George Junior Republic, any of several communities founded by the American philanthropist William Reuben George (1866–1936) for neglected and maladjusted adolescents. The first (1895) was at Freeville, N.Y. The communities were miniature republics modeled after adult society, which the members (13–18 years old) assisted in running. All had to work on the farm or in the community's industries. Schooling was provided. Now run on a more typical institutional model, the remaining George Junior Republics retain the emphasis on work experience and schooling for delinquent and troubled boys.
See W. R. George, The Junior Republic (1910).
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