The Colorado statesman., 1917-03-17
AIDS WORK OF SCOUTS
Uncle Sam Interested in Boys
and Girls Orders.
Is Described in Government
Report.

Uncle Sam Is taking an active inter-
est in the work of the Boy Scouts,
the Girl Scouts and the Campfire Girls.
The educational phase of the work be-
ing done by these three organizations
is discussed in the annual report of
the United States commissioner of
education. This feature of the Boy
Scout movement is described by James
e. West chief scout executive.
"The Boy Scout movement aims to
re-enforce all of the agencies which
make for right living and character de-
velopment in the youth of Americn,"
says Mr.. West. 1T does not seek to
supersede the home, church or school,
but to supplement these institutions
largely in the leisure time of the boy;
and to impart by means of 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.
1.-THE movement is non-sectarian and
non-political. Its program offers to
the boy n well-rounded mental, phys
of-doors, and calculated to develop a
love of country, God and neighbor. For
its success the movement depends
upon the voluntary leadership of men
of high ideals, who serve as scout mas
ters and scout commissioners. The
educational aspect of the work is en-
phasized by the fact that of the 1867
men who held commissions as scout
masters on December 81 last, about 90
per cent are college men and over so
per cent have either a high school or
college education; 1865 give their
occupation as clergymen, and 100 as
public school teachers; others are pro-
fessional men, journplists, students or
engaged in mechanical or mercantile
pursuits. In practically every one of
the $50 chartered councils the public
schools are definitely represented
through the service of the school SUI
perintendent on the executive board,
and in many cases the school super
intenGent serves as president of the
| council"
In describing the educational work
of the Girl Scouts, Montague CANNON,
the executive secretary, shows how
the movement has grown in a whole
some and normal way from a small
beginning in Savannah, Ca, in 1912,
to a national organization with troops
In 250 communities. He says: "The
Girl Scout program, preseating all of
its activities in group work, pre-emi-
nently fills distinct need in the equip
ment of women for modern life. In its
requirements for the three grades of
scouting and for the proficiency badges
the organization is emphasizing the
home-making occupations and virtues.
Nursing and first-aid occupy a promi-
nent place in the training.
"While the Girl Scouts organization
is non-sectarian, it is distinctly relig-
ious. Each girl is expected to live up
to the tehets of her particular church.
She cannot be n good scout unless she
is faithful to her own religion"
Group teaching by mothers is one of
the features of the work of the Camp
fire Girls, as described by Mrs. Ce-
celia 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 ex-
cells in sewing, or some other form of
home craft, will take them into her
home for the next meeting. In speak
ing of the system of "honors" Mrs.
Farwell declares:
"Whlle 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 it is to do simple
home tasks which to an adult appear
merely in the light of duty. The girl
who hates to wash dishes appreci-
ates the fact that the other girl who
stands in her place and receives an
honor bead for having washed and
wiped dishes and left the dining room
in order after one meal a day for two
months has won her bead through real