The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-21
TELLS OF WORK AMONG
BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS
Educational Work Described In An
nuai Report of the Commissioner
of Education.

Educational work of the Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts. and the Campfire Girls Is
described in the annual report of the
missioner of education, depart
ment of the interior. just issued. In
describing the educational phase of
Boy Scout work, James +. West, chief
scout executive, declares: THE Boy
Scout movement aims to reinforce all
Of the agencies which make for right
living and character development in
the youth of America. 1t does not
seek to supersede the home, church, or
school. but to supplement these instl-
tutions largely in the leisure. time of
| the boy; and to impart by means or
its own programs and exercises the
virtues of chivalry, honor, and good
citizenship. The character building
work of the movement is presented
! to boys in what is meant to be an
, attractive wrapping" 1t is based
largely on the method of learning by
doing. in order that boys may be
taught TO be resourceful and self-re-
liant in all situations in which they
may be placed.
THE movement is non-sectarian and
| non-political. Its program offers to
the boy a weli-rounded mental, ply
steal, and moral experience, largely
out-of- doors, and calculated to de-
velop a love of country. God and
neighbor. For its success the move
ment depends upon the voluntary lead
ership of men of high Ideals, who
serve as scout masters and scout COM
| missioners. The educational aspect Of
the work is emphasized by the fact
that Of the 1867 men who held COM
missions as scout masters on Deem
Der 81 last about So per cent are coll
lege men and over so per cent have
either a high school or a college edu-
cation; 1855 give their occupation as
clergymen. aud 100 az public school
! teachers; others are professional men,
journalists, students, or engaged in
mechanical or mercantile pursuits. In
practically every one of the $50 char
tered councils the public schools are
definitely represented through the
service OF the school superintendent
on the executive board, and in many
cases the school superintendent serves
as president Of the council"
In describing the educational work
Of the Girl Scouts Mr.. Montague Gam
mon the executive secretary, shOwt
how the movement has grown in 4
wholesome and norway way from
small beginning in Savannah. Ga, in
( l9l2 to a national organization with
troops in ESQ communities. He says:
The girl scout program, presenting
all Of its activities in group work. pre-
/ eminently fills a distinct need in the
equipment OF women for modern life.
In its requirements for the three
grades of scouting and for the pro-
/ tciencY badges the organization is
( emphasizing the home making occu-
pations and virtues, Nursing and first
ala occupy a prominent place In the
training"
while the Girl scouts organization
is non -sectarlan, ii Is distinctly re-
lgious. Each girl is expected to live
mp to the tenets Of her particular
church She cannot be a good scout
unless she IS faithful to her own re-
ligion."
Group teaching by mothers is one
Of the features Of the work Of the
Campfire Girls. as described by Mrs.
Cecilia Farwell in the bureaus report.
She points out how one mother who
is especially good in making bread,
will invite all the girls Of a group TO
her home on Saturday and teach them
how to make bread. while another,
who excels In sewing or some other
form of home craft. Will take them
into her home for the next meeting.
In speaking OF the systtm of "honors"
! Mrs Farweli declares:
While mothers are encouraged TO
cooperate in the winning Of honors.
the honors are actually awarded in the
council fire In the presence OF the
group This is one Of the secrets OF
the success of campfire. Each girl
knows how difficult II IL 10 do simple
home tasks which to an adult appear
merely in the light az duty The eSrl
who hates 10 wash dishes appre-
dates the fact that the other girl who
stands in her place and receives an
honor bead for having washed and
wiped dishes aud left the dining room
I IN order after one meal a day for two
months has won her bead through
real effort. The girl who receives the
bead KNOWS that her mates appreciate
how hard II was to win IT, and the
1 bead has q very real Value 10 her be-
cause of this fact The honor IS
awarded not by an adult who feels
that the elrl has only done her duty,
hut bY her mates. al of whom q re in
sympathy with her