What+kinds+of+activities+did+they+participate+in?

= What kinds of activities did they participate in? = = =

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The boys in Hitler Youth participated in training programs. They also played sports. Hitler Youth combined outdoor activities with ideology so that the children would be well versed in all areas. The League of German Girls participated in rhythmic gymnastics because the German government thought it was more appropriate for girls, and would help prepare them for motherhood. The boys in Hitler Youth marched practically everyday. They had to master this skill. =====

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It was not encouraged for the children, or anybody for that matter, to speak their minds. Infact, on many occasions children were actually punished if their opinions were too radical or different from what they were taught. If the children were smart, they did not speak their mind and only spoke when told to. This is one od the reasons that outdoor activities were encouraged so much. If the children were always kept active, they would not have time to voice their own opinions. =====

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The children also participated in many after school and weekend activities. Often, on the weekends the instructors would take them on hiking or camping trips in hopes of enforces Nazi ideals. After school, members of The Leaugue of German Girls would take children from large families out for walks while their parenst were at work. ===== Many of the outdoor activities were similar to the activities that boy scouts do. Although the thoughts and motivation for the two groups are completely different, they both participated in the same activities. The boys learned crucial survival techniques so that they would be prepared for any situation that may have arisen once the joined the army. Some children who were 14 or older had to participate in the Landjhar. The Landjhar was a program when children were sent to go live in rural areas. On a usual day, the children would wake up at 6:00 a.m. The day started off with a morning solute and then they would go on to do farm work and help with the animals. Other activities included marching and singing. The size of these groups varied. Some had up to 80 members, though most were smaller. Some locations had nice and official accommodations, and others were more makeshift and temporary. There were different activities for boys and girls. The boys had rifle training. Sometimes the children would even be woken up in the middle of the night to go for marches. The Hitler Youth boys also helped out with the war. They helped to collect scrap metal, warm clothing, and charity donations. Later in the war they also participated in police and firefighting work.

By: Meggie Roche

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