom the cat, were not for- gotten. Noah himself would have felt right at home. Candy animals made prizes for this event. The grand finale came with the refreshments, sand- wiches and cocoa brought by the boys themselves and served by them. — Joseph A. Goodhue, in Association Boys, Vol. VI., No. i. 9. PALM SOCIAL This is a warm weather social. Decorate with potted palms and have a generous supply of palm-leaf fans. An essay, story, chalk-talk, or stereopticon ad- 18 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Isaiah has a motto for social committees: "Strengthen the weak hands." — Amos R. Wells. dress on "A Journey in the Land of the Palm Trees" may be made entertaining, but should not be very long. In connection with this, pictures of the cocoanut palm especially may be shown. Then the guests are con- ducted, in small groups, into a room having the lights turned low or shaded, where a member of the Associa- tion disguised in gypsy costume tells the fortune of each in turn, at a charge of five cents, or whatever patrons please to give. The fortunes are told from the lines on the palm of the hand, and should include marvelous achietements in the direction of work for the Association, combined with humorous adventures and catastrophes, all adapted to the known tendencies, talents, and habits of the individual. These fortunes, if conducted by a bright, ready talker, possessed of tact as well as wit, will furnish material enough for conversation and merriment among the main body of the guests as fast as the suc- cessive groups return and new ones take their places. A gypsy song, such as "Esmeralda," may be rendered as a solo, either before or after the gypsy's reign; or it may be inserted during the waiting period before the first group returns, if the rooms are somewhat separated as to the penetration of sound. Serve ice cream, cocoanut cake, and iced lemonade for refresh- ments. — L. M. H., from "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. 10. HIGH SCHOOL. ATHLETIC SOCIAL Washington, D. C, had a successful social affair by inviting (under the auspices of the high school Bible classes) the entire male student body of the five high schools to occupy the boys' building one evening. Each school supplied the following competitors for the sports — no student allowed in two events: 1. One pool player. 2. Five basket ball players. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 19 "Can I do anything for you?" He was always asking that question. — ^Thackeray. 3. Fourteen runners for relay (each to run two laps, or one quarter of a mile). 4. One swimmer for 2S-yard event. 5. Four swimmers for relay race. The fun started at 7.30 with the pool game. En- tries were drawn in tennis tournament style; straight pool, first eight balls winning; the loser out for good. The school winning received ten points. At this stage a short address of welcome, together with an an- nouncement of the Bible study plan, was given. Adjournment to the gymnasium for basket-ball. Five minute games, eliminating the losing team. The final winner received ten points. In the relay racing, the pursuit style, with the teams starting at opposite sides of the track, was the method used. Ten points to the final winner. Each of the swimming events scored five points for the winning school. Refreshments: plenty of fruit, lemonade served in style from a punch bowl, by a colored waiter. All over at 10.30. All had a good time. 11. APPLE SOCIAL Put on cardboard the names of several kinds of apples, with the same figure under each letter of a name — 1 for pippin, 2 for baldwin, etc. P 1 I 1 P 1 P 1 I 1 N 1 B 2 A 2 L 2 D 2 W 2 I 2 N 2 Cut all the numbered letters apart, having enough to provide one card for each person. After mixing them well, distribute promiscuously through the audience. Then explain that all having the number 1 on their cards are to get together, all having the number 2 on their cards to get together some distance from the other group, and so on, until all are in their respective groups, 20 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES You think you believe in the brotherhood of man. Test yourself at the next social, and see whether you do not practically believe only in the brotherhood of the congenial. — Amos R. Wells. when it should be announced that each group will be given, say, fifteen minutes to find out what the cards spell, and to write a poem on their apple. One from each group reads the poem. Let three judges decide APPLE SOCIAL. H^X? Apple Social. HEN? March srd, 1908, 8 to TO p. m. HKRK ? J?- R- DepartmentY. M. C. A. HOM FOR ? You. JJ Y ? J^o see who will get the B. A. P., L. A. P. or the N. A. P- . \ nB OK TIME. CO.Mk i\sini\G YOVR PRIEIVnS. on the three best poems, and a good wit present to the best of the three a B. A. P. (Big Apple Pie), to the next best a L. A. P. (Little Apple Pie), and to. the third N. A. P. (No Apple Pie) ; the last prize should look very rich and juicy but be filled with cotton. The winners must divide their pies before the audience. Secrecy is a big part of the fun in this contest. — 0. E. Merritt, R. R. Y. M. C. A., McKees Rocks, Pa. 13. FALL RALLIES In the fall of the year a big social rally may be held, at which reports of members' summer social activities are made, accounts of vacation and "oif-time" experi- ences given, and many delightful hours of the past summer time lived over again. Events of this sort RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 21 It is the test of fine character, as of tine singing, that the person displaying it makes it seem, not a difficult thing well done, but the simplest thing in the world to do. — Rollins. help mightily to hold members who would otherwise drop their membership until the colder season opens, and they also aid the Association in securing members who would ordinarily never be enlisted during the summer season. Moreover, they furnish an oppor- tunity for secretaries, who during the busier season of the year find it almost impossible to cultivate the social acquaintance of members, to gain a host of new friends. Friendships thus cultivated have, to my personal knowledge, frequently culminated in the surrender of the lives of men and boys to Jesus Christ, and in their enlistment into active service for their fellows. This is the supreme test of the value of summer social work. It costs money, time, thought, perspiration, but the investment pays big dividends.' — F. D. Fagg, New Britain, Conn. 13. "SATURDAY NIGHTERS" Last year we tried a number of novelty socials on Saturday nights under such names as the "Peanut Square," "Pop-Corn Ball," "Chestnut Circle," and the "Sweeit Apple Bee." On these evenings we gave the members some form of entertainment and introduced a number of novelties in getting the men acquainted, such as playing an original game called "I Know You," where every man would introduce himself to the other men present, there being in the audience a man who, when the fiftieth person shook hands with him, placed a silver dollar in his hand. This had been explained to the audience beforehand, but of course they did not know which man had the dollar. We also tried a number of guessing games, bringing into the Associa- tion a dummy street-car conductor who had supposedly offended a member, and the game was to get his number, the one guessing nearest to it getting the prize. One of the best means of helping the fellows to enjoy themselves on these occasions was the printing of 22 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES In seating strangers, place them, if possible, near the most socially inclined of the members. — Amos R. Wells. popular songs in mimeograph and having a good pianist and a vocalist to start them. We think of getting out our own songbook this year. — Horace G. Williamson, Cincinnati, O. U. A RE-UNION INVITATION MEMBERS' RE-UNION for NAUGHTY NINE Monday Night, October 1 1 Eisht Sharp RAILROAD MEN'S BUILDING FRANK G. REYNOLDS, Funny Man CHARLIE WOLD, Musical Glass Masseur PICTURES OF THE ARCTIC REGION Showing How to Discover the Big Nail CONTEST "CLIMBING THE NORTH POLE" (Greased) PRIZE $3.00 Elntries: — Allegamush, Matt Henson, Cook, Peary and Frozadafoot. After the pole is dumb, the Board of Ash Can and Waste Basket Research, will receive the "data" of Cook and Peary DONT MISS THE TESTIMONY OF MATT HENSON AND THE ESQUIMAUX ETAH REFRESHMENTS (EAT-AH. OR CO WITHOUT) ONE NIGHT ONLY— MEMBERSHIP TICKET ADMITS —W. W. Adair, R. R. Y. M. C. A., Nezv York. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 23 Today's best should be tomorrow's starting-point. — The Saturday Kvening Post. 15. LEFT-HANDED SOCIAL A reception to a victorious basket ball team took the form of a "Left-handed Social." A four-page pro- gram, icards opening on the wrong side, bore a cartoon of a basket ball player in action, and the following verse : Left-handed greeting. Left-handed eating, Left-handed compliments, too ; Left-handed name. Left-handed game, I think that's enough, don't you? The reception line greeted the guests with the left hand, and the left-handed compliments were "slams" and "knocks." Refreshments were eaten with the left hand, and the three blank pages of the cards were used in securing left-handed autographs — a prize being given for the largest number received. At the con- clusion of the musical program, team trophies were presented and individual medals awarded. — Washing- ton, D. C. 16. UNIVERSITY RECEPTION The University of Buffalo has a theatre party once a year— one of its greatest social events. It is the one thing that seems to unite the five departments. After the program in the theatre closes, the Association sends a band to the theatre and brings the students and their friends direct to the hall. A contest between the five departments is held, including the following events : spider race, basket ball, tug of war and block race. The winning department is presented with a banner or pennant to be kept for one year. After the contest, which ends about 12.30, refreshments are served — sandwiches, doughnuts, coffee, etc. Usually over 400 men attend. This helps to counteract the tendency of the men to go to saloons and other evil resorts 24 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Your social will be a comparative failure if you have not gathered into it a few disreputables from the highways and hedges. — Amos R. Wells. after the show. A reception is also held earlier in the season for„the freshman class, at which time member- ship in the Association is discussed. — W. B. Van Scoter, Buffalo Central. 17. A RAILWAY SOCIAL Arrange chairs like the seats of a railway coach, with an aisle down the center. If the party is a large one, place from four to six chairs crosswise on each side of the aisle, instead of two. Have the program fairly well arranged previously. Gongs, bells, whistles and train noises are provided for; also a conductor, brakeman, periodical and candy boy. When the train is well under way, start the program. The conductor in taking the tickets should have an argument with a man who won't pay, putting him off the train. Other features are monologues, dialogues between the pas- sengers, and a group singing. The brakeman announces stations. After the items on the program — and the passengers — lare exhausted, announce the end of the journey or dinner in the dining car and adjourn for refreshments. 18. SALMAGUNDI PARTY Thirty of the older boys brought ladies to the Asso- ciation for a "Ladies' Night" and called the event a "Salmagundi" party. Small tables were set around the room at which two couples were placed, and progressive parlor games played. At the ring of the bell by one of the patron- esses the parties changed from one table to another. Six or eight prominent ladies were secured as patron- esses, and music was furnished by a good orchestra. Score cards were punched at each table. Refresh- ments were served in separate rooms, or at the tables. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 25 You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? — Lydia Maria Childs. By selecting only the choicest fellows as promoters, this was conducted in a dignified and interesting way. —W. S. Reed, Newark, N. J. 19. TWO NOVELTY SOCIALS The feature of the evening is an exhibition of regu- lar gymnasium class work, with possibly the addition of a few specialties. Every member participating is obliged to come masked and in costume. Aside from the social value of this, the advantage lies in the fact that every memher may participaite. Members are to be divided into two groups, one on each side of a curtain, and each side performs in turn on apparatus which has been so arranged that shadows will be oast upon the curtain. While one side is per- forming the other is guessing as to the identity of the performers ; the side guessing (the greatest number cor- rectly wins a prize. — Dr. Lyman G. Haskell, Jackson- ville, Fla. 20. COLLEGE PREPARATORY SOCIAL Last spring we had a most enjoyable evening with the graduating class of our high schools. The princi- pal idea was to get in touch with them regarding the various colleges to which they expected to go in the fall, and to bring them into touch with representative students who were the leaders in the social, athletic, and religious life of their respective institutions. Representatives from practically every college in our state were present and each made a short talk. — A. L. Ward, Indianapolis, Ind. 21. INCLUDING THE LADIES The Association building is opened every other Friday evening for a "Ladies' Reception," when the 26 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES You think you are unselfish. Make trial of it at the social by for- getting whether you are having a good time in your desire to give a good time to others. — ^Amos R. Wells. members come with their famihes and friends. The evening is devoted to bowling, volley ball and the various privileges of the Association, and there is usually a good musical program made up of local talent. These ladies' evenings have been successful in uniting the foreign colonies and establishing a patronage for the Association among those who would otherwise not find attractions there. — A. E. Turner, Monterey, Mexico. 23. OPEN HOUSE (BOYS) E. G. Hungerford reports a successful social even- ing for older boys, both school and employed. Make the invitation dignified and attractive, inviting mem- ber and lady friend. Have reception committee of boys at door. Introduce them to receiving line con- sisting of chairman of boys' work committee and wife, general secretary and wife, boys' work director and wife, president of boys' cabinet, etc. Guests receive neat souvenir programs. Musical and reading num- bers by boys follow. Inspection of boys' department. Serve Y. M. C. A. punch. Close with debate between students and business boys. 23. MEMBERS' MONTHLY STAG This has usually been held in the gymnasium ; the entertainers being similar to those used at the "Satur- day Nighiters" — cartoonists, etc., only perhaps a little better. During the evening, heads of the various departments announced what they were doing and what their plans were. Occasionally apples were furnished, but care had to be taken lest the members became boisterous. — R. D. Tucker, Social Work Director, West Side, N. Y. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 2,7 As we came up the hill there was difficulty, and here and there a hard pull, to be sure, but strength, and spirits, and all sorts of cheery incident and companionship on the road. — Thackeray. 24. COLLEGE RECEPTION Guests file past a receiving line of college and Association officials, to spend a social evening in the gymnasium, with interclass yells, songs and stunts. The entertainment is similar to the Fourth of July celebration of the Student Conference at Northfield, where the representatives of the various colleges march in (lock step). After all have assembled each college does its stunt. 25. RALLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES Meet in a suburban grove or park. The program is provided by representatives of the societies participat- ing. It should include one strong, inspirational address by some able Christian worker, out-of-door games and band concert. Announce a basket luncheon. 26. STORY TELLING CONTEST This may be either a fake affair, to see who can spin the funniest or most improbable yarn ; or it may be an entertainment of better tone, in which the teller of the best story wins out. These stories should have variety, including the humorous, the pathetic, the di- dactic, etc. It goes without saying that there should be nothing low or irreverent; there is sometimes a trend in these directions where an audience is made up wholly of men. — N. 27. CAMP REUNION Let the boys who attended the summer camp arrange for a winter-evening reunion. Trim the room to make it look as woodsy as possible; put up a tent 28 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES It has been said by Mr. McCauley that one of the duties of the social committee is to prevent people from being too sociable. — Amos R. Wells. if practicable, with the various camp accessories — an open iire adds much to the effect. Arrange an appro- priate j^rogram, with stories, songs and camp stunts. Serve simple refreshments that can be eaten while sitting on the iioor or on camp stools. — H. S. N. 28. NIGHTS OF ALL NATIONS This consists of a series of four or five evenings given up to foreign nations, such as Swedish, Irish, French, etc., with national decorations, monologues, impersonations, etc. A preliminary prospectus an- nouncing one a month for the winter may. be made attractive. — Ward Adair, R. R. Dept., New York City. 39. MOVING PICTURES The moving pictures are very popular these days and are often made a drawing feature of social enter- tainments. A great deal of care should be used in selecting the films, the only safe way being to see all of the pictures before allowing them to be put on in the building. Some very disreputable views have been exhibited at Association entertainments. 30. A DIRECTORS' SOCIAL FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND THEIR FAMILIES Last year the entire program was given by the chil- dren of the directors, and was surprisingly successful. — B. W. Gillett, Haverhill, Mass. 31. GHOST MINSTRELS Bring the whole troupe on with sheets over their beads, the stage being darkened. The usual minstrel show follows, with ghost jokes and songs, for the first part. Turn on the lights and brighten up things, for the second part. RECEPTIONS AND SOCIALS 29 Yes, we're boys, — always playing with tongue or with pen. — And I sometimes have asked, — Shall we ever be men? — O. W. Holmes. Nine Suggested Social Evenings By Mrs. David R. Porter. 32. POST CARD EVENING Cut pictures of well-known buildings into four or six pieces each, then shake all the pieces belonging to each picture together. Have as many envelopes as cards or pictures, each one containing as many pieces as each card is cut into. Pass these envelopes and then have the participant strive to find all the pieces which form a card. Be careful to have one piece in each envelope and a number on the back of it. For example : Capital of United States, 1 Congressional, 2 Abe Lincoln, 3 Thus each knows what to seek. After most have been found, have each one tell what his card represents and tell one interesting thing about it. 33. A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD Have several objects in the rooms from as many different countries as possible and have the people guess from what country each came. As each guest arrives hand him a slip of paper with the name of some country on it. All having the same name must represent that country in some way. Later in the evening have the capitals of the countries called and each group is supposed to do something characteristic of the country they represent. If refreshments are served, a novel way would be to have small tables and either by decorations or food designate a country. 34. MEN WE KNOW Secure pictures of great men. Cut each picture in two in the center. Match the upper part of one to the 30 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Christ's words apply to socials: "If ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others?" — Amos E. Wells. lower part of another. Grant's chin and Garfield's forehead form a face such as one often sees. Lin- coln's chin and Brunson's forehead. The object is to guess to whom the chin and forehead of each belongs. To make it intensely interesting, use familiar faces, like Longfellow's, Whittier's, etc., and carefully match them, striving to make a good face in each case. Paste them on a piece of paper and cut oval, round or diamond shape. 35. WORD CONTEST Hand each person a letter of the alphabet printed on a card. Be careful to have many vowels. As two persons or groups of persons chat together they are to see if their letters together spell a word. Each time a person helps to form a word he places the word on his card. The winner is the one who has succeeded in helping form the most words. 36. GUM GAME Pass around cards, having at the top of each the name of some animal, cat, dog, man, etc. (Sometimes the name of a country.) Each boy is also handed a stick of gum and requested to chew and then mould on card a figure representing the animal designated to him. After this is done a rhyme about his object may be written underneath. 37. A MUSICAL EVENING First select some well-known songs, old and new, and have some one in the room or in another room play some phrase from each one. Have cards passed with as many numbers as there are songs selected, instructing all to try and guess what tune is being played. Also cut out musical instruments from a catalog and paste on a card. In this contest the in- struments are to be guessed. BANQUETS AND DINNERS 31 People will go on chattering, and after all what will their scandal matter a hundred years hence? — Thackeray. 38, TELEGRAMS Write ten letters on a slip of paper, or, if procur- able, on a telegram blank. The letters are to be chosen, one at a time, by ten guests, and telegrams written with words beginning with the letters chosen, in the order in which they are chosen, each guest of course participating in making out a telegram. This affords much merriment. 39. "GUESS" Write on small slips of paper Mother Goose rhymes, some proverbs or a conundrum. Pass these. On a card each is asked to draw an illustration of the verse on his slip. He signs his name. The cards are col- lected, numbered and placed where all may see them. All try to guess what each one has tried to represent. This may also be successfully carried out with adver- tisements, handing each the name of some well-known article and requesting him to write an advertisement. 40. HIDDEN FLOWERS Have the letters, spelling the names of flowers, twisted. For example : Spany, Lovite, Satubur. Each one is requested to make each strange looking word form the name of a flower. If more appropriate to the occasion, states, capitals, cities, etc., may be used. From twenty to thirty well-chosen ones make an even- ing's entertainment. Banquets and Dinners If an Arab eats salt with you he is afterwards your friend. Eating together has ever been the chief sym- bol of social life. The banquet, dinner, supper, or tea has always been a prominent feature in the Associa- tion, but it has of late years been put to a more prac- 32 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast. — Shakespeare. tical use than ever before and m(»re generally; the modern building seldom lacks the kitchen and dining- room facilities. There is no better way to get together the board or a committee, or even a Bible class, than to gather the men first around the table. An elaborate feed is not needed — often a more simple meal is better calculated to introduce the "feast of reason and the flow of soul." Only a few examples are given of the many that might be named. This whole matter is something of a science and a small handbook on the subject might be very useful. BOYS' Banquet 41. A NEWSBOYS' BANQUET A newsboys' banquet was recently given in the Butler, Pa., Association and attended by one hundred and fifty newsboys, very few of whom were members. Among the speakers present were men connected with the press of the city. After the banquet, games were run off in the gymnasium. One Bible class of twenty- five boys has already been organized from this group and another is in the process. This is but another BANQUETS AND DINNERS 33 AH people who have natural healthy appetites love sweets. — Thackeray. illustration of the spirit of extension which is gripping our Associations. Truly it is a good thing for the Association to show itself interested in this class of boys, although it is impracticable to deal with them in the same group with boys whose needs are entirely different. Other Associations have conducted Sunday afternoon meetings for this class of boys, either regu- larly or occasionally; still others have issued tickets to the newsboys' club each week. These tickets admitted the most deserving to a half-hour's fun in the gymnasium and fifteen minutes in the swimming pool between the hours of eight and nine on Saturday mornings; still other departments have furnished the reading matter for street boys' clubs. A few Associa- tions are directly operating clubs of this character, but most find that better work can be done by cooperation with the clubs already organized under other auspices, and by sending to them such assistance as may be desired in the way of gymnasium leaders, manual train- ing teachers, talkers and entertainers. — Association Boys, Vol. v., No. 2. 42. COLLEGE MEN'S DINNER Since we have at least lOOG college men in our mem- bership of • 4500, notices are sent to all these men announcing a dinner to be held in a nearby hotel at 75 cents or $1 a plate. A strong speaker, possibly known to the members, is secured to give the address of the evening. The toastmaster— if possible the chairman of the branch — is secured. In the after- dinner speeches, certain representative members of the Association are called upon, including the general sec- retary. Music during the meal is provided, usually a musical trio. — R. D. Tucker, West Side, N. Y. 43. CLIFF DWELLERS' DINNER The name "Cliff" was applied to the men living in the Association dormitory. Sometimes the dinner is 34 ' SOCIAL ACTIVITIES It is not the quantity of the meat, but the cheerfulness' of the guest which makes the feast. — Clarendon. termed "The Beefsteak Dinner in Reisenweber's Garret," which means the dining room of a nearby- hotel. Music is provided and different men — cliff dwellers — ^take part in the after-dinner speeches. Each man pays for his own dinner. — R. D. Tucker, West Side, N. Y. 44. BOARD AND COMMITTEE FEEDS Our Association found that a banquet or dinner was one of the best ways to get out a full board or general committee meeting. The ladies provided the meal — we had good kitchen facilities^ — and the men came, were in good temper, and would transact business in a much more satisfactory manner than at the ordinary meeting. The time fixed was the usual evening dinner hour.—//. S. N. 45. HIGH SCHOOL BANQUETS W. H. Wones, state secretary for boys in Wiscon- sin, tells of several banquets given for high school boys. After-dinner speeches by prominent school and college athletes, with the football coach as toastmaster, and a sketch by a high school Bible class, .are among the interesting features mentioned. 46. MEMBERS' ANNUAL BANQUET This has been held in our gymnasium. Music is furnished during the meal and an entertainment such as a male quartet provided. — R. D. Tucker, West Side, N.Y. 4:7. SUGGESTION FOR FINANCIAL DINNER Have pledge cards and printed matter under the tablecloth at each place, until the psychological moment arrives to call them out. FOR NON-MEMBERS 35 If we must be prepared £or those battles with which we are threatened at least let us be well fed. — Cervantes. For Non-Members 48. ENTERTAINING BOYS FROM A DEPARTMENT STORE The following invitation sent personally to each boy from a list provided by the concern brought to the building one hundred and ten of the one hundred and twenty-seven boys employed: You are cordially invited to attend an ENTERTAINMENT to be given to the Boys employed at Woodward & Lothrop's Store, (seventeen years and under) in the BUILDING FOR BOYS of the YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION 1732 G Street, N. W. Friday evening, January 12, at eight o'clock. Admission Free to Woodv^ard & Lothrop's boys only. By Invitation Only. Present this Card. The boys ranged in age from fourteen to seventeen years. They were orderly and seemed to thoroughly enjoy what was provided for them. A committee of twenty-five boy members wearing a strip of red ribbon acted as hosts, under the direction of the boy chairman of the social committee. On presenting their invitation to the ticket taker at the entrance of the building, the boys were asked to go to the office and exchange it for a ticket to the run- ning track. This exchange was made by a committee of boys who had shipping tags with the boys' names thereon alphabetically arranged in a box. The tag having the boy's name was tied in his buttonhole and he was sent on his way rejoicing to the gymnasium running track. Here he was admitted because he wore 36 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES No man takes a vacation who takes his work with him. — The Saturday Evening Post. the tag, while Association members waited outside until the guests from Woodward & Lothrop's had secured the best places to see a half-hour program of basket- ball and wrestling. The guests were shown the swimming pool and a little diving and swimming. They were then con- ducted to another room where a flashlight picture was taken and ice cream was served. Full information regarding Association privileges and prices was dis- pensed by the boys' committee, who distributed litera- ture at the door. A five-minute talk was given by the secretary while the boys were in the gymnasium. 49. TRADE RECEPTIONS Our Association was quite successful in conducting social receptions for different classes of men ; we had them for firemen, railroad shopmen, for commercial and for professional men, for members of the mechan- ical trades, etc. There were a number of large manu- facturing concerns and we held a series of "trade re- ceptions," inviting men from the locomotive works or from one of the iron mills, etc. An attractive invita- tion card was sent out for each reception, containing the names of the committee of arrangements and invitation committee, selected entirely from our mem- bers in the particular mill or factory. The entire building was thrown open, simple refreshments were served, and a good program put on in the assembly room. Sometimes there would be an address by an officer of the company. There was always present a large representation including all grades of employees, together with superintendents and foremen. Our reading room was well supplied with technical periodi- cals and these social affairs brought the men in touch with the privileges often for the first time. The recep- tions gave the Association a good name with working people generally and we always had a good percentage of this class in our membership. — H. S. N. FOR NON-MEMBERS 37 How easy, cosy, merry, comfortable those little dinners were. — Thackeray. 50. AN EVENING WITH THE PAPER CARRIERS An evening with paper carriers was given at the Painesville, Ohio, Association. It was discovered after carefully going over the field that they were reaching in membership only thirty- four per cent of the boys in town. They discovered that of the forty boys employed as carriers by the two daily papers only three were members of the Association. To these forty carriers were issued two tickets each and on a certain evening eighty boys gathered in the Associa- tion, the great bulk of whom were not members. For an hour and a half contests were conducted in the gymnasium ; after this a supper was given for the boys at the expense of the publishing companies. The effect of this evening's entertainment has been very marked and the Association has added to its reputation of being an organization which seeks primarily to help the community rather than one which primarily seeks to have the community help it. Painesville is only a city of 5000 people, and yet it has a boys' department which in two years has grown from fifteen to upwards of one hundred boys. — Association Boys, Vol. V., No. 5. 51. RECEPTION TO SHOP MEN We conferred with representatives of different departments in a large mill as to the desirability from their viewpoint of giving a reception to their employees. They found that the men were interested, and we sug- gested that they appoint a representative committee, in whose hands were left the details of the evening. Our social committee and our executives cooperated, of course. Talent of various kinds was found among the employees, who arranged a varied program, and another subcommittee from their number looked after advertising, invitations, reception and even the finances, 38 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES To deny me victuals, even though Signior Doctor should prescribe fasting, and say a thousand things in its praise, will deprive me of my life entirely. — Cervantes. as they wished to pay for their own refreshments. It was more successful than previous attempts, when we had furnished the program and the refreshments. This time we tried as far as possible to make them feel that it was their affair. — B. C. Pond, Paterson, N. J. 52. YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES We have found monthly receptions, put on by the Young People's Societies of various churches, a great success. With the employees of some shop in the vicinity of the church invited as special guests of the evening, a large number of young people were brought together. Refreshments were served by the young people of the church, and an interesting program carried out. During' the evening announcements were made to all present concerning the work of the church represented, and invitations given to all the young men to attend that Young People's Society. The young men of the church were also brought in closer contact with the good work of the Association, — T. F. Best, Hamilton, Ont. 53. FOR EMPLOYED BOYS IN SUMMER Employed boys usually have more time during the summer than any other season. Special efifort to inter- est them in physical department privileges will usually be successful. A special summer ticket might be issued, with some plan to induce them to become regu- lar members with the beginning of the fall work. Special attention may be given employed boys during the summer since the men are not as numerous in the physical department as during the winter. 54. FACTORY RECEPTION These receptions are held at the Association. One of our men spends some time in the factory organizing FOR NON-MEMBERS 39 We are really to aim at results only as a dog aims at catching the stick his master has thrown for him. He does not care for the stick; what he likes is the running. — Rollins. committees of the men and women, who arrange for their own entertainment, for the gymnastic events and for refreshments. The events are composed of ordi- nary gymnastic work, to which the physical director may add one or two special features. Men guests participate, ladies occupying the gallery. — B. W. Gil- lett, Haverhill, Mass. 55. RECEPTION TO THE DEPARTMENT STORES Men and boys will welcome the freedom of the building for an evening. After being received by the president and directors, the guests are cared for by a special committee which sees that every privilege is granted — free bowling, swimming, etc. See Associa- tion Boys, Vol. 5, No. 1, Entertaining Boys from a Department Store. 56. FACTORY MEN West Side, N. Y., held a social reception for the men from an auto-ipiano factory, at which place a noon shop meeting was held weekly. Program : One address on a general theme, games, refreshments, and adjournment for regular members' Saturday nighter. 