E-text prepared by MWS, Emmy, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by
Internet Archive/American Libraries
(https://archive.org/details/americana). Music transcribed by Linda
Cantoni.
Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
file which includes the original illustrations and
a musical transcription.
See 52506-h.htm or 52506-h.zip:
(https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/52506/pg52506-images.html)
or
(https://www.gutenberg.org/files/52506/52506-h.zip)
Images of the original pages are available through
Internet Archive/American Libraries. See
https://archive.org/details/scoutingforgirls00bade
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS
Adapted from Girl Guiding
by
SIR ROBERT BADEN-POWELL
K.C.B., K.C.V.O., LL.D.
Author of “Scouting for Boys,” etc.
New York
1918
Copyright, 1918, by
Juliette Low
EXPLANATION
_Girl Scouting has a double meaning. To some it means the fun of
playing the games of the Girl Scouts; to others, the fun of “playing
the game” in Scouting Girls. Our desire in producing this Scout scheme
is to offer help to parents, teachers, and patriots who may care to
avail themselves of it when it comes to the duty of training girls._
_The object of the Scout training is to give our girls, whatever may be
their circumstances, a series of healthy and jolly activities which,
while delighting them, will afford them a course of education outside
the school in four particular lines of which there is the greatest
need:_
1. _CHARACTER AND INTELLIGENCE, through games,
practices and activities, and honours and tests for
promotion._
2. _SKILL AND HANDCRAFT, encouraged through badges for
proficiency._
3. _SERVICE FOR OTHERS and FELLOWSHIP, through daily
good turns, organised public service, etc._
4. _PHYSICAL HEALTH and HYGIENE, through development
up to standard by games and exercises designed for the
purpose._
_I have ventured to describe the above as a course of_ education
_instead of a course of_ instruction _since the girls are led to learn
of their own desire—which is education—instead of having the knowledge
impressed upon them from outside—which is instruction_.
_The Scouts are divided into four grades, to each of which a
corresponding Part of this book applies:_—
_PART I._ _Brownies, under 11._
_PART II._ _Scouts, 11 to 16._
_PART III._ _Senior Scouts, over 16._
_PART IV._ _Scouts, 18 to 81._
_The latter are what would otherwise be termed officers, but their
position is rather that of elder sisters reviving their youth by
playing among and leading the girls than of officers ordering them
about, or repressing them._
_In each grade the training runs on the same four lines as that shown
on the preceding paragraph, but on relatively higher standards at each
stage, according to the psychology of the girl concerned in it._
_Experience has shown that the scheme is easily applicable, even by
untrained leaders, to all kinds of girls, whether in town or country,
at home or overseas; and that it is capable of bringing about most
satisfactory results._
_This book merely offers an outline of principles, together with a
few samples of details as an indication to guiders of the lines on
which they can carry out the training. Further details are largely
left to their own ingenuity to devise, according to the condition and
character of their girls and of their surroundings._
_In any case the programme of the training should be kept as unlike a
school syllabus as possible in order to give it novelty and freshness._
_The book is worded in such a way that it can be studied by the girls
themselves in the different grades. The paragraphs in italics are more
particularly addressed to the Scouters. In conjunction with this book
the Book of Rules of the Association should be read, and where there
may be any difference in detail between the two the Book of Rules
should be taken as the guide, being more frequently under revision and,
therefore, up to date; and also the monthly_ GIRL SCOUTS’ GAZETTE.
_For further suggestions on the work of Scouters and their aims and
methods see Part IV. Perhaps the most important suggestion that I can
offer here to Scouters may be summed up in the motto:_—
“Laugh while you work.”
[Illustration: Robert Baden-Powell]
_January, 1918._
PART I
THE BROWNIES
CHAPTER I
BROWNIES
A BROWNIE is a household fairy who lives under and in the trees. This
is the reason that the Brownies badge is an acorn.
There are many kinds of Brownies, such as Sprites, Elves, Gnomes,
Fairies, Goblins, Pixies, Imps, Nymphs, Will-o’-the-wisps.
Have you ever seen a fairy ring? There are many in the woods and
sometimes in the garden—just a wide circle in the ground of rather
darker grass than the rest of the turf round about it. It is said to be
a track made by the Brownies who come together and dance on the grass
by moonlight, round a toadstool in the middle.
[Illustration: The Brownies’ Totem.]
So our Brownies have a toadstool as their Totem and they make their
ring around it. Like true fairies they can make their ring anywhere,
not only in the woods or out on the grass, but even in the town and in
a room.
When they come together they plant the toadstool in the center and
the Brownie captain (that is, the leader of the Pack) takes her place
by the toadstool. The Brownies then form a ring around her, the Elves
together (there must not be more than eight of them), the Goblins
together, the Fairies together, and so on.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: The Fairy Ring.]
For the Pow-wow (or Talking Ring) they stand close together, so that
their elbows are touching. It is called the Pow-wow Ring, or Talking
Ring, because they can hear the voice and the wise words of the Captain.
For the Dancing Ring they all join hands, and make the circle as wide
as they can reach.
The Promise
Any girl can become a Brownie who is under ten, and who does her best
to carry out the Promise of the Brownies.
This is the Promise:
1. To be obedient.
2. To help other people, especially those at home.
The Recruit Brownie
When a girl first joins the Brownies she is only a recruit like a boy
who joins the army, and before she can count as a real Brownie she must
know and understand the Promise, and what is more she must have carried
it out by doing a good turn in her own home.
The Pack
The Goblins go together, the Fairies go together and so on, each
forming a Pack. Some Packs are numbered like Girl Scout troops instead
of being named Fairy, Pixie, Elf, etc.
