Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
SEEKRECRU|TSFOR
GIRL SCOUT TROOPS
National Chiefs Start Country
Wide Campaign to Enroll
New Members.
AIM is TO GET 100000

\ nationwide campaign has been
launched. under the auspices of ma
tional Girl Scout headquarters in New
York city. to extend the Girl Scout
organization to every part of the coun-
try and to Ibring the benefits of the
scientific training of the girls of the
nation within reach of every girl in
America.
More than two-thirds of the states
row have troops and the campaign is
intended to reach every city. town and
hamlet in this country, to show what
the organization really is. Before the
cmpaig-u ends it is hoped to have not
less than 100000 girls equipped in mind
and body to render effective co-opera-
tiou in any national eXigency that may
arise. Already the offer of the services
Of the Girl Scouts. rendered to the
Red Cross when diplomatic relations
with Germany were severed. has been
accepted, and the Girl Scout troops in
different parts of the country have
had instructions as to just what to
do in the event they are called upon.
Great Help to Military.
That the Girl Scout organization
forms a1f important adjunct to the mil
itsry arm of the government in time
of war is shown in a letter received
recently by Mrs. Juliette Low, presi .
dent of the National Girl Scouts. from
Sir Robert Powell, known as the
father of all scout movements, from
his home in London. who expresses the
conviction that their opportunity for
usefulness exceeds even that of the
Boy Scouts.
His letter follows:
Il am delighted with the good prog
ress which the Girl Scouts are making
In America. not only in their numbers
and efficiency. hut in the estimation of
the public and parents as well. In
Great Britain and in countries like
Norway. sweden, Denmark and Ger
many, where educatonists are on the
lookout for up-to-date methods in de-
veloping character education, the
movement has already won recogni- |
ton for its possibilities in this direc- |
ton.
Here in Great Britain the war has |
shown as nothing else could have done |
the capability of women for national |
service if they are only trained to it;
also that there is no need for them on |
that account to drop their prime duties !
q s homekeepers and mothers. Quite the
opposite.
THE training of the girl guides or
scouts is therefore framed to educate /
them mot only to Instruct them
through their own initiative to de-
velop these essential points: Charac- !
ter. skill. service for others and phys:- !
cal health. Their training is therefore (
exactly on the same principles Is that
of the Boy Scouts-which has already |
had success in developing efficient cltl-
zenship among the boys
But believe that of the two move
ments. that for the girls is. if any +!
thing. the more important. since 1t |
deals with the mothers of the future, |
who will influence the future genera
tons
Il must congratulate YOU on the |
splendid success which has attended |
your efforts in starting the movement |
on the right lines in America am
confident that you will receive a strong
measure of support. aud that the Girl
Scouts will go on and flourish to an
extent equal to that of their brothers
the Boy Scouts.
May Be Organized Anywhere.
The Girl Scouts. starting with as few
as eight girls to a patrol. two or more
patrols forming troop. may be organ
lied wherever there is an adult Wiling
to serve as leader or captain. The age
for scouts ranges from ten years up
ward. A troop may be ldentihed with
either a school. church. settlement.
Sunday school other similar organl-
cation or may be unattached. Wherever
six or eight girls can be found to inter-
est themselves in the work the scout
plan of organization may be embraced.
The expense to the members is kept
at minimum. the only absolutely
necessary expense being the annual
registration fee of % cents The uni
form OF the Girl Scout either may be
obtained firm headquarters or may be
made at home. according to the official
pattern.
In addition to learning frst-aid. cook
ing. NAL king camp, how TO guide her
self in the woods, to signal and other
things necessary to Self-reliance IN
man or woman the Girl Scout is taught
efficiency in the home and is given such
physical training promotes health
and vigor of mind and body.
The Girl Scouts are planning to par
ticipate in the inaugural parade here
March . 4 large number of Girl
Scout rallies in different parts of the
country also are being planned for the
spring and summer.