57. LABOR UNIONS AND LODGES These organizations will appreciate receptions with all building privileges, together with one or two short addresses by prominent leaders. The social spirit is the pervasive spirit of good fellowship, of brother- liness, of good will toward each other which characterizes the member- ship of an ideal Association. — Dr. George J. Fisher. Men have been astonished to find that they could have a good time, that is a pleasant social time, at a religious service. What a commen- tary on our customary religious gatherings! As if true religion and sociability could ever be separated I — W. B. Abbott. Nothing will supply the want of sunshine to peaches, and to make knowledge valuable, you must have the cheerfulness of wisdom. When- ever you are sincerely pleased you are nourished. The joy of the spirit indicates its strength. All healthy things are sweet tempered. Genius works in sport, and goodness smiles to the last. — Emerson. Men cannot labor always. They must have intervals of relaxation. They caimot sleep through these intervals. "What are they to do? Why, if they do not work nor sleep they must have recreation. And if they have not recreation from healthful sources, they will be very likely to take it from the poisoned fountains of intemperance; or if they have pleasures which, though innocent, are forbidden by the maxims of public morality, their very pleasures are liable to become poisoned fountains. — Orville Dewey. The great duty of God's children is to love one another. This duty on earth takes the name and form of the law of humanity. We are to recognize, all men as brethren, no matter where born or under what sky or institution or religion they may live. Every man belongs to the race and owes a duty to mankind. Every nation belongs to the family of nations, and is to desire the good of all. Nations are to love one another Men cannot vote this out of the universal acclama- tion Men cannot, by combining themselves into narrower or larger societies, sever the sacred, blessed bond which joins them to their kind. The law of humanity must reign over the assertion of all human right. — Channing. INDOOR GAMES AND STUNTS 58. PEANUT PARTY Especially for younger boys Peanut Hunt The peanuts have been hidden in various parts of the room before the boys arrive, preferably by a chosen committee of the boys themselves. The boys are allowed a certain time to hunt. When time is up, each boy comes and counts his peanuts out on the table or counter and leaves them there. The boy hav- ing found the most in the allotted time is declared the winner. (A prize may be awarded if it seems best.) The peanuts left on the table or counter are gathered up for use in the playing of the games or the running of races. Peanut Race Place a certain number of peanuts in each of as many piles as there are contestants. Measure off the length of the course to be run. Chairs may be placed at each end or circles of equal size drawn, into which the peanuts must be placed. All the contestants start at a given signal and carry the peanuts one at a time on a silver knife. It must be carried, not pushed or rolled. No helps of any kind may be used, such as hands, feet, chairs or other objects. The boy who first succeeds in getting all of his peanuts to the chair or circle at the other end of the course is declared the winner. Fish Pond A number of peanuts should be fixed before the party begins, with strings tied around them in such a way that a loop is left. Poles with hooks and lines made from bent pins and strings may be arranged by the boys' committee. The- peanuts are put in the 42 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I propose to you a stunt: that at your next social you try faithfully to leap over the barriers of reserve that keep you out of some one life. — Amos R. Wells. "pond," which may be merely a space on the table or. may be more elaborately prepared, and a number of boys may fish at one time. Time may be kept and the best fisherman awarded a prize if thought best. After one group has spent some time in fishing, they may be invited to do something else and another group intro- duced to the fish pond. Peanut Scr.^mele Peanut Scramble The title suggests the nature of this part of the pro- gram. It would be better to leave this event till the last as it makes considerable dirt on the floor and dis- turbs the order of the boys. The peanuts are thrown into the air and the boys see who can get the most in the rush when they light on the floor. It produces great merriment. GAMES AND STUNTS 43 I don't believe that the way to make a man love heaven is to disgust him with the earth. Let us love all that is bright and beautiful and good in this world. — Beecher, Some of the boys may be induced to bring peanuts dressed up as dolls, especially any boys who have sisters at home to help them. A bag of peanuts may be hung up on a string and the boys may take turns at being blindfolded and striking at the bag with a stick. When the bag breaks, if any boy is successful in hitting it, the other boys see who can capture the most of the scattered peanuts. The number of attempts by each boy should be limited. 59. IDEA FOR USING BOYS' NAMES The Story of the Second Section Ha^h On the north shore of Lake Wawayanda in the Scott (ish) kingdom in Plainfield, lived a youth named Henry," son of a Piemann, who was also a Fowler, trapping Birds in the Ridgewoods around the lake. He raised Pease and other vegetables, which he sold for a good Price to the Monarque Alexis Allen II. Henry spent his youth on the Hill. Early he arose, washed himself at the Fountain, Coombs (ed) his hair, Riley style, and went into the Kitchen, Peale (d) some pota- toes and got Birchenough for fire and then he opened the Wittpenn and drove the Kynor sheep to pasture upon the Summit of Montclair. . This work caused him to become Manley, and every day his Powers grew. There was one Linke which bound him Moore than all to the kingdom. The Monarque Alexis had a fair daughter, Elizabeth, and it was for her his Hart was Aitken. His father warned him of his Low estate. But he replied, "Pfaf f , Howell I know I am a Dobson and cannot Hinrich her. I can Gano peace — the thought does Harris me." Now the Monarque was Gray and Horse, but very Clement, and had sense in his Headquarters. He had offers from many noblemen for Elizabeth's hand, but 44 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I count a good game one of earth's chief blessings, sent from heaven. There are few ways in which consecrated ingenuity can be more blessedly used than in the contrivance of bright, jolly recreation. — Amos R. Wells. said: "I would as Leefe marry my daughter to the Butler, provided he were the Wright kind and Manley." Henry, hearing of this, and wishing to bring his name to royal notice, sent the Princess a Valentine. The Princess was very much (in) Satteled and the Monarque noticed this. "Weidn (you) wilt," he inquired. She looked as though she suffered from a Tomey (ache) and did not reply. But the Weiss old Monarque called "Doc," who diagnosed it as trouble of the heart and gave her a Toddy and told the Monarque to send for Henry. 60. MOCK TRIAI^— COURT HISTORY Three times has the great tribunal of justice con- vened in the Halls of Justice, commonly called "The Lodge." As in years gone by, A. Y. Allen, cook, presided on the reinforced judge's bench. The first case called was that of Brewster, charged with chewing the sleeves out of Mr. Scott's vest in 1900. The lawyers for defense were Watson and Birch- enough, and those for the prosecution. Grant and Weaver. The witnesses caljed by the defense turned traitors, and with the help of the lawyers of the prosecution the lawyers of the defense were routed. Brewster was proven guilty, and sentenced to chop wood for the dinner next day. The second case was the case that caused so much scandal in the society circles of our respectable town — the case of Miss Woobe ; defendant, Frank F. Gray. It was a breach of promise suit and assailed the honor of one of Wawayanda's greatest men and struck right to the heart of our government. But with the assist- ance of Miss Gay Bingeman and Mr. Patrick O'Leary GAMES AND STUNTS 45 We need to learn the etiquette of heaven, which counts a want that we can fill the highest introduction; and we need to learn the politeness of paradise, that bows reverently before God's image in the human form, no matter how sadly sin has defaced it. — Amos R. Wells. Birchenough, Mr. Gray was cleared of this terrible charge, Judge Allen awarding judgment to the defend- ant. The third and last case was the most horrible evgr given in court. It was the case of the Commonwealth against "Doc" Vincenzo Pascale. i It seems that an overnight party was camping on Center Island. "Doc," under cover of darkness, took cotton and ink and daubed the faces of the unsuspect- ing, trusting, innocent boys. But the united work of the lawyers for the defense, Wolf and Todd, com- pletely overwhelmed the great lawyer Esher, and "Doc" was adjudged not guilty. The great seat of judgment is now vacant until 1910. — Wawayanda Whirlwind. 61. MIND READING (1) This game may be played by any number of persons. Have a slip of paper passed to each person, requesting each to write the name of any city, person or country, or any sentence he desires, upon the slip. The slips are then folded and collected and the one who acts as medium takes one slip of paper at a time, holds it to his forehead, and after a moment's thought calls out the name that is supposed to be written on the paper. The trick is to have an accomplice who, instead of folding his paper like the rest will fold it in a different shape. The medium and this person have agreed upon what word or sentence shall be written. The medium when reading his first paper will call off what was written by his confederate, and ask, "Who wrote this ?" The confederate will immediately say, "I did." He opens the paper and this gives him his cue for the next word or sentence. 46 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Games lubricate the mind and body. — Franklin. (2) Place three articles on a table in the center of a room and then announce to those present that they may touch any of the three articles while you are out of the room, and when you return you can tell which article they touched. , The trick is to have some one or two persons assist you by having a piece of a straw which they place in their mouth. The one who goes out of the room receives his signal from the one who has the straw in his mouth. If the center article has been touched, the straw will be in the center of his mouth. If the others, it will be either in the right or left side, according to the article that has been touched. The straw need only protrude one quarter of an inch to give the signal. If none of the articles have been touched the straw will not show at all. 62. PENNY WISE Each player is provided with a bright new penny (of design prior to 1909), a piece of paper and a pencil. On the paper are written beforehand, or to dictation, the following requirements, without the answers, of course. The player who has the largest number of correct answers wins. Find on the Penny The name of a song. America. A privilege. Liberty. A part of Indian corn. Ear. A part of a hill. Brow. Something denoting self. Eye (I). Part of a door. Lock (of hair). A weapon of war. Arrow. An act of protection. Shield. A gallant. Beau (bow). A punishment. Stripes. Part of a plant. Leaf. A piece of jewelry. Ring. GAMES AND STUNTS 47 A college joke to cure the dumps. — Swift. A nut. Acorn. A musical term. Bar. An occupation. Milling. A foreign fruit. Date. Trimming for a hat. Feather. What ships sail on. Sea (C). A perfume. Scent (cent). A religious edifice. Temple. A messenger. One sent (cent). A method of voting. Ayes and Noes (eyes and nose). A Chinese beverage. Tea (T). A gaiidy flower. Tulips (two lips). Comfort. Ease (E E). A small animal. Hare (hai.r). A term of marriage. United State. An ancient honor. Wreath. One of the first families. Indian. — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. 63. MOCK COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEET Divide the boys into four groups representing four popular colleges or schools, with ribbons, colors and pennants. Choose the best boys present as leaders of the four groups and give each group five minutes to prepare (in separate rooms) yells and songs appro- priate to the occasion. The result of the yells and songs will be judged by a corps of judges and marked on the score board on a basis of 4, 3, 2 and 1 points respectively. (Dther events such as fake potato race, egg and spoon race, and parlor football may be used, or other races suited to the room. The potato race may- be run as an ordinary potato race, using checkers as potatoes, and making the boys walk instead of run, putting a penalty on running. The parlor football game is a good event with which to end the games. You may use a regulation ping pong board and improvise goal posts, having the boys 48 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I am a great friend to public amusements for they keep people from vice. — Samuel Johnson. in teams of ten kneel on the floor around the table and blow the ping pong ball through the goals. Have each event count a number of points and have scorer on big blackboard announce points after each event. Individual prizes may be given and team prizes as well. The above has been tried in a number of cases with excellent results, and is adaptable to any age. In one city the principals of the two high schools acted as judge and referee. — W. S. Reed, Newark, N. J. 64. INITIAL GAME For this game it will be necessary to prepare slips of paper, one for each player. At the head of each paper are written the initials of' some person who will be present; under this a series of questions which the player drawing the paper is to answer. The papers are put in a box or hat and drawn by the players, or held in the band with the initials concealed and drawn in that wa3^ A certain time may be allowed, if de- sired, for the answering of the questions. The answers must be written in each case imme- diately below the question, must consist only of as many words as there are initials at the top of the sheet, and the words of the answer must begin with the initials in their proper order. Examples of Questions 1. To whom does this paper belong? (Henry B. Brown.) 2. What is his character? (Horrid, but bearable.) 3. What kind of hair has he? (Heavy, burnished brown.) 4. What kind of eyes has he? (Heavenly, briRbt blue.) 5. What books does he prefer? (Handsomely bound biog- raphies.) 6. What animals does he prefer? (Howling big bears.) 7. What is his chief occupation? (Hammering bulky boxes.) GAMES AND STUNTS 49 A poorer game, in which all can heartily join, is far better than a better game that appeals only to a few. — Amos E. Wells. 8. What do you surmise regarding his future? (He'd better beware.) 9. What does he think of the opposite sex? (Hebes! bright beauties.) 10. What does he think of the world in general? (He''s becoming bewildered.) — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. 65. SKETCHES The game here described for use with history may be used simply as a diversion in describing animals or any inanimate objects ; or it may be used to correlate with English (authors), picture study, etc. Each player is provided with a shee't of paper and pencil and writes a description of some historical char- aoter; the object being to give a description that shall be perfectly truthful and yet puzzling or misleading for the other players who' are to guess the identity of the character in the writer's mind. One player is called on to read his description. The other players may have the privilege of asking ques- tions that may be answered by Yes or No only ; but it is considered much more of an honor to guess cor- rectly without this assistance. The one guessing the character correctly reads his description next. A description for instance might read: The person I would describe was a very tall man ; very vigorous ; used an ax on occasion ; had much to do with legis- lators ; was widely known outside of his native country, and has been the subject of many biographies. As this description would apply equally to Washing- ton, Lincoln, Gladstone and several others who might be mentioned, there is opportunity for considerable guessing before the right character is found. — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gym- nasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. 50 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES By sports like these are all their cares beguiled. — Goldsmith. 66. THE LONG REACH Chalk a line on the floor and then place the toes of both feet on it, being careful that they do not pass beyond. Then throw forward either the right or left hand, no matter which, so far and no farther than you can easily spring back from and readily regain your upright position, without either moving your feet from the line, touching the floor with the hands in throwing them forward, or scraping the floor with them in the spring back. When you have in this manner ascer- tained the utmost distance to which you can stretch and from which you can recover, without scraping the hands or altering the position of the feet, you must stretch as far forward as you possibly can and, while supporting the body with one hand, chalk a line on the floor with the other. You may, in order to bring your body lower, move your feet backward from the line marked on the floor and by so doing you will be enabled to make a much greater stretch than you could other- wise have done. If you can manage to chalk two lines, your own length apart, it is a tolerably good stretch, but with a little practice you may chalk considerably further than that measure. Some persons, in per- forming this feat, rest upon their elbows instead of their hands. — Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games, A. G. Spalding & Bros., New York. 67. RECOGNITION Each player is given a card or slip prepared with the following questions, or the list may be dictated at the time. What Famous Persons, Historical or Mythical^ Do These Objects Suggest? 1. Hatchet? (George Washington.) 2. A rail fence? (Abraham Lincoln.) 3. A kite? (Beniamin Franklin.) 4. A muddy cloak? (Sir Walter Raleigh.) 5. A lonely island? (Robinson Crusoe.) GAMES AND STUNTS SI Every one can master a grief but he that has it. — Shakespeare. 6. A burning bush? (Moses.) 7. A ruff? (Queen Elizabeth.) 8. A glass slipper? (Cinderella.) 9. An apple? (William Tell.) 10. A silver lamp. (Aladdin.) 11. A smooth, round stone? (David.) 12. Long hair? (Samson.) 13. A dove? (Noah.) 14. A pomegranate seed? (Persephone.) 15. A spider web? (Robert Bruce.) 16. A key? (Bluebeard.) 17. A wolf? (Red Riding Hood.) 18. A steamboat? (Robert Fulton.) ■ — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. 68. "JENKINS UP" Divide the players into two parts, each occupying opposite sides of a table, with a leader for each. One side has a coin which is passed, under the table, from hand to hand. The leader of the opposite side sud- denly says : "Jenkins up !" whereupon the side having the coin must all raise their hands at once, high above the table, and with fists closed. The leader of the opposite side, after the uplifted hands have been re- viewed, says, "Jenkins down!" and every one on the side holding the coin must immediately slap both hands down flat upon the table, palms down. The leader of the guessing party (who may either give orders himself or appoint a captain on his side) calls for the lifting of one hand at a time, specifying which hand he desires raised, at which the player raises the hand designated. The object of the game is to guess which hand has the coin, and having caused every other hand to be raised from the table, to leave that until the last. Should the leader of the guessing side order the hand that holds the coin to be raised, the score is lost to the guessing side and gained to the side holding the coin, to the amount of one point for each hand left down 52 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES If you hear your choice of amusements criticised, go straight to the critics and ask them to suggest some amusements for the next social. — Amos R. Wells. after the one is raised which holds the coin. The side wins which first scores twenty-five, fifty, or any de- sired number of points. 69. A CAT PARTY Each player is provided with a sheet of paper on which are written the following questions. Each ques- tion is to be answered with a word, of which the first syllable is cat. The player wins who writes the largest number of correct answers, the list of answers being read by the host at the close of the time allowed for the game. Examples of Questions 1. What sort of cat is allowed in a library? (Catalog.) 2. What sort of cat maJces you think of reflected sounds? (Catacoustics.) 3. What sort of cat unites well with a toilet article? (Catacomb.) 4. What sort of cat requires a physician's attention? (Catalepsy.) 5. What sort of cat is feared by soldiers? (Catapult.) 6. What sort of cat is bad for the eyes? (Cataract.) 7. What sort of cat is to be dreaded? (Catastrophe.) 8. What sort of cat is allowed on the table? (Catsup.) 9. What sort of cat goes to Sunday-school? (Catechism.) 10. What sort of cat do girls most detest? (Caterpillar.) 11. What sort of cat makes small boys weep? (Cat-o'-nine- tails.) — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. 70. FOR THE SWIMMING POOL This list of events may be carried through in the swimming tanks : relay race ; scratch race ; handi- cap race; hurdle race; breast stroke; side stroke; back stroke ; candle race ; tgg and spoon race ; tub race ; egg-blowing ; inverted tub ; under water, for distance ; under water, for time ; plunge for disitance ; racing GAMES .IXD STIWTS 53 We cannot educate our grandmother, we say; but there are grand- mothers whom we can educate. The children of today are the grand- mothers of the future : we can educate them. — Rollins. across tank; novelty race (various kinds); steeple- chase : under and over water race ; tandem ; three- legged ; walking on bottom (with aid of weights); top and bottom; ducking, in deep water; tug-of-war, in deep water ; wrestling, in shallow water ; bobbing for corks ; turning and pushing across tank under water; divinsj contest; hurdle diving, heiglit or A Fine Pool distance ; hoop diving, height or distance ; diving for plates; hands tied; feet tied; hands and feet tied (for experts); tag; water polo; soccer polo (the English water poloj. — Joseph Nill, Manager of IVest Side, A'lTTC' York, Szi'imining Team. 71. "BUZ" This is a very old and well-known game. The players sit in a circle and count, beginning at one and going to a hundred, which must, if possible, be reached. But the number seven, any number made up of a 54 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Honest labor bears a lovely face. — Dekker. seven, such as 17, 37, 37, etc., and any number which is a product of seven, such as 14, 21, 38, etc., all must be substituted by the word "Buz." When the players reach seventy-one they must say "Buz one" and for seventy- two, "Buz two," etc. Rules of the game: 1. Buz is said for every seven or multiple of seven. 2. Any one breaking the first rule pays a forfeit and is out of the game, and must sit silent. 3. Immediately after a seven or multiple has been named, the counting may begin again; the one sitting on the left of the expelled member beginning again with one. 4. If any player forgets his number while the counting Is going on, or miscounts after a Buz, he pays a forfeit, but he is not out of the game. This game must be played quickly, and it will be found that Buz will so often be forgotten in its right place that the circle will continually diminish in size, until it ends sometimes in a pair, and, as after every blunder the count begins again at one, it is a matter of some difficulty to reach one hundred. We recommend this game as a very merry and pleasant one. 73. AUTHORS'. INITIALS Each player is given a piece of paper on which are written various groups or series of words, each group descriptive of some author, and each word beginning with one of his initials in regular order. The player who guesses the largest number of authors wins. . The following are suggesited and others may be devised : 1. Juveniles firmly conquered (James Fenimore Cooper), 2. Name honored (Nathaniel Hawthorne). 3. Bright humor (Bret Harte). 4. One wholesome humorist (Oliver Wendell Holmes). 5. Really lasting stories (Robert Louis Stevenson). 6. Cheerful laborer (Charles Lamb). 7. Tender, brilliant author (Thomas Bailey Aldrich). 8. Heroism wisely lauded (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow). 9. Just, gentle writer (John Greenleaf Whittier). 10. Poetry bridged skyward (Percy Bysshe Shelley). 11. Clever delineator (Charles Dickens). 12. Rare brain (Robert Browning). 13. Weird imagination (Washington Irving). — From "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H. Bancroft. GAMES AND STUNTS 55 The noblest mind the best content has. — Spenser. 73. THINK OF A NUMBER Tell your friend to think of any number he pleases, but not to tell you what it is. Then tell him to double it- When he has done that let him add an even number to it, -which you yourself must give him; after doing this, he must halve the whole, then from what is left, take away the number he first thought of. When he shall arrive thus far, if his calculations have been all made correctly, you will be able to tell him the exact remainder, which will simply be the half of the even number you told him to add to his own. Number thought of Doubled Even number added 15 30 8 2 )38 Halved Subtract 19 15 4 half of 8 74. SKIN THE SNAKE Players stand in line at front dress. Each player stoops over, putting his right hand between his legs and grasping the left hand of the player behind him. At a given signal, the last man in line lies down on his back, putting his feet first between the legs of the player in front of him. The line walks backward striding upon the budies of those behind, and imme- diately lying down upon having no more to stride. Upon completing the transformation, all are lying on their backs. The last man who lies down now rises to his feet and strides forward up the line, the rest following as fast as their turns come. During all these manoeuvers the grasp of the hands has not been broken. Performing rapidly, this presents a peculiar spectacle, yet is very simple. 56 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES There is such a thing as too much kindness; as if one should toast the bread for a bird, or spread with mayonnaise the lettuce for a rabbit. — Rollins. 75. KNIGHTS OF THE SACRED WHISTLE This may be played by any number of persons. The object is to have one or two persons, according to the number in the crowd, informed that they are to be initiated into the Knights of the Sacred Whistle. Show them a small whistle and tell them that in order to become members they must find this whistle. You then pretend to hand the whistle to one of the members of the party. Place around the victim's shoulders an apron or some garment, and have attached to the back of it a small whistle on a piece of string. The trick is for some of the mem-bers to blow the whistle behind the person's back, immediately dropping it, and when he turns the person on the other side will blow, all standing in a circle, with the person who is being "initiated" in the center. He will be kept guessing for some time before he finds out where the whistle is located. 76. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS This game may be played with any number of per- sons. Pick out from one to twelve- persons, according to the size of the crowd ; have them go out of the room. These are to act as musicians. Select four or five to act as judges. The judges are instructed to name every instrument excepting those that the musicians are trying to imitate. Call in two or three of the musicians at a time and instruct them that they are to play upon some imaginary musical instrument. Place them before the judges and tell them the judges will try to guess the name of the instrument. After they have played for some time, ask the crowd to tell the musicians what they are playing. They will respond very heartily, "Fools for the crowd." — C. A. Mc- Laughlin, St. Louis, Mo. GAMES AND STUNTS 57 Think naught a trifle, though it small appears; Small sands the mountain, moments make the year. And trifles life. — Young. 77. WILD ANIMALS This game may be played with any number of per- sons. Have a room that can be darkened, and place in the room in an obscure corner a looking-glass. Have two persons in the room known as the keepers of wild animals. When a person enters the room you ask him what animal he desires to see. After he mentions the name of the animal, the keeper describes this animal to correspond as nearly as possible with the person. Then he imitates the animal, and leads his subject to a position in front of the looking-glass. He then tells the other keeper to bring forth the animal called for. This^is a signal for some one to turn on the lights, and the victim beholds his own image in the mirror. 78. TO START SOMETHING After the men have gathered, give each an envelope containing a card bearing one of the following names : Knockers, Boosters, Joshers, Pawnees, Flub-Dubs, Leans, Fats, etc. Each name represents a gang. If you desire seven in each gang, give out seven Boosters, seven Fats, etc. The crowd will have to be estimated somewhat in advance. When the cards are distributed, explain that there are six others bearing the name on the card each holds, and that the groups will imme- diately convene. After the pandemonium is over and the gangs are organized give them five minutes to get up a yell, song, stunt or story. Award a prize to the gang that presents the best of these. Proceed with plans for membership increase, or whatever is desired. — L. A. Howe, Wilmerding, Pa. 79. ESKIMO RACE ON ALL FOURS The performers stand with hands and feet on the floor, the knees stiff, the hands clinched and resting on 58 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The saddest thing is to be endowed with liberty to do as we please, and then to please to do the wrong thing. — Rollins. the knuckles. The elbows should be stiff. In this position a race is run, or rather "hitched," over a course that will not easily be too short for the performers. This is a game of the Eskimos, reported by Lieutenant Schwatka. ESKIMO JUMPING RACE Fold the arms across the breast with the knees rigid and the feet close together. Jump forward in short jumps of an inch or two. This is the regular form of one of the games of the Eskimos, reported by Lieu- tenant Schwatka. — Games, for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 80. THREE TRICKS Stand against the wall with the left side, the cheek, hip and foot touching it; then try lifting the right leg without moving the body away from the wall. Place a boy with his back against the wall, his heels firmly against it. Lay a half-dollar on the floor in front of him about a foot away from his toes, and tell him it is his if he can pick it up without moving his heels from against the wall. Another trick is to hold the hands across the breast, the elbows pointing straight to right and left, and press firmly together the tips of the index fingers. Invite any one present to pull the fingers apart by taking hold of the arms and pulling toward right and left. You will find that the strongest person cannot force your fingers apart. 81. PIANO PLAYERS' CONTEST Under the direction of the social committee, which is composed of twenty-five of our members, we invited all the professional piano players in this city and vicin- ity to participate in la professional piano players' con- GAMES AND STUNTS 59 A man who is true to himself has neither time nor inclination to be false to others. — ^The Saturday Evening Post. test. There were eight entries, and we charged an admission fee of twenty-five cents. The players paid $1 to guarantee their appearance, which was re- turned to them the night of the contest. The Associa- tion gave three medals as prizes, and the contest proved to be very successful. The playing was done behind a curtain, and the audience voted. One player- piano was introduced. — H. G. Williamson, Cincinnati, Ohio. 83. COTTON BALL BATTLE A simple game requiring little preparation but giving unlimited opportunity for letting off excess energy is '■'The Cotton Ball Battle." The party is divided into two equal squads. At the beginning of the game the squads separate and line up against opposite walls. In front of each squad is placed a sufficient number of cotton balls, about three or four inches in diameter. At the word "go" the fusillade begins. The players are then permitted to enter the enemy's territory. After the squads intermingle so much that in the ex- citement of the game it becomes impossible to tell which side a man is on, put a Uvely finish to the game. — H. F. Bretthauer, Charleston, S. C. 83. HIGH JUMP— BLINDFOLDED Blindfold a person, then place an obstacle in front of him on the iloor about two feet high; have some small object to put on top so as to raise it each time (small blocks or books will answer). Seat him in front of the obstacle, let him feel it with his hands, and then tell him to jump over it without knocking off any of the small objects. Just as he gets ready to jump, remove the obstacle from before him, as he makes a big effort to jump over the obstacle. The audience applauds his efforts and the obstacle is imme- diately placed in front of him again with one or two 60 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend. — Shakespeare. objects added, thus making it a little higher. Repeat this several times, then remove the blindfold and show him what he has been jumping over. — C. A. McLaugh- lin, St. Louis, Mo. 84. "THUMBS UP" This is the old game of "Simon Says," the leader and players sitting around a table, or in a circle about the room, with fists closed and thumbs upright. The leader says : "Simon says, 'thumbs down,' " ait the same time turning his own hands over. The players do likewise. The leader says : "Wiggle waggle," or "Up," but if he fails to repeat the wiords "Simon says," and any one in the party obeys his order, that one making the error must pay a forfeit. Or should the leader say : "Simon says 'thumbs up' " or "Simon says 'thumbs down/ " and not do it himself, and any one of the players should do it, that player must pay a forfeit. 85. STRENGTH TEST WITH GLASS OF WATER Take a glass of water, giving it to a medium sized person. Have him hold it in his left hand. Select four or five good, strong persons and have each take hold of the left forearm. These persons are to be known as strong men, and the trick is to keep the person holding the glass from drinking the water. When they are all ready, the one who holds the glass of water makes one or two fake attempts to get his hand to his mouth, then quickly with his right hand he takes the glass of water, turns his head and drinks it. — C. A. McLaughlin, St. Louis, Mo. 86. MAGIC GIFT Take a little common white wax or beeswax, and stick it on your thumb. Then, speaking to a by- GAMES AND STUNTS 61 Good sense, which only is the gift of heaven. And though no science, fairly worth the seven. — Pope. stander, you show him sixpence, and tell him you will put it into his hand. Press it down on the palm of his hand with your waxed thumb, talking to him the while, and looking him in the face. Suddenly take away your thumb, and the coin will adhere to it. Close his hand, and he will be under the impression that he holds the sixpence, as the sensation caused by the pressing still remains. You may tell him he is at liberty to keep the sixpence, but on opening his hand to look at it he will find to his astonishment that it is gone. 87. DOG FIGHT Two players place themselves on their hands and knees, facing each other, about three feet apart. Place an endless strap or anything that will not cut into the flesh, over the heads (which must be kept up and back). At the word "Go" the players pull against each other until one of them is pulled off the mat, or his head pulled forward, thereby releasing the strap, thus showing the other to be the victor. — -Y. M. C. A. Young Men's Era, i8pj, page 341. Indoor and Out- door Gymnastic Games, A. G. Spalding & Bros., New York City. 88. WATER AND CRACKER RACE Take an ordinary glass filled with water and place it on a table. At the opposite side have an ordinary soda cracker. Select two persons and let them be seated, one in front of the glass and the other in front of the cracker. Give the one who is to drink the water an ordinary teaspoon. The trick is to eat the soda cracker before the one with the teaspoon drinks the glass of water by taking a teaspoonful at a time. The one who is eating the cracker is not allowed to have anything to drink. 