Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1922-06-08
A MODEL RURAL TROOP


Kurtz, scoutmaster Of Locustdale'
Troop No. l, Honeybrook, Pennsyi-
vania, shows that the scout program
Is equal to any situation in the hahus
of a devoted scoutmaster:
"This Is strictly a rural troop. Inc
borough of Honeybrook, Of less than
700 inhabitants gives us only 1O scouts.
The remaining % 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 tillers OF the
soil.
1.-The country is admirably adapted
to scouting with wide and fertile val
leys, long ranges Of wooded nils,
clear streams. We claim as our terri
tory q section Of about 200 square
miles. Boys live from five to ten miles
from scout headquarters. This fact
makes certain arrangements necessary
which will be explained.
"We set up a high ideal. We deter
mined however we might fail IN other
things, to place the chief emphasis on
the oath and law. Scoutcraft was
distinctly secondary. After four Yeas
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 a 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 'offl-
GERS council which administers dis
cipline, outlines the policy of the troop
and advises with the scoutmaster.
Nothing of Importance Is decided lex
cept in emergency without the coun-
Gil.
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 1t Is
required that these matters be In place,
and that they be correct. The troop
Is governed by point system. Ihis
Is rigidly adhered to, and each boy
reports his points on honor, at the
business meeting. The system gov
erns 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.
1.-THE scattered condition Of the troop
forbids a weekly meeting; so the busi-
ness meeting, held once a month, is
to be attended. No boy may 90 else
where on that evening.
"In 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 splendid
physical standard in the troop.
Every boy who reports, on honor, a
perfect score Of points for three con-
secutiye months receives the 100 per
cent duty shield. Four such periods
entItle him to the Maltese Cross
award. We have a boy, Of unimpeach-
able rectitude, who has won the award
for perfect score for two uDbroken
years.
THE patrol that gains the greatest
number Of points in month Is en-
titled to the custody Of the flags-the
Troop Flag and the National Ensign.
The patrol whose efficiency Is ad-
judged the highest for the year, re-
ceives a medal.
Official hikes are conducted at fire.
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 a 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"