Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1919-11-05
A REAL NEED-AND WHAT
FILLS 1T

Whenever real need exists, soon
or or later something is found to meet
Il A real need existed for some
thing to fill with wholesome activity
tbe snare time of boys-and the Boy
Scout movement developed to meet IT,
This organization, which has spread
en- amazingly during the last few
wears, has many claims to consldera-
ton. but none are so fundamental as
this basic principle of keeping the
bovs 50 busy doing useful things that
there will be no time for them to en-
gage in harmful activities.
The thing about the Boy Scout
movement that has surprised many
people is the fact that it works. Peo-
pie had become accustomed to con-
slider boys as being naturally mis-
chievous and destructive, to look
upon the period of adolescence as
time of tribulation, like the teething
age of babies. which must be borne
with patience and resignation.
what" they exclaimed, make
BOYS want to do useful things? 1t
Just can't be donel" Then the Boy
Scout movement came along and did
it.
Scouting has been success be-
cause it was built to fit real boys
and not mythical animal. the
Boy Scout plan goes right into the
realm where real boys live and brings
them the food their spirits crave
q code of honor, romance, mystery,
adventure. Now that the job has
been done. it is easy to see that it
is a very simple thing-nothing at
all hut making an Interpretation OF
life that g boy can warm up to and
understand.
First of all, boy scout must take
an oath. That's a perfectly natural
thing. The Knights of the Round
Table swore an oath and so did the
pirates that sailed the Spanish Main!
So the Boy Scout pledges himself:
/. To do my duty to God and my
country and to obey the Scout Law.
.. To help other people at all
times.
3. To keep myself physically
strong. mentally awake and morally
straight
The Scout Law referred to in the
oath covers twelve points: A scout
is Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friend
w. courteous. kind, obedient, cheer
full, thrifty brave, clean and rev.
erent
These are sturdy virtues that ap-
peal to the spirit of chivalry that
lives in the heart of every boy, and
when enhanced by the sacredness OF
a solemn boyish oath they have
gripping appeal that works wonders
in the growing character With
these virtues firmly planted in
boys mind and a habit Of his daily
life during his formative years,
there is little danger of his forsak-
ing them entirely in a later life.
These virtues are made vital by a
program Of activities which gives a
boy opportunity to put them into ac-
tual practice. He is given commits
sions to perform and is trusted ION
his honor as a scout" to carry them
into effect.
The feature OF service to others is
emphasized by encouraging scouts
10 do "a good turn" to somebody
every day. This good turn" idea
is taken very seriously. It has in
spired thousands of BOYS to the point
where the volunteer 20 wash dishes
and tend babies And there can be
no seyerer test than that,
The idea Of thrift is driven home
by recurring a scout TO earn and de
posit money in bank before he can
advance from the rank Of Tenderfoot
TO that Of Second Glass Scout and
from the latter to the coveted posi-
tion OF First Glass Scout.
Bravery is expected Of Scouts as a
matter Of course-moral bravery as