62 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Industry and constant employment are great preservatives of the morals and the virtue o£ a nation. 89. NOTED ORATORS Let three young men impersonate three prominent orators. State that, as the hour is late, they will save time by all speaking at once. Each of the three should have previously committed his speech, and when he has taken his place on the platform he will frantically endeavor to make himself heard above the others. To make the performance more amusing, they should commit speeches which require dramatic gestures, and not be afraid of putting in extra motions as the occa- sion may require. 90. "WHAT AM I?" This game is played by having several pictures cut out of magazines or newspapers and pinned on a per- son's back. The person is then told that he is to guess what he represents by suggestions given by the audience, these suggestions relating in some definite way to the pictures pinned on his back. The one from whom he gets the suggestion must take his place for the next game. 91. CANE WALK Take a stick three or four feet in length, grasp one end with both hands and place the other end on the floor, a little distance frotn the feet. Bend over until the head rests upon the hands. Stay in this position and make four or five complete circles. Lift the head and try to walk straight across the floor. Watch out for falls. 93. COIN AND CARD SNAP Balance a visiting card on the tip of the middle or forefinger. On top of the card place a dime or nickel ; this should be exactly over the tip of the finger and in the middle of the card. Snap the edge of the card GAMES AND STUNTS 63 Saying the wrong thing is misfortune; but trying to explain it is disaster. — ^The Saturday Evening Post. with a finger of the other hand, so that the card will be shot from under the coin and leave the coin balanced on the finger. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 93. THE TRIUMPH The hands are placed palm to palm behind the back with the fingers pointing downward and thumbs next to the back. Keeping the tips of the fingers close to the back and the palms still together, the hands are turned inward and upward until the tips of the fingers are between the shoulders, pointing upward toward the head, and the thumbs outside. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 94. ANKLE THROW This feat consists in tossing some object over the head from behind with the feet. A bean bag, book, or basket ball, is held firmly between the ankles. With a sudden jump, the feet are kicked backward so as to jerk the object into an upward throw, which should end in its curving forward over the head. It should be caught as it comes down. 95. ROOSTER FIGHT This is an old Greek amusement. A ring six feet in diameter is drawn on the ground. Two players are placed in this, who stoop and grasp each his own ankles. In this position they try to displace each other by shouldering. The player loses who is overthrown or who loosens his grasp on his ankles. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 64 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The pessimist stands beneath the tree of prosperity and growls when the fruit falls on his head. — ^The Saturday Evening Post. 96. INDIAN WRESTLE Two players lie on their backs side by side, with adjacent arms locked. The feet should be in opposite directions. At a signal the adjacent legs are brought to an upright position and interlocked at the knees. The wrestle consists in trying to force the opponent to roll over from his position. — Games for the Play- ground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Ban- croft. 97. CATCH PENNY Place on your elbow three or four penny pieces in a heap, then drop your elbow very suddenly so as to bring your hand rather below the place where your elbow was and try to catch the money before it falls to the ground. A few trials will enable you to per- form this trick with the greatest facility. — Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games, A. G. Spalding & Bros., New York City. 98. POLITICAL CONVENTION Delegations convene, each composed of the occu- pants of one tent and each bearing the name of a state, represented on a banner. The chairman opens the convention ; committees on credentials, rules and resolutions report. A suffragette is introduced; the rollcall of states with speeches for nomination of president follows. Local names triumph over famous statesmen suggested. A parade and fireworks follow the nomination. 99. STRENGTH TEST Take a piece of board about thirty inches in length and eight or ten inches wide, one half an inch thick. GAMES AND SYUNTS 65 The taking of unfair advantage of a neighbor's necessities, though attended with temporary success, always breeds bad blood. — r ranklin. Place it on a table with one end projecting half way. Take several newspapers and open them, and place them on the table over the top of the board, pressing them down firmly with both hands. Have some one hit the end that protrudes a quick blow, trying to raise the newspapers. 100. "OBSERVATION" Place from one dozen to twenty small articles on a salver and pass around the room, giving each person about ten seconds in which to "observe." Then let each one write on a slip of paper the names of the articles as far as remembered. A few simple prizes may be given to the ones able to name the largest number of articles, and also a "booby" prize. — H. S. N. 101. BLINDFOLD BOXING MATCH A blindfold boxing match has often been introduced, resulting in considerable merriment. Two men are blindfolded; a book is laid on the mat, both men get on their knees, la)ring their left hands on the book. Each man ha^ a coach and is permitted to strike when the coach says "hit." — Monterey, Mexico. 102. FINGER JUMP The performer holds a stick horizontally between the forefingers of his hands, pressing with the fingers to keep it from falling. Keeping the stick in this position, he should jump over.it forward and then back- ward. The same feat may be performed by pressing together the middle fingers of the two hands without a stick and jumping over them forward and backward, as a dog jumps through curved arms. 66 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Quit yourselves like men. — Old Testament. 103. STANDING TOE WRESTLE The arms are folded and, hopping on one foot, each wrestler tries to make his opponent put his other foot upon the floor, by a side movement of the leg. — Y. M. C. A. Young Men's Era, 1892, page 1592. Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games, A. G. Spalding & Bros., Nezv York City. 104. BOTTLE BALANCING Place a round bottle on its side on the floor, then have a person sit down on the bottle, extending legs full length. Put the right foot on top of the left toe, afterwards giving the person pencil and a piece of cardboard or heavy paper, and tell him to write his name on it without his hands touching the floor. It usually takes several efforts to accomplish this feat. 105. TRICK MATCHES This stunt may be used on various occasions. Have one or two candles in the room lighted. Have one that is not lighted, and when a new arrival comes, give him a trick match and ask him to light the candle. When he strikes the match it will explode like a small firecracker or toy pistol cap. It is harmless. The matches may be bought at any novelty store at five cents a box. 106. "JOHN BROWN'S BODY" Have some one play "John Brown's Body Lies a-mouldering in the Grave," then leave the last word out each time you sing the verse through until all the words have been left out but the first word of the line, "John." When any one sings a word that should be left out he should drop out of the game as a forfeit. FORFEITS 67 And learn the luxury of doing good. — Goldsmith. Forfeits In the case of failure to accomplish these feats, any of the following forfeits may be imposed, affording much amusement: 107. CHEW THE STRING Two bonbons are wrapped in paper and tied each to a piece of string six yards in length. These are placed on the floor at a distance from each other, the free end of a string being given to each of the two players who are assigned to thij penalty. At a signal, each player puts his piece of string in his mouth, and with hands behind back chews rapidly at the string, trying to get it all into the mcuth. The one who first gets to his piece of candy is rewarded by having both pieces. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 108. CONSTANTINOPLE The player is required to "Spell Constantinople, one syllable at a time." As soon as he gets to the letter "i," all the other players shout the syllable, "no." The speller naturally thinks that he has made a mistake, and commences again. Each time that he gets to the letter "i" the same cry of "no !" is made, and the poor victim may become very much confused, and doubt his cwn memory as to spelling before he discovers the trick. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 109. SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR Two players are required to stand upon an open newspaper in such a manner that they cannot possibly touch one another. They will find the solution of the 68 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES When apple boughs are full of bloom. And Nature loves her fellow men, With all the witchery of spring. How can you hate a fellow then? — Rollins. problem in placing the newspaper over the sill of a door, and then closing the door between them. — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 110. HAYSTACK. A player is required to make a pile of chairs as high as his head, and then take off his shoes and jump over them. (Jump over the shoes.) — Games for the Play- ground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Ban- croft. 111. "HOT AIR" Contestants placed on opposite sides of a sheet which is held on a level with their mouths. Each tries to blow a toy balloon over opponent's head. — J. C. Clark, Portland, Ore. 112. THE AFFIRMATIVE A player is required to ask a question that cannot be answered in the negative, The question is, "What does y-e-s spell?" — Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium, Jessie H. Bancroft. 113. BLOWING OUT LIGHTED CANDLE Place a lighted candle on a table. Blindfold a per- son and let him walk to the table and extinguish the light by blowing it. It will be amusing to see how hard he will blow when not near the candle at all. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 114. HOW TO PROMOTE AND CONDUCT AN AMATEUR CIRCUS A larger number of members can be given some- thing to do in a circus than in a gymnasium exhibition, by giving them stunts in the side show, dressing-room, or by employing them as supes, peanut boys, etc., etc. The combination of legitimate gymnastics with bur- lesque interests a larger number of members and spectators than the regular gymnasium exhibition. More enthusiasm, more cooperation, more fellowship, more people — more money. Organisation. Call together the committee that should get up the circus, and after you have briefly sug- gested the idea (say as little as possible, but enough to secure enthusiasm) let them "go it." Keeping impor- tant things in mmd, you can guide with an occasional word. Committees. Appoint a treasurer and chairmen of committees on advertising, music, ushers, side show, main show, refreshments, menagerie, clowns and cos- tumes. Let these chairmen appoint their own helpers so far as possible. All committees report to the execu- tive committee before ordering any work done or engaging any performers. In selecting the date, allow as much time as f>ossible — two months, if you can. This is not itrue of a minstrel show, where one month is better. The Treasurer. This officer should have tickets, seats, ticket sellers and takers under his immediate supervision. You will need a young business man wit^h executive ability and' tact for this. Let him select his helpers. Advertising. This committee must find a member who will prepare striking posters (about 4x10 feet) 70 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. — Old Testament. to be hung in every possible place. A little judicious newspaper advertising is helpful. It may be necessary to pay for space, but in most cases it is easy to secure Parade Snapshots notice in the news columns. Keep something in the way of reading matter in the papers all the time, in- creasing the amount as the show approaches. This AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 71 A hero whether he wins or loses, is a hero. — Thackeray. is work enougih for one man — a good man, too. Use "big talk" in writing everything — stupendous — re- nowned — scientific — ^magnificent. The committee can secure over one hundred dollars in advertising for an eight-page stapled program (9x14 inches). Five thousand of these, together with ten thousand flyers (9x12 inches), will provide abundant matter to be distributed (if the city will permit). Begin a week before the event to distribute programs a^d flyers throughout the city, giving the boys an opporttmity to help. These bills should give the main features and facts, date and place of sale of reserved seats. The sale of seats should commence at least a week before the performance. Tickets. The tickets should have distinctive colors for diflferervt nights and for location, side show, main show, gallery and floor. Return checks should be issued to those who go out during the performance expecting to return. There should be a barker with each ticket seller. There should be plenty of ticket booths well raised away from the sneak thief. Have plenty of change. Be careful with complimentary tickets, but remember the newspapers early and well — it pays. Do not give tickets to performers who are members of the Association. Music. An energetic and sympathetic chairman of music can find a cornet with one or two additional instruments, to unite with a bass drum and some zoboes in producing a band "guaranteed to render music of a nature never before listened to by any audience." A good pianist should alternate numbers with the band, for the relief of the band — 'and the audience ! Ushers. These are indispensable not only within the main "tent" but as guides in the passageways leading to the side show, etc. Tack up plenty of cards bearing directions and marking sections of seats. Each section of seats should have at least one usher. 72 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I had rather have a fool to make me merry, than experience to make me sad. — Shakespeare. Refreshments. Peanuts, lemonade, popcorn and candy, secured at wholesale, with the right to return what is not sold or damaged, may be sold at good profit by members made up as street urchins. THE SIDE SHOW This should be in a room aside from the gymnasium. A great deal can be put into small space. The freaks are placed on platforms made of picnic tables draped with bunting. The crowd can file around the room and out if the room is small. Costumes. Make a job price with the best costumer within reach. If the distance from a big city like New York or Chicago is not too great, it will pay to make one trip, have a good talk with the costumer, pick out your things and arrange on a price, not forget- ting the express charges. You should be able to secure for your side show a skeleton, bearded lady, fat lady, fat man, strong man and weights, giant, midget, tattooed man, wild man, dog-faced boy, lions, monkeys, a stork, bears, etc. Gus Marks, 74 St. Mark's Place, New York City, carries an extensive line, and there are many others. The main show will want a few clown suits, character costumes, suits of pink tights and skirts, trained horses, an elephant and a mule. Other things will suggest themselves. If all these things are secured, your costume bill may run up to thirty or forty dollars for a two-nights' performance and rehearsal — ^with the express charges. Members should pay fifty cents toward their costumes, or provide them themselves. MAIN SHOW Seats. Reserve all seats. If there is a running track, have no standing .room on the main floor ; general admission tickets admit only to the gallery, where AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 73 The devil may have his faults, but procrastination is not one of them. — The Saturday Evening Post. spectators may stand behind the chairs. On the floor the seats may be placed within twenty feet of the ring, with aisles three feet wide leading from the ring to the four corners of the gymnasium. This gives four sections of seats, and if the gymnasium is long, the side sections may be subdivided. You will know your town, but a fair price for seats is fifty cents for the front row running track, and the three rows nearest the ring on the floor ; all other seats thirty-five cents, general admission twenty-five cents; ten cents for the side show. The Ring. Borrow oat bags from a grain man, fill them with old paper, and make your ring, using the gymnasium mats for a center. Cover it all ovei? with old striped cloth, secured from an awning concern, or with green stage carpet, from a local theatre. Sawdust produces a greait dust and is undesirable. The Night of the Performance. One or two men should be appointed to greet visiting talent and see that they are treated hospitably. If they are amateurs, coming simply for their expenses, this will be much appreciated. The barkers and ticket sellers are busy near the main entrance for fully half an hour before the doors to the side show are thrown open, promptly at eight o'clock. An announcer in the side show should have plenty of talk on his tongue's end, like this : "Allow me, ladies and gentlemen, to honor you with an introduction to one of the most bewitching, entranc- ing bits of feminine modesty in existence — Mme. Harie Mug, the bearded lady. While a child, she was cap- tured and scalped by fierce Indians. Surviving the awful torture, she attempted to recover her lost tresses by the use of a famous hair elixir. In applying the fluid it ran down on her face, with this astonishing result." Passing on to the next exhibit the barker turns on the stream of language again. Patrons visiting the side show are advised to begin 74 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A merrier man, within tile limit of becoming mirth, I never spent an hour's talk withal. — Shakespeare. moving toward the main show at 8.45 in order to hear the grand concert by Zu-Zu's band. THE PROGRAM Something should be going on while the people are being seated. For example, at 8.45 an old farmer and his wife enter, looking for seats. They wander aim- lessly about the ring and aisles, pointing with a large cotton umbrella and getting into every one's way. Without noise, enter two camera fiends. They dis- cover the farmer and wife. Ten minutes of posing, as funny as the actors are capable of making it. Attitudes and gestures are copious, but there is no talking. The band plays alternately with the pianist. The refreshment boys are calling their wares. Sharply at nine o'clock the ringmaster enters the ring He is attired in tall hait, dress coat, white vest and bright red ribbon sash, white trousers and top boots. In his hand is a whip with a long lash. Dropping his silk hat with a sweeping bow, he announces the great parade. "Are you ready?" "Sure," answers a voice from the door of the dressing room. "Well, come on," sings out the ringmaster, as he cracks his whip with great gusto — 'the band begins to play and the show is on. Let everybody get into the parade. People don't mind seeing the side show freaks twice, and it makes the show look bigger. Mix up the acts well ; that is, don't put tiwo gymnastic numbers close together. A good order is parade, gym- nasits, clown act, trained horses, clown act, gymnasts, clown act, trained elephant,* etc., etc. Have a reliable person, with plenty of helpers in the dressing room, who get the numbers ready for their turn and have them on time. As one act goes off let the next pass it coming in. The clown acts, which should alternate with the other numbers, should be well rehearsed. It is hard to be truly funny. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 75 Experience is a good teacher, but charges like a specialist. — The Saturday Evening Post. Each trained horse is animated by .two boys or men standing in a shell which forms the head and body of the animal. A skirt hides the legs of the boys. A colored individual should have a trained donkey. The constituent parts of the baby elephant (two boys in a skin) after performing numerous difficult ( ?) feats for the trainer, quarrel over the luncheon they have stolen from their keeper, emerge from under cover and flee in dismay. A good final act is "jumping the elephant," which consists in leaping from the spring board over the parallel bars, over which have been thrown the mats. This stunt starts with the gymnastic team; the excitement grows intense; the bandmaster hesitates and finally joins the ilying gymnasts, followed by pt)licemen, ushers and clowns. All finally gather in the center of the ring. There is a sudden quiet. The ringmaster thanks the audience for their kind indulgence and the show is over. At the end of the evening's work and fun the boys, and all who have helped in any way, appreciate ice cream and cake, served to them in an unoccupied room. CLOWN STUNTS The Sail Boat. Make a light wood frame shaped like a boat, with no bottom. A man stands inside, with the boat supported at his hips by straps over the shoulders. A green cloth tacked to the frame hides the man's legs. He holds a sail in his hands. Another clown goes ahead and with water can sprinkles the way, while a third clown follows behind the boat and blows the sail with bellows. Move around the ring and out. The Duck Hunt. Use the same kind of boat, with- out sail. A clown, dressed to burlesque a hunter in the boat, backs in, rowing. Another clown sits in the ring with a pasteboard duck fastened by a string to his ankle. The duck clown quacks and the man in the boat stops rowing at each quack, looks over his shoulder, rows to within twenty feet of the AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 77 It is wonderful how gallantly one bears the misfortunes of one's friends. — Thackeray. duck, lets boat down on floor and takes off his clothes, showing a ridiculous bathing suit. Taking a blunder- buss gun, he pretends to splash water on himself and steps gingerly out of the boat into supposed water, shivering. He gets down on hands and knees and stalks the duck, stopping every two feet to aim his gun. Finally he puts the gun up against the duck, acts as though he would fire, then suddenly puts his hat over the duck. He starts to carry off the duck, when the other clown feels a tug at his ankle and ex- p>osttilates in pantomime. Hunter makes an offer to pay for the duck, which is accepted (all in pantomime), and he marches off triumphant, fastens duck to the back of his beat, gets in and rows away. The Surgical Operation. A long table covered with a sheet is placed in the ring. Turn the lights down a little, if possible, or shade them. One clown comes in, yawns, stretches, sees the table and contentedly lies down. Enter clown made up as old doctor, with tall hat and large spectacles, carrying carpetbag containing large saw, mallet, auger, chisel, and small megaphone. This clown must play well the part of a nearsighted old doctor. He puts down his carpetbag and inspects his patient, by putting his head down close to his feet and then moving up toward his head. This he repeats often throughout the act, never apparently knowing which is head or feet. He lays out his tools, one by one, on the floor, sharpens the saw noisily on the floor, looks at patient's lungs through megaphone, and listens to heart through it. Whenever he returns to get a new tool, a third clown, dressed in red tights to impersonate the devil, dances around the clown on the table who shakes with fear and goes through motions of fright, but immediately reclines quietly when the doctor returns. The nearsighted doctor cannot see the devil. The doctor starts to drive the chisel into the clown's stomach with the mallet and patient sits straight up with an expression of fear. The doctor pushes the 78 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Some men keep their word because no one will take it. — The Saturday Evening Post. patient's head back and his legs come up. The doctor has a hard time trying to get patient straightened out, looks around for weights to place on his feet, and when he turns away the devil prances up, the patiem jumps up and runs out, and the devil gets on the table in the patient's place. The doctor returns, starts at the feet, nearsightedly, gets to the devil's face, both of them let out a yell and the doctor runs for his life pursued by the devil.^-^^. M. Chesley, Washington, D. C, in Physical Training, Vol. 5, No. 10. 115. AN ART GALLERY This form of amusement is very well known, and some of the common catches have become classic ; yet it is always sure to create amusement, and if your social committee has not got up an art gallery, by all means do so. You should curtain off a small portion of your room, and arrange the different pictures upon tables stretched along the side. Each picture is to be labeled with its title, or, if you wish, you may have a catalog pasted in some prominent place. A small admission fee may be charged. It will add to the fun if some comical genius acts as exhibitor. Here is the best list of works I have ever seen for such an art gallery: Art Gallery exhibition of painting and sculpture, with many curious works of art 1. The Holy See Leo XIII. 2. Rock of Ages Lull Abi 3. Old Ironsides Bach Acre 4. The Kids at Rest Alexandre 5. Voices of the Night Thos. Katt 6. Mustered In and Mustered Out Keene 7. A Young Man's Fear Disputed AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 79 Absence of occupation is not rest, A mind quite vacant is a mind distressed. — Cowper. 8. Time on the Wing McGrew 9. My Own, My Native Land Anonymous 10. Something to Adore McHannick 11. Can't be Beat Annie Fool 12. Only a Poor Old Wood-Chopper Geo. Washington 13. A Perfect Foot N. E. Carpenter 14. Maid of Orleans S. Orghum 15. One Hundred Years Ago Al. Manac 16. Cause of the Revolution Ole Bull 17. Little Fishes (a study in oil) S. R. Dean 18. Wood Cuts (a group) F. K. Hackman 19. "We Part to Meet Again" C. Steel 20. Mementos of the Great Cole 21. The "Star in the East" F. Leischmann 22. A Spoony Couple Unknown 23. "Samson Was Great; Lo! a Greater" N. Meig 24. A Marble Group Mike L. Angelo 25. "Murphy on a Bender" T. Wigg 26. Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine German Valley 27. View of the Red Sea and Plains Beyond Fairo 28. The Skeleton Behind the Door Unknown 29. Deer Slayers C. Orset 30. Horse Fair of '96 G. Rain 31. A Hard Case O. Shell 32. Heads (statuary) C. Abbage 33. A Wayworn Traveler Shuman 34. Sweet Sixteen C. Andy 35. "A Perfect Match" M. Atch 36. Hogg's Tales (illustrated) C. Pork 37. The Light of Other Days T. Chandler 38. All Afloat S. Aylor 39. The Ruins in China S. M. Asher 40. Lone Beat (an army scene) Thtulow 41. The Skipper's Home O. Mite 42. The Four Seasons Bill 43. Not To Be Bored... G. Imblet 44. Noted English Essayist Unknown 45. The American Commentators P. Patch 46. Whaling Implements Birch 47. Hamlet Alone H. Meat 48. Wax Figures Mrs. Jarley 49. Lay of the Last Minstrel B. Antem 50. Things That End in Smoke T. Bacco 51. Crossing the Styx Sharp 52. The Lost Heir Shampooer 53. Bust of a Boy O. Close 54. The Best Thing Out M. D. 55 The Skillful Phrenologist M. Comb 80 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I love my country better than my family — but I love human nature better than my country. — Fenelon. 56. A Tearful Subject G. Rocer 57. Manufacturer of New England Hoes K. Nitter 58. Tales of Ocean S. McArel 59. Bad Spell of Weather Unknown 60. A Friend That Sticketh Closer than a Brother, McCandy 61. An Old Man's Darling and a Young Man's Slave, J. Smoker 62. Bridal Scene Harness 63. The Sun That Never Sets * Shanghai 64. The Old Snuff-Taker Unknown 65. Flats and Sharps Mozart 66. Sold Again Anonymous 67. The Devil in Disguise (statuary in glass) .0. Toper 68. Ever of Thee I am Fondly Dreaming Ban. Kerr "The most admirable display of original specimens of art to be found in America." — The North American Review. "A collection of rare and beautiful gems in the school of art, at sight of which the unbidden tears will start." — Paris Gazette des Beaux Arts. "A few moments spent in its classic realms has a tendency to elevate one to higher motives." — Atlantic Monthly. 1. A large Letter C, full of holes. 2. A cradle. 3. Flatirons. 4. Several pairs of kid gloves. 5. Two cats in a cage. 6. Mustard in and mustard out (of a bottle). 7. A mitten. 8. Watch on a turkey's wing. 9. A pan of dirt. 10. A lock and key. 11. Turnip. 12. An axe. 13. A foot rule. 14. Molasses candy. 15. The date, 1796. 16. Tacks on tea (tax on tea). 17. A can of sardines. 18. Chips from the sawmill. 19. Scissors. 20. Coals from the grate. 21. A star in some yeast. 22. Two spoons. 23. A nutmeg grater. 24. A group of marbles. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 81 Living costs more in these days — ^but it is worth more to live. — ^The Saturday Evenmg Post. 25. Potato on a twig that would bend. 26. Bones apart over a rind. 27. A red letter C, and carpenter's planes beyond. 28. A hoopskirt behind the door. 29. Corset. 30. Corn (horse fare). 31. Shells. 32. Cabbage. 33. An old worn-out shoe. 34. Sixteen sticks of candy. 35. A match. 36. Hogs' tails (three or four). 37. Candles. 38. An awl in' a pan of water. 39. Broken dishes. 40. A beet. 41. Cheese. 42. Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard. 43. Gimlet. 44. Bacon. 45. Potatoes. 46. A bundle of switches. 47. Ham let alone. 48. Figures of sealing wax. 49. Egg. 50. Cigars. 51. Several sticks crossed. 52. Several hairs in some butter. 53. A pair of pants stuffed, out at the knees. 54. A tooth. 55. A fine comb. 56. Onions. 57. Knitting needles. 58. Mackerel tails. 59. "Wethair." 60. Molasses. 61. Pipe. 62. Bridle. 63. Rooster. 64. Snuffers. 65. Needles and flatirons. 66. An old shoe half-soled. 67. Bottle of whiskey. 68. Money. ■ — From "Social to Save," United Society of Christian Endeavor. X AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 83 A record is the only thing improved by breaking. — The Saturday Evening Post. 116. AN EVENING WITH THE YAPHANK (LONG ISLAND) WHITTLING CLUB An Amateur Entertainment — Shavings, Song and Story Railroad Men's Building, 361 Madison Avenue, New York ladies' night Monday Evening, February 14, igio batting order Adam Druckmiller, Storekeeper Deacon Satchel, A Mormon Missionary Cain Brake, An Inoffensive Coon Reed Journal, The Town Bureau of Information F. Hornpipe, A Rube Fiddler Louie Lutzmacher, The Flying Dutchman Mordecai Epstein, A Harlem Pack Peddler Rev. Ebenezer Fourthly, The Village Parson Denis Rafferty, A Section Hand Hezekiah Stillwithus, The Oldest Inhabitant Claudie Lamont, A Fresh Guy from the City The Village Band, on their way home from rehearsal. Hank Wilson and his little boy. Bill Hawkins, Pete Brown, Isaac Groat, Tom Summerville, > Rubes Jake Hines, Bob Bascomb, Bill Spicer, edifying features No. 1. Isaac Groat and Hornpipe pull off a horse trade. A fair swap — give and take. No. 2. Cain Brake, an inoffensive coon, is made to stop on his way home from work and give a ten-minute "buck and wing" on pain of lynching. Hornpipe saws the fiddle. No. 3. Rev. Ebenezer Fourthly and Tom Summerville lock horns over the Scriptural identity of Gog and Magog. No. 4. Reed Journal, the only man in town who takes a Mineola paper, enlightens his fellow citizens as to the week's news. 84 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES No pleasure is comparable to standing upon the vantage ground of truth. — Bacon, No. 5. The Ananias Club goes into executive session in a story-telling match. Hezekiah Stillwithus, the oldest inhabitant, gives them all a run for their money. No. 6. Deacon Satchel, a Mormon missionary and tract distributer, appears on the scene and escapes by the skin of his teeth. No. 7. Denis Rafferty, a Hibernian section hand, happens in, and provides the Whittling Club with a little amusement. No. 8. Louie Lutzmacher, a flying Dutchman, gets jealous of Raflferty, and upholds the dignity of the German Empire with some remarks and songs in his native tongue. No. 9. Claudie Lamont, a city boarder, butts in with some remarks on athletics. Bill Spicer takes the other side of the argument, and after they are carefully blindfolded, they put on the gloves for a boxing contest. No. 10. The Village Band happens along on its way home from rehearsal at the cheese factory. Upon urgent request they play No. 23 from the A. B. C. band book. No. 11. Some of the Rubes form an impromptu male quartet to_ run opposition to the band. Old Hezekiah Still- withus insisted upon being heard in a solo entitled "The Green Grass Grows All 'Round." No. 12. Mordecai Epstein, a Hebraistic Pack Peddler from Harlem, comes along, looking for a place to stay all night. He attempts to "conduction some auction- ings" on the store steps, and is violently attacked by Druckmiller, the village merchant. Bloodshed is averted, but Epstein goes away mad. SYNOPSIS The scene of this touching melodrama is laid in that charm- ing Athens of America, Yaphank, Long Island. Many leading citizens of that erudite community will cross the ferry for the first time in order to participate in this festival. The store steps of Yaphank's leading emporium will be vividly repro- duced at enormous expense. The Association Orchestra will be on hand to raise the curtain, and Clint Weston will be stage manager. —W. W. Adair, R. R. Y. M. C. A., New York City. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 85 The less you want to know people the more people want to know you. —The Saturday Evening Post. 117. "JIMTOWN mPOSITION" This was conducted with great success by George Sutherland while acting secretary of the Cleveland, Ohio, Central Association. It was known as the "Jinitown Imposition and Old Time County Fair Association." Stock was' issued at par value of $5, and something over 100 shares were sold with the distinct understanding that two thirds of the amount should be returned within thirty days after the New Year's Day show. In passing I might say that every dollar was returned to the shareholders, although the putting on of such an elaborate affair involved the outlay of $1500, without a cent of cost to the Associa- tion. After the sale of stock was made, all the share- holders were called together and a board of directors of twelve men was made responsible for the organiza- tion, promotion and successful conduct of the affairs of the "Imposition Company." These directors held meetings as often as twice a week, beginning in November, and toward the culmination of plans some- times two meetings a day were necessary. The whole thing was planned on the basis of a County Fair with minstrel show (six performances daily), freaks, magicians, etc., indoor circus in the gymnasium, moving picture show, and many other features. Association Hall was fitted up with booths. We had a poHce court with two or three policemen who arrested the president of the Association, also the president of the Chamber of Commerce and certain popular ministers, charging them with all kinds of ludicrous offenses against the law, and exacting the payment of fees anywhere from five cents to $1. There were tally-ho stands, barkers', candy butchers, peanut peddlers and stands for all kinds of merchan- dise. It was necessary to sell in advance certain privi- leges and concessions to such parties as, for example, the glee club, the educational department, physical de- 86 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES For the bow cannot possibljr stand always bent — nor can human nature or human frailty subsist without some lawful recreation. — Cervantes. partment, and so on. Booths in Exhibition Hall netted something over $400. The lobby of the Central De- partment was turned into a village square, the scenery — painted especially for us — the decoration, etc., being in harmony with the nature of the entertainment. It was a tremendous task, because we started out to give close attention to the many details involved in impart- ing the County Fair flavor to the show, and this we were told we succeeded in doing. About 150 members of the Central Department participated. Of course, there was much of local color; three or four fictitious characters had been created by local newspaper men during the five years previous ; for instance, Uncle Bifl? of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Josh Wise, Dina Dill-Pickle and Everett True of the Cleveland Press. These grotesque creatures of the newspaper men's imagination had a real place in the mind of the Cleveland public, and helped the adver- tising. Everett True, for instance, a Harvard man weighing 300 pounds, was a policeman. He proved to be a live wire. Josh Wise was the leading man in the minstrel show, and his make-up was a great hit. Uncle Biff was ubiquitous and got off some wise say- ings. The show ran New Year's day and evening, and notwithstanding the opening of the Cleveland Hippo- drome, on the same day, we had present altogether about 500 people. It enabled us to discover latent talent in our membership and also gave valuable busi- ness experience as to handling the affairs of a corpora- tion. We started out to keep tabs on every department and upon every item of expense. This had not been done at previous entertainments. Mr. A. J. Prentice, care of the Cleveland Foundry Company, formerly assistant treasurer, and Mr. T. T. Long, .formerly employment director of the Central Department, will be able to give expense items and additional data. