Evening star., 1915-01-03

A treasure hunt that will long be
remembered by the scouts of this city
| was held New Year day by the troops
Of Division No. in the vicinity of Wild
wood, Md. Samuel Mooers and Lamont
Pitcher Of Troop No. 80 found the "treas-
ure'' Jointly, and since only ono prize had
| been provided, Scoutmaster Cushman OF
Troop No SO said he would provide sec
ond prize, so that each Of the successful
scouts might receive one. The prize con-
sisted of scout cooking outfit.
About eighty-five scouts from Troops
Nos. 3, s. 6. 10. IL. is. Il, %. S3 and S6
assembled in Wildwood to participate In
the hunt After they had cooked lunch
in the open, the hunt was started about
3 80 o'clock. By means Of markings on
stones and on trees in the Morse and
secret codes, the scouts were directed
from place to placee until distance OF
nearly three miles had been covered. The
end Of the hunt was about three-quarters
of a mile from the starting point.
The treasure" consisted Of an acrostic,
which could not be deciphered unless the
scout knew the scout law. Several scouts
reached the treasure before Mooers and
Pitcher. but could not decipher it because
they were not as familiar with the scout
law as they should have been. Mooers
and Pitcher brought the translation to
Field Executive Aplin first and were de-
clared the winners
Troop No. 21 was judged the winner Of
the troop inspection, held prior to the
hunt, having made percentage Of 9i.e.
Troop No. was second best, with s2.4,
and Troop No. third, with 81.4 per cent.
The average of all the troops on the
competition was IS per cent.
Following the hunt, which consumed
more than two hours, a camp fire was
held. Short talks were made by some
OF the twenty or more scout officers
present. Scout Walter Jex of Troop 81
was presented a life-savtng medal,
awarded to him by the national coun-
fellow-scout who was nearly drowned
in the canal near the Chain bridge last
summer. A troop flag was presented
to the troop which won the competi-
tion.
Visit Historic Points.
Scouts Of Division No. spent New
Year day on a hike which started from
Chain bridge at 10 o'clock in the
Troop AZ, where they divided into
three parties and hiked to several of
the old forts in the vicinity. Scouts
under the leadership of Scoutmaster
Bailey visited Fort Mcpherson. while
those under Scoutmaster Taylor Wis
tied Fort Myer. Deputy Field Execu-
tive Maschmeyer led a party of scouts
station.
Who Lost Haversackp
After the rally of Division No. 8, held
December IS, a Boy Scout haversack
was found in the hall. It is in the
possession of Deputy Field Executive
James L. Kidwell of Troop "a, who is
ready to turn It over to its owner.
Scouts as Signalmen.
Troop ~ has teen assigned to act
as signalmen at the south Atlantic
division of the A A. W. relay race. to
be held January 9. It will be under
the direction Of Maurice Joyce.
Troops Cabin Damaged.
Troop ass new log cabin, located in
the Adams woods. near Congress
Heights, suffered from a. raid of van
dals recently. and the hard work for
the young scouts who are constructing
the little building was set back. The
walls of the cabin were several feet
high when it was torn down
Those responsible for the act are
believed to be boys living in the vi
cinity of Anacostia. They have not
yet been identified. The hewn logs
were lifted from their places by the
raiders and thrown about the camp.
Scoutmaster W. B. Marshall nor his
crew of young workmen, who put in
New Year day on their future club
house.
Drum and Bugle Corps.
The Drum and Bugle Corps, compris-
ing a membership of fifty scouts from
the various troops of Washington. is
about to become a reality. The first
appearance of this troop will be at
the demonstration and rally to be held
at Convention Hall during Boy Scout
week, in February.
The corps will be under the leader
ship of Deputy Field Executive James l.
Kidwell. Members are needed as follows: ::
Drum major. bass drum, two cymbal
players. twelve snare drummers and
thirty buglers. Only boys who are ef-
ficent in bugling and drumming need
apply at the present, as 1t is felt that
this many can be secured to enable
them, after six rehearsals. to make a
good showing at the rally. central
point will be decided on where re-
hearsals will be held.
To Hold Examinations.
Second-class examinations will take
place Friday, January 8. First-class
will take place January Is and 16. Ap-
plications for examinations should be
in the Office at least one week previous
Camping Trip Postponed.
The proposed overnight camping trip
OF Troops Nos, rs and 80 to Whipperwill
camp has been postponed Indefinitely
on account Of inclement weather.
Troop No. 25 spent part of Tuesday
roaming the woods.
STAFF oacers Meet.
At meeting Of the staff officers held
Monday the following commissions
we're approved: w. N. Stailey, scout
master for Troop No. s; E. E. Fisher,
scoutmaster for Troop No. IL; James
D. Cushman. scoutmaster for Troop
No. %. and Nelson A. Carr. assistant
scoutmaster Troop No. %. Encourag-
| field executives, who reported all
| troops except Nos. 8. 40 and 43 in good
working condition. Eight new troops
| are being organized, and registra tions
of scoutmasters are being secured for
! the same.
To Drill Scoutmasters.
Capt. John E. Brooks. N. G. D. c.,