American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1914-02-14
Do We Want Boy Scouts?

W W. W0IIt IVY OvuutSi
The Boy Scout movement has now
Deen launched in the Alpine Stake In
such a way that It's ultimate success
IS assured. a rousing rally was held
al Lehi, Wednesday night, at which
ievonty-liye young boys were present.
Another such meeting is planned Tor
Slcasant Grove, wednesday night, Feb.
As. II is said that the success OF the
movement Is assured, but do we want
At to succeed? This question has
presented itself to many parents OF
our community, and IN many cases an
5wered very much IN the negative
There are two phases, or supposed
phases, OF scout work objected to by
many people. II Is assumed by some
hat the activity OF a scout Is directed
aigely toward preparing the boy Tor
military career OF war and blood
she'd; that the war spirit is made to
dominate his meetings and outings,
ana that, In word, the boy scout Is
simply soldier In the making. An
Jther group of critics is imbued with
he nouon that scouting IS synonym
ior hikes" and that the interval iol-
owing one such trip Is used in plan
Ling the next.
Now, In reply to these objections.
che first can be met and answered III
a word Aside from the rigidity with
Which boys are required to i've up to
he promises they make and the salute
hey give superior officers on duty,
here Is absolutely nothing in scouting
that even savors of militiarism. 1t is
rue that the uniform sometimes worn
Jy scouts resembles that used in the
army, but uniforms are not an essen
ial part of scouting, the soul purpose
81 them being to increase the boys
self respect and TO lend dignity TO his
position. Occasional "hokes" are in
iulged In during the summer months,
out these could be entirely dispensed
With and not seriously hamper the eff
.ectiveness of scout work AS with
he uniform the hike" adds spice to
scouting and makes 1t more attractive.
Just what does scouting consist of
TO join the organization the boy must
DE at least AZ years OF age and pass
an examination. He then takes the
following oath In the most solemn
manner possible: Upon my honor
will do my best to do my duty to God
and TO my country, and to obey the
scout law; 10 help other people at ali
dimes; and to keep myself physically
strong, mentally awake aud morally
straight"
Note that the boy promises to keel
the scout law. This law covers twelve
points, as follows
a al W hN IA.
says, "On my honor IL 10 So" thai
means that II is 80 just AS IL ne -ko,,
taken n most solemn oath. ira scou,
were to break his honor by telling q
lie, or by not carrying out an order
exactly. when trusted upon his honor
20 do SO. he may be directed to hand
over his scout badge and never tC
wear 1t again. lie may also be direct.
ed to cease to be scout
2. A scout is loyal to his parents
his teachers, his country aud to al
whom his loyalty Is due
3. A scout Is helpful. He must b,
prepared ut any time to save life oil
20 help injured persons lie must tr,
his best TO do good turn 10 some on,
every day.
4. A scout is friendly to all and
brother to every other scout.
b. A scout is courteous. He is polit,
TO all, especially to women and chill
dren and old people, invalids, cripples
etc. lie must not take any reward
Tor being helpful or courteous
D. A scout rs kind to animals. II,
should save them as far as possibl,
from pain and should not Kill an,
animal ncedlessly.
T. A scout Is obedient to the orders
OF his parents, patrol leader or scou
master
5. A scout is cheerful under all cir
cumstance5. When he receives AN or
der he should obey ii cheerfully an,
readily; not IN "A slow, hang-dog sor
Of way
3, A scout is thrifty. He saves ever,
penny he can and puts 1t into IN,
bank, 80 that he may have money Il
keep himself when out of work, anC
thus not make himself a burden upoI
others or that he may have none!
to help the needy
10, A scout is brave. lie stands
ready to defend the weak upon all oc
casions. When asked by his friends
to take part in immoral practices tn,
scouts bravery enables him to sa!
no"
IL. A scout is clean in body and II
mind BY having his thoughts con
stantly occupied with noble idea
there Is no room for the vile.
IL, a scout is reverent He respect.
his own religion and that Of others
Tie Is never boisterous in houses o
worship.
What parent would object to his bo,
taking the above oath and subscribin,
to the scout law? Scouting is educa
ton conducted in a new way a wa,
that appeals to the boy as no othe
can, Parents should investigate thor
oughly the movement This Is sal,
with full confidence that their inyes
LEGATION viii result in increased mem
| borship in the scout ranks Al presen