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 87 Call no one "mad" because he happens to have a new idea, for time may prove such "madness" a merely perfected method of reason. — Corelli. 118. PARLOR FIELD MEET An interesting parlor field meet was recently con- ducted in Chicago for new members. As a method of getting new members acquainted it is certainly worth attention. Doubtless some boys' departments may get a hint here for some parlor athletic meets. Event 1, 20- Yard Dash. Carrying a blown egg with a tea- spoon from start to finish. The man finishing first with a whole egg receives firsit prize. He must carry the egg in the spoon by one extended hand, with the other hand behind his back. Event 2, Running Broad Grin. Stand facing the audience, keeping a changeable but continuous pleasant smile. The one who does this best receives the first prize. Event 3, Long Under Swing. Stand on a two-inch strip of wood on the toes, reaching the hand back and up between the legs. The one whose hand reaches the highest point behind the back, without fouling, receives first prize. The foul is falling backward from off the stick. There is no foul in fall- ing forward, as the competitor faces a tub of water. Event 4, Continuous Glum. The man who can stand longest before the audience amid the jollying of the crowd without a faint smile, receives the prize. Event 5, Candle Walk. Carrying a lighted candle with one arm extended, the other behind the back, face forward. He who finishes first with a lighted candle receives the prize. Event 6, Changeable Horse Laugh. The one who can get in the most amusing and largest variety of laughs within a limited time receives a prize. Event 7, Shot Put. Throwing peanuts into the mouth of a jug from a distance of four feet. The one putting the most peanuts in in five trials receives the prize. Event 8, Balance Juggle. Sitting on the pointed end of a jug and threading a needle. The one doing so in the shortest length of time receives the prize. Event 9, Long Lean Whistle. The one who can keep up a whistle the longest time without using artificial aid receives the prize. Event 10, Standing Broad Grin. The one who can keep up a pleasant smile for the longest time receives first prize. Event 11, Flour Grasp. Upon signal from the starter the one who first secures a penny from a pan of flour with his teeth secures first prize ; second prize to the one securing the five cent piece. Event 12, Floating Exhibition. The competitors gather 88 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Measure your mind's height by the shadow it casts. — Browning. about a tub on their knees with their hands tied behind them. The one who first secures a floating apple with his teeth receives the prize. 119. A COUNTY FAIR Our entire building was turned over to .the County Fair. We tried to include as many of the funny feaitures of a regular agricultural fair as we could in a building of this kind. Many of the business men of the town built booths and exhibited or demonstrated in them. We had a good poultry exhibit, also a dog show and a ntrmber of pets, such as monkeys, owls, pigeons, cats, a fox, guinea pigs, and a billy-goat labeled "Country Butt-er" that kept his corner free of intruders. Exhibits of paintings, burnt wood, manual training, needlework, curios, etc., filled up the space allotted to this feature of the show. A brass band played familiar airs ; fakirs and barkers tried to drown out the band; many people, dressed up as Rubes, ambled blunderingly about the building; a doll rack and a coon with his head through a canvas furnished constant fun. In fact, everything that could be worked up to interest the crowd was included. We erected one of our camp tents in a large room and held a side- show in it. This included the usual line of freaks, such as a fat woman, a snake charmer, a wild man, etc. A good barker makes this one of the funniest things in the show." In the gymnasium there was a circus performance, while the plunge room, dressing room, two dark stair- ways and a large hall were given over to the "Trip Down the River Styx," with everything possible con- trived to make people shudder. Guides with dim lamps led small parties through these regions. Every one was obliged to cross the plunge in a boat, meet Pluto, give an account of himself, and have a judgment of some sort passed upon him. This feature was given by the boys' department, and was well worked up. — M. C. Gibson, Youngstown, Ohio. AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 89 It lies in our power to attune the mind to cheerfulness. — Auerbach. 130. MASQUERADE PARTY Program 8.1S Grand Entry to Gymnasium Line forming in locker room. Fantastic Drill. 8.40 Grotesque Run. 9.00 Colored Wedding. Cake Walk. Virginia Reel. Presentation of Medals. Mats and Elephant. It is of course understood by all that this will be a quiet session, and any one yelling above a whisper or smiling aloud will be severely punished. One year, with 166 men on the floor, one of the members brought in two big bags of peanuts to distribute, and he was immediately set upon and mobbed; there was a wild scramble for peanuts, and he was picked up and taken downs.tairs and thrown in the tank. The next year a barrel of apples was distributed, but this time the distributing was done from the running track. The Fantastic Drill consisted of such violent exer- cises as "Ear Wiggles," "Ikey Shakes," "Mule Kicks," "Elephantine Gambols," etc. Games and contests in which the whole class took part were the most success- ful, such as feet foremost race, a line of men sitting down along each side of -the gymnasium, faces up, trying to get over to the other side on hands and feet ; leap frog across the gymnasium ; seesaw with men back to back, arms locked, each in turn bending forward and tilting the other man up. — Brooklyn Central. 121. ALICE IN WONDERLAND In an attempt to make the annual "Open House" more attractive and to add entertainment to the privi- lege of seeing the building, the Washington Association on New Year's Day, 1910, presented "Alice in Wonder- land." AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENTS 91 He who hesitates is — ^well, he is apt to get the better of the bargain. — The Saturday Evening Post. In the lobby, as the guests arrived, they were presented to the "King and Queen of Hearts" seated on an elaborate throne amid decorations that trans- formed the building into real Wonderland. White Rabbits acted as guides and directed the visitors to the second floor where the "March Hare" welcomed them to a "Mad Tea Party." In four nearby rooms were exhibits of the Association work for the year, and these were presided over by the "Duchess," "The Baby," "The Cook" and "The Cheshire Cat." On the program in the gymnasium there were "Caucus Races" and "Lobster Quadrilles" (gymnastic exhibitions and relay races), and solos by "The Mock Turtle." A dual aquatic meet was pulled off in a "Pool of Tears," and match bowling games were played on the "Queen's Croquet Grounds." Into this general plan were worked recitals by the Mandolin Club, the orchestra and a Victor Victrola ; an exhibit of flying machines and models ; a North Pole program in the Boys' Build- ing; a debate; receptions by the directors and trustees and the city pastors, and a fine concert at ijight, to which members and their guests were invited. The spectacular feature proved very attractive, and the costuming and various programs made use of nearly 300 men, most of them volunteer committeemen. — Gerald Karr Smith, Washington, D. C. 122. "TRIP TO THE MOON" This entertainment was in the nature of a panoramic representation. The entire building was used, a large number of men appearing in character costume. Spectators made a good part of the trip between stations in darkness, with demons and various nonde- script animals along the road. Some of the features were: gusts of wind (electric fans) ; lightning (electric lights, strong reflectors) ; thunder (tin sheet and bowl- ing balls). Among stations were the banks of the 92 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The real character of a man is found out by his amusements. — Sir Joshua Reynolds, River Styx (swimming pool, -with small boat to ferry travelers over) ; Chamber of Groans (full of giants) ; Saturn's Den (caged animals) ; Moon Pathway (lane of good painting) ; Delmonico's (refreshments) ; Moon Station (gallery of pretty girls). At four points in the trip half hour entertainments were given. Similar trips, outside the building, may be made : for example, in Seeing New York Cars, the Hippodrome, Eden Musee, Chinatown, the Bowery, Columbia Uni- versity, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Waldorf- Astoria, Dreamland, The Tombs, Broadway, News- paper Row, etc. — Springfield, Mass. 123. WELSH EISTEDDFOD This is conducted on 'the order of a regular Welsh festival, only that everything is burlesqued. The Board of Adjudicators occupy the platform, and the soloists, poets, elocutionists and quartets compete for prizes under the rules. Prizes range in value from ten to thirty cents. Those members who cannot sing are all scheduled in the musical contest, while those who cannot recite or write original poetry are assigned to the literary section. One or two stars are intro- duced, according to the Welsh custom. For instance, in our burlesque, a 'big fellow was dressed up and advertised under the name of "Madam Human-Chunk, contralto"; and we also had a bass drum soloist in Highland costume who played "The Campbells Are Coming" on the bass drum. This thing, handled by some one familiar with the Welsh Eisteddfods, makes a great hit.— fF. W. Adair, R. R. Y. M. C. A., New York City. 134. LOAN EXHIBITS, ETC. Our Association held several full week affairs, more especially in the interest of the finances, but they also proved to be among the best social functions ever AMATEUR ENTHRTAINMENTS 93 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have enter- tained angels unawares. — Bible. occurring in the community ; they brought together in pleasant intercourse the men and women of the vari- ous ^hurches and classes of society, and acquaintances and friendships were formed that were lasting and helpful. We held several Art Loan Exhibitions, one at our own building and the others in a hired hall ; one in which antiques were a special feature was of peculiar interest. An Industrial Exhibit filled the body of the largest hall in the city with exhibits from all the leading manufacturing plants and was a revela- tion to hundreds of the citizens. Refreshments were served in connection with these exhibits and each evening an attractive program was put on ; these were of great variety and included the best talent of our own and nearby cities. — H. S. N. 135. AMATEUR NIGHT This is run on much the same basis as in vaudeville theatres. All amateur talent from the membership is urged to compete and to offer any stunt for the edi- fication of the audience. A prize of $5 is offered for the most popular entertainer, the audience to decide who is entitled to it. The hook is used to remove objectionable entertainers from the stage. If prop- erly worked up and conducted, this form of enter- tainment may be made very popular. — W. W. Adair, R. R. Y. M. C. A., New York City. 126. STUNT CLUB The object of this was to give every department of the Association a chance to take some part on the pro- gram. The chemistry class put on a ten^ninute exhi- bition ; the leaders' corps of the gymnasium put on the Highland fling in costume ; the junior department gave an exhibition of tableaux; the glee club did its part, 94 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. — Bible. each different group contributing to the program and making altogether a very novel entertainment. — H. G. Williamson, Cincinnati, 0. ^ 127. HARVEST EXHIBITION- Everybody dresses in funny costume. The men have been drilled to march so as to form the letters Y. M. C. A. As soon as all the letters are formed, the class will halt and go through a dumb-bell drill, using potatoes, turnips, carrots, cabbages, or corn oh the ear in place of dumb-bells; after which the class will form in columns and go through some fast elephant work and close with a Hayseeds' March, the men using hoes, rakes, shovels, etc. — Frank S. Barthol- omew, Woonsocket, R. I. 128. MOCK TRIAL Use some recent interesting camp occurrence, like stolen ice cream, or a slain chicken, for the case. Have a judge, clerk, two lawyers, witnesses, jury, court crier, and officers. The procedure is as follows : 1. Clerk swears in jury. 2. Lawyers for plaintiff and defense tell jury about the case (briefly). 3. Witnesses testify. 4. Prisoner testifies. 5. Lawyers address jury. 6. Judge charges jury. 7. Jury goes out and returns with verdict. Throw all possible fun into it. Plays It is to be regretted that there are at present few strong, simple moral plays for men amateurs. Here lies an opportunity for the right man either to write a good play or to dramatize for the boys something AMATEUR PLAYS 95 We should take as much interest in helping an individual as in plan- ning an entertainment. — Edmund McDonald, Jr. like "For the Honor of the School," by Ralph H. Bar- bour, or to write one for the men similar to "The Man of the Hour." The best things written thait we have seen are given herewith. (The publishers of these plays will send catalogs.) 139. COLONIAL PLAY On Washington's Birthday our Dramatic Club pre- sented a special Colonial Play. (Costumes and customs of that time may be studied from the books of Alice Morse Earle.) — Edw. V. Ambler, Springfield, Mass. 130. WHERE TO FIND PLAYS Plays: Samuel French, 56 West 33d Street, New York City. Minstrelsy and Vaudeville : Crest Trading Company, 144 West 37th Street, New York City. Minstrelsy: Sam Witmark, New York City. Horace G. Williamson, Y. M. C. A., Cincinnati, Ohio, knows of a number of plays that might be used. "A Virginia Romance." Published by White-Smith Music Publishing Company, Boston, New York and Chicago. Tried by William H. Brown, Buxton, Iowa. "Pedlar and Spy.'' Written by Edward V. Ambler, Y. M. C. A., Springfield, Mass. "Big Smoke." Indian sketch. Three acts. F. O. Van Ness, Paterson, N. J. DEPARTMENT OF RUrA' ORGANIZATION N. Y. state: CCl'.": Of ACnCULTURE CORNlLL UM.VlRSITY, ITHACA, N. Y. The physical department presents a most logical and fundamental opportunity for developing the social life of boys and men. Yet it has not been sufficiently recognized as such by most secretaries, either general or departmental. — Dr. George J. Fisher. There is a book into which some of us are happily led to look and to look again and to never tire of looking. It is the Book of Man. You may open that book whenever and wherever you find another human voice to answer yours, and another human hand to take in your own.— Walter Besant. Give us, O give us, the man who sings at his work! Be his occupa- tion what it may, be it equal to any of those who follow the same pursuit in silent suUenness. He will do more in the same time, he •will do it better, he will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible of fatigue whilst he marches to music. The very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres. Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness I — Carlyle. Love is the Rose of Life — Let it bloom out in joyous rout Till all the world is rife With sweets of loving kindness. Perfumes of noble deeds. And savors rare, beyond compare. Of succor for all needs. — ^Anon. HOLIDAYS 131. NEW YEAR'S Our Association for many years kept "open house" each New Year's Day. The building was put in receiving order and the parts to be specially occupied made as attractive as possible. A reception committee was on duty by relays during the entire day and simple refreshments were served at small tables, scattered _ through one or two rooms, the ladies generally serving. "Good" coffee, crullers, walnuts or popcorn, were the standard refreshments. In the evening we always had a musical and literary program in the auditorium. These occasions were very informal, very social, and very popular. — H. S. N. 132. OPEN HOUSE— 1 The entire building was open for inspection from 2.00 to 10.00 p.m. A trained group of ushers made guests, including the ladies, welcome. A department exhibition was held for the enlightenment of visitors. Program 2.00-7.30 p.m. Reception by Reception Committee. 3.30-5.30 p.m. Gymnastic exhibition. Basket Ball, Swimming events. 3.00-7.00 p.m. Music by orchestra and Mandolin Club. 3.30-7.00 p.m. Continuous entertainment b'y many artists. 5.30-7.30 p.m. Refreshments served. 8.15 p.m. Concert Company, in auditorium. — West Side, New York. 133. OPEN HOUSE— 2 The Cincinnati, Ohio, Association throws the build- ing open all day, exhibiting all departments of work. Much is made of the Boat Club and summer camp decorations. 98 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Learn to regard the souls around you as parts of some grand instru- ment. It is for each of us to know the keys and stops, that we may draw forth the harmonies that lie sleeping in the silent octaves. — Anon. 134. ST. PATRICK'S DINNER A St. Patrick's Dinner by the Bachelors' Qub of the Washington Association was very successful. The place cards were shamrocks, and green candles lighted the tables. The menu cards were printed in green and contained the following bill of fare: "The Grub." Mulligatawny Soup Emerald Olives Ould Sod Celery Roast Pig Irish Potatoes Green Peas Spring Greens Rye Puffs with Dublin Sauce Kilkrney Salad Wafers "Brick" Ice Cream, Mortar Cake Roquefort Cheese Saltines Demi Tasse Grapes in Cork Irish Mereshams Under the caption of "The Blarney" were listed such toasts as "Me Country," "The Bachelors' Union" and "The Dinner Pail." The toast on the back of the card was appropriate : " Sure, here's a long dhrink to St. Patrick An wan to Jarge Washington too, For Jarge was the by who could not tell a lie. An' Patrick tould only a few. " For Jarge wor as thruthful as daylight An' hatin' all liars an' fakes; An' Pat shpoke as thru as Jarge Wash'n'ton, too — Till he started to talk about shnakes." Short one-act farces were given between toasts which exposed various men at the table. A stage had HOLIDAYS 99 To yield reverence to another, to hold ourselves and our lives at his disposal^ is not slavery; often, it is the noblest state in which a man can live in this world. — Kuskin. been erected at the end of the room, where these skits were given. They were clever and greaitly enjoyed. — Gerald Karr Smith, Washington, D. C. 135. APRIL FOOL SOCIAL Portland, Oregon, conducted a Masked Stag Social. One group was asked to represent the characters in the funny papers, another group the different nation- alities ; several groups — dormitory floors for instance — ■ were asked to prepare special stunts to be given at the expense of certain other groups. — J. C. Clark. 136. AN EASTER SOCIAL An Easter social was held last year in the St. Louis boys' department- Any member imder fifteen years of age was admitted by the doorkeeper upon the payment of two hard boiled eggs with his name written on each. Other boys and parents were cordially invited to come at the price of ten cents each. This carnival took place at ten o'clock Saturday morning and the events were as follows: 1. Crowing contest. 2. Rooster fight — bantam and shanghai. 3. Egg tug. 4. Egg turnover race. 5. Egg race. 6. Set the hen. 7. Chew the string. 8. Chase the feather. 9. Egg passing contest. 10. Relay race. Dr. H. S. Wingert, physical director, was in charge of the performance. If the reader desires more in- formation Dr. Wingert will be glad to give it. — Asso- ciation Boys, Vol. VI., No. 2. 100 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, altogether past calculation its powers of endurance. — Carlyle. 137. VALENTINE SOCIAL INVITATION AND PROGRAM VALENTINE SOCIAL St. Valentine's Eve, Saturday, February 13, 1909 8. IS p.m. TERMINAL R. R. Y. M. C. A. Union Station WASHINGTON. D. C, V MUSIC- READINGS Vocal Solos . Wm. A. Boyd, Baritone Humorous Songs Ross M. Bright Vocal Duets Messrs. Boyd and Bright Piano Solos Wm. T. Pierson Readings -j S'"J7\F*'-'-°"' jH. M. NiSWANNER Orchestral Music under the direction of Rudolph Boehs ACQUAINTANCE HOUR Men connected with Railroad and Affiliated Companies and Ladies Invited. No Charge HOLIDAYS 101 Those who are five minutes late do more to upset the order of the world than all the anarchists. — The Saturday Evening Post. SOUVENIR PROGRAM VALENTINE SOCIAL Saturday Evening, February 13, 1909 Terminal R. R. Y. M. C. A. WASHINGTON. D. C. Pages Edna McCauley Robert Ryon Selectioh Orchestra Under direction of Rudolph Boehs Baritone Solo W. A. Boyd "Love Me Lots and Love Me all the Time" Piano Solo — "On the Avenue" W. T. Pieraon Reading — "Kissing Cup's Race" . . . Edwin Callow Selection Orchestra Babitone Solo R. M. Bright "Ephraim Johnson Don't Live Here no More" Reading H. M. Niswanner Baritone Solo . . W. A. Boyd "My Love for You is like the Stars that Shine" Reading Edwin Callow "Dot Little Cripple Boy" and other stories Baritone Solo — "Don't Take Me Home" . . . R. M. Bright DnET— "Who Do You Love?" . . . Messrs. Boyd and Bright Selection Orchestra ACQUAINTANCE HOUR Introduce Your Friends Be Sociable 102 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES I-am a part of all that I have met. — Tennyson. 138. A LINCOLN EVENING This should be made a good-citizenship social. Decorate with red, white and blue, and have a picture, statuette or bust of Lincoln in a conspicuous place, with a background of evergreen shaped like a shield. The following program may be rendered. Music. Paper, "Lincoln's Boyhood and Youth." Paper or address, "Lincoln as a Citizen and Lawyer.'' Reading, "Incidents of Lincoln's Life as President.'' Music. Reading, Extract from Lincoln's Speech, No. 30 ih "Platform Pearls" (published by the Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York City). Address, "Secrets of Lincoln's Success." By prominent man. Music. Small paper flags, colored with the stars and stripes on one side, and white on the other, may have written on the white side a good-citizenship conversation topic as, for instance, "What would be Lincoln's attitude toward the liquor traffic of today?" "The modern slave," "Is patriotic citizenship declining?" "The saloon, the church, and the ballot-box," "How to cultivate patriotism," "Analogy between war with Spain and war with the saloon," "Is America free?" etc. There should be four flags in each set, worded alike. Distribute the flags, and let each group of four find one another and discuss for ten minutes the topic fall- ing to them. During this time refreshments may be served. Close the evening with familiar patriotic songs, interspersed with a few selections from "Silver Tones," the "Clarion Cail," or some similar selection of stir- ring temperance music. — From "Eighty Pleasant Even- ings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. Other reference books : Abraham Lincoln, Man and Boy — Morgan; Lincoln, Master of Men — Rothschild; Speeches (Introduction by Ambassador James Bryce) — Everyman's Library. HOLIDAYS 103 Wishing, of all employments, is the worst. — Young. 139. LINCOLN'S AND WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS Nearly every year we celebrate either Lincoln's or Washington's birthday. The plan is to invite various organizations, including lodges, as well as the patriotic bodies, to one of the largest halls in the city, having a noted speaker for the occasion. It has always been successful. — 5". B. Groner, Syracuse, N. Y. 140. WASklNGTON'S BIRTHDAY A Washington dinner may be served on Washing- ton's birthday by the Debating Club, with the cherry tree in the middle of the table, adorned by real cherries, and the decorations otherwise appropriate. The menu is printed on small hatchets. Speeches on Washington should be made by guests specially selected for their ability to treat the subject. — B. C. Pond, Peterson, N. J. 141. MEMORIAL DAY Events may include an excursion to some accessible historic spot ; a good luncheon ; brief patriotic service, dwelling upon the place visited ; athletics and baseball. New York City Associations combine, going to Cran- berry Lake. Memorial Day is an anniversary the significance of which should not be forgotten whatever the general trend of the day's occupation; even if on a hike it could be arranged to have some of the old songs sung and some of the old stories told, and in any event .the old flag can be taken along. We should not allow our love for sport to drown out the memories of the events the holiday we enjoy was created to commemorate. 143. FOURTH OF JULY "Uncle Sam" in appropriate costume may receive the guests. Flags and bunting should decorate the 104 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES If all the year were playing holidays. To sport would be as tedious as to work. — Shakespeare. walls, together with pcfrtraits of famous Americans, which may be made an occasion for a guessing contest. Conduct a "post office," the letters consisting of ex- tracts from patriotic speeches, or the latest war news, enclosed in envelopes of red, white and blue, or with a flag in one corner; or, if convenient, enclose in the envelopes representations of the American flag. The following program has been rendered on one such occasion : Chorus, "The Star- Spangled Banner." Recitation, "Independence Bell." Solo, "The Dying Soldier," or "The Soldier's Farewell," an adaptation of "Ehren on the Rhine." Recitation, "Old Ironsides." Reading, "The Antiquity of Freedom" (Bryant). Chorus, "Red, White and Blue." Other choruses might be added or substituted, such as "Fair Native Land," "Flag of Our Country," or "The Soldiers' Chorus." A list of historic battles, with the generals commanding them, should be pre- pared in advance. The name of each battle may be written on a slip of paper, or miniature flag, and the name of the commanding general, correspondingly numbered, on, another slip or flag. These may Tdc passed and matched to arrange partners for refresh- ments, which may consist of saltines, cheese, and phosphate of wild cherry. — From "Eighty Pleasant Evenings," United Society of Christian Endeavor. 143. LABOR DAY SOCIAL If your Association includes among its young men members a number of good singers, by all means have the "Anvil Chorus" from "II Trovatore." The rooms should be large. The singers, dressed to represent blacksmiths, with red flannel shirts and leather aprons, hammer in hand, enter and sing the chorus to a piano accompaniment. Anvils should be provided, and dur- HOLIDAYS 105 He that is thy friend indeed, He will help thee at thy need. — Anon. ing the refrain the time is marked by regular blows on these with the hammers. Previous to the rendering of this chorus there may be other music and a short literary program, such as the following: 1. Reading, Sidney Lanier's poem, "The Symphony." 2. Address, "Our Comrade, the Laborer." 3. Reading from Chapter 8 or 9 of Henderson's "Social Spirit in America." 4. Paper, "Manual Training in Schools" or "Sloyd." Then the "Anvil Chorus" may be introduced, after which games may be played. There may be a sale of articles representing different handicrafts, the proceeds to start a fund in the Association's treasury for the special purpose of aiding an industrial school or similar institution. If desired, a debate may be added to the program, such as, "Resolved, That the omission of church privileges from settlements like the Ruskin community is the fault of the church." — L. M. H. From "Eighty Pleasant Evenings/' United Society of Christian Endeavor. U4:. HALLOWEEN MYSTERY RAMBLE Secure' the use of a farmhouse and the services of the lady of the house, in the country within walking distance of the Association building, three or four miles away. Secure one leader for every six boys (sixty boys make up the right number to handle on such an occasion). Leave the building at six o'clock. On the way out have the leaders tell their respective groups ghost stories and Indian tales, suitable to the history or legends of the community. Witches, ghosts, and sprites appear at different stages of the journey. Have a mock trial in the woods and condemn the prisoner to some horrible fate. Repair to the farm- house for a feast of pumpkin pie, doughnuts, apples and coffee, and then proceed homeward. The cost is ten cents each. — L. W. DeGast, Springfield, Mass. 106 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES O! it is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant. — Shakespeare. 145. HALLOWEEN EXPLORATION OF MAMMOTH CAVE Conduct people through long passageways lined with black cloth, through large boxes, up inclines and down stairs to Chamber of Horrors (see Trip to the Moon, No. 132) . Bring them finally to the River Styx, where the ghostly ferryman, in a real boat, ferries them across the swimming pool and presents them to the Deities of Mythology. Wind up with the Ghost Minstrels. — B. C. Pond, Paterson, N. J. 146. MASQUERADE Halloween night we gave up the old-fashioned things — ducking for apples, etc., and had a fancy dress affair. All who took part had to wear costumes. Prizes were given to the wearers of the funniest and the best. A grand march proceeded through the gymnasium with fancy steps, which had been practiced in "gym" a week or so. Afterward there was a sketch given by the boys, followed by a few appropriate recitations and stories around the fireplace. Refreshments were cocoa, doughnuts and apples, the boys paying five cents each for them. Everything was run by the boys themselves. — Boys' Department, West Side, N. Y. 147. ELECTION NIGHT RETURNS Instrumental music, indoor ball game between two teams of business men, election returns bulletined, coffee and doughnuts, at Hoquiam, Wash., brought the largest crowd ever inside the building at one time. Competition — returns in new hotel lobby and at electric theatre. The Association had the largest crowd. The best ithing in years at Lexington, Ky., best ser- vice in town and a thousand men out. It was adver- tising, too, that brought a lot of men to the Associa- tion. HOLIDAYS 107 When an employee really knows more than the head of the firm he knows enough not to boast of it. — The Saturday Evening Post. The fullest and quickest returns of any in the city were given at the Spokane Association, 2000 men being present. Ann Arbor kept open the longest and furnished quick and accurate reports election night. Young men had a local option debate while waiting for the slowest township to report. A wire inside and a screen across the street at Wau- kesha, supper and', refreshments, gained many new friends among the 1500 townspeople. Charleston, S. C, had 3500 men in the building election night — coming and going up to midnight. Stereopticon was used in the g3rmnasium. Another Association threw returns on a sheet hung across the street. Thousands watched outside. 148. THANKSGIVING PROGRAM 1. "My Cup Runneth Over.'' 2. Song. 3. Make from the word "Thanksgiving" as many words as possible : proper names excepted. 4. Song. 5. Dinner Menu. (1) Soup. Imitation reptile. (2) Fish. "Collect on Delivery." (3) Roasts. The country of the Crescent, and Adam's wife, served with a sauce of what undid her. (4) Vegetables. Two kinds of toes ne'er found on man or beast ; a mild term for stealing ; what your heart does. (5) Puddings. What we say to a nuisance, and exactly perpendicular. (6) Pies. An affected gait, and related to a well. (7) Fruit. A kind of shot. 6. Song or instrumental music. 7. Five grains of corn in memory of our forefathers (game). 8. Harlequin. a. Cat's Cradle. b. Bean Porridge Hot. c. Laughing. d. Whistling. e. Silence is Golden. 108 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES What can the Creator see with greater pleasure than a happy creature ? — Lessing. f. Refreshments. g. Conversation, "If not yourself, who would you rather be?" 9. Popping corn, etc. 10. Songs, etc. —Buffalo Central Y. M. C. A. 149. THANKSGIVING— 1 Last Thanksgiving Day we gave a dinner for those away from home. While the attendance was not large, the dinner met a need, and was very successful. Six nations were represented and several states. The pro- gram was most informal, each man being asked to do a stunt — he had been notified about this before the dinner. Everybody got acquainted, had a good time, and as a result some men were lined up for service in the Association. — Bradshaw, Kansas City, Mo. 150. THANKSGIVING— 3 Dinner was served, with music, at seventy-five cents, "for those away from home." An afternoon enter- tainment in Reception Hall proved attractive. It was followed in the evening by an auditorium entertain- ment. 151. WITH THE Y. W. C. A. On the evenings of Thanksgiving and Washington's Birthday we always have a joint social with the Young Women's Christian Association of our city. Some- times it is in the form of a reception, but more often it consists of different stunts. A large committee com- posed of representatives of the two Associations work for a month or more on the program, and the stunts are all executed by members of the Associations. Some years ago, just following the St. Louis Exposi- tion, one of these entertainments took the form of a HOLIDAYS 109 The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators. — Gibbon. burlesque on the Pike. Another time it was an Old- Fashioned County Fair. On Thanksgiving of last year we had a Festival of Nations; groups of young people represented characteristic customs of different nations in several different rooms from specially im- provised booths. One of the features was the German Restaurant in the cafe, with the German band, and to some extent typical German dishes, the room, of course, being decorated as far as possible to resemble the typical German Rathskeller. On Washington's Birthday two years ago we had Washington's Birthday Magazine, in which various tableaux were worked out for the illustrations ; stories were recited and the adver- tising pages were variously represented in pantomime. On Lincoln's Birthday last year in a joint social, events in the life of Lincoln were put on in pantomime, tableau and recitation. We have found these joint socials with the Y. W. C. A. very delightful. They supply an element often lacking where the men undertake entertainments alone. — ^5". Wirt Wiley, Minneapolis, Minn. 152. A SNOWBALL PARTY FOR THE DORMITORY MAN This is for a Christmas social, and is based chiefly, as is the "Christmas Stocking Party," on the descrip- tions given by Caroline Harris Gallagher in The Household. A large pine tree in the center of the room is loaded with white packages of all sizes and shapes, which look like huge snowballs. Bright-colored decorations, but no candles, are added. On a table, close at hand, is a box filled with pieces of cardboard about two inches square, each bearing a number. The packages on the tree are marked with corresponding numbers. Each person draws a card from the box, and then looks for the package bearing the duplicate number. Usually 110 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The kindergarten child never forgets; because he is never told any- thing which he had not first wanted to know. — Rollins. the search will be longer than might be supposed, and many of the parcels are hung so high that a step- ladder standing near must be called into service. No assistance should be asked or given. When the mys- terious snowballs are unwrapped, all sorts of pretty, quaint, and funny articles appear. Guests in the party described drew several cards apiece and, as the gifts are all inexpensive, this might answer in a small A Winter Setting gathering. Scarf pins and dolls, silver penholders and tin horns, dainty ornaments and shrill whistles, books and cow-bells were among the countless fruits growing on this remarkable tree. 153. CHRISTMAS PARCEL DELIVERY Secure as many automobiles as possible for that morning, December 25 ; advertise through the Woman's Auxiliary that the Santa Claus parcel delivery will be conducted by and for the benefit of the boys' depart- HOLIDAYS 111 Let not the emphasis of hospitality lie in bed and board; but let truth and love and honor and courtesy flow in all thy deeds. — Emerson. ment. Every woman is willing to call up on the telephone or to send postal cards a few days before. Dress boys in regular Santa Claus costume. In so far as possible call for parcels and packages on the day before so that you can have one central depot from which all can be sent out. Charge the regular parcel delivery rates and you will have no difficulty with the regular parcel delivery men. Last year we were asked to help them out, as it is a busy season for most of them. Often the boys are given tips by the people to whom the article is delivered, in addition to the fee paid by the sender. There are no costs except those of advertising. — DeGast, Springfield, Mass. 154. CHRISTMAS OR THANKSGIVING BASKET A boy in Washington voluntarily posted this request on the bulletin : "Place your name here if you would like to help a poor but worthy family receive a Christ- mas dinner. Leave ten cents at the office." The boy went to the Associated Charities and ob- tained the name of a family, then took three boys with him and delivered the basket. It was a pleasure to see the boys respond. It made them happy. 