Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-04-13

it is not too much to say that if the figures were
available to make such comparison possible, it
would be shown that there have been published
in the last two years more copies of the Hand
book for Boys than all the standard stories for
boys published during the period.
Such fact becomes significant when 1T is
understood that the Handbook for Boys IS real
ly book of facts. Scoutcraft; woodcraft wild
life and conservation; campcraft; health and en-
durance; chVa1ry. first aid and life-saving patrio-
tism and citizenship, are the subjects treated.
All are presented in picturesque way that com
nands the attention of the most red-blooded or
boys. That he takes it all seriously is evidenced
by the fact that increasingly there is appearing
among us a new kind of boy. Injured to hardship
and the doing of the dficult enthusiastic in his
purpose to keep himself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally straight; nobly
chiyalrous his regard for others; eagerly will
ing to do his duty as citizen in his community
as often as he has opportunity.
In word. the Handbook for Boys is a book
boys live by. In establishing such a book as our
country's most popular Juvenile, the Boy Scouts
of America have developed a power for upbuild-
ing boyhood as influential for good as in the past
the Ubiquitous thriller has been influential for
evil.
Worthwhile Reading.
If is the purpose of the Boy Scout movement to
give educational value and moral worth to the
boys instructive equipment chief of which is the
play instinct. Broadly speaking, the boy spends
his leisure time either in outdoor diversions, or
indoors reading. In one instance. it is the boy in
action expressing himself through his manifold
play activities; in the other, boys body is at
rest, but his mind still goes under the domina-
ton of the play instinct, that, after all, the
boys recreational reading interests are only an
other manifestation Of the play instinct and
should be reckoned with from the same point of
view.
In word, if it is important to give direction to
the play instinct In the one Instance, it is equally
important to give direction to it as regards
the other; and it is in proportion this is done
that good is accomplished by directing the boy
in his play activities. This is why the movement,
in it's effort to understand and guide the boy in
his hours Of leisure has Incorporated in its plans
reading program. And it IS the belief of many
that in doing this the movement has made as
valuable contribution as that which already
makes its leadership the most vitality helpful effort
ever organized for guiding the instincts and ener
gies of boys in their early teens.
A book is, for the average boy, good book In
proportion as there is something doing" This
demand on the part of the boy for thrill and ex-
element and pep" the boy would say, is
quite legitimate. What must be insisted upon Is
that writer's of boys books be guided in their use
Of pep l. e.. that they cut out the red pep
The Scout program has developed many heroes.
Every month the national court of honor awards
letters of commentator and honor medals to
Scouts who, In grave emergencies have saved
others at considerable risk to themselves. These
cases are reported in Boys Life, the Boy Scouts
magazine and to inspire many youngsters
just awakening to the meaning of altruism
National headquarters registers every Scout and
protects him in the exclusive of the badges
and uniforms which he works hard to earn.
1t scrutinizes every application for scout
masters commission and every applicant must
prove himself worthy to be leader Of boys.
Locally, the close supervision Of the work is
delegated to local council provided there are
three or more troops this council being composed
Of ten or more men who represent every civic,
religious and educational element in the COM
munity.
The Scout program is adaptable to all sorts of
conditions, and it fills those hours which are
often wasted, and worse than wasted, by boys
who lack nothing but proper leadership. It teach
es them to serve their community. Many an I'M
slightly dump has been turned into garden spot,
many mosquito incubator drained and destroyed,
many public occasion been made brighter and
better by the Boy Scouts.
Economically, educationally, morally, the or
ganization Of the boys Of town into troops of
, Boy Scouts pays big returns