The Washington times., 1913-08-17
SCOUT PROGRAMS
SHOULD Be VARIED
S. A. Moffat Warns Masters Of
Troops Against Evils of
Having Hobbies.

The value OF the scout movement lies
In the variety OF its program, according
TO Samuel A. Mofat. writing in Scout
ing. the official organ Of the Boy Scout
| movement. 1T provides ways Of at
| tracing and holding the attention Of
boys TO the activity which for the mo-
mcnt most interests Them" he says. As
soon as interest in the subject begin to
wane. Programs for meeting or hike
| should be changed. A scout master
ought TO learn just what subject would
be of next interest and change accord
ingly.
Most 'one-feature' organizations fo-
boys lose their hold after a wear or
two at the most. because the drill. ritual
or other activity they are emphasizing
becomes monotonous. The scout move
ment, on the other hand. has provided
Tor the eyer-changing character of the
growing boy. Each, of its features
should be used only so long as the bow
wants 1t and should become OF second.
third or even fourth Importance as the
demand arises for something new.
No Place For lobbyists.
THE lobbyist has but one idea y.
sees the scout movement through his
own glasses. recognizes its attraction
for boys. and concludes il is attractive
A
as ne has organized a troop he teaches
the thing he is most interested in. In
some cases this Is military drill. In
other cases athletic directions organiza-
oasketoaIl and conduct athletic meets
bies u hOo-
While these things undoubtedly
nave their place in the training OF a
hold interest. The scout master tbsD
Deglns TO wonder why the boys are
giving up their scout work Could
you TAX with the boy he would tell
interest in the thing his scout master
was doing and that he wanted some
OF the other features of the scout
movement that other boys were get
tlng. Many times these boys write to
national headquarters asking that we
tr yto get some one who Is familiar
with woodcraft, scoutcraft, camping,
tracking, and the like, to become the
scout master of their troop so that
they might qualify as second and
hrst-class scouts go ~.
L Leaders Should Study.
-''Of course, it is too much to EXPECT
the average man to become expert IL
all phases of scoutcraft, but this does
not prevent the scout master from
studying the movement, or from ask
ing experts to assist in training his
boys. The scout master could. at
erature of the movement and the va
rious suggestions that have been
made available by headquarters.
Scout master, analyze the work you
are doing with your troop. Are the
boys getting the real scout training?
Are they making adequate progress
tenderfoot. second-class and
frst-class requirements What fea--
lures of the work can your troop
demonstrate better than any otheI
troop in the community? Are the
boys getting instruction in the things
they want to do most, or are you
lobbyist with but one idea?
IF you are. there can be no per-
manency in the work you are doing.
what you accomplish
will prove of real service to the boys
as far as il goes. but your ideal for
boys should be to give them the best
the broad, the liberal all-round deveI-
opment that will come with daily ad-
in scoutcraft Do not let
good enough become the enemy OF
the best"