Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-22
BLIND BOY SCOUTS
AMAZE SPECTATORS
Perform Wonderful Stunts at
Overlook 1nstitute-Build
Pyramids and Swim
Like Fish

Blind BOY Scouts. with love for
scoutcraft Just as keen as that of any
scout with sharp eyes. are happy today
with the thought that they have been
tested in their first public appearance,
and have not been found wanting.
True. they only built pyramids. They
gave no exhibition of what they had
learned Of woOdlore, Campcraft or other
scout subjects. but 1t was not because
they are ignorant in these realms And
how many persons can build pyramids
how many men in the street can do IL?
1t is n difficult acrobatic feat even for
persons with eyes.
The exhibition was given by the blind
scouts-ther official group name is Troop
lis, of the Philadelphia Boy Scouts of
America-at the Pennsylvania Institute
for the instruction of the Blind, at over
brook, last night, before 500 or more other
scouts and friends. Scout Executive wal
ter 5. Gowing was there, with beaver
stump which he presented to the Beaver
patrol of blind scouts. Field Commission
er Merrill spoke, as did the Rev. George
r. Beck chairman of the Troop Commit
tee Of Troop 7S The visiting troops were
Troops 90 (Scoutmaster Mckinley, 40
(SCoutmaster GuesD, 81 (Scoutmaster Won
der LindD, IS (Scoutmaster Mayland) and
1il (Scoutmaster James,.
gram in the auditorium by playing the
organ, telling surely over the keys which
he cannot see. After addresses by the
scout officials the scouts went to the
gymnasium, where the troops, both host
and visitors, gave exhibitions. Then a
round of the shops and classrooms where
the blind scouts study and work was fol-
lowed by a dip In the swimming pool.
For blind scouts can swim, some OF
them like porpoises. They are taught the
breast stroke, Australian crawl and other
strokes. And swimming is not the only
accomplishment they have mastered, In
spite of their handicap. They are expert
know the rudiments of first aid,
can tie knots, know what a tree is by its
bark and leaves. and know the thousand
and one things that n scout is expected
to know-everything that can be done
without the use OF eyes Their hearing
is very acute.
Troop lis has been camping twice since
il was organized six months ago under
Scoutmaster Cowgirl, head teacher at the
school. They are now Telling trees on the |
estate nearby, having been |
given permission to clear away the dead |
trees If they become the guardians of the
woods and meadows. The trees are skill |
fully cut into cord wood by the blind |
scouts and they sell 1t.
But first aid and campcraft are not the |
only useful subjects the blind boys are |
studying. Most of them are assmilatiag |
such subjects as physics, carpentry, biol
'gy and other practical courses which are
offered by the Boy Scout organization
Besides Scoutmaster Cowgirl. the troop
8 composed of Assistant Scoutmasters
Randall and BuTdett, Patrol Leaders
Huber, Copeland, Berninger and Hart
nan, and Scouts Bocella, Bradford,
3riner, Burth, Varroll. Cross, Davis
ri Jad Ina 4 |
ton, Pruitt Robbins, Saville, SobeI,
'tults Spencer, Torhert, Vaughn Wach-
Iaus Webber Weigel, Weiner, DemolI,
duns and SWinburne