The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-11-07

the assistance OF her brother, Sir Rob
ert Baoen-Powell, in response to de-
mand made by 5000 girls, following
the organization OF the Boy Scout
movement In England this movement
for girls was known as the Girl Guides.
The first organization IN America
was six years ago at Savannah, Ga, by
Mrs. Julia Lowe, an American woman,
who had formerly been associated with
the organization in England. The
name was changed to Girl Scouts at
the instance of the girls themselves
because of certain stigma attached to
the word "Guide'' In the south. I'm
der the name of the Girl Scouts they
were incorporated in Washington.
From this small beginning the move
ment has grown and spread from Maine
to California and from Florida to the
State of Washington. Because of the
patriotic appeal of the Girl Scout pro-
gram the movement has grown phe-
nomenally since our country entered
the war, increasing in the last two
years nearly 500 per cent.
The Plan of Organization.
The organization is planned along
simple, elastic, democratic and abso-
lutely non-sectarian lines. 1t can be
applied to any group of eight or more
girls of any class. This is proved by
its success in social eenters, churches,
boarding schools and public schools.
1t has also succeeded with girls of all
religious faiths, and in groups of mixed
relifious beliefs. Even in institutions
for the deaf and blind, and for tuberc-
ular children, giving them contact
with normal life and an outlet for en-
thusiasm for service.
Psychologically girls are little
women and the scout program has been
adapted to this mental characteristic,
giving the girls a connection with
adult life, yet making the requirements
come well within the comprehension
and attainment of the young girl of the
early teen age. Every activity of the
Girl Scouts means growth, and gives
the girl normal and systematic pro-
gram, through her development, to fit
herself for the future responsibilities
which she must take as her share of
the reconstruction of the home, of So
ciety and the nation.
In other words, the Girl Scout pro-
gram makes her a responsible member
of society and as such she must share
in both the work of the country and in
the rewards. Hard tasks ,irks6me and
Stunned by older people, are often per-
formed by the girls because the re-
suits are worth while.
Program of the Girl Scout Movement.
The program covers all phases of
woman s work, but is mainly carried
out through recreational activity,
teaching the girl that an hour or two
a day often spent in meaningly ac-
tivity, lettering ON the street corners,
and other forms of undesirable recrea
ton can be put to good account doing
the kind of thing that she really wants
to do. Every girl who becomes a Girl
Scout finds so much in the program
which makes a personal appeal to her
that she can not find hours enough to
accomplish the things that she really
wishes to do.
The Girl Scout program is not war.
time program, but one for patriotic en-
deavor, knowing neither time nor sea,
but to be applied to all times and sea
sons. A special war service reward is
given to a girl on a system of points
for subjects covering food conserva-
ton, knitting, gardening selling Of
Thrift stamps and Liberty bonds, work
for the Red Cross in surgical dressings
sewing, civilian relief, even sweeping
out the workrooms and acting as mes
sengers at headquarters all count to,
ward the desired end, as do many other
things along similar lines. Even car.
ling for children that mother may be
released for war service receives due
credit.
The regular scout program also in
eludes ambulance work, home nursing
child nursing, cooking, civics, invalid
cooking, laundry work, dairy, garden
ing, personal health, public health
Craftsmanship, housekeeping, music,
craftsmanship telegraphy, signaling,
nature study, photography, interpret
ling, swimming and life saving, ath-
letics ,and many other activities.
/ Service in the home is emphasized be-
cause the home is the unit of society,
and the good home makes the good citi-
zen. Each scout is being trained for
citizenship in school of service, which
makes the individual subordinate to
the interests of the group as whole,
and to those Of the community and the
nation. Service and citizenship are not
alone necessary for the boy, but to
the broader development of the girl,
that she also may take her place in the
activities and leadership Of the future.