The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-09-26
A MODEL RURAL TROOP

IfOCp NO. 1, dOneybFOOhs FSnLISSl-
vania, shows that the scout program
is equal to any situation in the hands
Of devoted scOurmaster:
This is strictly a rural troop. The
borough OF HoneybrOOk, Of less than
TOO inhabitants gives US only 10 scouts.
The remaining IS come from little
bamlets or distant farms Is are farm
boys-boys who live, perform work on
farms. Nearly all are in a greater
or less degree, active tillers Of the
soil.
The country is admirably adapted
to scouting with wide and fertile val
Ieys. long ranges of wooded hills,
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.
I'VE set up a high ideal. We deter
mined however we might fail in other
things, to pace the chief emphasis on
the oath and law. Scoutcraft was
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 a patrol and knows
his number. Each patrol is properly
differed. 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 off
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 it Is
required that these matters be in place,
and that they be correct. The troop
is governed by point system. This
Is rigidiy adhered to, and each boy
reports his points Oh 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 we'll as regular at
tendance at all of the business meet
,uE>.
THE scattered condition of the troop
fUiDids d weekly meeting; so the bust
ness meeting, held once month, is
to lie attended. No boy may go else,
where on thar evening.
In addition to this business meet
ing, each patrol holds a monthly meet
ing. Here the indoor scoutcraft work
is done, and boys are examined as tc
tests, or prepared for the court OF
honor.
Several features peculiar to this
troop, have proved valuable. Each
hoy, entering the troop, undergoes 6
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, {
perfect score of points for three con
secutive months receives the 100 PEI
cent duty shield Four such period!
entitle him to the Maltese eros!
| award. We have a boy, of unimpeach
able rectitude, who has won the award
for perfect score for two unbrokeI
years.
The patrol that gains the creates
| number of points in month is en-
| titled to the custody of the fiags-tht
| 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 arr
held. The country boy has his fill o
| winter experiences in his long jour
! neys to and from school. But wheI
| spring comes we hike. The patro
most fully represented in the year.
! hikes receives a medal. So also doe
! the individual scout who is present a
| the greatest number of hikes Eacl
| hike is conducted by a leader, usual.
4 troop officer, who is responsible TO
| tie welfare and behavior of all SCOUT
| Who are present. No Sunday hikes
no tests passed on that day, and at
| tendance at Divine service required o
ALL"