155. CHEER UP THE RAILROAD MEN Our Railroad Association has tried the scheme at Christmas and New Year's Day of having a table set in the lobby or main room, spread with cakes, oranges, etc., and serving cofifee to each railroad man who comes in, thus making the day seem like a little out of the ordinary. The men liked it and asked when it was to be done again.— F. L. Stacy, B. & 0. Y. M. C. A., Baltimore, Md. 112 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES They are kind who give us not what they think we ought to want, but what they know we do want. — Rollins. 156. GETTING MONEY FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER Our plan for this Thanksgiving dinner is to get subscriptions from the ladies of the city. This has been done through a special ladies' committee, and all business is handled by this committee. Letters asking for the subscriptions are first sent to a selected list and then about a week afterward a gentle reminder follows the first letter. In this way we secured last year $700. A program consisting principally of toasts by promi- nent men of the city was given. A reception com- mittee composed of members of the board and their wives welcomed the guests. Afterwards cards were sent to the subscribers thanking them for their sub- scriptions. This was a great success, and we are trying the same thing this year. — George D. Beckwith, Chicago, 157. CHRISTMAS— 1 FOR THE MEN WHO LIVE IN THE BUILDING Two weeks before Christmas the social secretary wrote to the home folks of all the men living in the building, and intercepted the gifts to them. By Christmas Eve he had several hundred of these, and very few of the men knew why they had not "heard from home." The following invitation secured the men; sixty of them came. They joined hands, did a run around the well-filled trees, and then sat down to sing "Joy to the World" and receive their gifts. Beside those from home, there were many from the other fellows, and lots of jokes that caused great fun. After .the tree had been picked, a free buffet breakfast was served by the Association, and songs and speeches filled up two jollj;- hours. It was a great day to those men away from home and they love the Association HOLIDAYS 115 At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year. — Daily Diet. At their request it is that made such a time possible, to become an annual custom. Dear Bachelor: The club is to have a big time on Christmas Day, so get ready ! The plan is this : A real, live Christmas tree in the Assembly Hall on Christmas morning at eight o'clock. Come in pajamas and bathrobes, as you did when you vi^ere a kid at home. There will be gifts for everybody, but, to make it more interesting, see that your roommate or next door neigh- bor or chutn gets something (any old thing). Turn these in to Gerry Smith by four o'clock the day before. Don't bother about breakfast. There will be something to eat after the tree is picked. Everybody get ready for one more good time. Sincerely, Gerald Karr Smith, Washington, D. C. MEET ME AT THE B. & O. Y M. C. A. CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON FROM 2 TO 6 OCLOCK P M t^y Dear „.. Santa Claus mvites you la come and meet him on Christmas 'Day December 25th, 1909 al the B. &0. y' M. C Jl. from 2 to 6 c clock P M- By presenting this inoitathn to me al that time, you will receive a Me gift off Ihe Big Christmas Tree. Yours, for a ^erry Christmas and a Bright and Happy New Year. SANTA CLAUS. 158. CHRISTMAS— 2 A Christmas Day entertainment was given for the children and friends of the employees of the shops 114 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Our chief want in life is somebody who shall make us do what we can. This is the service of a friend. — Emerson. and tin mills, and for the members of the Association. In fact, we invite all children who apply to us for invitations. Last year we gave them to 1"300 children. We had our auditorium gaily decorated. It was a veritable toyland. The cards of invitation, which the children are asked to bring with them, lead to a meet- ing with Santa Claus, who gives them a toy from his Christmas tree. This tree is gayly decorated. Last year we had it illuminated with over 300 lights. We have done this now for three years, and it has been one of the best drawing features that we have ever had.— ff/m. C. Montignani, B. & O. Y. M. C. A., So. Cumberland. DEPARTMENTAL SPECIALTIES Physical 159. THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PHYSICAL DEPARTMENT* • The physical department provides many natural conditions for promoting the social life of men and boys. Men gather in the g3minasium in groups, work together in drills, wear a common dress, associate with each other on teams in friendly yet earnest contest, and shout and cheer together. Good, hearty fellowship should prevail, as there is every natural stimulus for its creation. Musical accompaniment to the mass work and the addition of folk dancing add much of zest to what has often hitherto been tedious work. The personality of the leader of the mass drill has much to do with creating a wholesome social spirit. By the enthusiastic abandon with which he throws himself into his work, by witty- interpolations of speech, by a happy and musical method of counting, by getting the men to sing in rhythm with the muscular movements, he adds much to the pleasure with which the men engage in the work. During the few minutes of breathing intervals be- tween exercises, men who are prominent in Associa- tion work or in physical training may be introduced for two minute speeches, and the members given a chance to cheer both the men and the Association, about which something friendly is sure to be said. Each class program should have some event which by its very nature stimulates the social spirit. After all, it is not the formal functions that develop the social * Watch Physical Training, 124 East 28th St., New York City, and "Physical Department" column of Association Men (same address) for physical department social successes. For games for the gymnasium and playground, see "Indoor and Out- door Gymnastic Games," and "Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," by Jessie H. Bancroft.. PHYSICAL DEPARTMENT 117 No man ought to tell an anecdote more than thrice. — ^Thackeray. spirit, but rather the spirit in which the work is con- ducted and the part whicli the men themselves have in it. As far as possible democracy should be devel- oped. Classes should be organized with the usual offi- cers ; tournaments, carnivals, contests, all should be managed by the members. Suggestions and coopera- tion should be invited and the men should feel a sense of ownership and responsibility. Where the members, too, are enlisted in somef form of community effort, it helps greatly to dignify the membership and band them all together in mutual friendsihip. The basis, therefore, of the social life in the physical department, in my judgment, is the selection of social types of work, such as group games and mass work; the use of mildly stimulating competition; a happy personality on the part of the physical director and his leaders ; brisk, orderly, yet informal direction of the activities ; a spirit of democracy and initiative on the part of the members; a constantly varying program; and some serious unselfish work for each member to do for some one else. — George J. Fisher, M. D. 160. REPRODUCTION OF GREEK GAMES The Physical Department offers many more oppor- tunities for promoting refined and interesting types of entertainment than are usually taken advantage of. The editor invites suggestions for unique types of exhibitions which have been found not only entertain- ing but educational. The girls of the freshman and sophomore classes at Barnard College held recently what was terrned their annual Hellenic contest. All the contestants were dressed in Greek costumes. The Greek events included the torch race and dances to Apollo and Bacchus. Laurel wreaths were awarded to the winners and there was a triumphal march of the con- testants. Here is a suggestion of a refined type of athletic meet that would prove immensely entertaining 118 SOCIAL ACTI]/ITIES The man who halted on third base to congratulate himself failed to make a home run. — The Saturday Evening Post. and exceedingly educational, especially if held out of doors, as the Greek games were. Many unique events could be introduced, such as discus throwing in the Greek .style, hurling the javelin, the various meter races, crowned by a modified form of the marathon race now so popular. The torch race with flaming fire would be thrilling. Some of our dancing experts could adapt the Greek dances for use by men or boys, and these, performed in Greek costume, would prove inspiring. Greek methods could be used in the conduct of the meet, such as the introduction of the contestants by the herald, the starting of events by trumpet blast, and the final crowning of the victors with laurel wreaths, and perhaps a statuette to the point winner. Even chariot races could be imitated by having teams of a score of boys in costume draw chariots of crude construction. Other national games offer suggestions for interest- ing exhibitions. An international meet might be held with games and folk dances portrayed, representing the athletic sports and recreations of the different nations. Take as illustrations Irish events, such as Gaelic foot- ball and the Irish lilt dance ; English soccer and cricket matches ; archery ; demonstrations of the use of the boomerang; exhibitions on stilts as used by some countries. Skeeing could likewise, under appropriate circumstances, be demonstrated. Bowling on the green and diabolo also have some possibilities. Some of these require little equipment, and would prove an innovation. — From "Physical Training," Vol. 7, No. 5. 161. ATHLETIC OUTING Washington, D. C., has found the following success- ful: Announce a Saturday outing, stating time of leaving the building, car fare expense, and articles to carry, such as lunch, baseball gloves, etc. The Asso- ciation provides baseball apparatus, and something to PHYSICAL DEPARTMENT 119 It is strange that we do not realize the duty of being charming as well as virtuous. — Rollins. drink, if desired. On arrival at destination, choose as many teams as will divide the party into teams of nine each. Estimate the time at your disposal and proceed to compete in baseball, dash, a jumping event, etc. In baseball, arrange so that every team meets every other, even though the games be very short. Score on a basis of fifteen points for the baseball team securing most games; ten points for the second and five for the third. In athletic events score five, three and one. Have a cheap but neat wooden shield lettered as follows, and hang in the boys' rooms : APRIL OUTING 1910 WINXIXG ATHLETIC TEAM Capt. (Names of team to follow.) Plan to arrive home for swim or shower bath the latter part of the afternoon. 162. COCOA SPREE Saturday evening during the gymnasium class a committee is named by the director in charge to look out for the "spree." All who are going to stay for it are asked to hold up their hands. The committee notifies one of the secretaries, who buys the required articles and has the cocoa made. The class leaves the floor at 9.30 or even 9.15, the members of the com- mittee hurry through the bath, get tables and cups and saucers ready, and serve the cocoa. Usually about thirty or thirty-five stay. Cxxroa and saltines are served (invariably), all one can drink and eat, and each man chips in five cents. This more than covers expenses. After things get well started the first item of busi- ness is the election of a master of the feast, called the 120 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES That life is long which answers life's great end, — Young. "Exalted Chief Swiller." He must be one who has not' held the office on any previous night. Business relat- ing to the evening class is first disposed of and arrange- ments are made for a Halloween frolic, masquerade, outing, ladies' night, visit to nearby Association (tak- ing gymnasium suits and going on the floor with the class there), followed by discussion of plan to provide additional apparatus for the gymnasium by contribu- tions, etc. Over all this the Chief Swilkr presides. Then come songs of the Association, stories and prac- ticing of yells. The use of one long table helps in the "getting together." The fellows look forward to these weekly events. — W. W. Saunders, Schenectady, N. Y. 163. CHICAGO PHYSICAL DEPARTMENT Under the physical section we have social stunts in track athletics, basket ball, etc. Once or twice a year we have a track meet of all the departments of the city. After this meet a dinner is served. The leaders' corps has a monthly dinner which always proves successful in getting the men to cooperate in the work with their different classes. The basket ball teams are having a series of games for the champion- ship, and will have a social affair after the final game. One night a month is given up to the ladies, at which time stunts peculiar to the gymnasium are given. During the year two socials are given on the gym- nasium floor for the men only. At these socials stunts are performed, speeches are made, and a musical pro- gram of some sort is rendered. — George D. Beckwith. 164. ATHLETIC SUPPER This was a regular table d'hote supper, the novelty of which consisted in making the men do some athletic stunt in order to secure each course. The men went around the gymnasium to different pieces of apparatus to do their stunts. After each performance, the ath- s^ g * e * ri >^ w a 2 3 » £5 s;' P 5- CO - w ^. ^ a 2 p g —J £ ; o ! ^ DJ s ? -^ & ^ r* o s ^ - But drive a - way that frown: Since when yon bor - row trou ■ ble, You al - ways have to pay, It earth has man - y tri als Which I con - sid - er worse.) _ But ^ J i' J J' I r- r F I r F ^ J' I J_ J J ; life is oft per • plex ing -'TIS much the wis est plan, To la a good old aiax - im. Which should be oft en preached.. Don\ wheth . ep joy or sor row. Fill up your mor - tal span Twill f i ^'i t J FJ i' '^ i: J: I j - r Ir U -NJ. i SONGS AND YELLS 157 Learn a man's limitations. If you make him bite off more than he can chew, don't get mad at him if he has to spit it out. — George Horace Lorimer. bear all tn ala brave ly. And smUe when-ev- er yo'i cao. cross the bridge be fore you. Ud ti] the bridge is reached, make your path • way bright er. To smile when - ev - er you can. CHORUS Jubilant ^ r ^'FP ^'' i r > ^ir p ppp i r' ^ fK p. ^ Smile when-ev-er you can. Smilewhen-ev-er you can. 'TwilJ make your path-way ^ ^s ^ ^ ^ f ' r p Mp i i- > ffir p r g I ,- Jj)iJ j>j'j'j,ij. ^ Smile when-BT-eryou can . 'Twill make your pathway bright-er.To smile whenev-er yon ca n 1S8 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Every living saul responds to an expression of friendship. It holds men together, vitalizes and makes our organization alive. — Edmund McDonald, Jr. 310. SILVER BAY SONG DedlooUd w tbe friends of Younf: Han's Chriitlan AsschlUIIoiu whose baneflM nee made Silver Bay poisibte SILVER BAY. Words and Music by FRANK P SPEARE. m ^^ ^ ■J- j J j'j f Ths When When the j''^|jj 'M ^ ^ ^"f J J ■ j ^^ J j J, I J- J j^ ii. ^ Btren - u - oa - i - ty. lis said of mod . ern "i • ly life, once we ut^ed to go a • way and board down on the farm, aeorch-ing rays of sum-mer drive us alJ in- to the hills. 3- We suro-]y mak-ingus in-to a na-tion. analion.of nei'vouseranksandspindle shanJtsand Uft ou^hap - pyhomeswithtearsof sor-row. ofsorrow.We might be hot and lir- ed as we pack ourtrunkswithmer-ryshoutsof laughter, of Iaught«rAnd hike itstraighlforSII -ver Bny the CopjrlKht t908 b; Tivik f^tiuo SONGS AND YELLS 159 Smith is sure by his downcast expression that Jones is in trouble, but he does not go to his aid because he fears he will offend him.— Amos R. Wells. oth - eraorts of freaks. The ve - ry worst there are in all ore . & ■ lion Ohi tum-hled off tbslrain. But feet were cold when we jwoke up to- mor-row OhI pUce that cures our ills. And our af-fcc-tionsdeepwillhold here - af • ler OW We For the Oh the ev' ry one is on hia mark and wait ing for thr gun. Tive to Iwen - ty dol lars for the stuff we had to pay_ could - n't slrike it rich cr if you owned s cop pei minr_ m ^ Th^n And And ^ 160 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Cheerfulness is an offshoot of goodness and wisdom. — Bovee. CHORUS. -ji-ji ii^^ij ^p i r J r ?g i ^' y. J^'^ ^ birds are on tbewin^ The lake bo fair withfts hills and baiin-y air, ' Will f J. J J: I J i m ^m 5§ J. .l,iJJ .i j I J I Ij M MJ I j I ^ J J- ^W'.,i Ji D i''' i ' 0'^ -i- ^ sure ly prove to you a rev - e la tion, OhI la >i: ^ ^ . 1 J:^ »i i '^ ^ » ^ nil I ln\ 211. SONG— MONTREAL, CANADA Je te plumerai le cou, je te plumerai le cou, Et le cou, et le cou, et les pattes, et les pattes, Et le dos, et le dos, et le nez, et le nez, Et le bee, et le bee, et la tete, et la tete, O, etc. SONGS AND YELLS 161 Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.— Emerson. Alouetto. OU Trmob-Ouiftaun Bonf ■ &r"' " ■ -d-i»- J pi K ^'' t. ,1,. to teto, jf> U plD-n*-nl

Nouli speak tVit prmst vt ?eci j ThouViistkep^us well iliia io,^ , m^ m ^^^^^^m Gra«t\V\a^ aWvje door 6a^ j Ivi Thj scry'ice bs ^K\s daN. HsttWVi a.»^4s^It«3^V^^Nt Vinve WomTViet, Help \»s,Urd,to foitWuV be. VIUi\t */t^V\aviVThea VJt veauett , Core cov<-ti«-Med, par-ie« ,tC5t . ^i± jtJi' l jt^ l Jjl l^ 164 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Gossip may sometimes tell the truth, but it seldom gets caught at it. ^The Saturday Evening Post. 214. FOR EVENING SERVICE Tune — "Saviour^ Breathe an Evening Blessing." Now the sun is slowly sinking O'er the waters dark and deep; And our hearts are heavenward turning To our Master ere we sleep. While the hush of summer twilight Steals upon our spirits here. Wilt Thou, Lord, descend among us, Let us feel Thy presence near. For the day and all its pleasures Grateful thanks we render now ; May our lives pass on the blessing None could give to us but Thou. May each camper come to know Thee As his strong, abiding Friend : May we in our hearts determine We will serve Thee to the end. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 215. RULES FOR GROUPING CLUBS 1. Mass Work and Group Work. There are Associations in which only mass work is done for boys. The entire boy membership is massed, and all come to the same religious meeting. It does not matter whether this mass numbers twenty or two hundred boys, the idea is the same. Every boy is treated as though he were exactly like every other boy. There is but one hopper into which all are poured, and but one set of rollers through which all are ground. Of course some effort is made to adapt the work to the needs of the largest number, but the result is always the same; there are either boys receiving work which is not adapted to -them, or the Association is reaching only those to whom the work is adapted. Sometimes the membership becomes so large that the mass has to be divided. This, however, is not grouping, as the method followed with each division is identical. When a division becomes necessary, two courses lie open ; to divide the mass, or to group the mass. Sometimes when the former is done every alternate name is selected from the membership roll. Sometimes boys who have taken out tickets in November go in one divi- sion, and those who have taken out tickets in December go in the other division. This is not grouping. It is merely dividing the mass. When, however, the membership is sorted out with relation to natural cleavage, into such groups as older and younger boys, or school and employed boys, then grouping begins. It is certainly a source of gratification to know that the method of drawing lots to see where a boy should be placed has given way to at least an elementary system of grouping. Associations which have gone to the extreme where they have only group work, have discovered that they have lost much. Although mass work at its best 166 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A verse may find him who a sermon flies. And turn delight into a sacrifice. — George Herbert. cannot be other than superficial, still it is necessary. The smaller and more natural the grouping, as a rule, the greater the possibility for thorough and adapted work. There are times when boys want to be with their own "bunch" or "gang," but there are other times when their sole reason for going somewhere is because the "whole push" is going. There is an enthusiasm which comes from numbers, an enthusiasm which grips a boy more strongly than it grips a man. It is possible to make the mass of such absorbing interest that the boys of a community will feel that the mass is "it" and that they will be very much "left" if they are not in it. Without doubt, thorough work can be done in a group Bible class, but there are hundreds of boys who can be reached by a large enthusiastic meeting, who cannot be persuaded to attend a class. There is a big differ- ence, too, between the little social spread of the group, and the annual banquet, especially if a fellow feels that he is about the only boy in town who is not there. We certainly must not turn our backs altogether upon large and enthusiastic mass work, for the band wagon, the procession and the "whole push" have compelling power with many boys. 3. Grouping by Age. One of the most simple methods of grouping, and, if unsupplemented, one of the most unsatisfactory, is grouping by age. Of course grouping by age is far in advance of no group- ing at all, but unless it has some elasticity it is fatal to the best interests of the most mature boys. The stan- dard of work for the group is naturally adapted to the average boy in the group, and those who are above the average, those who are in fact the most valuable members, are held back or allowed to drop out. This is true, no matter how narrow the limits of the group rtiay be, for even every fourteen-year-old boy is not like every other fourteen-year-old boy, physically, intellectually, or spiritually. Although the calendar may help in the grouping, it certainly should not be ASSOCIATION CLUBS 167 « Who will not mercy unto others show. How can he mercy ever hope to have? — Spenser. considered final authority. Out of fifty Associations recently investigated, forty-four show a "valley" or falling-off in membership at the ages of fourteen, fifteen or sixteen, the most critically important years as far as a man's life's direction is concerned. The reason for this falling-off seems clearly to be that these boys had outgrown the group in which they were placed, or were compelled by the necessity of earning a livelihood to leave it. This condition is deplorable. That is a poor bridge which has three or four arches missing where the river is deepest and the current runs strongest. It is bad business management, to say the least, to let many of the best members drop out because of failure to adapt the work to their needs. Althoug-h absolute uniformity has not yet been reached on the question of age grouping, the variety of age limits is rapidly decreasing, and a few clearly defined groups are taking the place of the great variety of ill-defined groups which used to exist. As far as can be discovered, the best Association sentiment of today favors approximately the following grouping: boys under twelve are placed in a preparatory group and are for convenience spoken of as little boys or children; boys of about twelve to fourteen years of age are referred to as younger boys or juniors; boys of about fifteen to seventeen and sometimes even older are referred to as older boys or intermediates. The work for the older boy group, although different from that of adults, is more like it than it is like that of the younger boys. One thing is certain, the Association which attempts to treat the older boy group as it would a group of "kids," makes a fatal mistake. A number of Associations, because of limited facilities, are unable to do work for children without neglecting their legiti- mate and more important work for older boys. In order to effectively prosecute this work for older boys, they have been obliged to cut out the work for children. When an Association can accommodate only 200 boys. 168 , SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Punctuality meets an engagement. Promptness meets a situation. Proficiency meets both, — The Saturday Evening Post. it is poor policy to fill the building with children, and in consequence be unable to accommodate older boys. It is far better to let the children wait a couple of years, and then pass into continuous Association membership, than to take them in now and let them slip through your fingers three or four years from now. Some Associations, because of the conviction that "work for men should begin when manhood begins" believe that work for children, although exceedingly important, is not the legitimate field of an Association which works for men. Still other Associations regard work for children as an outside business enterprise, and just as they might conduct gymnasium classes for girls at five dollars a head, so they conduct a work for little boys, primarily for the revenue. Children are under the influence of the home and Sunday school as older boys are not. Sunday school workers freely admit that out of every hundred boys enrolled in the Sunday school, seventy-five will desert the school shortly after entering their teens. Others give figures which show that there are more boys of twelve years of age in Sunday school than of any other one age, that there are fewer at thirteen, still fewer at fourteen and hardly any at fifteen and sixteen. In other words, high water mark for the attendance of boys at Sunday schools is at twelve, and low water mark is at fifteen or sixteen. Where Association work is weak and poorly organized, this same condition prevails. There are towns where the Association and the Sunday school both reach and both lose the same boys. There are other Associations where the work for boys is strong and well-organized, where low water mark in the membership is at twelve, and high water mark at fifteen or sixteen, where the Association reaches the boys which the Sunday school loses. A good illustration of the change of emphasis from younger to older boy work is that of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, the figures of which are given below: ASSOCIATION CLUBS 169 They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts. — Sir Philip Sidney. Children Younger Boys Older Boys Ages. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total May 1901.... 1 6 16 36 38 41 23 7 168 Sept. 1903. ..003 34 45 50 76 57 58 28 351 One cannot but notice that while this Association is doing no less for younger boys than formerly, it has reached, in addition, nearly 200 older boys. Our Asso- ciations are well adapted to reach the older boys, and generally succeed when they set out to do it, but in order to do it, many are obliged to utterly abandon the work for children and to change the emphasis from work for younger boys to work for older boys. The age limit twelve to sixteen which was so much used a few years ago, and which still is used in many places, has not been found satisfactory. Still more unsatisfactory has been the massing of boys from ten to sixteen. There is too great a difference between a twelve- and a sixteen-year-old boy to make possible the treating of them together with equal satisfaction. This difficulty is only aggravated when the limits are ten to sixteen. Because in so many Associations, six- teen- and seventeen-year-old seniors with their livelier ways and quicker pace were unintentionally and un- consciously driving out young men, the demand for a higher age limit in the senior group has been keenly felt. A number of leading Associations are now beginning their senior group at approximately eighteen instead of sixteen as formerly. Wherever this has been faithfully tried, the results have been uniformly gratifying. It seems clear, judging from the expe- rience of some progressive Associations and from the best Association sentiment generally, that a graded work is inevitable, and as far as can be seen at present, the lines of cleavage for age groups seem to fall more nearly between seventeen and eighteen, between four- teen and fifteen, and between eleven and twelve than at any other definite places. It is well here to repeat that these lines are approximate and not absolute, and also to intimate that in a work for young men, the 170 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES No man is a hypocrite in his pleasures. — Samuel Johnson. emphasis should be placed first on work for young men, second on work for older boys and third on work for younger boys. 3. Grouping by Height and Weight, Fre- quently the practice of grouping boys by height and weight is followed for gymnasium work. The larger boys go into one class, the smaller boys into another, regardless of their age and sometimes regardless of their gymnastic ability. Frequently a boy's height and weight decide whether he will be taken into the Asso- ciation when he is under age. In some Associations, if a boy measures b^Yz inches and weighs 81 pounds, he is admitted to the younger boy group regardless of his age, and likewise if he measures 63^ inches, and weighs 114 pounds, he is admitted to the older boy group. The figures given are a trifle in excess of the height and weight of the average twelve- and fifteen- year-old boys. This should never be used as a final test for Association membership, but only as a supple- mentary test with special relation to gymnasium work. 4. Grouping by Competition or Merit. Places on the gymnasium leaders' corps are generally com- peted for by boys. Both gymnastic ability and deport- ment are taken into consideration. The leaders' corps is a group of leaders. Special privileges and respon- sibilities are generally given them. It seems but right that boys should qualify for this position, rather than simply acquire it through seniority or appointment. The idea of merit is generally involved in grouping for educational classes, and boys find their way into the classes where they naturally belong. In one Asso- ciation, graduation from one Bible class to another depends on merit, and sufficient incentive is always given so that boys wish to go from class to class at least once a year. 5. Grouping by Price. One Association, to meet the case of boys who were unable to pay the full membership price, arranged for a group which could have one gymnasium class a week at a lower price than ASSOCIATION CLUBS 171 A clear fire — a clean hearth and the rigor of the game. — Lamb. the other group of boys which received two. This is not a general practice, but it seems to work satisfac- torily where it has been tried. Another Association conducts five boys' departments; one in its building, and four at outlying points. This is done primarily in order that boys who are unable to pay the full meni- bership fee at central, can be reached through a sim- pler form of work outside the building. Other Asso- ciations are conducting two boys' departments ; one in the building for its regular members, the other out- side the building for boys who cannot afford to pay the • full membership fees. Although there is not much experience yet on this line of work, what there is seems to be satisfactory. 6. Grouping by School Grade. This is generally an internal grouping. Frequently a students' club is organized within the older boy grade, and only high school boys are eligible. Sometimes the personnel of Bible classes is regulated largely by the school grade of the members. It certainly seems more natural that membership in a literary club, for instance, should be regulated more with relation to the school grade than with relation to the age or height or weight of the individual or .his ability to pay the price. 7. Grouping by Occupation. It needs no argu- ment nor data to convince any observing man that the Associations must give attention to employed boys as well as to schoolboys. In nearly every city there are at least two boys at work for every boy in school, between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Much of the schoolboy work can be done before six o'clock in the afternoon, but the employed boy work must be done in the evenings and holidays. Each of these two main groupings, schoolboys and employed boys, is subdivided on the basis of younger and older boys. Some Associations find it necessary to conduct only the older grade of work for the employed boys. When Associations find that tKey are able to conduct work for only three groups of boys, the groups chosen are 172 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A man never catches up with his good intentions for tomorrow. — The Saturday Evening Post^ generally the younger and the older schoolboys and the older employed boys. The work for the student and employed classes is not only conducted at different times, but the character of the work is different, in order to meet their different needs. There seems also to be a natural line of cleavage between the commercial and the industrial boys. Some Associations reach only commercial boys, messenger boys, boys from offices and , department stores, while other Associations reach almost exclusively industrial boys from the mills, shops and factories. Sometimes these two classes have been referred to as the "collar and necktie" working boy, and the "overall" working boy. It is evident that their needs are different, that the Association may reach whichever class it sets out to reach, and that it can only reach both classes effec- tually by grouping them separately and adapting the work to the needs of each. 8. Grouping About a Person. In some Associa- tions the only adults who are centers of groups are the employed officers. This is unfortunate. There is no reason, for instance, why the secretary should teach all the Bible classes and be the moving spirit in the literary groups and the collecting groups and the social groups and the musical groups and so on. Some sec- retaries have discovered that it is better policy to spend an hour in teaching a teacher than in teaching a class ; and in leading a leader than in leading a group. The writer has one in mind who has enlisted thirty volun- teer men, each of whom has gathered about him a group of from ten to thirty boys. In the thirty small groups, there are over 700 boys. Frequently eight or ten of these groups are in session in different rooms at the same time. This secretary has multiplied his in- fluence. It is certainly desirable to group boys about virile men of noble thought and contagious Chris- tianity. It matters not so much whether the man is a sign-painter, a poet, a student of nature, a plumber ASSOCIATION CLUBS 173 ^ Of which, if there be a severe, sour-complexioned man, then I have disallowed him to be a competent judge. — Isaac Walton. or a Bible teacher, so long as his influence over his group helps them to higher things. 