On my honor, I will, as a scout and as a cabin
boy, do my best to become proficient in scouting.
1. To learn swimming and always "be prepared" to
render aid to those in need in connection with
water accidents.
2. To make it my practice to know the location of
the life-saving devices aboard every boat I go on,
and to outline mentally any responsibility in
maintaining order for myself and shipmates in case
of emergency.
3. To be vigilant and cautious, always guarding
against water accidents.
4. To cooperate with the responsible authorities
for the observance of all regulations for the
conduct and safety of boats and ever seek to
preserve the motto of the sea, "Women and Children
First."
Like all scouting, sea scouting is both recreation and education. A sea
scout has a jolly good time in the water and on it, but at the same time
he is acquiring a tremendous amount of practical knowledge and nautical
efficiency which will stand him in good stead whether he follows the sea
or not.
NATIONAL COUNCIL'S ENDEAVOR TO DISCOVER VITAL FACTS IN REGARD TO THE
BOYHOOD OF THE NATION.
Earnest search reveals the lack of any comprehensive and uniform data as
to the youth of the Nation, although such data are absolutely essential
if we are to reach every boy and assure him the educational and other
opportunities to which he is entitled. At the instigation of the chief
scout executive, Mr. James E. West, the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America is endeavoring to start in motion an aggressive
campaign in the ascertaining and collecting of such facts. Each local
council is charged with the responsibility of studying conditions in its
own locality. Realizing the importance of making this study of
nation-wide extension, the National Council, at its last annual meeting
(March, 1920), passed the following resolution:
Whereas the National Council of the Boy Scouts of
America regard it of the utmost importance that
there should be available for use by the Boy
Scouts of America and other organizations
interested in the welfare of the youth of the
Nation all possible data relating to this subject;
and
Whereas investigation has proved that practically
no uniform data of this sort are at present
available as a basis for a thorough study of the
situation and further development of their
respective programs for service to the youth of
our Nation:
_Resolved_, That the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America in tenth annual meeting now
assembled requests that the Federal Government and
the various States of the United States shall, at
their earliest conveniences, through their various
appropriate departments, collate and make
available for our use and that of other
organizations such data as will provide
intelligent, efficient, and economic promotion of
the program devoted to making of good citizenship,
and
_Be it further resolved_, That the United States
Bureau of Education, Census Bureau, and the
Department of Child Welfare be especially urged to
collate such data as are absolutely necessary for
a thorough investigation of the problems involved;
and
_Be it further resolved_, That if sufficient funds
are not at the present time available for this
absolutely essential purpose, the Congress of the
United States and the legislatures of the various
States of the Union be urged to immediately make
such appropriation as may be necessary for
carrying out this purpose.