Scouting, Volume 20, Number 8, August 1932 Page: 223
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AUGUST, 1932
Vol. XX, No. 8
Copyright, 1932
by Boy Scouts
of America
A Magazine of Information for All Scouters
The Value of Character
Building Agencies
THE primary duty of each local
community of the nation at this
time is to examine the founda-
tions of its life, to decide upon
what goods and services are worth
having and how much of the na-
tional income should be devoted to producing these goods and
services.
Are we financially able to provide educational-recreation
and character building programs in times like these when
funds are needed to feed the hungryf
Organization of the leisure activity of individuals and com-
munities under high moral, social and aesthetic ideals is as
fundamental to civilized society and sound living as are indus-
try, trade, government and religion.
America has not yet come to a- point where some of the
population must be saved from starvation by a process of
forcing children and adults to give up all leisure time privi-
leges. The character - building and community organizing
agencies have greatly reduced their budgets. They are taking
a very active and vital part in the relief program of the nation.
They are saving from discouragement and despair hundreds
of thousands of people.
It is a significant fact that commercial recreation continues
to flourish and there seems to be' a marked general increase
of interest in leisure time pursuits.
THE demands for emergency relief are not so great that
we must abandon all provision for health, education, re-
creation and the character-building programs. Never has
there been a time when clear thinking with respect to real
needs and values was more needed than in this day.
Rather than declare a moratorium on the moral and spirit-
ual growth of children, let us accept emergency relief as a
temporary addition to our regular community responsibilities;
not as a substitute for permanent services.
Can character-building agencies take a recess until "better
times" return?
Under conditions of economic stress, the work done by the
recreational character-building and community organizing
agencies is even more necessary than in prosperous times.
We are faced with the plain facts that a striking increase
of work is the rule, and almost without exception in the en-
tire field of leisure-time leadership. Last winter one hundred
cities reported in one thousand recreational centers, an in-
crease in attendance averaging 59 per cent. This expanded
service involves more than numbers. More time is spent in
recreation by the average person and a broader range of inter-
AN extract from the report submitted by
Representatives of the Character Build-
ing Agencies to the National Council of
Social Work Conference in Philadelphia.
est is sought than ever before.
Services thus represented have
been built up at vast expense of
labor and funds. It would take
years to rebuilt them and the loss
of closing down would be irre-
parable since children do not grow up twice, and adults
pass this way but once If these services must await better
days, the advantages will never come to many of the present
generation. Those who direct the social programs, raise and
apportion community funds must bear in mind that money
can be gotten for recreational and character-building agencies
over and above what must be raised for relief and that the
public should be educated to buy as much of this constructive
social service as it can possibly afford in ratio to everything
else, because this investment pays sure dividends.
THE hey-day of racketeering is the wrong time to withdraw
the constructive influences that restrain youth from getting
mixed up in juvenile delinquencies. If it is necessary to have
these influences operating in the lives of young people in days
of prosperity, it is all the more essential in periods of enforced
idleness when legitimate means of earning money are scarce
and illegal opportunities are multiplied.
Is it true that the recreational-character-building agencies
are preventing crime?
Without question a wisely directed program of leisure ac-
tivity is an effective deterrent to delinquency. But the primary
purpose of the recreational agencies is not the negative objec-
tive to prevent juvenile delinquency. These agencies would
give to every normal child a legitimate outlet to his spirit of
adventure, helping him to develop his full stature, physically,
mentally and socially. For this purpose, the social agencies
have spread a network of organization through the cities,
states and nation of such effectiveness that children and youth
may come and go freely and safely, develop their powers of
body and soul and find social conditions fit for a child to live
in. In so far as a healthy environment, worthy companion-
ship and wholesome activities may influence the growth of
character, the recreational agencies are effective in preventing
a great deal of crime.
THE nature and quality of our leisure time activities are the
truest index of our character as a nation and as individuals.
Likewise, since we put our whole heart into our recreation we
are affected by it more than by any other type of activity. If,
therefore, the recreation of our whole society can be so directed
that there is a positive moral, social and spiritual gain, the
effect upon our civilization will be beyond computation.
AUGUST, 1932
The Challenge of the Ten Year Program—Page 236
Page 223
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 20, Number 8, August 1932, periodical, August 1932; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth313171/m1/3/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.