The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
NEW TROOPS BRING C|TYS TOTAL ID 85
Commissioner Moffett Cites Hundreds Of Boys Who Have Joined And Splendid InfIu- ence They Have Exerted
 CAMP ANDREWS BREAKS ALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS ,Thirty-five Troop Cabins On Ground Offer Facilities For Boys Camp Life Both Dur ing Winter and Summer

ing winter ana summer
 The Birmingham scout organiza- ton. according to c. A. Moffett, scout commissioner, has enjoyed its greatest year of expansion and ac tivity, and the record will show, when the final report is made on January 1, healthy condition in all departments of the local scout work.
 When the final count is made" stated Mr. Moffett the results will show that quite a large number Of additional troops have been added to cur roster. which has brought into the organization hundreds of new scouts. and has thereby extended the influence of this splendid work 10 every section of the Birming gham district. The years work will show a net gain of 15 new troops, bringing the total up to S5, and a net gain of between 800 and 500 scouts, running the total membership of scouts up to a new high mark of more than 1900. In addition to the scouts there are approximately 200 scoutmc sters, assistant scoutmasters and commits sfoners who are serving actively in the local work. This significant sue cess is attributable to the loyalty and hard work of these men, and places Birmingham in first rank
 
 The local work has experienced . steady, wholesome growth during the fall months, and continued de- Nelopment is anticipated for the next six months. The growth in troops and scouts is due directly to the fine work of the organization commits sion. under the leadership of John - McCleary, Jr., and to the activities which have been developed during the fall months.
 Advance By IndiyiduaIs.
 The growth in members is only paralleled by the enormous advance nlent made by individual scouts to higher rank in their work. This activity on the part of the bows rep rcSents between twelve and fifteen thousand individual examinations which have been successfully passed by the boys In qualifying in the different subjects these boys have become proficient in many respects. Their training has given them knowledge which will be useful all their lives, and in addition mas rs,o',s aeg q Veloped within them an enormous amount of self-confidence, which will help qualify them for greater responsibilities of life.
 The training commission, under the leadership of l.. Frazer Banks as chairman, has given splendid dl- rection to the training of scouts ana leaders alike. and many valuable courses have been promoted by this commission.
 Camp Andrews. the outdoor scout home. situated 15 miles south or Birmingham, is recognized as one or the uniuue scout camps of the world Its 170 acres afford ample room for the scouts to enjoy themselves to
 fllA ontdoors As a monument to tnelr efforts some S5 troop cabins are now situated on the camp property, which ad. greatly to it's beauty and attrac- tiveness and provide, for the comfort of scouts who attend camp. The winter months hold no terror Tor inc boy scouts. and each Saturday tbev T ttend camp in large numbers under the leadership of their scout masters.
 ADD: NEW TROOPs-D D
 O O O
 New Record At Camp.
 The attendance of scouts and lead CTS at Camp Andrews for this year will run into thousands, as 1t IS eN- nected that new record in this re- spect will be made
 A great many improvements aaVe been made at Camp Andrews thls wear A new water syste.l was in- u, an ample supply of pure water. The water has been piped to the distant ridges. making it convenient for all troops irrespective of their distance from the well.
 To the Boy Scouts of Birmingham goes the credit for awakening the consciousness of the people of Bir- mingham to their patriotic responsi- bility which was accomplished tbrourh the Armistice Day celebra- 1ion. At this time vwo-thirds of the Boy Scouts of the local organization, with their leaders, marched in the narade. Their performance in stag inq the celebration of Armistice Day is one which all Birmingham may iustly be proud, as it was the great est patriotic demonstration held To- cally since the war.
 "Scouting," according to Mir. Moi fett "is one of the greatest forces of the present day in shaping the Characters of boys and training them for responsibility of citizenship. It talxes the boy, at the most plastic age. and under the leadership of scoutmasters, inculcates into his life those principles which are essential in developing strong and honest man hood.
 Briues Out Finest Qualities.
 "Scouting is a program which will hiring out the finest qualities or man. hood It's rugged outdoor training is conducive to strong, physical de- yelopment, and experience of years has proven it to be of exceedingly great value to the training of the boy.
 Under the present day conditions, every boy raised in the city should be a member of this organization, as if gives him that contact of the out doors with nature which is essen tial to his fuller development in life.
 Because scouting takes the gang at the right time, to a large extent the famous dirty dozens of other misdirectod boys organiza- lions have practically disappeared.'
 Scouting goes out into the com munity where boys live and serves them. It is program which is fos- tered in practically every instance by churches and they are finding 1t of great benefit in making contact with the boy and the church.. Because of its rank among other scout organiza- tions, Birmingham people have right to feel proud of the local scout council. of Camp Andrews and of the
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