Scouting, Volume 1, Number 10, September 1, 1913 Page: 6
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SCOUTING
EDITORS OF 44 HANDBOOK FOR BOYS "
ASK SUGGESTIONS FROM SCOUT MASTERS.
EVERY Scout Master is familiar with
the makeup and content of the
" Handbook for Boys." From be-
ginning to end it is the practical hand-
book of which almost constant use must
be made.
Because a number of important changes
and additions seem necessary, it has been
decided at this time to reorganize the hand-
book and to improve it in every way pos-
sible. For that reason we wish to have
the co-operation of every Scout Master.
In your work with boys and in the con-
stant use of the book, this question of im-
provement should certainly be a vital one
to you. We, therefore, would very much
appreciate any suggestions or criticisms
you have to offer.
We would be pleased to have you sug-
gest improvements, chapter by chapter, for
we feel that each and every part of the
book can be made better in some way as
to illustrations, makeup and technique of
subject matter, divisioning of the book, etc.
We would like to call your attention to
the following points which we believe
might be bettered by your suggestions:
1. What additional Merit Badges should there
be?
2. What present requirements of the different
Merit Badges seem impossible of fulfilling? How
can they be improved?
3. What knots should be added to the list
which every Scout should know?
4. What better system would you suggest for
explaining the " Boxing of the Compass," pages
52-53?
5. What additions would you suggest for Chap-
ter II in regard to: Cabins; Distance Measuring;
Fire Making; Archery; Astronomy; Bird Obser-
vation; Molluscs; Reptiles; Insects; Fish; Ang-
ling; Physical Geography; Botanical Information;
Mushrooms, etc. ?
6. What suggestions can you make in regard to
building up the sections on native trees and na-
tive animals?
7. What new information have you to offer for
use in the chapter on Campcraft? What other
recipes should be included?
8. What other sort of tents and tent making
should be described?
9. Would you suggest a Merit Badge for Canoe-
ing and Boating, and if so, what should be the re-
quirements?
10. How can the subject matter in regard to
Tracks and Trailing be improved upon, and what
can be added thereto?
xi. What changes can be made in the section
on Signalling?
12. How can the section on Wireless Telegraphy
be improved, and what additional illustrations
should be used ?
13. What additions would you make in Chapter
V, relating to Health and Endurance?
14. How can the subject matter on First Aid be
improved upon? What additional explanations
and photographs would you suggest?
15. Have you any new or additional games to
suggest? Every additional game and explanation
thereof will be most welcome.
16. What additional chapters would you sug-
gest?
We desire to thank you in advance for
your co-operation and know that you will
be with us in building up for our use,
and for the boys who are to come, the
very best book possible.
We expect to go to press with this book
in October and would appreciate communi-
cations from you as soon as possible. In
sending in such suggestions, please address
Secretary of the Editorial Board.
KENTUCKY SCOUTS
IN FOREST PROTECTION.
The 106 Boy Scout troops of Kentucky
are to be enlisted in the cause of forest
protection and regeneration by State For-
ester J. E. Barton, who has prepared a
statement which he will send out to the
Scout Masters explaining the plans which
have already been used in several of the
other States. The boys are to do active
work in detecting forest fires.
Scout Employment Agency.
Many of the people of Clintonville, Wis^
are becoming dependent on the Boy Scouts
there to do small odd jobs at their homes.
Scout Master Max Steig has made ar-
rangements whereby the Boy Scout em-
ployment agency is now running on a self-
supporting basis.
SCOUTS EDIT NEWSPAPER
SUPPLEMENT.
An interesting publicity stunt has come
to light recently through the Mineral
Enterprise, a Scout supplement to the Shef-
field (111.) Times. This one-page papeiuis
edited entirely by the Boy Scouts of [Mim
eral, 111., under the leadership of their
Scout Masters, and is full of interesting
accounts of what Scouts are doing, besides
the regular departments. This is an ad-
dition to the already large list of Boy
Scout newspaper enterprises which are be-
ing founded by Scout Masters and Coun-
cils.
Surely no better way can possibly be
found for diffusion of Scoutcraft and for
acquainting the public with what Boy
Scouts stand for and are doing.
Bereaved Mother Writes Appreciation.
_ Scout Master S. G. Stevenson, of Wil-
liamson, W. Va., has informed us of the
death of Edgar Peters. He says Edgar
was a good Scout, always on the lookout
to do' some one a good turn if he could.
