The Key West Citizen Newspaper, July 1, 1954, Page 8

FUTURE STATE CHAMPS—These budding baseball players are using a new type softball. introduced for the first time this year. Its larger circumference makes it easier for small fry players to handle. It is particularly adaptable for use in small areas. These boys were “riding the bench” at Poinciana School for an infraction of rules, but having their picture made was ample compensation for the punishment. DIFFICULT SHOT—in a close game of Croquet at Poinciana School. Instructors re- port that the game is one of the most popular of the many games and activities of- fered to youngsters who attend the summer program. Other popular games include table tennis, softball and basketball. “BUDDY CHECK”—at Harris School before leaving for the County Beach for an afternoon of swimming and fun at the beach. The children are divided into groups according to their ability, and elementary swimming instruction is given by quali- fled teachers. ALL ABOARD!—Since this picture was made, a larger school bus has been made avail- able to transport youngsters from the school recreation centers to the County Beach. Be- tween 150 and 200 children are taken to and from the beach each day YOUNG HOPEFULS—at the Bayview Park basket- ball courts. Basketball, tennis and softball are Played there during the summer Program through the cooperation of the city recreation department. Personnel at the park assist with the program. ~ramemnee sotape ¥ LOOK WHAT WE MADE!—These three girls, students at Poinciana Elementary School. pose with some of their craft projects. The little girl on the left is holding a newspaper “sit upon.” Center girl is pictured with the clay model that will be used to make a par per mache puppet, and a snapshot album. The youngster on the left has just finished making a checkerboard of heavy cardboard painted with poster paint. The checkers are pieces of broom sticks. The dachshund in the foreground was made of newspaper. Nearly 500 children attend the morning sessions at the local schools. All Photos by Sybil Arrington, Citizen Staff Photographer NATIVE CRAFTS—Hanging baskets and bowls made from cocoanut shells are among the many Kas HE erafts stressing the use of native materials that are taught during the summer recreation program. Strange as " may seem, these kids want to go to school. They are eagerly waiting for the doors of the three elementary schools to open these summer mornings. They don't learn “readin’, ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic,” but they do learn a lot of other things that come under the subject of “fun.” They are participating in the summer program spon- sored by the Monroe County School Board. Seven hun- dred and sixty-four youngsters are enrolled at the three schools. Recreation centers have been set up at Harris, Poinciana and Truman Schools, where the facilities and staff at Bayview have been made available through the cooperation of the city recreation department. A typical day will find them busy making paper mache puppets, model planes, using coconuts and palm fronds to make a variety of articles, or listening attentively while an instructor demonstrates some new activity. Later they swarm ouf on the playgrounds and play group games, root for their team during a close game of softball, or wait their turn to play table tennis or croquet. Three afternoons a week, they pilé on a school bus for a trip to the County Beach. They are divided into groups, each with an instructor, and spend the afternoon swimming and playing in the sunshine. Each child has 2 “buddy” and when the instructor blows a whistle, it's time for “buddy check.” At intervals during the eight weeks program, the kids chip in a couple of dimes and have a watermelon feast at the beach. There is no limit to how much they can eat. It isn't unusual for them to demolish sixty big ice-cold melons at each session, The youngsters love every minute of the program and there are probably more grateful parents per capita in Key West than in any other city of comparable size in the state. The problem of restless, bored children just doesn't ; JUNIOR BATHING BEAUTIES—waiting for their group instructor to give the OK to go in the water for swimming lesson and practice pe- riod. Later they will rest in the shade between dips. “ALL YOU CAN EAT”—is Win Jones’ answer to the question, “How many pieces do we get?” A group of children from Harris School enjoy a watermelon feast at the County Beach. These melon. cuttings are a regular feature of the summer recreation program spon- sored by the county schools and directed by Jones.