PLAYGROUND REPORT (cont) ee ie

The general concensus of opinion of the leaders and the director
was that the best place for Bible classes is not on the playgrounds, but
in the churches. Aside from my owm personal belief that such classes wouldm
mean much more in churches; the problem of supervision cannot be overlooked.
There was insufficient coordination between the two groups; not willingly,
but because of the lack of combined meetings of the leaders of both or-
ganizations. ;

If the bible classes continue to meet next year on the playgrounds,
I suggest thats :

1, The bible school teachers meet at a few general meetings, as”
well as the playground's staff meetings, in order that all may
become better adquainted, understand more about the ‘other group's!
aims, etc. and clear all rules about conduct in the halls and
on the grounds, etc.

2. That it is understood that but one person exercises authority
in the building during the bible classes,

At two playgrounds I felt that the bible classes were running enrollment
competition with the playground; which certainly did not foster cooperation.
Also it is true, that for a young child the period of 2 to 5 o'clock is
rather long to hold his attention, 3

CLASSES :—~

Enrollment -— 104
Beginners - 70
Intermediates - 21
Advanced - 3
Teen-Aze -10

I think that the present swimming program is fine; and I do .
appreciate Miss Ruth Hoover's interest in enabling us to have such ’
splendid Red Cross instruction. I heartily approve of the present
schedule that divides the participants into classes according to their
ability; and to arrange it so that each school swims twice a week,

I suggest that:@The swimming blanks be handed out to children
interested in the playground's swinming classes before school is out.
(The last week of school) This would stagger the doctor's examinations
better, and classes would be more full the first week the instruction
started; as well as publicity on the swimming program at:school would
tend to bring more out for this activity, A few mothers told me that
their child did not know about the swimming wntil after a few weeks of
playground--then she (the mother) felt that it was too late for the
child to start. (There were three swimming stories in the paper, But such

is a typical example)
The two Red Cross instructors at the pool this summer did appreciate

very much the help of a High school girl who was employed for the after
noon playgrounds. However, they suggested that two girls would be better.