In a letter which Edgar's mother wrote to
the troop she expresses her appreciation
of the good that scouting had done for
her son and wishes for its success in the
future.
Lost Boy Hunt.
Notice has been received from Niagara
yFalls, N. Y., of the disappearance of James
Llooper oj Monteagle Street, fifteen-year-
olcT^trtf of Mr. and Mrs. William E.
Hooper. This boy disappeared from his
home during the latter part of July and
has not been heard of since. Although not
a Scout, he was about to become a member
of Troop No. 6. It is hoped that he will
be found in the near future.
Prizes for Nature Scouts.
If the Boy Scouts of-^Harrisburg, Pa.,
have preserved the collections they pro-
cured this Summer in their tramp over
the country and present them together with
little articles about each, they will have
a splendid chance of receiving prizes of
$5 and $2. The Harrisburg Natural His-
tory Association has offered four prizes
to the Scouts, two for the best collection
of natural specimens collected and pre-
pared by the contestant and the same num-
ber for the best essay upon the contest-
ant's personal observation in the realm of
natural history, prepared and written by
himself. This action has been taken
through the Harrisburg Park Commission.
The contest is to be open to any regular
enrolled member of the Boy Scout troops
of Harrisburg. All contest specimens and
essays must be handed in by October 30,
and the prizes will be awarded by two
committees of three judges each at the first
meeting of the society following the clos-
ing of the contest.
EXAMINATIONS IN
CHOOSING LEADERS.
By J. H. Baird, Scout Master, Youngstown, O.
In choosing Patrol Leaders^_use-a com-
petitive examination in all lines of Scout
work which have been covered so far,
counting also that popularity is a valuable
and necessary trait of the successful lead-
er. We have the boys vote on the candi-
dates and count that as a part of the ex-
amination. I count 33 1-3% on popularity
and credit the per cent of popularity, of
each boy, on the ratio of the votes he re-
ceives to the number of votes cast. Sup-
pose twenty votes were cast. If a Scout
received one vote he would be credited
with 1-20 of 33 1-3%, or 12-3%.
The method has proved entirely satis-
factory to me. My Patrol Leaders have
not only been the most efficient boys of
the troop but have been the most popular
boys, this percentage for popularity elimi-
nating those who are efficient but not pop-
ular. Our Patrol Leaders serve only three
months and then are subject to enter ex-
amination and re-election.
As aid to discipline I have a system of
demerits and merits, founded on the Scout
law. For accomplishment along some line
of the work, I give a merit ribbon to be
tied to the staff on which the patrol pen-
nant is. These ribbons are kept and the
patrol which has the most ribbons is the
honor patrol. So many demerits are given
for each particular misdemeanor. When
a boy gets ten demerits he is subject to
court martial trial by the whole troop. I
give demerits for nonattendance at meet-
ings, thus making it possible to eliminate
any boys who are not interested in the
work.
HEALTH OF HIKERS
GUARDED BY ORDER.
Every Scout of Troop 27, o£ Washing-
ton, who went on the big hike ft>..Gettys-N
burg, beginning August 23, was reqtrrred
to present a doctor's order which stated
his weight, age and condition of heart and
lungs.
Besides this was a written statement
signed by the parent or guardian declar-
ing that the boy had the permission of
those to whom he was responsible. After
declaring that the Scout had the right to
accompany the expedition, the permit read:
" I shall expect him to obey cheerfully any
and all orders of his officers and such rules
as may be necessary to maintain discipline
and to safeguard the boys." The Scout
Master was absolved from responsibility
for accidents beyond his control, and was
given permission to give instruction in
swimming when under proper supervision.
Special Price, 5 Cents
IT'S A MINIATURE
HANDBOOK
One hundred pages of useful information and
records of progress in Scoutcraft, unaffected by the
months of 1913 which have elapsed. They are in the
Boy Scout Diary, convenient for any pocket.
Only a few left Sold now at half price—5 cents
each, postpaid, if five books are ordered at one time.
Get other boys to Join you In ordering. Address Scout
Supply Department.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
200 Fifth Avenue New York City
DON'T FORGET
It will help create enthusiasm when Fall
troop meetings are resumed.
Postpaid is cents per copy. 25 to 100
copies less 10%, 100 or more less 15%
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 1, Number 10, September 1, 1913, periodical, September 1, 1913; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282642/m1/6/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.