Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-06-15
SYNOPSIS OF SCOUTING

/
hood is quality of character; it is the
finest spirit of ''humanity-hood, and
knows neither age, nor size, nor con-
dition. While in sense it is an in
herltance, it is attained in it's higher
and personal sense only through the
practice of those simple virtues for
which every day experience gives the
best opportunities. A boys manhood
is not that of an adult. If it is the
real manhood to him, it must be the
manhood of the boy. A boys manhood
is best developed through doing those
things which he as a natural boy can
properly do, by service and practice in
his own sphere, in his vn natural way.
Scouting is by no means all romance,
as many adults seem to think. 1t is in
reality intended to be a great educa-
tional system for adolescents, wherein
principles, theory and practice are
blended in definite proportions balanced
as nearly as can be, so that the tn aories
and principles will not outlay the prac-
tice, and thus produce moral or mental
Incidence.
Every activity is intended to develop
some definite point. A candidate must
be at least twelve years of age. He
must attain a certain degree of pro-
ficiency in few things. He must then
prepare for advancement to the second
class for which the requirements are
more difficult and varied. Before he
can become first class scout he must
enlist and train another boy, thus help
ing to propagate the work.
The scout has not reached the limit
when lie becomes first class, however,
the merit badge system. the High
School of Scouting, enables the boy to
learn as many as he will of the fifty
seven varieties. - The subjects give
some idea on great number of topics,
and in trying to earn these badges boys
often get Just the hint or help necessary
to determining their trend in life. When
certain groups of these badges have
been earned, the scout is entitled to |
Life Scout, Star Scout or Eagle Scout
badges. The Eagle Scout is the aim Of |
the merit h be- Is: scost, and tn get it a |
boy laust pass twepty-on of the fifty
seven subjects, certain ones being re-
CURED, so that the boy need not be
aimless or his choice Of sub ieuta an
balanced;
instructions are given by scoutmas-
tiers and specialists who volunteer their
services. This contact with meA Of
experience, as can 4eadily be seen, IS
one Of the gEeat benefits Of scoutings,
and affords great deal Of inspiration. !
The older boys, under snperV;s.os, al the /
scputmasters. instruct the younger ones.
Second and first class examinations are
given cut Of doors in all kinds Of |
weather, fer a scout IS expected to be |
hearty, and to know how to keep him
self SO.
Thus it will be seen that the boy is
developed and tested on all the better
sides OF his nature, physically. mentally.
and morally, and is Guided i. IL w
TaeD X ..@-t->a. e.}er.enra ,.oh,aat !
with whoa is. not only education but
ms piration. Amongst these men are
well-known physicians, lawyers and
other professional men and artisans.
Have you ever wondered whv tho ,
boys should show e,,,.,, 4 3s.ct.en to /
se.rt.Eg ar. you Interested in know /
ing. the principles behind it all, and the |
Source Of this inspiration
The answer is this /! Scouting : Al
World-wide movement, aA,i While the !
hey ,ines toy fyailse all that this lMeaas, !
ke dSes realize that he is 3 part Of IL.
He has plenty Of company in his efforts.
Scouting D!ates hefore the boy at his |
sgp Of si,Site in adolescence, just when |
As is looking for something definite and
real, clearly stated, definite code,
which he is perfectly well able to fcllc~-.
but which at the same IL >ai.s 80. !
the best arc - +t.sn.ksas. theTeAfs All
Lii. - Iees that it is his own, for |
he has ichoaen IT. Scouting nsust Ae
entirely voluntary, P4aAsiples are APP
plea thFN1kA He4ya HRluGa1 u MN at |
his time of iife-the home, the school.
in play, in the community and the great
out-ot-doors, in company with men & !
high character acting as cccutlan> Ia.s, |
who air, t. lyssi- with tin. ~rathe r. than
+ol him. ta,.s Grabbing HIM the better
to,help himself. "a 80" -
In other words, Scouting is the s,y.;7.
cess Of making real Es,sn. NAt vi teal
boys. by 3 :9As prexfall which works.
sroNfiEg IS 2 happy. wholesome,
worthwhile. outdoor school,
Scouting is q huge, spl1Aiialy organ
ized game, with All the fine aest Of COM
netIsian. the finer aest Of cooperation,
the keen testing Of mind and muscle,
the essential good sportsmanship Of !: !
foot ball game. Only It il !. -o.,srAc.l
tive game err. e. gsszsf.sys game IT gets
p. s1.:s.exA :,eFs.s :,
| .Scslting IL more than a game. 1t |
teaches signaling anc first aid and fire
! fighting and outdoor cookery and a |
host of other useful and important
things. 1t teaches also za.G-i.:,snca |
and ho!rf;,lIesa I0:.lsge and. courtesy
ieya!ty a.sa reverence; patriotism and |
honor ana other kindred qualities q !
good repate. "
| Scouting is n1n-aectariaA. though its !
,,ieais are in accord with those Of the |
modern church, and it is based unon
pledged allegiance to the service Of !
God and the Brotherhood Of man.
| Scouting is not organized for war
| sarvice. nor vet exclusively for peace |