RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES SEEM TO BE CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BOTH IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND IN THE ACTUAL OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE TIME IS RIPE FOR THE ORIGIN AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF ONE OR MORE NEW AGENCIES WITH THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF MODERN YOUTH AS THE LEVER FOR THEIR BEGINNING. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO UTILIZE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WHICH WOULD NECESSARILY INVOLVE THE YOUTH OF THE NATION. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE TO RETURN TO THE SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER WHERE YOUTH NOT ONLY HAS OPPORTUNITY, BUT RESPONSIBILITY. THIS SPEECH WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (ES)