Scouting, Volume 38, Number 7, September 1950 Page: 1
40 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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"THE BEST TROOP IN L. A."
1HOPE all the Scoutmasters in Los Angeles won't start trying to
find out which Troop I'm referring to, because I haven't the slightest
idea what its number was, or whether it's still in existence. But I do
know that one day some years ago, I saw the "best Troop" in the
making.
A straggling line of weary kids came limping up the road to Camp
Arthur Letts one hot summer afternoon. There was nothing about
them to catch the eye, and I was just about to turn back to my work
when I heard the voice of their Scoutmaster. Then I was all eyes and
ears.
D. M. was one of the most popular and all-around capable students
at the University. He held a lot of important student body and club
offices, and was Cadet Colonel of the R.O.T.C. regiment. My first
thought (because as one of his R.O.T.C. officers, I knew how much
store he set by good discipline), was "What's D. M. doing with a raga-
muffin-looking gang like that?"
So I listened with interest while he pulled his dusty little brood
around him for a "briefing."
"Men," he said (and the way they looked at him when he said
"Men"!). "This is an important day. You fellows are charter members
of what will be the best Troop in Los Angeles." (Dubious looks from
a couple dozen slum district kids.) "I mean that, men. You've got
what it takes. You were one of the hottest gangs on Boyle Avenue
and you're going to be the best Troop.
"Now listen closely. In a minute you're going 'on parade' in there,
in front of some mighty snappy Troops. 121 is up here from Holly-
wood with its trek carts, and 88, a champion Troop from down west
Adams way, and a lot of other veteran outfits.
"What are they going to say when they see us? Is it going to be
'Gee, what a bunch of Tenderfoots!' or will it be 'Boy, what a snappy
outfit!' That's just what we're going to make 'em say, and here's how
we're going to do it.
"First, we're all going over to that brook and wash all the dust and
sweat off our faces. Then we're going marching in there like the best
Troop would march. In everything we do tonight and tomorrow, we're
going to remember that we're being sized up, and we're going to show
them!"
And it worked for a few hours. When they started to look and act
ragged again, I saw D. M. give them another pep talk. It was amazing
to see how it worked.
Yet it was simple — he really believed in those kids, he led them
step by step to believe in themselves, and they did the rest.
As do all boys, when a man cares enough to start them right.
—.
Managing Editor
SCOUTING MAGAZINE is published monthly except August and bi-monthly June-July, and copy-
righted 1950, by the Boy Scouts of America, 2 Park Ave., New York 16, N. Y. Reentered as Second
Class Matter, June 13, 1946, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879.
Scouting Magazine is edited in the Division of Program by the Editorial Service. Director of
the Division of Program, E. Urner Goodman. Director of Publications, Editor. Lome W. Barclay.
-Managing Editor, Lex R. Lucas. Asst. Managing Editor, Tom MacPherson. Art Director, Donald Ross.
Production Director, Geo. W. Gcddard, Jr. Associate Editors: Gerald Speedy, Cub Scouting;
Ted Pettit, Boy Scouting; Ted Holstein, Exploring.
NATIONAL OFFICERS — BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Honorary President, Harry S. Truman. Honorary Vice-Presidents, Herbert Hoover, Walter W. Head.
President, Amory Houghton. Vice-Presidents, John Sherman Hoyt, Frank G. Hoover, Francis W. Hatch,
John M. Schiff, Kenneth K. Bechtel. Treasurer, Harry M. Addinsell. International Scout Commissioner,
Thomas J. Watson. National Scout Commissioner, George J. Fisher. Chief Scout, Elbert K. Fretwell.
Chief Scout Executive, Arthur A. Schuck. Deputy Chief Scout Executive, Pliny H. Powers.
EDITORIAL BOARD
William H. Pouch, Chmn., Albert E. Lownes, Wheeler McMillen, E. W. Palmer, Harrison M. Sayre.
SEPTEMBER, 1950, VOL. 38, No. 7
CONTENTS
^ FOR ALL SCOUT LEADERS
Jamboree Report 2
40 th Annual Meeting 6
Victory Round-Up 8
Front Line Stuff 10
Train for Citizenship 11
Just A Minute 39
<#> FOR CUB SCOUT LEADERS
The Cub Scout Promise 12
Navajo Project 12
Westward Ho!, Theme for
September 14
Den Stuff for September 16
Pack Meeting 17
Life With the Navajos, Theme
for October 18
Navajo Den Meetings 20
Pack Intertribal Ceremonies 21
Uncle Charlie's Pioneer
Game Bag 22
FOR BOY SCOUT LEADERS
Off To A Fast Start 23
Game File 25
"Mind Your P's and Q's" 26
12 Outdoor Months 28
Fun On The Trail 30
Planning for October 32
£ FOR EXPLORER LEADERS
Explorers Stand and Be
Counted 33
Field Day for Dads 34
Filling Up The Calendar 35
Fall Fun for Explorer Units
and Troop Crews 36
Follow the "Trail Signs" —
★/ •—
to find articles of special interest
to you.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 38, Number 7, September 1950, periodical, September 1950; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth313166/m1/3/: accessed May 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.