Kansas Health and Physical Edtication Association
October, 1939

Volume IX

Bulletin No. 1

W. P. A. Recreation for Girls and Women in Kansas
Edgar Schmidt
ir. Schmidt is the Kansas State Director of W. P. A. Recroation and this is part
of a paper given by Mr. Schmidt at the Kansas Hoalth and Physical Education Conven-

tion hold at McPherson.

AIMS OF THE W.P.A. RECREATION PROGRAM

 

1. To provide worthwhile employment. for un-
cmployed needy persons who are qualified
by training or background to organize
and direct approved recreational activi-
tios.

2. To provide recreational opportunities,
under supervision, for all of the pcopic,
all ages, in a year-round program.

3. To supplement existing or proposed pro-
grams of recrcation in the community, |
especially by extending the program to
groups not boing served.

4, To serve as a domonstration program, to
show the usefulness of recreational work
and to stimulate communities to insti-
tute or expand it as a regular service
of the comunity itself on a permanent
basis.

5, To train persons to efficiently conduct
activities which conform to the commun-
ity desires and needs.

6, To use the program as an experinental
laboratory for the devising of now act-
ivities and new techniques for ieader-
ship in the program.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

 

1. To provide opportunitics for the develop-=
ment and practice of new skills in lei-
sure time pursuits.

2. To promote social intercourse and foster
cooperative living in the community.

3, To provide opportunities for apprecia-
tive and creative expression,

4, To provide for and promote the exercis-
ing and innate human curivusity,

5. To increase the opportunities for part-
icipation in leisure time pursuits,

6. To assist in corrdination within the
community by the pooiing of resources
and efforts of all agenci3s.

7. To devolop a consciousness on the part
of the people for the need of guidance
in a recreation program for the building
of happy, well-balanced citizens.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM

 

The program operates on a Stato-
wide basis under the sponsorship of the
State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion in cooperation with local co-spon-
sors located in the community in which
the project operates. These local co-
sponsors include public schools, welfare
agencies, park boards, city commissions,
civic clubs, and others who are intor-
ested in the program. We have oencoure -
aged the establishment of local advisory
or planning committees which we find to
be of assistance in:

1. Determining community recreation
deficiencics.-

2. Detormining community resources.

3. Reiating project activities to com-
munity needse

4, Plaming program content.

5. Doveloping leadership training.

6. Doveloping community participation.

7, Integrating project activity into

a long-time community recreation

plan.

Persons qualified for recreation
work may be assigned to communities up=
on their request within the employment
limitotions. They must first receive
the approval of the community through
the co-sponsors ani the Planning Com-
mittee. The Planning Committee consists
of porsons serving without pay and who
are interested in the leisure time pro-
blems, and aro willing to devote some of
their time to the planning and function-
ing of the program.

In cach county or city sponsoring
this work, the leaders work under the
supervision of a county or city super-
visor. Added to this we have a District
Training Staff in the State Office who
cencuct periodical training conferone3s
in the local and district-wide aroas,.