- National Congress of Parents and Ceachers

NATIONAL OFFICE: 600 S. MICHIGAN BOULEVARD

CHICAGO ILLINOIS 315 Fourth Avenue
New York City
June 26, 1941

Dre Forrest C. Allen
Recreation Chairman, NCPT
801 Louisiana

Lawrence, Kansas

My dear Dr. Allen

Heartiest welcome to the membership on the National Recreation
Committee.

I assume that you've read the “Plan of Work" and other material
sent you from the National Office. I want to call particular attention to
the Parent-Teacher Manual and the Parent-Teacher Guidebook, Recreation
Sections. Study also those on Art, Music, Reading, and Library Service.
There are many detailed suggestions in them and excellent programs have
been built through these.

If you possibly can do so, get the files of the former Chairman
or the files in your state office on recreation and those of the state
bulletin or magazine and note what is reported as having been done or
suggestions made. As you do this, jot down questions on which you want
further information from the National Chairman or in consultation with
people in your own state.

Then you ought to have tools to work with. The enclosed bulletin
suggests some invaluable aids. I have checked those which would be of
particular help. if the Recreation Committee has an appropriation, you
will find the Recreation Magazine and the bi-weekly Bulletin Service,
both published by the National Recreation Association, 315 Fourth Avenue,
New York City, indispensable. You'll get many requests for suggestions
for games and diversions for Parent-Teacher meetings and home play. You
will find the 20¢ pamphlet “Handbook for Recreation Leaders," published
by the Department of Labor, U.S. Children's Bureau, Washington, D.Ce,
as Publication 231, a lifesaver. Then get from your state office the pro-
grams on Art, Music, Rural Recreation, Dramatics, and Library Service.

Many chairmen have found an unofficial advisory committee tremen-
dously helpful. I can give you a list of the local recreation people in
your statee They and 4-H Clubs, Granges, Scout leaders, Camp Fire, Y
leaders, teachers of art, crafts, music in the public schools, all make
good timber on such a small committee.

After going over the material, I would choose one or more objectives
toward which I would ask the associations to work during my term of office.
General objectives which could well be followed by all associations such as:
a recreation chairman or some definite person concerned with recreation
locally; a recreation period (not an entertainment) at each Parent-Teacher