9. Grouping Because of Common Experience. This seems to be the spirit of alumni groups, of camp clubs and the like. The camp Bible class at Winchester is an illustration of this kind of grouping. These boys openly confessed their determination to begin the Christian life at camp last summer, and because of common experience in camp have been grouped in a Bible class in the Association at home. Bible classes for young converts would come under this head. 10. Grouping by Appointment or Selection. Committees which are appointed become groups of this order. The cohesiveness of such groups depends much on the wisdom of their selection. Frequently the one who appoints committees selects first his chairmen, and calling them together consults with them regard- ing the boys who are to be appointed on their various committees. The man who appoints committees of boys haphazard is not likely to succeed. 11. Grouping by Location. One Association opened several athletic fields in different quarters of the city, and grouped the boys of each neighborhood in each field. Each field played off against the others. The winners were presented with medals and their names were engrossed on a shield in the city hall. All of these fields were controlled from the central head- quarters of the Association. One Association has organized in the twelve grammar and high schools in its neighborhood chapters of an order with headquar- ters in the Association building, from which the activi- ties of all the chapters are controlled. This is an organization for clean speech and clean living, and is managed directly by a cabinet of three boys from each chapter, which meets in the central headquarters. In other cities affiliated clubs are located in different churches. In other places branches are conducted in the remote districts of the city. 174 SOCIAL ACTIVITTES He who follows another is always behind. — ^The Saturday Evening Post. Another form of grouping by location is illustrated by a canoe-building class which meets in a boat shop remote from the Association building. 13. Grouping in Small Self-Governing Clubs. This is at the same time one of the most effective and most dangerous forms of grouping; effective if con- trolled, dangerous and possibly disastrous when not controlled. There are stamp clubs, literary clubs, athletic teams, social clubs and even religious clubs of this kind which have their own president, secretary and treasurer. They are inclusive rather than exclu- sive. The idea is to include all fellows who are in- terested in the purpose of the club. Some necessary safeguards for these small clubs are: (1) Have no club without an altruistic motive. Clubs that are purely selfish in spirit can result in nothing but dis- aster in the lives of the members and to the clubs as well. (3) Every club should haj^e an adult adviser. If the club turns down his advice, as a rule he needs the looking after and not the club. Clubs will regard the advice of the man they respect. (3) There should be a clear understanding that whatever property the club accumulates is to be the property of the Associa- tion. It would be unfortunate, for instance, if a lit- erary club should accumulate a library and then be^ come disgruntled and sell the library and divide the proceeds. Literary clubs should be encouraged to accumulate a library for the benefit of the entire mem- bership, chemistry clubs to arrange a series of practi- cal talks for all the boys, musical clubs to contribute to the general enjoyment, and so on. Some Associa- tions have practically changed their committees into small self-governing clubs ; instead of having a musi- cal committee they have a musical club with its own officers. 13. Grouping in Secret Fraternities. This form of grouping is opposed by many, under the im- pression that it is damaging to a boy to have secrets. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 175 Good temper is like a sunny day; it sheds its brightness on every- thing. — Anoi^. It should be understood that in every fraternity con- nected with the Association, the president of the Asso- ciation and some one of the paid officers are ex officio members. At one boys' camp a group of fellows got together in a fraternity which they called "The Eagles." The leader of the camp was the moving spirit. The purpose of the fraternity was altrtiistic and ennobling. There was a simple initiation, a pass- word and a sign. The leader thoroughly believes in the good results of such a fraternity. Fraternity Bible classes have been conducted with good results. The writer knows of a "Band of Indians" which was organ- ized on this basis with its own chief, medicine man and keeper of the wampum. The chief was supposed to round up his tribe at the Sunday meeting, and he did this successfully. The Indians decorated their council chamber with appropriate decorations. Their leader read Hiawatha to them. No evil results have been discovered because of this fraternity, but rather the contrary. A wise adult adviser on the inside of each fraternity can head off any dangerous tendencies. 14. Grouping About a Dominating Interest. This simply means to gather in a group the boys whose dominating interest is in nature study, for instance; the boys who are interested in stamp or coin or curio collecting; those whose interest seems to lie in games of skill; those interested in industrial occupations; those interested in athletics or literary pursuits or ■ music. Sometimes the dominating interest of the group will be a religious or moral purpose. — Edgar M. Robinson in Association Boys. 216. PHILADELPHIA'S SCHEME OF CLUB GROUPING At Philadelphia Central the secretary for boys is not a boys' work director in the usual sense of the term. He is the specialist to whom the Association looks for advice in everything that pertains to boy- 176 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Be true to your word, your work, your friend, and your God. — Anon. hood. With him the initiation of boys' work plans begins, but under the plan of administration, as it has been wrought out by Mr. Walter M. Wood, the gen- eral secretary of the branch, the responsibility for its execution lies with the heads of the three departments of House Privileges, Instruction and Service. This does away with the office of boys' work director, since these men are answerable for work with both men and boys, thus securing unity in Association membership and activities, with logical and consecutive groupings from the younger boys to the older men. The secre- tary for boys, because of this form of administration, becomes the associate of the general secretary, initiat- ing activities for boys in the same manner as the gen- eral secretary supervises the work for men. The field of the secretary for boys thus becomes : first, close per- sonal contact with the boys (boys over twelve years in the building or out of it), and with their parents, teach- ers, or employers ; second, a study of the needs and possibilities which become apparent at this close range ; and, third, suggesting to the department heads activi- ties to meet these conditions, besides exercising gen- eral supervision in their operation and conduct. Under conditions like the above an opportunity was afforded for an effort looking to a balanced scheme of work along physical, mental, social, and spiritual lines for boys. It also afforded a splendid chance to experiment, with a view to combining adult leadership in Association activity with the free play of the idea . of self-government among the boys. The civic effort, until the initiation of the Philadelphia scheme, had been a kind of a superimposed activity instead of an integral part of boys' work, and because of this had a fleeting and questionable value. The situation at the Central Branch made possible a new adaptation of the civic idea, and bound with it an opportunity for a closely supervised, well-balanced work with boys look- ing to self-development and altruistic service that had previously been somewhat of a wished-for dream. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 177 The best way to get even is to forget. — The Saturday Evening Post. The plan itself is characterized by its simplicity, for it is merely the grouping of twelve boys under the capable supervision of a carefully chosen adult. This is the initial step and the success or failure of every- thing connected with the scheme lies in this grouping. The group meets once a week for one hour, and the entire Association activity of each boy centers in his group. Thus his Bible study (which claims one half of the hour), his mental work (which lies in debate, reading courses, etc.), his physical activity (which by a system of intergroup contests gets point and pur- pose), and his social relationships (which grow nat- urally among his immediate chums with an extension tendency), all are combined in one homogeneous whole under the sympathetic eye of an adult friend and teacher. The group is self-governing, with its own elective officers, and the decisions of the group are sub- ject only to the veto of its adult adviser. The group receives a charter from the Governor of the Federated Central States, the secretary for boys, and here is the beginning of the civic feature, which may naturally be spoken of at this point. The Federated Central States is an imaginary com- monwealth composed of the three groups of member- ship in the Boys' Division of the Central Branch ; the Grammar School, High School, and Employed Boys. The Governor is the secretary for boys and his cabi- net is composed of the Lieutenant-Governor, the assistant secretary for boys, and the three Solicitors, or Legal Advisers, of the three groups of membership. By special charter and proclamation each of the groups of membership becomes a ward in the Central City, each ward having its own Common Council for the purpose of efifective administration. The membership of the Common Council is then determined by the small groups of twelve boys, from which the larger group or ward has grown ; each group of twelve elect- ing two councilors to sit in the Common Council of the ward. Each of the Common Councils is therefore 178 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Could we forbear dispute, and practice love, We should agree as angels do above. — Edmund Waller. charged with the government and activities of its own group of membership, the High School Common Coun- cil, for example, being responsible for both discipline and Association activity for the entire High School group. The Councils have enough committees for the handling and discharge of their business, two of them dealing with discipline. The ordinances of Cotuicils are approved or vetoed by the Solicitors of the Coun- cils. The Central City is the combination of the three wards, Grammar School, High School and Employed Boys. The legislative branch of its government is the Select Council, made up of seven Councilors from each ward, or twenty-one in all. The executive branch com- prises the Mayor and the Directors and Assistant Directors of Public Safety, Public Works, Public Sup- plies and Public Health and Charities. These offices afford a direct channel for every phase of direct and indirect Association work. The judicial branch is represented by a Court of Common Pleas, a body of three judges, one from each group, and the Supreme Court, which serves as a Court of Appeals, and whose personnel is the Committee of Management. All the bills or ordinances of the Select Council are approved or vetoed by the Mayor. The Governor of the Fed- erated Central States has the privilege of a reviewing veto. Here, then, is the machinery for the welding of civic and Association activities; first, the small group of twelve boys with the adult adviser ; second, the larger group Common Council, with its legal adviser, and finally the divisional Select Council with its municipal officials. And in it all there is to be noticed that the small group of twelve is the center of the scheme, , membership in the group being a registration of citi- zenship in the ward and city. The work of the Boys' Division of Central Branch is thus taken care of and supervised by the representatives of these small groups ASSOCIATION CLUBS 179 Count that day lost whose low descending sun Views from thy hand no worthy action done. — Staniford. and the civic activity is so conceived as to place each member of the twelve in some responsible place for service. This arrangement gives proper prestige to the small groups and assures the accomplishment of work leading to a well-balanced development that is worth while. Here a further word may be added on these groups, their work and aim. All the groups in the Grammar School section of membership are known as Chapters of the U and I Club, and the High School and Employed Boys' Chap- ters as the Topper Club. This insures the unity of work among the younger and older boys without in- sisting on any uniformity of method. The purpose of the U and I Club is to teach the boy that he can only find his fullest expression in Christian service with the other boy ; that of the Topper Club is to train him for such Christian service. To accomplish this end both a selfish and an altruistic ideal is put before the boy. The selfish comprises the winning of de- grees, which lift him into an advanced rating among his fellows. To attain to these honors the lad must, by personal application, do a certain amount of isolated endeavor, which begets initiative in his character-stuflf. The purpose of the degrees in the U and I Chapters is to acquaint the boy with the reality of himself, the relationship and worth of the other fellow, and the effectiveness of the combination ("U and I") when in working harmony for an altruistic end. The de- grees of the Topper Club, through a test system, aim to build the boy physically, mentally, spiritually and socially at the points where he evidences weakness, and so to round him out into a symmetrical manhood whose motto is service. The requirements and tests leading to the degrees must be suggested by the study of the boy, and it is here that the wisdom of the adult adviser displays itself. The workableness of the plan can also be measured by the ability of the leader to develop sane requirements and tests, hence no specific instances 180 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The blind man's dog despises the frivolity of other dogs. — The Satur- day Evening Post. are cited here, although the speaker has a list of several hundreds. The value of the entire scheme is simply that it affords a normal means of holding a boy long enough to see and help his character grow, and an opportunity to help him become a mas.ter workman where moral leadership is needed among his fellows. It bridges over also the yawning chasm that stretches geographic- ally between boyhood and manhood, and trains the dawning man to adaptation to his community life, and a high moral desire to better it through his personal effort. The altruistic aim of the chapters points the way to this everlastingly; for the boy, through his communal club life, and activity in his group, ward and city, is continuously confronted with the slogan, "For the honor of the Club." With such an aim and the counsel of an adult of virile. Christian personality as his companion, the boy advances from a- limited to an ever increasing sphere, until he finds himself a force that commands respect by that egoism that generally is embraced under the term man. The logic of the plan appeals. There is awakened a loyalty to the gang, the group, the ward, the city, the state, and God, for the effort of the scheme is but another spelling for moral and religious education. — John L. Alexnnder, Managing Secretary, Boy Scouts of America; for- merly of Philadelphia Y. M. C. A. Central Branch. 317. CAMERA CLUB— 1 The following article, written by one of the charter members of our Camera Club, illustrates what can be done when a man of strong character is willing to de- vote himself and part of his leisure time to a group of boys. Mr. Irving G. McColl, the leader of this club, is a young business man of college training, who for four years has been like an older brother to these boys and has led and trained them, not only in all the ins 182 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Don't put too fine a point upon your wit for fear it should get blunted. — Cervantes. and outs of photographic art, but in those qualities of character that make strong and useful lives. •One sultry night in June, 1903, four fellows and a leader gathered to form a camera club. A club run by the boys themselves, which for four long years has withstood the heat of summer and the cold of winter, must have had something more behind it than a mere passive interest in the subject in hand. Let us see. At West Side, as is the case in nearly every Associa- tion, there had always been some fellows more or less interested in photography, who occasionally "took pictures" for their own amusement, but it was not until our leader and organizer conceived the idea of a camera club that any attempt was made at the organi- zation of camera work. The early days of summer, when every fellow's thoughts turn to things out-of- doors, perhaps may not be the best time for the form- ing of a club which necessarily means the holding of some indoor sessions, but in spite of this the club's membership, which after the first few weeks had grown to seven, had back of it the enthusiasm that is so indispensable to the success of any project. During the summer a number of the members and the leader went to Camp Dudley where the practical side of the club's ability was brought into play. Camp pictures were made and sold to the other campers, and such success attended these efforts that about $35 profit was netted for the treasury. The fellows who did not go to camp employed their energies in connec- tion with the shorter Association outings and made many good pictures. With the coming of autumn, the business meetings of the club, which had in a measure been dispensed with during the summer, were resumed. The fellows now gave some attention to adopting a constitution and by-laws. Various subcommittees had to be appointed for this important work, and many points had to be discussed numberless times before the constitution was ASSOCIATION CLUBS 183 A penny saved is an example to the other ninety-nine cents. — The Saturday Evening Post. an established fact. To show how well this work was accomplished it might be mentioned that in all the club's existence practically no change has been made in either the constitution or by-laws. By the constitution, the membership was limited to ten fellows and a waiting list of five, and the three members necessary to complete the full number were admitted in September, 1903. The active member- ship was limited to ten because the very nature of the project precluded the idea of a large group which it would be impossible to accommodate, and this would mean that the interest taken by some of the fellows would not be active. What was wanted was a band of workers who could be depended upon. During the first year the waiting list was trans- formed into a beginner's class, in which, on a separate night from the regular club meeting, the leader gave careful instruction preparing the candidates for active membership when it came their turn to be admitted as full-fledged members. This instruction was necessary, for before a candidate was admitted to the club proper he had to pass a rigid examination prepared by the members themselves, and one may be sure that when the fellows themselves prepare questions these are not chosen for their simplicity. In September of this year the club held its first exhi- bition in conjunction with a camera work exhibition 'of the men's department, and our display evoked much favorable comment. About this time, also, further attention was given to business organization. The year was divided into two periods. May to October, and November to April, in- clusive. The election of officers was fixed at the begin- ning of each of these periods. The first Monday of each month was selected for a business meeting, the other Monday nights being given to practical work. It was decided that no meetings would be held between June 15 and September 15. This ruling, however, was 184 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt; Nothing so hard but search will find it cut. — Herrick, never interpreted to mean that activities in the photo- graphic hne were to be suspended for this period. Christmas week of 1903 was the occasion for the first exhibition by the club of work accomphshed along a special line. Portrait study was the subject chosen, and prizes of photographic apparatus ranging in value from $10 for the first to $1.50 for the seventh went to the fortunate contestants. Toward the close of the first year changes in mem- bership made it possible to admit two fellows from the full waiting list to active membership. The entrance examination was then .and has always been a very serious and practical affair, but now a new feature was introduced. The examination has always meant a lot of hard work on the part of all concerned; for the examiners, that they may fully fathom the candidate's knowledge of the subject in hand, and on the part of candidate, to demonstrate his ability ; so the passing of the test is always just cause for mutual rejoicing. This led to the adoption of an initiation ceremony to follow the examination. Not only does this relieve the tension of the candidate's feelings but it furnishes amusement for all, and it also tests the candidate's self- control, adaptability to new conditions and his good fellowship. Refreshments always follow initiations, to top off the evening's fun. It would be difficult to find a club of standing that has not adopted for itself some particular insignia, so it is not surprising that our members can be distin- guished from the four hundred other members of the department, by the pin worn on the coat lapel. They also provided neat club stationery for the use of mem- bers in their personal club correspondence. All this time most of the fellows had been steadily engaged in filling orders for pictures taken around the Association building, or for work done for friends out- side the branch, so that at the end of the year the club's finances were in a good condition. During the first ASSOCIATION CLUBS 185 Errors like straws upon the surface flow; He who would search £or pearls must dive below. — Dryden. year about $65 was earned for the treasury, part of which was given to the systematic-giving committee. Now a banquet was given to which were invited wait- ing list members, possible recruits and adult friends. This method of closing the season's work has since be- come the established custom. Other dinners are given on special occasions, the most recent one in honor of the club's president on his departure for a new home in California. About this time, the second year in the history of the club, the executive committee of the branch, being con- vinced that the Camera Club really could be depended upon to "make good," turned over to it the work of decorating the walls of the boys' social room. To fur- ther encourage our work, the branch donated a power- ful arc electric lamp for an enlarging camera, and also partitioned off the end of a dark hallway to be used as a dark room. The enlarging camera was constructed by the fellows themselves, demonstrating that mechani- cal genius was not lacking among us. That the club "made good" is shown by the pictures now hanging in a corner of the boys' social room, known as the "green room." Not only were all these twenty-five or thirty photographs and enlargements made by the fellows, but also all the labor incidental to the framing, from the buying of the rough moulding to the cutting of the glass, was done without outside aid. Not only this, but the hanging, too, was done to test artistic ability in interior decorating. Once or twice every year exhibitions have been held, for honors. For instance, in May, 1905, there was a landscape exhibition, the pictures receiving the awards being deemed worthy of being enlarged and placed permanently on the walls of the boys' rooms. Of course by this time the older members were quite beyond the elementary stages of photography, and in- tensifying, reducing and retouching negatives, brush development of platinum, coloring photos, making 186 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES We may not win the baton or epaulettes; but God gives us strength to guard the honour of the flag. — ^Thackeray. "gum" prints and lantern slides were not unfamiliar features of the work. During 1906, our boys' department secured a spa- cious billiard and pool room adjoining the "green room," and here another opportunity was presented for the club to manifest its ability in the line of deco- rating. The views of this room, which is called the "red room," will show that the fellows here eclipsed all their previous efforts. The fact that care is taken never to omit showing this room to visitors, is sufficient evidence of how the club's work is appreciated. This room contains over 160 photos, being the club's fourth annual mid-year exhibition, yet by their ar- rangement they do not give the impression of being crowded. Besides following the universal custom of hanging the framed enlargements from the picture moulding of the room, a special screen, two feet wide, covered with green cartridge paper, was nailed perma- nently to the red kalsomined wall all around the room above the wainscot moulding, furnishing a background suitable for the smaller pictures. These small photos are mostly unmounted prints under loose glass which is held in place by upholsterer's nails. Although the purpose of the club primarily is the stimulation and furtherance of interest in the photo- graphic art, we have not confined ourselves exclusively to this one object. "Over Sunday" camps, to which other members of the branch have been invited, have been run by the members of the Camera Club. When the athletic committee of the Association holds its spring meet each year, the Camera Club fellows come to the front loyally. The systematic giving committee of the department has been greatly aided by the contri- butions from the treasury of the Camera Club. No one at West Side has forgotten the part taken by the club in the annual minstrel show of the branch. At this show, the club was transformed for the time being into a dramatic society, producing a sketch of ASSOCIATIOX CLUBS 187 The trouble with an elastic conscience is that it and sting you. — The Saturday Evening Post. apt to fly back its own making, called "Tediliiis Cajsar XXIII." This production was a modernized version of Shakes- peare's masterpiece, and made quite a hit. It "would not be amiss to term the ckib a fraternity. That "It's always fair weather when good fellows get together," is not inappropriate here, and the friend- ships formed by the fellows while working together in the interests of the club will last much longer than their Camera Club days. Every fellow who at any time has had the honor to be a member of the now famous West Side Boys' Camera Club, may justly feel proud of the part he had in the accomplishment of the club's purpose, which has in no small measure added to the glory and fame of old \\^est Side- — JJ'illiain A. JJ^ebcr, in Association Boys, I'ol. VI., No. 4. Flag Raising at Camp Dudley 218. CA3.IERA CLUB— -3 Popular and fascinating as amateur photography is, it is not easy to hold the interest of older fellows in a Camera Club, and at the same time make the work educative. A group of boys who use their cameras 188 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES He had no place for bitterness in his heart, and no scheme but kindness. — ^Thackeray. occasionally, and other so-called "friends," who have come together just to have a good time and once in a while "snap" something, will never make a successful camera club. Photography has become an art, and there is much to learn in connection with it. The club must be educative as well as recreative. That these two phases may run hand in hand the membership of the club should not exceed twenty (less is better), and there should not be a great disparity in ages, fif- teen to eighteen years is desirable. Let the few en- thusiastic ones talk and work the matter up, and then organize, starting with only those fellows as members who are really using a camera, and are interested in photography as an art, and not as a pastime. Adopt a policy which aims high and includes some work that will benefit the whole department. Secure an adult adviser who will map out a course of study and experiment, and take the fellows, preferably a half dozen at a time, on short trips not only to enjoy and photograph nature, but to make a study of light, temperature, etc., and their effect upon picture taking. Room should be secured' in the Association building where developing and printing can be done ; and here lectures and demonstrations concerning the various cameras, papers and chemicals should be carried on. There will be some drudgery, and this should be more than oflfset by enthusiasm. The exposures gotten by the fellows should be developed and printed before the club and the spirit of contest stimulated. A concrete example: In Springfield, Mass., last fall fifteen boys between fourteen and seventeen years of age organized the Snap Shot Club. Their object was the study of elementary photography, and they agreed, after paying an initiation fee of twenty-five cents to cover some expenses, to meet every other Friday even- ing in a club room which they fixed up for their own use — a spare room in the building. A member of the senior Camera Club who knew his business was secured ASSOCIATION CLUBS 189 An ounce of tomorrow is worth a pound of yesterday. — The Saturday Evening Post. as adviser, and the developing rooms of that club were used upon that evening. During the winter a study was made of the camera, the enlarging machine and the making of stereopticon slides, besides demonstra- tions of different papers and chemicals. At the next indoor meeting the exposures gotten upon a trip were developed and results compared. A scrapbook was used to contain the best results. Some of these results were enlarged to show the process. When camp re- union time came on, in the late spring, the club made seventy-five lantern slides of camp scenes, aided by the instructor, and these were shown at the camp re- union. Some of the club attended the summer camp and secured nearly a hundred views. A complete set with negatives was turned over to the boys' depart- ment. One set has helped to decorate the club room ; another set, the club will put in a book, which will be used to advertise next summer's camp, along with new lantern slides. Thus they have helped the whole de- partment, gained a working knowledge of photography and had jolly times together. — Association Boys, Vol. III..' No. 6. 219. CAMERA CLUB EXHIBITION In Coatesville, Pa., much is made of an exhibition by the Camera Club and a calendar exhibit on New Year's Day. 230. AGRICULTURAL CLUB When the fine spring days roll around, the average lively boy who has enough life in him to do things, finds it hard to stay indoors. All nature seems to draw him out and away from the Association rooms. There is a noticeable dropping off in the number of boys who frequent headquarters, and almost every boys' secre- 190 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES It is well to put off until tomorrow what you ought not to do at all. — The Saturday Evening Post. tary begins to rack hi,s brains to find something to in- terest them. Have you thought of a garden or agricultural club for the boys ? Why not meet their desires by respond- ing to the attractive and stimulating beckonings of nature? Why should not the boys be interested and at work in something that is serious and which, in ad- dition, has a very large element of pleasure in it? It would be a great boon to the boys, especially the city A Group of Gr.\.\ger3 "chaps," to raise garden truck and see how it is done. Why not give the garden club or agricultural club a good trial? It may be found so successful that you will decide to make it a permanent feature of educa- tional work for boys. The \'alue Estimate. An enthusiast has said, "Gardens do more than train the hands and head; they touch and awaken the soul; — and this is the first mis- sion of gardening." Intellectually, the garden gives the benefits of man- ual training and offers opportunities for putting into practice many of the abstract lessons of the class- room. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 191 ™-5:" °^"S' °^ cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to serve God with. — Fuller. Among Other things, the work of agricultural clubs disposes boys favorably toward manual labor; they offer a certain kind of work which is supplementary to a good deal of the training they obtain in school ; they give the boys something definite to do in their leisure time and keep them off the streets; and most impor- tant of all, they give youth an insight into agricultural knowledge, leading them to consider farming and the cultivation of the soil more seriously. The garden idea is by no means a new one. Twenty centuries ago Persian boys received practical and theo- retical instruction in horticulture. Through the Middle Ages the garden for educational purposes was conducted throughout Central Europe, and at the pres- ent day gardens are numerous in France, Germany, Sweden and in England, Switzerland, Austria and Italy- The idea was introduced into this country about 1890 and has been so carefully developed since then that such work is now in successful operation under various conditions and auspices in both large and small cities. The question as to whether boys can be interested in the project has been answered in many instances. One authority says, "The pupils take great interest in their gardens, standing off and admiring their own plants and comparing them with others." The conductor of the garden at Yonkers, N. Y., reports, "The interest, far from diminishing, has increased and 500 applica- tions were made for the 250 plots in 1905." Here is another real opportunity to help boys which the Association has thus far not cultivated, but in which it has unlimited scope and usefulness. This is a psychological moment for the promotion of this work. It is the year and the time of the year. The preliminary work has been well done in various places. Professional and public attention is receptive. Some. Things to Consider. Here are some general principles on which people agree in conducting such a 192 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing a laugh within, hurried away. — ^The Saturday Evening Post, piece of work. In the first place, it is quite necessary to adapt means to help boys in developing their char- acteristics. Boys are interested in some things rather than other things because of definite reasons peculiarly related to the boy. Boys like to do definite things; they like to make things which they can see developing under their hands; they enjoy exhibiting what they do or make, and above all things they like competition; notoriety and public attention give them a considerable amount of satisfaction ; because they are boys, they prefer be- ing out of doors rather than being housed up under cover; finally, a combination of work and play js always welcome in whatever they are interested. These are some of the principles upon which to pro- ceed in handling boys. As to the application of these principles to the agri- cultural club and to the garden, experience shows that in the larger cities the grammar school boys will be interested, while in the smaller places older boys will take hold of the idea. In the Middle West, where the corn-raising campaigns have become very popular, the older boys have taken it up enthusiastically. Expe- rience also proves that the boys prefer to work in groups. The "gang" spirit carries them a long way in Jboth work and play. The sympathy of the public will be enlisted in behalf of the boys as soon as it is seen that they are trying to do something worth while. There is no more certain way to interest the parents than through the boys. They are fountains of un- bounded enthusiasm and lasting interest. In turn the parents become greatly interested and consequently the result is wholesome and helpful to everybody. This is where the Association can tie up closely with the parents- A Plan of Operating. The following are some suggestions for organizing such work based on the experience of those who have been successful : ASSOCIATION CLUBS 193 Humanity and social sympathy are the glory of our age. — Newell Dwight Hillis. • ' 1. With the help of the boys themselves, secure a lot or piece of vacant ground sufficiently large. The interest of members of the city improvement society, if there is one, may be aroused. The use of a lot may be obtained from an owner who wishes to see the value of his property increased. 