Page:Boys' Life Mar 1, 1911.djvu/35

Rh boys, and carefully instruct them in the details of peace-scouting. These boys could then act as assistant instructors or "patrol leaders" in training each five or six more in the same art. For their assistance I propose to give in detail a progressive course of instruction out of the handbook called "Scouting for Boys," which will be a self-educator and will enable any man, although hitherto unacquainted with scouting in any form, to carry out a course of instruction.

It is also written in such a way that a hoy can read it and understand it for himself. The subjects of instruction could form each the theme for a week-end; work thus taking eight weeks for the complete course which could then he consummated by a week in camp when circumstances permit.

1. Is not opposed to existing organizations.

2. Is not sectarian.

3. Is not military.

4. Does not depend on drill.

1. Is educational.

2. Stands for good citizenship.

3. Engages in peace-scouting activities.

4. Is character-building through well-defined, altruistic effort.

5. Uses every means for development: First Aid, Life-Saving, Manual Training, Tracking, Signaling, Nature Study, Woodcraft, Military Tactics, etc.

To the majority of the Boy Scouts the country will be new. But that is just the thing for them, as it will stimulate them to individual effort and put them upon their own resources in the scouting games. In going to different places for field work the scouts are gradually becoming acquainted with every neighboring town, with the roads and mountain trails, with the car lines that take them in all directions, and with the peculiarities of each district.

The lessons learned and knowledge gained, together with the healthful exercises and character-building games indulged in, are invaluable to every mother's son and of recognized value to the community. There is not a boy in the whole organization who, after a day's outing of this kind, does not return home with some new and interesting experience to tell.

In every game that is played in the open and under the guidance of reliable scout-masters the lads in khaki learn to use their senses in such a way as to make them efficient in many practical things that could not otherwise be learned. Such experiences make them strong and moral. They are shown how to breathe and how to use their thinking powers; new life is instilled into their muscles and brains and everything is made enjoyable and safe.

Before he becomes a Scout a boy must take the scout's vow, thus:

"On my honor I promise that I will try to do my best:

"1. To do my duty to God and my country.

"2. To help other people at all times.

"3. To obey the Scout law."

Call together the leading men of the town or city, the prominent business men, the leaders of the various religious bodies, the principals and teachers of the schools, Sunday-school superintendents and teachers, representative military men, leaders of boys' club.

The Scout-Master is the adult leader of a troop. A troop consists of three or more patrols. The Scout-Master may begin with one patrol, He must have a deep interest in boys, be genuine in his own life, have the ability to lead and command the boys' respect and obedience and possess some knowledge of boys' ways. He need not be an expert on scout craft. The good Scout-master will discover experts for the various activities.



Get together eight or more boys, explain to them the aims of the Boy Scouts, have them elect a leader and corporal from their own number, and take the Scout Oath as a tenderfoot. Then get to work as their Scoutmaster.

The scheme is not in any way intended to be in opposition to any existing organization. On the contrary, we want amalgamation rather than rivalry, and scouting is only intended to be used as an additional attraction by those in charge of boys' organizations of any kind. If scouting is taken up by several it may prove a bond between all. Where such organizations do not exist it can supply a particularly simple and effective one for catching a number of boys who would otherwise have no hand to guide them.