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Arrival of Carl B. Kern

The following three articles appeared in Dayton newspapers in 1909 announcing the arrival of Carl B. Kern to the Dayton Y.M.C.A.

Godfrey's Successor

Reception Planned for Charles Kern, the New Boys' Secretary of the Y.M.C.A.

Next Friday evening at 6:45 every boy who belongs to the Boys' department of the Y.M.C.A., together with any boys who are interested in the Hustling club, are urged to be present at a reception to be given for Charles Kern, the new boys' secretary.

Mr. Chamberlain, the chairman of the boys' work committee and the other members of the committee, and Mr. Bard the president of the Y.M.C.A., will be present and want to see the auditorium of the new building filled with boys. The dormitory quartet will sing and refreshments will be served in the boys' building.

Mr. Kern has been Boys' Work director at Ploughkeepsie, N.Y. Previous to this time he was assistant to M.D. Crackle, secretary of the West Side Boys' club of Cleveland. He then spent three years at the Springfield Training School.

Boy's Director of the Y.M.C.A.

[photo]

Carl B. Kern, the new boys' work director of the Y.M.C.A., reproduced from a photograph taken by The Daily News staff photographer a few hours after his arrival in Dayton. Mr. Kern succeeds Blake G. Godfrey, and took active charge of the work Wednesday.

Carl Kern Arrives

Successor to Blake G. Godfrey as Boys' Work Director of Y.M.C.A. Assumes His Duties.

The new boys' work secretary and successor to Blake G. Godfrey, Carl B. Kern, arrived in the city Monday evening and will enter upon his new duties, Wednesday. He comes somewhat earlier than he expected because of the opening of the winter work and the somewhat onerous task that has fallen upon Physical Director W.E. Rice since Mr. Godfrey went away. He will familiarize himself with the conditions of the department immediately.

It is his intention to deviate very little from the policy of the man he succeeded. Mr. Godfrey and the new secretary have been friends, thoroughly, understand the methods of each other and are in accord on the essential features of boys' work. The clubs and Bible classes organized by Mr. Godfrey will continue as before. Entertainments will be given from time to time in order to interest the boys and occupy them. The summer camps will be planned as formerly.

The new secretary comes to Dayton thoroughly equipped for the position and is well experienced in boys' work. Nine years work among boys has made him adept in handling youngsters in the right way. He began his training as assistant under B. F. Crackel of Cleveland, the most famous boys' work secretary in the country. Later he went to Springfield, Mass., and took a three years' course in the International Training School of that city. He was appointed boys' director of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., upon his graduation and has held the position for two years up to the time that he was called here.

His labors in Poughkeepsie have been very fruitful and he has personally accomplished much. When he first assumed charge there the boys' department was in the process of reorganization and the membership was comparatively very small. Largely by reason of his constant efforts there are now 226 boys who are members of the association. His resignation was accepted by the board of directors with deep regret. He left with the good will of the other secretaries and all the boys.