2. Decide upon a definite day, appropriate with the climate and conditions, for cleaning up, fertilizing and plowing time. This should be made a special occasion. 3. Divide the space into small "farms" or plots large enough to meet conditions and allot these to the boys, leaving them to put the plots in shape. 4. Lay out paths and provide for fencing. 5- An organization can possibly be formed with the government idea introduced — with a mayor, chief of police, overseer of highways, and any other neces- sary officials. There may be a change of officials two or three times during the season. 6. "Planting day" should be observed in a busi- ness-like way under the supervision of a capable man. 7. Each boy should keep a record of his -work in which he notes his observations. 8. Raise one, or possibly two, crops during the . season, changing the same. 9. The small garden truck may be marketed by the boys individually or by an appointed "selling agent." 10. Introduce competition for good prizes prefer- ably offered by some civic organization for the appear- ance of the "farms" and the quality and quantity of the products. Additional Suggestions. In putting this new work into operation it will be wise to secure the in- telligent interest, consent and cooperation of the board of directors and educational committee. A great deal will depend upon this. The general secretary, educa- tional director and the special leader or teacher of the club, group or class, should cooperate in developing 194 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Few men are as lucjty as they seem, or as unlucky as they think they are. — The Saturday Evening Post. the idea, the educational director or committee being primarily responsible for its initiation. In this the local Association has a large opportunity forr broadening its work for the ultimate good of the community. One of the things to be done then is en- listing the interest of members of the local city im- provement society or civic club, of business houses, various firms, and leading citizens of the community. Whatever expense may be attached may be covered in various ways. Boys working in relays would not need many tools. The sale of "truck" should meet some, if not all, of the outlay. Aside from this, ex- penses should be provided for, part from the Associa- tion treasury, part from tuition fees, and some from admission fees to the final exhibition of the products. By all means secure the very best quality of seeds. It would be very unfortunate to sacrifice the possi- bility of success by using old, poorly mixed, or other- wise worthless seeds. A course of simple, interesting talks on seeds, soil, tools, garden products, etc., should run twice a week for a month previous to the actual garden work- At the same time there would be an opportunity for using a hotbed in which the principles of sunlight and heat could be shown in a most interesting manner. At the completion of the summer work and for a good "windup" the county fair idea might, be carried out in a display of products, pet animals, and various things made or built by the boys during their vacation. Each locality has its own peculiarities, so the above suggestions may be adapted to meet varymg condi- tions. The following are some publications which suggest ideas: Periodicals — ^Junior Naturalist, Gardening, Country Life in America, Journal of Education, Asso- ciation Boys (especially April and December num- bers, 1906). Books — Hemenway, How to Make School Gardens, Doubleday, Page & Co.; Agriculture ASSOCIATION CLUBS 195 It doesn't cost anything to say "Good morning," even if it's raining. — Anon. for Beginners, Burkett, Ginn & Co. ; Practical Agricul- ture, James, Appleton; Gardenmaking, Principles of Vegetable Gardening, Bailey, Macmillan ; Methods of Instruction in Agriculture, U. S. Bureau of Education;^ Hints and Helps for Young Gardeners, Hemenway, Hartford. — Robert T. Hill, Secretary of International Committee, in Association Boys, Vol. VI., No. i. 231. CANOE CLUB A class in canoe building for boys is not only practi- cable, but is easily within the reach of almost every Association. The knowledge that any boy of average intelligencfi, old enough to be in the Association, can himself build a well-modeled and thoroughly reliable canoe at a cost under $5 is incentive enough for some boys' departments to try the experiment this article suggests. Such a class has been in operation in the Associa- tion at Summit, N. J., for over a year, during which time several canoes have been built. The illustration shows one of these canoes receiving the finishing touches, and gives a good general idea of those con- structed. "" For a workshop almost any room will do. We use a part of the cellar. For equipment little is needed but a few tools of such kind as are usually found in the janitor's quarters. A carpenter's bench is a good thing if you can get one. Our boys made their own as well as the horses upon which the frame was set up. We have found it best to have the boys work in pairs, sharing the expense and labor. If you can get some one with a knowledge of the use of tools to give the boys a little instruction so much the better, but many boys will turn out a very creditable piece of work without such help. The dimensions of the canoes our boys have made are : length, 14 feet ; beam, 30 inches ; depth amidships, 12 inches ; depth at ends, 20 inches. 196 SOCIAL ACTiriTIES Standing behind a counter is all right, but staying there a lifetime is another matter. — The Saturday Evening Post. Now to work : first lay your keelson, which is a piece of board Js inch by 1}'4 inches by 13 feet 4 inches. To each end fit stem and stern posts, screwing and bracing them as shown in figure I. Now take a one-inch board 12 inches wide and 30 inches long and cut to the shape given in figure II. This board is to be fitted over the center of the keelson at X. It should be well braced, but so adjusted that it can easily be removed when the canoe is finished. Canoe Building We are now ready for the longitudinal strips or rib-bands. These should be 34 inch by 1 inch Ijy 16 feet long and of cedar or spruce with clean straight grain. Sixteen of these will be required, eight on each side. Begin with the upper strips, tacking lightly to side of cross piece and drawing in to stem and stern posts, to which they must be fastened. Take care to get the bend or curve equal on both sides, con- ASSOCIATION CLUBS 197 Laughing cheerfulness throws sunlight on all the paths of life. — Richter. tinue this all the way round, spacing each equally. Now take four pieces of hard wood ^ inch by J4 inch (a child's hoop is just the thing) and bend from upper end of stern and stem posts to top of upper rib-band. ILinz) Canoe Models This will give the graceful curve to the end of the canoe as shown in figure III. We are now ready for the ribs, which are ordinary barrel hoops. They should be nicely cleaned with a spokeshave and worked to a uniform width. They should be well soaked in 198 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Formerly it was. Be good! Now it is, Make good I — ^The Saturday Evening Post. water, and to make them still more pliable boiling water should be poured over them just before they are bent to the rib-bands. Begin putting in the ribs near the center and work toward each end alternately ; pass them under the keelson and commence to fasten first to the lowest strip, nailing with copper tacks, which should be driven from the outside and long enough to clinch on the inside ; put the ribs about five inches apart. Next comes the canvas, which requires considerable care in putting on. Stitch together lengthways two pieces of thirty-inch heavy duck, each five yards long. Turn the canoe bottom up and place the canvas upon it with seam over keelson. If the rib-bands do not come together over the keelson fit in a piece of wood to make it solid. Tack well along the seam to the full length of the canoe until you reach the curve, now begin in the middle again and stretch tightly and nail the outer edge along the gunwale, keeping out all wrinkles. Take up the slack at each end by working in and overlapping on the rounded stem and stern posts. The seam will be covered with an outer keel of wood T4, inch square, screwed firmly in place. This will continue round the ends, where it will be tapered to conform to the shape of the canoe. Separate pieces of hard wood will be used for ends and bent to shape. Finish off the gunwale with strips of wood on outer, inner and upper edge, the inner strip joining the piece that forms the decked-in place at each end. You will need a removable lattice floor for the bottom of the canoe to protect the canvas. This can be in two pieces arid of height of keelson fitting along either side of it. Two braces or thwarts will be needed to give the required stiffness and to keep the shape. These will be fitted across the inside from gunwale to gunwale about four feet from each end. Now for the paint : Give two good coats of oil and lead of whatever color you choose, but only to the ASSOCIATION CLUBS 199 Pleasant Words are as a honeycomb ; sweet to the soul and health to the bones. — Bible. outside of the canvas; finish all woodwork with varnish. If you have been careful, you will have a craft that is a thing of beauty and capable of giving an unbounded amount of pleasure, and not the least joy to the possessor will come from having built it himself. — William Jessup, in Association Boys, Vol. II., No. I. 222. BACHELORS' CLUB The "Bachelors' Club" of the Washington Associa- tion is the social organization of the men who live in the building. It is assembled under the following constitution : Article I. Name Section 1. The name of the club shall be the Bachelors' Club of the Washington Young Men's Christian Association. Article II. Object Section 1. The object of the organization shall be to foster good will and fellowship among the men living in the house, and to facilitate the cooperation of the house men in the various activities of the Association. Article III. Membership Section 1. All men living in the house shall be eligible to membership in the club. Section 2. Secretaries of the Washington Association shall be ex officio members. Article IV. Dues Section 1. There shall be regular dues of ten cents a month. Section 2. Assessments may be made at any time to cover expenses that have been authorized by a vote of the club. Section 3. Members whose dues are three months in arrears shall forfeit membership until such back dues are paid. 200 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The man who does things makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake o£ all— doing nothing. — The Saturday Evening Post. Article V. Officers Section 1. The officers of the club shall be a president, a vice-president, and a secretary, who shall also act as treas- urer. Section 2. The officers shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting in September. Section 3. One of the three officers shall be elected from each of the three floors. Section 4. The officers shall perform the duties usually pertaining to such positions. Article VI. Committees Section 1. The following shall be the standing committees : The House Committee, of six members, two from each floor, whose duty it shall be to assist in enforcing house rules, to report any necessary changes in rooms or occupants, and to consult with the social secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association regarding prospective tenants. The Committee on New Men, of six members, two from each floor, whose duty it shall be to make the acquaintance of all new men, endeavor to make them feel at home, and invite them to become members of the club. The Entertainment Committee, of three members, one from each floor, whose duty it shall be to arrange all meetings of the club. The Executive Committee, composed of the officers and heads of committees, whose duty it shall be to attend to the general management of the club. Article VII. Meetings Section 1. The regular meeting of the club shall be held on the last Thursday of each month. Section 2. Special meetings can be called at any time by the executive committee. Article VIII. Amendments Section 1. This constitution may be amended by a tv/o- thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting, providing the amendment has been read at a previous meeting. The house committee has done especially good work in the way of self-governing features. Through its efforts the personnel of the house has been decidedly changed and greatly improved; the miscellaneous ASSOCIATION CLUBS 201 The happiest life is that which constantly exercises and educates what is best in us. — Hamerton. protests and requests have been handled and greatly- reduced in number; and the house men have really taken the position of active members of the Associa- tion instead of tenants. The monthly socials have been varied and unique, and have been the means of bringing the men into close personal relationship. Additional committees on Bible study, social service, etc., have been appointed at various times to carry on new features of the club's activity. The publication of a biweekly paper has done much to develop and retain interest in the organization. "The Old Alaid" has met great favor from the Bachelors. Neat covers are printed in large quantities, and the inside sheets are done on the Association mimeograph at little expense. In this way the size of the paper varies according to the news and gossip obtainable. A board of editors does all the work — even the stencil and mimeograph part. — Gerald Karr Smith, Washing- ton, D. C. 223. BOYS' GLEE CLUB The Boys' Glee Club "never was born, it growed." One March day two boys came to me and said: "We want a baseball team. We've got the material but we haven't any suits. Can you get up some sort of an en- tertainment and get us the money?" I thought over various ways in which "men take one's money from his purse" — minstrel shows, shadow pantomimes — and none seemed to suit. From past experience, I knew that the boys loved to sing — that they would come at any time and stay around the piano and sing, so I de- termined to try my luck' along that line. In March,. 1903, I held trials for the Glee Club. Nineteen boys came out to try and a very scared, giggly lot they were. Two evenings later came the first rehearsal, when it was found that there were about seven sopranos and eight tenors and only one lone alto. Gradually, however, the ranks filled up. 202 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Th« test of a student is not how much he knows but how much he wants to know. — Rollins. Some sopranos were turned into altos and numerous tenors were dropped, till the club was fairly well bal- anced. Then began the rehearsals proper. For two months it was a struggle for mastery. At last the club or rather chorus was drilled and on June 11 the con- cert given. All this time no one dreamed the club was for anything but one concert and the purpose anything except to pay for baseball suits. When fall came there were many requests that we 'repeat the concert. With very little rehearsing and almost no change of program this was done. It went well and the audience was very kind. There was a minister present from an adjoining town. After the concert he asked if we could not arrange to come to his church and repeat the concert ; and before we real- ized it the Boys' Glee Club was formed and its career as a concert company begun. Since that time the club has given concerts in and about Newton. In February, 1904, the club had the honor of singing at Somerville before the Massachu- setts and Rhode Island Boys' Conference. This year the club has twenty voices and is carry- ing on its concert program with various assisting per- formers, on the violin, mandolin, cornet, etc., from the boys in the Association. The club has also a reader as a regular member. The program is further diversified by solos by different boys and double quartet. The music sung is that which the college clubs use. Since the first argument on the subject there has never been any trouble about discipline either at re- hearsals or on concert trips. The boys manage them- selves and are proud of it. Misconduct would be re- proved and very likely punished by them before the leader had a chance to interfere. The boys love to sing, are eager to give concerts and never balk if given a chance to sing alone. The control of the club is given to its board of direc- tors, consisting of the leader, the accompanist — ^both ASSOCIATION CLUBS 203 A good time is attractive enough to take everybody out of himself, and cheery enough to make every one feel happy. — ^Amos R. Wells. men — two directors chosen by the boys from their own number and the secretary, also a boy. This board has full power except that of dropping members from the roll, which power resides exclusively in the full club membership. This form of government has worked perfectly. Although the club has regular charges for its con- certs, the boys never receive the slightest pecuniary remuneration. The money received is used to pay for the music and some is given away. Last year the club gave forty dollars to the Association. The Glee Club dinner is the closing event of every season. In the first part of June, when strawberries are ripe, the club — former members and present members — meets at the Association, sitting down to a first-class dinner. After dinner different boys are called on to respond to toasts, and mirth and wit and song flow free and unrestrained. A Glee Club dinner once enjoyed is something never to be forgotten. New members are usually elected in the fall. Ac- cording to the constitution, they are not eligible for the club until they have sung at one concert, but the wish of the boys requires one full season of singing with the club before they are elected full members and have the right to vote and wear the glee club pin. When the leader desires a particular boy or some particular part or even the whole club for a rehearsal, he merely writes postal cards and the boys are present at, or oftener before, the time to rehearse. At a full club rehearsal, where twenty boys are expected, there may be one ab- sent, possibly two, never three, and oftenest all the twenty are there. — H. W. Bascom, Newton, Mass., Association Boys, Vol. IV., No. 6. 324. POSTER CLUB It is always desirable to have as many boys as pos- sible attend the events of the department. Posters are excellent for advertising. It has been noticed at West 204 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES A day, an hour, of victorious liberty Is worth a whole eternity of bondage. — ^Addison. Side, New York, that events have had largest attend- ance when advertised by good posters. Boys are at- tracted by pictures and will stop and read good posters. In this way they may be led to a meeting in which they might begin the Christian life. There are boys in every department who are just longing for something to do, and in forming a poster club at least a small group of fellows with some taste for drawing could make excellent use of their time. Let this group of fellows choose a president and secretary whose duty shall be to map out the work for each member for a month, and help him to do it if he has difficulties. Let them also atrange for at least one meeting a month when some artist shall speak to the club and show them how some things are done. For material, cartridge paper is used. It can be pro- cured at any art or paint store. It is well to get three or four different colors, such as yellow, blue, red and green. The colors used are powdered water colors. The following are about all that are necessary for making an ordinary p6ster: red, yellow, blue, brown, white, black, yellow ochre, and a good shade of green. Many useful combinations can be made with colors, such as red and yellow for orange, blue and red for purple, a little red, white and yellow ochre for a good flesh tint, etc. Grind the colors on ground glass with a palette knife until fine and free from lumps. Mix the colors with mucilage and water, about one third mucilage to two thirds water. (The mucilage is used so that the colors will not rub.) These should be mixed thoroughly and should be neither too thick nor too thin. After a little experience you will know just what proportions to use. Use only those colors which are -necessary to tell the story, and see that they harmonize. Red, blue and green; orange and black; red and blue; blue and yel- low; white, red and blue; brown, red and white all ASSOCIATION CLUBS Not what we give but what we share, tor the gift without the giver is bare. — Lowell. 205 harmonize. The part of your design to be emphasized should be worked out the strongest, using hghter color for other parts. Broad, flat washes of color with no attempt at shading are the most effective. The best ■•I ^S^aT MAM *^15 PM DoQOnS 0B(SBCi|Q|3. ^ ■ c ^ r in I . fHIDfiV fiL lH vim if Mifv •■!><> ^fS" ;DlB TOK ryCR 5T0P Tel Think? posters have very few if any details. A design will be brought out stronger when outlined in black. The lighter colors should be put on first so that mistakes can be covered when putting on the darker colors. Camel's hair and bristle brushes are used. A broad brush and a fine one are necessary. The bristle 206 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Christianity is social. — ^Anon. brushes will be found to be most useful and serviceable. Charcoal is used to draw the design. This is easily erased with a cloth or bread crumbs. After you get your subject, design something that will be appropriate and will appeal to boys. You would not want to illustrate an Easter poster with a holly wreath; nor an outing with a boy reading by a fireside. Try to be original. If you design a poster that takes, find out what was in the poster that was liked and decide why it is good. Never design first to please, then to tell the story. If you cannot make an original design for a subject try to find one in a maga- zine and enlarge it or build upon it. One way to enlarge is to divide your small picture into squares. Now if you wish to make the picture on the poster ten times as large, draw the squares ten times as large on your poster. Then draw your design, using the same proportion all the way through. It is a good plan to keep an indexed scrapbook for designs. Look through old magazines and if you find any pictures which you think you could use to advantage cut them out and put them in your scrapbook. After your design has been made then make your letters. At the beginning you should be very careful. Good plain letters are best. At first it may be difficult to make them well without measuring them. Of course, "practice makes perfect," and the more letter- ing you do the easier it becomes. Why should not every department keep a group of boys happily engaged in this sort of work? An annual exhibition with prizes for best work done would add to the interest. — John B. Strohhacker, West Side, N. Y., Y. M. C. A., in Association Boys, Vol. I., No. 6. 235. FENCING CLUB It is usually not difficult to find in any boys' depart- ment a number of older boys who are anxious to know fencing, and who are eager to join a fencing club if ASSOCIATION CLUBS Blessed are the joy-makers. — Willis. 207 organized. Fencing is a "kingly" sport, the best of exercises, a splendid training for the judgment and the eye. and gives ease and grace to the body. It requires strain, patience, endurance, and real hard work, but to the earnest and active boy there is a fascination about the sport which increases with knowledge and skill. Fencing Exercise. In the organization of a successful fencing club the first essential is the securing of an enthusiastic and qualified instructor. A lover of the sport is needed to carry the members through the tiresome, straining, and uninteresting first movements, such as the position, the guard, the lunge, and parries. These must be learned perfectly if skill is to be obtained. The organization of the club should be similar to that of any other club, with president, secretary, treasurer, a constitution, by- laws, and meetings once or twice a month. Classes should be held once, if not twice, a week. Our club is 208 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES When I'm not thanked at all, I'm thanked enough; I've done my duty, and I've done no more. — Fielding. self-supporting, owns its outfit and pays the instructor. The dues of the club are one dollar a year, paid semi- annually, and with this money foils, masks, etc., are purchased. Besides the annual dues a weekly charge of ten or fifteen cents is made to pay the instructor. The membership is limited to twenty in order that each member may receive individual attention. A larger number than this, and even this number is large, makes it impossible for the instructor to give each member the attention he should have. If more apply for mem- bership than can be handled conveniently at one time, there may either be a waiting list or two classes a week, half of the members attending each class. A full attendance at each lesson should be sought for. An irregular member learns little, soon becomes dis- couraged, and is detrimental to the progress of the class. For encouragement to obtain proficiency, monthly tournaments may be held, at which a small prize or badge may be given the winner, to be worn during the following month or until he loses posses- sion of it by reason of defeat at a succeeding tourna- ment. The outfit of the club should consist of foils, masks, gloves, and several jackets or plastrons if possible. With the annual dues several pairs of foils and masks can be purchased. There are always some members who desire to possess their own outfits. If the supply of foils is limited, sticks can be used in learning the first movements, and in actual combat turrls can be taken. The gym'nasium suit with long trousers makes a very suitable fencing suit. Rubber spied shoes should be worn. In purchasing the outfit care should be taken to get the best, for the cheap foils and masks are often dangerous. The bell guard foils, number 3 or 3, with Coulaux or Solingeu blades costing from $2.50 to $3 a pair are the best. Number 2 or 3 masks, costing $3 to $4 a pair, should be secured. Gauntlets can be obtained from 7.5 cents to $1.50. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 209 A man's best things are nearest him, Lie close about his feet. — Milnes. Jackets cost from $5 to $10, and plastrons from $1.50 up. The illustration shows our own club at work.— Richard L. Flynn, in Association Boys, Vol. II., No. i. 236. A SUCCESSFUL STAMP CLUB The Trenton, N. J., club was originally known as the "Stamp Club," but is now called the "PhilateHc Society," the boys considering the new name more scientific and dignified. Any boy wishing to join the society must apply for membership through its officers, and if he is accept- able to the members, a vote is passed to put his name upon the eligible list, but in order to become a regular member he must fulfill certain requirements. First, he must be a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and own a hundred different stamps, United States and foreign, arranged in an album in order that the collection may be neat and systematic. Second, he must take an examination to show that he knows the countries from which some fifty different stamps come and answer eighty per cent of the ques- tions correctly. If the candidate successfully passes these tests he is taken in charge by the committee on initiation and admitted into the secrets and activities of the Philatelic Society. Regular meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of each month. The business consists of re- ports from the examining committee, a talk on stamps by the president or one of the members, initiation, exhi- bition and comparison of stamps and generally some announcements about the Exchange. The latter is a stock company of members of the society where stamps are exchanged. The company has a capital stock of 200 shares, valued at 20 cents per share par value. If a boy puts 20 cents' worth of stamps into the Exchange he gets a certificate. He can buy other stamps from the Exchange with his shares, and twice 210 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Some people have to have their sunshine warm; others are satisfied just with its being sunshine. — Rollins. a year he gets a dividend. Three fourths of the profits of the Exchange go to make up a surplus which, in time, becomes a collection for the Association, and the remaining fourth is divided into dividends semi- annually for the stockholders. The accounts of the Exchange are audited hy the boys' secretary when each dividend is declared to assure correct bookkeeping. Surplus, dividends and all are stamps — no money is handled. Stamps are wealth in this stock exchange. The Exchange holds auction sales, where boys sell their duplicates. These sales are managed like any auction: stamps, albums, etc., selling for cash to the highest bidder. These sales are very exciting and no end of fun. The Exchange gets ten per cent on all sales, and this makes a very nice little sum to defray current expenses. Every year we have a banquet for the members of the society and a few invited guests. There are speeches on such subjects as "The History of the Club," "Things New and Old About Stamps," "The Society Itself." Then we have an address by some famous collector. And so the club goes on with meetings and banquets, auction sales and exchange matters, buying and selling, adding value to the collections and having a lot of fun along the way. — C. C. Robinson, Association Boys, Vol. I., No. I. 237. BENT IRON WORK CLUB A feature that can be introduced readily into most boys' departments is a club in bent iron work. The club members make useful and ornamental articles out of thin, narrow strips of iron. The finished pro- duct is sometimes known as Venetian iron work. The experience of the Washington Heights Branch is that the club appeals most to boys from fourteen to six- teen years of age. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 211 Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuif life is made of. — Poor Richard. The cost of an equipment for from twelve to twenty- four boys would be $20. This -would include one dozen five-inch flat nose plyers, one dozen five-inch round nose plyers, one dozen riveting hammers (four to six ounces), one dozen small bench vices (the kind that can be screwed to the table with a handscrew), one dozen rules (two foot, four fold), one No. 10 metal snips (P. S. & W.'s). The material used is called strap-iron. It is one thirty-second of an inch thick and varies in width, by sixteenths, from one eighth of an inch up. The sizes generally used are one eighth inch and one quarter inch. The one eighth inch iron is used on the very .small articles, such as match-holders, stamp receptacles or bonbon dishes. The one quarter inch iron is used for such articlies as penracks, inkstands, brackets or candelabras. The iron costs, in bulk, seven cents a pound, and comes in fifty-pound coils. It can also be purchased in fifty-foot coils, at an average of twenty- one cents a coil. The binders cost ten cents a hundred, but are cheaper in bulk. Ivory black paint (one-pound cans, thirty-five cents) is used for finishing. A set of plans can be purchased of most school supply houses, and valuable hints can be secured from a booklet, "Venetian Iron Work," issued by the But- terick Publishing Company, 33d Street, New York. Hammacher, Schlemmer & Company, Bowery, New York, have made a special feature of blue prints and other supplies. They have given this Association a discount of twenty-five per cent on their list prices. The equipment of the Washington Heights Branch was given by the Witness Circle of King's Daughters of the Presbyterian Church. Two clubs are main- tained, with an enrollment of fifteen boys in each. The teacher of the clubs had no previous experience. All that is required is an ability to use tools and to draw simple plans. An interesting fact is that the things that have 212 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES The test of simplicity is not what it lacks, but what it chooses to do without. — Rollins. appealed to our boys have been articles that can be used in their homes. — Alfred 0. Booth, Washington Heights Branch, New York City, in Association Boys, Vol. III., No. 2. 