The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-08-07
The Boy Scout Organization

Anyone may we'll ask what the
work and purpose is of a bows or
ganization which numbers its mem
bership in every civilized country. and
has an enrolment of over half a mil
| lion boys besides 10000 scout masters
and other officials. An organization
which Is only fourteen years old. this
Is in brief the history of the Boy
Scout organization.
The badge is a modified form of
the north on the mariners compass,
which was used among the Chinese as
early as 1884 B. c. and brought to
Europe by Marco Polo on his return
from Cathay. In its adaptation to
the use of the Boy Scouts the trefoil
refers to the three points in the scout
oath. The scroll is turned up at the
ends like scouts mouth, because he
does his duty with a smile and will
ingly. The knot is to remind the
scout to do a good turn to some one
daily. The arrowhead part is worn
is worn by the second class scout.
The union of the arrowhead and
scroll forms the badge worn by the
first class scout
To become tenderfoot boy must
be at least twelve years old and take
the scout oath which is as follows.
ION my honor | will do my best, to do
my duty to God and my country, and
to obey the scout law; to help other
people at all times; to keep myself
physically strong, mentally awake
and morally straight. Then he must
know the scout laws, motto, sign, sa-
lutte and significance of the badge.
The Scoute laws in their briefest form
are:
scout Is trustworthy.
scout is loyal.
A scout Is helpful
scout is friendly.
scout is courteous.
A scout is kind.
A scout is obedient
A scout is cheerful.
A scout is thrifty.
A scout is brave.
A scout Is clean.
A scout is reverent.
Next he must know the composition
and history Of the national flag and
the customary forms of respect due to
it; also be able to tie nine specified
knots for use under various condition.
After having passed these tests he be-
comes a tenderfoot and is enrolled in
the scout organization.
To become a second class scout a
boy must accomplish the following:
know and demonstrate first aid and
bandaging. also treatment for faint
ing schock, fractures, bruises, burns,
sprsins, injuries in which the skin is
broken and demonstrate how to carry
fy,tt Ia al
elementary signaling. track half a
mile in twenty-five minutes. go a mile
in twelve minutes at. scouts pace, use
properly knife and Ratchet, build a
fire in the open with two matches,
care for, and put it out, cook a quar-
ter of a pound of meat and two pota-
toes in the open without cooking
utensils. earn and deposit at least
one dollar in a public bank, know the
sixteen principal points of the com
pass. After passing these tests he is
permitted to wear the scroll part OF
the badge.
The requirements of first class
scout are several and varied only a
few of the principle ones need be
mentioned here, such as advanced
first aid, prepare and cook satisfac-
torily in the open such things as:
eggs, fish. fowl. game, pancakes, and
biscuit; also read and sketch maps,
swim fifty yards and enlist a boy
trained by himself in the requirements
Of tenderfoot
Besides these three classes there
are the degrees of life, star and
eagle scout, the last requiring besides
the work of the first three classes, the
winning of twenty-one merit badges,
including public health, life saving,
civics and athletics or physical de-
velopment.
For more detailed account of the
requirements and qualifications of a
boy scout, ask one, or it is to be found
in the scout handbook for boys And
now is there not some reason why
10000 men are behind and working
for the advancement of the Boy Scout
movement as an investment in the flu
ture citizenship? Does it not also
reach up toward the great American
ideal?
RUDOLPH W. JORDAN.
Scout Master. Bingham.