The Cordova daily times., 1922-08-01
.BOY' ! 5
 El --l -l's -tl'EsJJ 7 - Conducted by National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.)
A MODEL RURAL TROOP

Troop No. l, Honeybrook, Pennsyl- vania, shows that the scout program is equal to any situation in the hands of a devoted scoutmaster:
 This is strictly a rural troop. The borough of Honeybrook, of less than TOO inhabitants gives us only 10 scouts. The remaining 2S come from little hamlets or distant farms; IS are farm boys-boys who live, perform work on farms. Nearly all are, in greater or less degree active tiIlers of the soil
 The country is admirably adapted to scouting with wide and fertile val leys, long ranges of wooded hills, clear streams. We claim as our terri tory section of about POO square miles. Boys live from fivesto ten miles from scout headquarters. This fact makes certain arrangemnents necessary which will be explained.
 I've set up high ideal. We deter mined however we might fail in other things, to place the chief emphasis on Ile Odti anu law. SNo''SA"AI '0 distinctly secondary. After four years We still keep the ideal in view. No boy may enter the troop unless we are satisfactorily assured that he will do his best to do his duty to God, his country, and obey the scout law.
 Every boy is in patrol and knows his number. Each patrol is properly officered, the officers being chosen on the ground of worth and merit. There are no elections. The two senior patrol leaders, the six patrol leaders and their six assistants form an 'ot1- cers' council which administers dis cipline, outlines the policy of the troop and advises with the scoutmaster. Nothing of importance is decided (eX- cept in emergency without the coun- eli.
 Every scout is uniformed, and every scout. procures his own uniform. A poor boy will receive aid from the troop treasury, which he may make good as he is able. Insignia is pro- vided by the troop. Each scout is given his proper badges, shoulder knots, service stripes, etc, and it is required that these matters be in place, and that they be correct. The troop is governed by point system. Ihls is rigidly adhered to, and each boy reDorts his points on honor, at the business meeting. The system gov eins the good turn and all the mat ters of the oath and law, and attend ance and inspection. In uniform, or out, and at any time and place the scout salutes his superiors, once in the day. Strict and unquestioning obedi- ence is required as well as regular at tendance at all of the business meet ings.
 "The scattered condition of the troop fcrbids weekly meeting; so the busi- ness meeting, held once month, is to be attended. No boy may go else. where on that evening.
 Tn addition to this business meet ing, each patrol holds monthly meet ing. Here the indoor scoutcraft work is done, and boys are examined as to tests, or prepared for the court of honor.
 Several features peculiar to this troop, have proved valuable. Each boy, entering the troop, underGoes q partial physical examination. His record is kept, and he is examined periodically, and his development noted The records show a splendid physical standard in the troop.
 Every boy who reports, on honor, a perfect score of points for three con secutive months receives the 100 per cent duty shield. Four such periods entitle him to the Maltese Cross award. We have boy, of unimpeach able rectitude, who has won the award for perfect score for two unbroken years.
 The patrol that gains the greatest number of points in a month is en- titled to the custody of the tlags-the Troop Flag and tie National Ensign, The patrol whose efficiency is ad- judged the highest for the year. re- ceives a medal.
 Official hikes are conducted at ire quent intervals. No winter hikes are held. The country boy has his fill of winter experiences in his long jour neyS to and from school. But when spring comes we hike. The patrol most fully represented in the years hikes receives d medal. So also does the individual scout who is present at the greatest number of hikes Each hike is conducted by leader, usually a troop officer, who is responsible for the welfare and behavior of all scouts who are present. No Sunday hikes, no tests passed on that day, and at tendance at Divine service required of all"