228. SMALL CLUBS There is nothing more natural than for birds of a' feather to flock together. Boys of kindred tastes and like interests are bound to get together, if not in the Association, then outside. It seems as thoug-h every conceivable kind of a club is now in operation in some boys' department. The following list is made up from reports which have come in since the first of January,, this year (1902). Sometimes various names are given for the same thing or for clubs which are very similar in their make-up. In some of these the club idea is well developed, in others very little organization is evident. The following list is not recommended for any Association^ but is given in order tO' be suggestive. If further information is desired regarding any of these clubs Association Boys will be glad to present whatever information is available. Bicycle Club, Wheel Club, Rough Riders, Football Team, Baseball Club, Indoor Baseball Club, Basket-Bali League, Volley Ball, Hockey Club, Cricket Club, Polo Club, Bom- bardment Club, Golf Club, La Crosse Club, Athletic Society Tennis Club, Bowling League, Skating Club, Running Club, Single Stick Club, Stamp Club, Coin Club, Sketch Club, Camera Club, Debating Club, Literary Society, Junior Bota- nists, Mineralogy Club, Natural Science -Club, Junior Naturalists, Nature Study Club, Audubon Society, Weather Bureau, Agassiz Association, Lyceum, Mystic Midgets, Imagi- nation Club, Shakespeare Club, Reading Club, Personal Purity League, Personal Workers' Club, Junior Volunteer League, Jubilee Band, Bible Study League, Band of Mercy, Missionary Club, Orchestra, Mandolin Club, Boys' Choir, Guitar Club, Zobo Band, Congress, City Government, Senate, Sloyd Club, Electricity Club, Poster Club, Scroll Saw Club, Cadet Com- pany, Gun Drill, Boys' Brigade, Military Drill, Hare and Hounds, Cross Country Club, Jaunting Club, Fishing Club, Canoe Club, Boating Club, Croquet Club, Gypsy Tramping ASSOCIATIOX CLL'I^S 213 The hour is not wasted that brings with it tranquillity of mind and an uplifting of the heart. — Bradford Torrey. Club, Kite Contests, Outing Club, Trampers, Camp Club, Hobo Club, Houseboat Club, Swimming Club, Hikers' Club, Success Club, "Do the Best You Can" Club, "Help the Other Fellow" Club, "Skeeters," "^^"ork and Win" Club, "Pan" Club, Fun and Earnest Club, Relief Corps, Shooting Club, Anti- Cigarette League, Temperance Society, McKinley Memorial Club, Knights of King Arthur, Working Boys' Club. Social Club, Boys' Industrial Club, Game Club, Chess and Checker Club, Carom Club, Membership Club, Toastmasters' Club. Here is an interesting assortment. "You pays your money and you takes your choice." — E. M. R. in Asso- ciation Bovs, J'ol. I., No. 2. Boys' Orchestra 229. MANDOLIX AND GUITAR CLUB The club was organized in the fall of 1902, with about a dozen members who played mandolins and violins. The year before a few members and the secretary had found it very enjoyable to get together with their mandolins and play popular music on social evenings. This naturally led to the organization of the club, with the addition of several others who were 214 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul! Sweet'ner of life! and solder of society. — Blair. interested. They then looked around for an instruct- or, and decided upon a widely known teacher of the mandolin, banjo and guitar, not only the best in the city, but one of the best in the profession. The first thought was that he was too expensive, but it has proven, as is usually the case, that the best is the cheapest. The fellows decided upon Monday even- ings, from 7.30 to 9.00, for the regular rehearsals! From that time to the following May they met regu- larly, with almost perfect attendance. After two or three months' work they began to have outside engage- ments, principally at church suppers, entertainments, fairs and receptions. At the end of the season the club numbered about twenty pieces, and on the last of April a successful concert was given from which it realized a fairly good sum of money. Early the next fall they were eager to commence work again and before their first rehearsal, the latter part of September, had three engagements waiting for them. The present membership is twenty-five ; the average attendance at rehearsals is over twenty, and Monday night always finds them' promptly on time, ready for work. Their average age is sixteen, most of them being high school fellows. The club has proven the best kind of an advertisement for the de- partment. They have played in nearly all the leading churches, as well as for some of the best clubs in the city. Their work has been loudly applauded on every occasion, and the Association has received only compli- ments and congratulations regarding it. — O. E. Bourne, Worcester, Mass., in Association Boys, Vol. III., No. 2. 230. LOBBY CLUB TO MEET STRANGERS AND BE GENERALLY USEFUL Dear Lobby Clubber: The Lobby Club had an interesting and profitable meeting last night, at which considerable important ASSOCIATION CLUBS 215 On bravely through the sunshine and the showers I Time hath his work to do and we have ours. — Emerson. business was transacted. The New Year's plans were thoroughly discussed, and practically every man agreed to be on hand from 2.30 to 10.30 o'clock. The men who have no particular parts assigned will assist in general reception work in the lobby. The newest venture of the club will be the assump- tion of work connected with the rooming-house regis- ter. Members of the club have agreed to investigate all rooms listed, and do what they can to improve the present system. Please hold yourself in readiness for it. The assignment of nights in the lobby as I now have them is as follows : Monday, Taggart and Lavins. Tuesday, Corey, Frost and H. S. Smith. Wednesday, Chadbourn and Grinnell. Thursday, Ersfeld and Siedam. Friday, Curtis and Hanford. Saturday, Schnare. This leaves unassigned: Bass ford, Burklin, Disque, Stebbins, Truman and Neibel. If you cover the time between 4.30 and 6.00 o'clock, your services will be as useful as though given for the period after dinner. I know this period is not always yours to give. A new register book will be placed in my desk on January 1. The Lobby Committee is to report here- after on the men who have signed up during the week. The next meeting will be held January 3 ; the place to be announced later. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, I am Sincerely, Gerald Karr Smith, Social Secretary. 216 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Be noble I and the nobleness that lies In other men, sleeping, but never dead. Will rise in majesty to meet thine own. — Lowell. 231. DIARY CLUB* Let a group of boys or young men get together in an informal club to make the most out of their vaca- tion or other outing by keeping an observation diary. There should be entered daily such items as the weather: temperature, direction of the wind and whether light or high, variable, etc. ; the sky, whether clear or cloudy and what kinds of clouds; if wet, the character of the rain — steady downpour, drizzle, showers, thunder-storms, foggy, etc. If on the water, describe the stream or lake, the color and clearness, the surface, whether smooth or rough, and how rough ; tell about the shores, whether high and rocky or low and sandy or marshy, if wooded, or cultivated farm lands. If tramping through the country, describe the roads, the general landscape at different points; if in the woods tell of the kinds of trees seen, their trunks, size, bark, limbs, foliage, fruit or nuts. A scene should be so described that when read later the person him- self would be able to perfectly recall it and — if an artist — ^be able to paint it; and also, that another, lis- tening to the description, would see the picture. To make a description of this kind there must be not only the general view but careful attention to details. If six, eight or ten fellows will really attempt such a diary they will find it immensely interesting and very helpful, and a number of evenings may be spent dur- ing the following winter in comparing notes — the read- ing and discussing and criticising of the several diaries. The practical benefits will come in an increased interest in observing and describing the scenes and events of everyday life, and in improving one's facility and style in writing. — H. S. N. * Attention is called to a splendid vest-pocket vacation diary edited by Charles R. Scott, State Y. M. C. A., Newark, N. J. As .a means of encouraging boys to make memoranda of helps received in camp, and as a suggestion to them of the possible helpful influences about them, it is invaluable. 10 cents each. $3.50 a hundred. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 217 He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, Acts the best. — Bailey. 233. LUNCH CLUB FOR DINING ROOMS THAT DON't PAY We had a completely furnished lunch room, but were going through the trial, financial and otherwise, common to all Associations that conduct eating places, especially when regular meals are served. We evolved the following plan, which is a success, after fifteen months' trial. We called a meeting of the members rooming in the building and proposed to turn over to them the whole equipmeot, and furnish the room, light, heat and water, all free to them ; they were to organize and conduct their own cafe, paying cost for meals. Officers were elected and the club plan started with seventeen members. The number increased to about sixty regulars, besides meal-ticket men. We made a few conditions, for instance — anything in the meal line purchased and paid for by the Association, was to be served at cost. Meal tickets were to be sold at a reasonable rate, and single meals for twenty-five cents. On this basis a $3 ticket is sold for $2.50, the profit on these and the single meals going to the club to help keep their board low. Each club member paid $10 in advance, with an assessment of $2 at end of the first month. Thereafter the monthly rate was $13 in advance, and this paid expenses for the first year. Owing to a change of cooks, the expense ran up then, and they raised the price to $13, where it is now. It will probably be lowered again soon. Ordinary boarding-house prices here are $17.50 to $20 monthly, and the meals at the Association are better. The advantages to the Association are : no financial loss, no troubles for the office force in secur- ing help, etc. Sixty fellows eat every meal here, and thereby get well acquainted, making the best social feeling in the building I have ever seen anywhere. The plan also helps to keep rooms filled. — L. E. Jones, Fort Worth, Texas. 218 SOCIAL ACTU'lTIES This shining moment is an edifice which the Omnipotent cannot rebuild. — Emerson. 233. BUSY BUILDERS' CLUB The Busy Builders of Holyoke is a club of boys which meets in the attic of the Association building and builds things. This is not manual training, as some understand it at least. These boys are no more fond of making sloyd models than are others, but they do like to build things. There is no need of contrast- ing the value of this kind of work with any of those Sloyd systems of manual training which a boy has to be al- most clubbed or else hypnotized into taking. These boys like to build things and they do it under compe- tent direction, and it does them good in many obvious ways. A workshop (not exclusively for wood work- ing) under wise direction is a great thing for any boys' department, and there are hosts of boys who '"like to build filings:" who have a suspicious dread of aught that resembles a course in anything, and it is well worth ASSOCIATIO.Y CLUBS 219 Fortunately what God expects of us is not the best, but only our best. — RolUns. while for the Association to get hold of such latch- strings. It is quite possible that such a shop might create a desire for a scientific course in manual training or mechanical drawing or any one of a dozen other things, in boys who would otherwise never have aspired to them. A busy builders" workshop is a good thing any- way; let us have more of them. — Association Bovs, Vol. IV., Xo. 6. / f £i ^3 i f^^S5[??8>»* " m w 9 hi ^i ■^ SUR\'EVING CLUD, FIELH WOKK 234. SURX'EYIXG CLUB One of these clubs is being arranged at Providence, R. I. The plan is to organize under the leadership of the educational director and to construct some simple surveyor's apparatus with which many interest- ing problems may be solved. This kind of a club seems particularly well adapted to "the good old summer 220 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES We cannot argue men into the Kingdom, but we can sympathize them in, we can love them in. Are you a hermit Christian? — ^Amos R. Wells. time." There is probably no better place to "survey the landscape o'er" than at boys' camps, and some such interesting educational features might well be intro- duced there. It is a mistake to believe that boys do not get as much fun and satisfaction out of profitable employment as they do from simply lolling around or everlastingly playing the same old games. Of course, surveying at camp could be made a regular grind, but this need not be. We are a long way behind some other kinds of boys' camps in making such educational features not only of absorbing interest, but in getting the boys to regard them as rare privileges for which they are willing to pay fully as much as were the boys who secured the privilege of whitewashing Tom Sawyer's fence. — Association Boys, Vol. III., No. j. 235. AUDUBON SOCIETY The Audubon Society in connection with the boys' department at Lancaster, Pa., is formed for the pur- pose of nature study. Its motto is "A bird in the bush is worth two in .the hand." Its meetings are held every other Saturday afternoon. Lectures by promi- nent naturalists are arranged and a systematic study of birds and bird life engaged in. In the spring, the club takes what they call "bird walks." Observation is made of the manner in which birds build their homes, how they mate, etc. A fire is built ; coffee and fried egg sandwiches are made, and an appetizing feast is indulged in. Boys have found this to be more enjoyable than taking the life of song birds simply for sport. This club is connected with the Pennsylvania Audubon Society and each member receives a certificate of membership. The following baggage is taken on their walks : field glasses, cameras, reference books,, notebooks, cooking utensils and eatables. — Association Boys, Vol. II., No. 2. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 221 Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience he stands waiting, with exactness he grinds all. — Von Logau. ■2? 6. :\IUSICAL ORGAXIZATIONS There are few bo}' instincts that may be turned to better account than his love of music, and the Asso- ciation should surely take advantage of it. There is a great variety of vocal and instrumental combination and one may be selected for almost any possible group of boys or young men who are musically inclined. \A'hile there may be many who fail to make a success ^0 ^^^^'3^^'-'^ jf'~' ■■ ,.«j .,:;* I^^^^HS I^^mB H^r ^>vfi| -^^bM^ ^^^^H ■|-%i' ^ -. :.:' : :. ■■'■>■■(: ----»-: ;.;:->;,v^'>^* v^.5;w(;-<;>i:^;2,s.'>*vfc^,^,. ^^ 3i^il^ Association Drum Corps with music as a profession, it is a wonderfnllv pleasmg avocation for the individual himself, and there are constantly occurring opportunities for the amateur to render pleasing and helpful service for others — in the home, the Association, the church, and elsewhere. Xo Association should be without its glee club and its orchestra, and there are few cities where, with tactful effort, this may not be brought about. Such organi- zations will prove a great aid in the social work, and everv such club is a social affair of itself. — .V. 222 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Fearlessness burns its bridges behind; fear, the bridges before. — The Saturday Evening Post. 337. PYROGRAPHY CLUBS A class in pyrography or wood-burning is advertised by a Pennsylvania Railroad boys' department. This class included freehand drawing, color work, wood- burning, etc. Another Association advertises a class in pyrography in connection with their instruction in sloyd or wood-working. The boys manufacture their own taborets. picture frames, panels, etc., afterwards Basket Weaving decorating them. A very successful class in pyrog- raphy is found at St. George's Trade School, New York. Here the boys make original designs for their wood-burning. The equipment for such classes is simple and comparatively inexpensive, and many of our departments might do well in organizing such classes. ASSOCIATION CLUBS 223 A cobweb spun across an open doorway is a surer sign that nobody has entered lately than an iron bolted gate. — Rollins. 238. "LEND A HAND" The better instincts of a group of boys may often be taken advantage of by turning their activities into some simple and practical form of altruistic service. Get the boys to do helpful acts for some poor woman or elderly couple, persons who need and would appre- ciate the service; doing necessary errands, preparing fuel, making paths in the winter, etc. With tactful suggestion almost any boys will take up such service and make real fun out of it^ — a fun that leaves no bad taste in the mouth but is conducive to pleasant dreams. And such service will grow with the growth of the boy and bring forth fruit in later life. — N. 239. BOYS' BOOK CLUB The Boys' Book Club in Everett, Washington, was organized in 1903. The boys spend one evening each week together reading some good book. The member- ship in the club is limited to ten boys and is under the personal supervision of the physical director. They have read such books as Snow Shoes and Sledges, The Call of, the Wild, Two Little Savages, and The Fur Seal's Tooth. Social features are introduced and fre- quently light refreshments served. The club is now promoting a series of practical talks for the members of the boys' department. — Association Boys, Vol. IV., No. 4. 340. JUNIOR COMMERCIAL CLUB This club is composed of employed boys and meets once a month. It is planned after the local Commer- cial Club, and provides for active, associate, and honor- ary membership. At each meeting there is a formal program, including a short address by some representa- tive business man, and an open discussion upon some 224 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Within hearing distance, within touching distance — that is easy; how many live all their lives in the same house and never get within helping distance. — Amos R. Wells. civic question. The club is vocational in its character, and has, as its objective, to guide boys into congenial employment. During the social hour refreshments are served and fun provided. — E. Fagenstrom, St. Paul, Minn. 241. A SMILE CLUB A Smile Club is making a hit at Childress, Texas. The members wear a cheerful red badge on which is the one word "Smile." The motto is, "Quit knocking and smile." Life membership is ten cents. At a popular series of Sal^rday night illustrated talks members are caricatured, announcements made on canvas, hymns illustrated and sung, and for closing there is a twenty-minute talk on "The Life of Christ." The talks will be given out of doors later. 343. THE JUNIOR CATHOLIC KNIGHTS "The Junior Catholic Knights" is a social organiza- tion within the boys' department at West Side, Cleve- land. Quite a large proportion of the members in the department are Roman Catholic boys. The request for this club came from the boys themselves. CAMPS AND OUTINGS* Contrary to the opinion of some Association lead- ers, the summer furnishes a splendid opportunity for work along social lines. The opportunity is not limited to the large city centers, nor to Associations with a large membership. Frequently, Associations located in the smaller fields are able to do a more telling work socially, during the summer season, than is found possible by the larger Associations. The following are a few of the things that may be successfully undertaken by the average city Associa- tion. They do not include the ordinary social work conducted in the buildings : 343. OVERNIGHT CAMPING PARTY ox THE EVENING OF MEMORIAL DAY, 1906 Most of the party were green as the spring grass by the brookside as far as camping out was concerned. Not more than half a dozen had ever had the chance to become reconciled to the uncertain comfort of a springless bed on the ground, or to be initiated into fhe mysterious pleasure of sleeping under the open sky. But they had been clamoring for a place on the list, days before; boys just entering the department, enthusiastic, ready-for-anything, whose mothers were not quite at rest about "these strange night afifairs" until they had interviewed the secretary; as well as youths dignified and eighteen, looking with good- natured tolerance upon the lively smaller animal. The invitation had read something like this : Dear Long-legged Dick: The Overnight Campers' party, limited to thirty, will leave town on Tuesday afternoon, May 29, at four o'clock, to camp and sleep on mountain. The first thirty who register and pay the twenty-five-cent fee will make up the party. The * Write Association Boys, 124 East 28th Street, New York City, for other articles on camps and camping. CAMPS AND OUTINGS 227 Wholesome exercise in the free air, under the wide sky, is the best medicine for body and spirit. — Sarah Louise Arnold. quarter will entitle you to supper, breakfast and dinner cooked in the woods. Each campologist must carry his own spoon and tin cup. In addition bring a heavy double blanket or quilt, a sweater, if you like, and something of rubber for spreading over the ground to sleep on. We insist on the rubber. A night in the open will make you sizzle with new life, put a cake-walk in your step, drive dull care from your system and raise you to the top notch of good nature and bouncing health. Away to the mountains ! and hurrah for freedom and a huge appetite ! Let the weak hug their firesides, but ye, O Mollusks of Muscle and Brawn, emerge from your confining shells to learn the ways and songs of nature. Assemble, then, at the rendezvous known as the Association at four o'clock sharp, on Tuesday, the 29th day of May. The corner grocery supplied the larder with an ample store of eatables and cookables, taking almost to the last penny the fund from the twenty-five-cent fees. The floor of the boys' room is now covered with woolen and rubber blankets, and many other things. The boys have been particular about the rubber. Some have brought a sister's waterproof, a piece of a carriage cover, or several yards of common oilcloth. Veteran campers are giving instructions in the way of rolling blankets and ponchos into the loop for carry- ing. Each shoulders his pack and then endeavors to add thereto a goodly share of the provisions, but, try as we will, we cannot find hands and backs enough to hold the forty loaves of bread, cans of soup, beans, corn, cocoa, and condensed milk, butter, sugar, flour, jam, chipped beef and a large bunch of bananas. Jimmie suggests that he can rent a horse and wagon from the Park stables for $3.50, and oflfers to carry our luggage over the three miles to its destination. This solves the problem, and leaving the food, loops, jackets, hats, and everything else superfluous in the conveyance with the doughty James, the wild tribe streams up the main street and all the boys are soon climbing the long hill, free from the restraint of the town and feeling that the world is theirs. 228 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Ever charming, ever new, When will the landscape tire the view? — Dyer. Only a few of the leaders notice that the sky is not too promising in the north, but the boys' spirits run high as they toss a ball to each other and pry into brooks along the road. The frequent cry of "lobster" means nothing but that one of the common brook cray- fish has been found. We look over from the bridges and watch the fish in the deep pools. Numbers of small spiders settle down on us from the air as we "shortcut" it through a green field. They alight on our hats and shoulders, and we can feel the webs brush across our faces. No one thinks it very strange till a "bugalist" in the crowd informs us that they are "ballooning spiders" and fly or float on the breeze through the buoyancy of several long thread streamers drawn out from their wonderful spinnerets. Then we are all interested at once and look to find that it is indeed so. Taking the luggage from the wagon and following the rail fence up the slope, we cross a marshy place and reach the tall timber and the high, open ground, still brown with quantities of last year's leaves. Although the sun will not set for two hours yet, these restless children of the town, with natural instinct, rush to prepare for night and make their beds. Each stakes out his claim of six by three and plunks his bedding thereon. They bunch up in pairs and groups and for the next fifteen minutes, from out blanket-tents and leafy bowers, are heard words of wonderful plans and excited discussions of weighty household matters. Cans of, beans with punctured lids are heating by the fire and a creamy mess of something or other is ready. There is no cloth to spread and no dishes to arrange; and at the sound of the whistle they scuttle from the woods, pounce out of their lairs or drop like fruit from the nearby trees. The absence of plates does not inconvenience things. A slice of bread makes a good receptacle for a great spoonful of beans or corned beef. CAMPS AND OUTINGS 229 She paints with white and red the moors To draw the nations, out of doors. — Emerson. and, with jam, is a good substitute for cake. All are loud in their explosions of delight. Only the night is calm — and the leaders, anxiously counting the dimin- ishing loaves, suggest that dessert be interposed. An interesting souvenir or two has been collected, a bit of birch bark, a walking stick, or perhaps a red salamander. Some one brings forward a curious, hairy, ball-shaped something like a cocoon. We cautiously pry into it and find delicate bits of bone, then two leg bones with the ball joint, a skull with tiny yellow teeth and the fine hair enveloping all. It must be, yes, it is the remains of a mouse. Our naturalist comes to our rescue and calls it an "owl-pellet." "All birds of prey," says he, "swallow their food without chewing. Of course the bones and hair cannot be digested although everything else is, and after a day or so, the remains of the poor creature are coughed up in the form you see before you." Darkness draws us close together around the fire, and the dancing flames and bubbling kettle of molasses are certainly pleasant things to watch. We are intent upon the ghost story. The poisoned needle is just about to drop, when, "Boom !" comes a heavy peal of thunder and from the black cloud above large drops splash on our uncovered heads. We scramble mad-ly for our belongings and rush to a nearby barn. No banquet hall was ever so quickly deserted, and, pretty well soaked, we pick our way carefully through the pasture road and cow-yard and under the hospitable roof. It takes fully ten minutes for the restless ones to try all parts of the barn floor before they are composed for the night, and, even then, we discover that the shingles leak and it is only a question of whether we prefer the drip in our faces or somewhere else. The candle is blown out and the climax of the ghost story is very realistic amid the crashing thunder and black darkness. However, the clouds soon pass and CAMPS AND OUTINGS 231 Blessed in all tongues and dear to every blood, The beautiful, the strong, and, best of all, the good. — Lowell. the moon peeps out. Some one has risen to his feet and leads in the devotional service. We cannot see him, but his words are true and comforting. Prayers over, we cuddle down and seek rest in oblivion, for tomorrow we shall meet another party of thirty or more brother trampers, and, with coming dreams, we picture to ourselves the morning baseball game and the long afternoon swim in the cool river, five miles away. — Arthur Wilson, Boys' Secretary, Orange, N. J. 244. THE "BOYS' OWN TOUR" A TEN days' vacation TRIP OF VALUE TO FORTY BOYS CONDUCTED BY THE COUNTY COMMITTEE OF YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF ONEIDA COUNTY, JULY 27-AUGUST 5, 1909 With almost the precision of the great ocean liners, the good ship City of Rome with her jolly cargo of sunburned boys and leaders steamed to the John Street dock in Utica at one o'clock on Thursday, August 5. Not an accident to mar the pleasure or to cause regrets for having taken the trip, made it possible for the boys to shout with great enthusiasm the familiar cry : Rip-it-ty Rah Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Rip-it-ty Ray Y. M. C. A. We're all right, we're out of sight. Oneida County Y. M. C. A. The last real gathering for the final "talk over" of the trip was at chapel during the morning. Each day soon after breakfast the chaplain. Rev. D. L. Roberts, would direct the thoughts of the boys to higher things, not with a sermon, but by drawing splendid and timely illustrations from some portion of Scripture which was read together. At times this gathering was on shore, but at other times the main deck was used for that purpose. At the time of this last gathering the boys responded to a suggestion and told what had appealed 232 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Tact is not the quality by which you often please, but by which you seldom , offend. — Kollins. to them most on the tour. "Going to bed" so-called, was a unique part of the program. Not once were we confined to the deck; usually part were bunked in the lower part of the boat, but more could be seen selecting good places to put their bunks. Good weather made it possible to sleep outdoors every night. At Albany this party of forty-five, including leaders and boys, abandoned the City of Rome for a whole day to sail one hundred and twenty miles on the beauti- ful Hudson. The trip from Albany to Kingston on the Robert Fulton was the "best ever," and remained so until the return on the larger boat, Hendrick Hud- son. Kingston was the turning point. That city was seen by trolley. Brief stops were made at Catskill and Hudson. A special permit was given by the captain of the night line steamer, C. W. Morse, to inspect the boat, which was done properly by our party, forty- five strong, going in a single column from bow t6 stern, top to bottom. Among the most interesting places visited were the great American Locomotive Works, Union College, the General Electric Plant in Schenectady; the Capitol Building, Governor's mansion in Albany; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy; and Beachnut Bacon Factory at Canajoharie. Fine souvenirs were given to each one in the party, in several places, and besides these many pictures were taken by the half dozen or more boys who had their cameras. Prizes were awarded for the first and second best pictures taken by the boys. While in camp in a grove at Vischers' Ferry, six miles from Schenectady, a field meet was arranged with events suitable for the boys of different ages; these included dashes, runs, ball throwing and tug-of- war. The mess which had the greatest number of points to their credit ate a large watermelon, more to their enjoyment than to that of the other three messes which had worked hard but had been fairly beaten. CAMPS AND OUTINGS 233 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. — Bible. The camp at Vischers' Ferry will never be for- gotten, for it was there that one of the leaders noticed half a flint spearhead protruding from the roots of a medium-sized oak tree. Upon searching in the ground a remarkable bed of spearheads was un- earthed, and about fifteen perfect ones were found, besides more than fifty broken pieces. One old man of eighty-three years, a resident of the neighborhood, recalled some wandering Mohawk Indians in that section when he was a boy, but the supposition is that this store had lain undisturbed for a hundred years or more. The young oak had con- cealed the point of one of the finest specimens, and had so grown that the flint was raised, else perhaps this workmanship would never have come to light. The trip was carefully planned a long time ahead. Arrangements were made with the Boards of Trade in the cities visited, by which some splendid sight-seeing trips were possible. A hearty cooperation was also given by the Young Men's Christian Associations visited. The city of Troy, including the Watervliet Arsenal, was visited in company with one of the Troy secretaries, while Albany was seen under the direction of the general secretary. It was a new idea, but it worked well and was popular. The idea caught, as was proven by the articles which appeared in various parts of the country; even a month after the trip it was still being favorably mentioned. 245. MOTORING CARNIVAL The general committee was organized under the name of The International Touring Company. We had all the officers of a full-fledged company, such as president, vice-presidents (people of influence in the town, but not expected to do much work), secretary, treasurer, general superintendent, general passenger agent, etc. Each officer did the work ordinarily per- formed by such officers in large railroad companies. 234 SOCIAL ACTUTriES Winter abroad, summer in the barn, Autumn in the cellar, and spring in the heart. They had, of course, a great many helpers with various titles, such as station-master, yard-master, master- mechanic, etc. The company advertised a trip around the world in sixty minutes by special automobile service. We had six stations. These stations were homes with spacious lawns, and were decorated to represent various FisHi.xu Hike countries, such as Spain, China, Turkey, etc., or, rather, a city of those countries. We were particular to lay out our route so that cars would not be going back and forth on the same road. We also had the route very carefullj^ marked with large red arrows, and had it patrolled at all dangerous or semi-dan- gerous places. One committee visited the friends of the Associa- tion and secured the loan of automobiles for the day, CAMPS AND OUTINGS 235 How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a naughty world. — Shakespeare. or as much of the day as the people were willing to loan their machines with their own drivers. When the cars reported at the central station, a large number and a flag was given to each so that it could be easily picked out from among the visiting cars that were not in the company. The numbers made it possible to identify any car quickly if an owner wished to know about where his car was, or in case of difficulty. We had a repair car at the terminal station ready to go out at a moment's notice. Each station -was connected by special telephone wire with the terminal station, and all affairs were controlled from that station by the general officers placed there. The ladies took charge of the stations; that is, they dressed in the costumes of the country and had booths with articles peculiar to each country for sale. No article was offered for sale that cost over twenty-five cents. The homes were used only by the committees in charge of the different countries. There was a committee of men at each station to see to the loading and unloading of the cars, and to see that no one mis- used the cars or grounds. We had an elaborate guidebook,- well edited to make it a book that all would want. The tickets were the regulation tourist tickets, and were furnished free by the railroad company, printed on their special ticket paper. This made them a good ad for the company and helped us. The general plan was to make the ads in the guidebook and the station profits pay all expenses, thus having the money from the sale of tickets clear. This was very nearly aocomiplished. We advertised in all the surrounding towns, and the city papers gave us fine "write ups" ; hence, we had such crowds that we were almost mobbed, and had to stop the sale of tickets three hours after' the carnival started, even though the carnival continued another six hours. Supper was furnished to the drivers at a central 236 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES It is easy to give a confidence, but it is impossible to buy it back. — The Saturday Evening Post. place (the terminal station). The cars were taken off two or three at a time in order that the transportation of passengers might not cease. There are many other important details which will be furnished to any one communicating with the General Secretary, Y. M. C. A., Madison, Wis. 346. A SUMMER RECREATION RALLY I shall relate an experience rather than present a philosophy, though the experience contains an impor- tant principle — namely, that the best way to create interest is through democracy. Members enjoy what they initiate. We decided, in the Association with which I was identified, to create unusual interest in summer recrea- tion. To this end we announced a "Summer Recrea- tion Rally." An interesting speaker on "How to Enjoy a Vaeation," was secured for a short address. His name was sufficient to create interest. The meet- ing was held in the large auditorium. This was a suggestion that we expected a crowd. Another man of prominence was asked to preside. The stage was decorated to indicate summer vacation. A tent was pitched; a make-believe campfire was produced; ath- letic paraphernalia, such as fishing nets and poles, a canoe, tennis rackets, ball bats, golf, etc., were used for decoration. Before the time of the program we issued cards to the members asking them to check the particular sports in which they were interested and return them at least two weeks before the night of the rally. On these cards we named all of the conceivable sports which the community might afford. This list included track and field sports, tennis, baseball, rambling, camera club, horseback riding, surf bathing, boating, tug boat trips, trolley rides, golf. We hadn't the least idea how we would provide many of these, but we were willing to make an inventory of the members' desires; CAMPS AXD OUTIXGS 237 As love will often make a wise man act like a fool, so will interest often make a fool act like a wise man. — GreviUe. When the cards were collected we classified the lists. Then we called meetings of the different groups. For illustration, a dozen men wanted golf- We called them together to discuss how golf might be provided. The Association had no golf grounds and could not afford them. A committee was appointed from the group to investigate the city and to find what the city had to offer in grounds and to report at the ■ ^l^^fHJi^^^^ '?;kau]w3|HKB?S^« v . W&^^^M^^^ M iilAMirf WKS^^WW^'^i i^ hH^p^ ^^»"— Tf^^^ ^K 2j^^§ ifi^^^HHiiBiMilii&&Mfl0H si g:4_.-4 ■