Imperial Valley press., 1924-01-17
THE Soy SCOUT DRIVE

THE BOY SCOUT DRIVE
Tomorrow morning the Boy Scout drive begins
the county for $1,000 ii funds to carry on the
work in 1924
Ell Ccntro's share Of this amount is $4,000. The
Press wants to take this occasion to express the opn
ion that not better way could be devised to spend $500
than in moding good citizens for Uncle Sam and the
community.
such impetus in the last year under the able leader
ship Of S. L. McCrory, and its effects upon commun-
ity life in the valley are obvious that its aims and
purposes scarcely need introduction. Much credit is
due to Mr.. McCrory and the splendid men with
whom he has surrounded himself in the faithful and
effective work accomplished. A year ago there were
only sc scouts IN the county; now there are about
400.
The year 1924 offers bigger promise in Boy Scout
achievement here than in almost any other section
of the United States due to the fact that the work
has been organized here such short time and there
are countless possibilities in the way of development.
At the time of reorganzing the movement year
ago there community in all the state where
real scouting badly needed as here. Being
pioneer country naturally boys between II and Is
or less turned loose to take care of them
selves. Some of them were making a good jo6 of it
Others not good. Many of them had too much
idle time on their hands. and that always makes for
mischief.
Now that is changed. Boy scoutism has done
wonders in one short year and holds high promise
for the years to School teachers and business
men, as well as the parents themselves, already
noting and remarking upon the marvellous changes
wrought in many OF the boys who come under their
attention.
1t would be difficult to differentiate between
the many qualities developed, but perhaps the out
standing ones are trustworthness, initiative and
erence With these three clements Of character there
are no heights to which the individual may not aspire
The lessons Boy Scouts receive in the merit sys-
TEN, too, cannot be overestimated First tender
foot, then second class and then first class Boy
scout There is the lesson Of life itself paralleed
Master one step thoroughly before another is
tackled Life is just continuous succession of steps
and the merit badge system is of the most COM
mendable things in scouting, it teaches the boy
when young lesson all have to learn, sooner or
later.
It is not the boy or community alone that profit
by scouting Scout masters themselves declare that
they are the greatest benefactors in their with
the virile enthusiasm Of youth. The growth of the
movement in this valley is limited only by the number
of scout masters who will interest themselves in the
work. Certain it is if the older had any idea of
the great good to be derived from mngling with
younger boys there would not be the dear of
suitable men for the work. Getting out of the de-
pressing rut of business, oTsaking business crones
who talk only in terms OF dollars and cents, getting
the boys spontaneous viewpoint on life is literally
rolling years from the backs Of scout masters and
making them enthusiastic boosters for the movement
If every mother and father in town were thor
oughly familiar with all the phases of Boy Scoutism
the amount Of $1,000 would be oversubscribed before
tomorrow.
In closing, we enumerate the laws boy promises
to obey when he takes his OATH Could anything
be more helpful in making for upright manhood than
these II rules?
/. A scout is trustworthy.
ic