a © S > a YD Ly 9 ee a eae ae > are 22 fea A Ze 4 6e le Se Se le oe Eee, Veet Name of organization or organiza tions sponsoring samee Atchison Teen Tovwm recrea tiona 1 center is the Teen Town Night Clube Every city organization has shown willingness ts give any assistance needede Date of opening of centers September 3, 1943, Period od preparation was from April 3 to Septe 3, 1943. Physica 1 location of center in citys In the basement of the YsMeCeA. building at 4th & Com'l St., two blocks from the busiest corner in towne Cost of furniture and fixtures. $800.00; includes_booths, counters, nickelodian, electric cooler, pop corn machine, colored lights, and game equipments Cost of remodeling necessarye $250200 for asphalt titles How was this expense met? Members of the Teen Tawn organization committee put on a financial campaign with a prospect list and canvassing committee compara ble to a Gommunity Chest Campaign, Shares in Teen Town were sold to the citizens of the commnity who were willing to contribute to the propositione The campaign was very successfule The size of the building usede 70 by 30 feet space, includes cabaret, dance floor, pingpong room, checker and chess room, and concession countere Is the recreation center operated as a business, or is it chaperoned and no effort made to have it on a self-supporting basis? The Teen, Town tent club is eupporenes oa ee oF the communit 2 : No attempt is made to make a profit, but T Town is se fesupportilige Dues of 10¢ per month and nickelodian income of 5¢ for two records produces sufficient income for operations What arra ngements are made for chaperons? Adults of the community who contribute one night a month take care of this responsibility; Y.M.CsA. General Secretary and Women's Program Director assume full responsibility Is admittance a membership proposition? Yes; 10¢ per month per memberg ll. If admittance is by membership, what are the requirementsfor membership, and who approves of membership? How is same changed? Members must be 13 to 20 years of age, must live up to Teen Town standards, - : fellew chaperon suggestions, pay 1@¢ per month. 12, During what hours and on what days is the center open? Tuesday = 7:30 to 10:00 P.M; Friday - 7:30 te 11:00; Saturday - 7:50 to 11:00 P.M.3 Sunday, 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. 13, What constitutes the governing body? The Teen Eown Council composed of 5 elected members ef the Teen age group. The Executive is an adult appointed by the Teen Tewn Council. 14. Attitude of the school authorities. Coeperative, and very favorable. 15. Attitude of the local Ministerial Alliance toward the Center, Cooperative and favorable. The churches holding services Sunday night would prefer Teen Town would not be open at the time services are in session, 16, Is the project worth while? If so, why? If not, why not? Very much worth while for the same reason that wholesome recreation is worth while. Also there is a constructive approach to juveniles who might tend to be delinquent, attendance at the pleasant amusement center gives the chaperon and the Y.M.C.A. General Secretary and the Women's Director a chance to do creative personality work, Young people might be and meet friends on a totally natural basis. Good social manners on the part of juveniles who did not have them are one of the first evidences of social usefulness of Teen Town program, While it. is too early to make any statement as to juvenile delinquency, the fact remains that Stchison has no appreciative increase in juvenile delinquency and that the Probate Judge noted a decrease in ealls concerning young girls being on the streets at nights, Concerning the interference with more constructive programs such as . scouts, studies, student plays, and so on, persons who have more constructive activities do not come to Teen Town. In so far as it can be observed, Teen Town does not interfere with other creative programs. 17. What are the big problems in trying to operate a recreational center?. 1. Chaperons who will chaperon aggressively. 2, Good concession stands operated at low prices under war time conditions. 3. Continuing finance, 4, Making the program constructive enough to continue to be attractive to young persons, - . 18. Program. So far the pregrem has been informal or extemporaneous. Dancing, ping pong,. cheeckere, conversation over « scda. or sitting and watching others. Nothing flarned for na program except an attractive place, an attractive concession, game equizmert. an up to Gate selection of records, and supervision to secure reasouably uceeptahls conduct, The rest has been left to the members, We are beginning a haif-nour cisss for beginners in ballroom dancing once a week.