Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-17
The Boy Scout Movement

There is no other organization that
has taken such a world wide grip
upon the boys of two hemispheres as
the movement known rs the Boy
Scouts. In almost every country this
wonderful boy work has grown be-
yond the widest dreams of its
organized the boys of Mafeking,
Powell, who first conceived the idea
in 1893 and in 1900 Major Lord Ed
ward Cecil. his chief staff officer,
organized the boys Of Wafe, King
Africa, as a corps for general utility
on scout lines, and the success OF the
venture assured the success of ma
tional organization. In 1910 the
Boy Scout movement spread to the
United States where it received the
Endorsement of the highest officials
in the land, and today the honor IS
given to the Boy Scouts OF being
pages to those who compose the dis
armament conference in Washington.
Alexandria being so near the ma
tional capitol. all the advantages that
are given the Washington Boy
Scouts are offered to the Alexandria
boys. The departments of the gov
ernment are opened to them with the
opportunity to learn from expert
teachers in the agricultural and geo
loe:"al survey departments, as well
as wireless aeronautics, and other
lines keenly interesting to boys. In
summer two most beautiful camps
fully equipped are free to the Boy
Scouts, one is located at Burnt Mills.
MARYLAND, about II miles north of
Washington and the other is on
Chesapeake Bay.
There is no connection between the
Girl Scouts OF America and the Boy
Scouts, it should be clearly under
stood, and should be definitely en-
phasized that the Boy Scouts deals
only with boys, it has nothing to do
with the management, direction. or
program of the Girl Scouts, and the
national council of the Boy Scouts
would not approve of any ATTEMPT
being made to do the work of the
two organizations under the same
executive or leadership. Joint hikes
of girls and boys are strongly dis
approved because Of inherent diff
culties Of leadership.
The Ministerial! Association OF
Alexandria representing all the Pro-
testant churches of the city, at its
last meeting unanimously advised
the organization of the Boy Scouts
in the churches. This action was
taken because the ministers appre-
ciated the need of something being
done to help the Protestant boys of
the city, and they also felt the inn
portance of the work beng done with
in the churches and under their I'M
mediate direction. This action was
taken because the Ministerial Asso-
citation of Alexandria realized that
at present there is no organization
for the boys in the churches that
functions.
Rev. DR.. D. H. Martin, pastor of
Trinity NJ. z. church, and Rev. Rob
ert Browne, pastor, of the Methodist
Protestant church we're appointed to
take the matter up with the national
headquarters in Washington. AS
result of their action Mr.. Hall, or
ganizcr for the District of Columbia
has organized two troops in the
Methodist Protestant church and has
made arrangements to organize the
Bow Scouts in Trinity NJ. F. church.
The Boy Scout movement has no
connection whatever with the Y. NJ.
c. A. and is entirely separate and
distinct from the Pioneers.
The Boy Scout movement in our
churches is entirely new and in no
way a revival Of any former move
ment. Out of courtesy to the Y. NJ.
c. A. and in justice TO both organi-
zations, it may be said that it does
not interfere in any way with the
programs of the Y. NJ. c. A., func-
tioning within its own sphere. 1t is
an attempt on the part Of the
churches, rational and necessary to
do something worth while for the
boys, and to keep the activities with
in the individual church where they
properly belong and under the direc
ton of the individual church which
is the best institution in the COM
munitv to carry on helpful work
Continued on page three)