RiRAL School Leaflet. 799 



put forth a series of articles not only to emphasize the importance of 

 play, but to describe some of the many games and occupations which 

 are easily available for people living in country districts. 



FIELD DAYS AND PLAY PICNICS IN THE COUNTRY 



Reference may be made here to the great Field Days and Play Picnics 

 held at New Paltz. N. Y. under the auspices of the State Normal School 

 solely for country children, their parents and friends. The Country 

 School Athletic League organized two years ago had more than 1,000 

 people at its first Field Day. about 3,000 at the second meet last June, 

 and is preparing to entertain even a larger number this coming June 

 13th. This League emphasizes the value of play for country children. 

 It holds that properly supervised play is one of the important concerns 

 of every household, of every school, and of every community. Play 

 makes for health and contentment: it aids in the development of a 

 wholesome social spirit, and of a more kindly community life; it stirs 

 the mind to keen activity and trains the individual to take the initiative, 

 to act promptly and energetically, and to co-operate for the good of all. 

 To bring many of our country communities into pleasant social contact, 

 and to give our people, young and old, opportunity to participate in 

 time-honored sports and amusements, to learn new and inspiring games, 

 and to become acquainted with good, practicable methods of physical 

 training, is the purpose of these Field Days in Ulster County. 



Those who would like to know more about this project are invited 

 to send to the Playground .\ssociation of America for a copy of " The 

 Field Day and Play Picnic for Country Schools," a monograph pre- 

 pared by the author of this article to show how a play day for country 

 children can be organized and carried out. Enclose six cents in stamps. 

 This monograph includes also a list of good books on the subject of 

 Athletics and Play. 



THE WIDER MEANING OF THE WORDS PLAY AND 



PLAYGROUND 



The words playground and play, as they are now employed, have a 

 wider meaning than is commonly accorded them. It has been suggested 

 that the playground as it is now conceived, ought to be called the " out- 

 door school," for such it really is, while the meaning of the word play 

 must be extended to include all the means of profitably passing one's 

 leisure or recreation hours. An adequate program of play would include 

 pleasurable outdoor and indoor occupation, for (a) homes, (b) day 