The Eight
The Captain or Leader of a pack is a grown-up person, and in each pack
there are several parties of eight under a Leader who is selected
if possible from a Girl Scout Patrol, and who is called a Brownie
Lieutenant.
Badge
Each Brownie Pack selects the leaf of any tree for its crest. This may
be a real leaf or any artificial one.
LIST OF TREES
Oak
Sycamore
Elm
Maple
Pine
Ash
Chestnut
Beech
Willow
Cedar
Spruce
Poplar
Aspen
Dogwood
Laurel
Motto
BE PREPARED.
The Yell or Cry: LAH, LAH, LAH. It sounds nonsense but it is not,
because it means Lend a Hand, and LAH are the initials.
L A H
e a
n n
d d
WAR CRY.
[Illustration: Music: We’re the Brownies. Here’s our aim: Lend a hand
and Play the Game.]
Uniform
Middy Blouse in khaki.
Bloomers ditto.
Hat same as Girl Scout.
Shoes and stockings brown.
Hair ribbon brown.
Badges worn on arm.
Crest leaf of a tree worn on breast.
Tests
The Recruit
A Brownie must know:
The Brownie’s Promise.
The Salute.
The Good Turn.
The Motto.
and must be able to:
Tie her hair ribbon.
Wash dishes properly.
Know how to sit tall.
To be Obedient
In the Brownie Pack every Brownie obeys the wishes of the leader. So
it is in our nation. The Americans are a very big pack, but they have
their one chief, the President. To be successful as an army in a battle
or as the team in a football match all should obey their captain. If
everybody started to play the game in his own way, there would be
confusion, and there could be no results. But if we “play the game”
according to orders our country will always be successful.
And in the same way, as a Brownie you must obey the Lieutenant of your
Eight.
The Good Turn
But now about the second promise, namely, to do a good turn to somebody
every day.
The Brownies and the Girl Scouts have a patent dodge of making
themselves happy. How do you suppose they do it?
By running about and playing at scouting games? By going out into camp?
By lighting fires and cooking their own grub? By tracking down animals,
and getting to know all about their ways?
Yes, they do all these things, and make themselves happy; but they have
a still better way than that. It is very simple. They do it by making
other people happy.
That is to say, every day they do a kindness to some one. It does not
matter who the person is (so long as it is not themselves), friend or
stranger, man or woman, or child.
And the kindness, or “good turn,” need not be a big thing. You can
generally get a chance of doing a little kindness in your own home,
such as helping your mother or a servant to do some little job about
the house; or you can, if away from home, help an old lady to carry
her parcel, or take a little child safely across the street, or do
something of that sort.
But whatever you do, you must not take any reward for doing it. If you
take money for it, it is not a good turn, but just a piece of work that
has been paid for.
The Brownies’ Smile
Brownies always smile, and if they are in difficulty, in pain, in
trouble, or in danger, they don’t cry, they just grin and bear it.
The Salute
When a Brownie shakes hands with another Brownie, or with a Girl Scout
or Boy Scout, she does so with the left hand. That is the secret sign
of brotherhood between them all.
Then also as a Brownie _you_ must understand and be able to make the
salute, which is done by holding up your hand with two fingers like
this:
[Illustration: How to salute.]
The Salute is another sign that you are a Brownie, even though you may
not be dressed in uniform, and that you recognize the person you are
saluting also as a Brownie.
Investiture of a Brownie
When a girl has passed her test as a recruit she is admitted into her
Eight as a Brownie, and she can then go on and pass her tests for a
Second Class Brownie.
The pack is formed up in the dancing ring, and the recruits stand in
the Pow-wow circle, with the Brownie Captain in the center.
The Brownie Captain says to the Recruit: “You have learnt what the
Brownies are, and how they owe their duty to be obedient, to help other
people, especially their own family, every day. What have you done to
help in your home?”
When the recruit has answered, the Brownie Captain again asks: “What is
your motto as a Brownie?”
“Be prepared.”
“Do you know that if you now make the Promise you must always stick to
it afterwards and do your best to carry it out? So do you still wish
to make it?” If the recruit is willing the Brownie Captain then says:
“Come to the Totem Pole and repeat your promise as a Brownie.”
The recruit, touching the Totem Pole with her left hand, and with her
right at the salute, then repeats the Brownie Promise. The Brownie
Captain then pins on her left breast the badge of her Eight, and says:
“You are now a Brownie, and wear the badge of the Eight. Will you
promise to try?”
The Brownie Captain then shakes hands, left handed with the Brownie.
The Brownie salutes with her right hand, faces about and salutes the
Pack, and then runs to join her Eight. Her Eight all shakes hands with
her, left-handed, to welcome her into the Eight.
Second Class Brownie
To become a Second Class Brownie you must:
I. Intelligence. Describe the flag of the United States.
Tie the following knots: Reef, Sheet, Bend,
Clove hitch and Fisherman’s.
II. Handcraft. Hem a duster or darn a stocking.
Do up a parcel.
Set a table for two for dinner.
III. Service. Bind up a cut finger or grazed knee.
IV. Health. Perform two physical exercises (which should
be selected by the Captain).
Know how and why you should keep your nails
cut and clean; why you should keep your
teeth clean and why breathe through the
nose.
Bowl a hoop or hop around a figure 8 course.
Throw a ball ten yards with right hand and
then with left hand.
Throw a ball so that a girl 6 yards away
catches it 4 times out of six.
Tying up a Parcel
The first duty of a parcel is to be neatly and strongly tied up so that
it does not come unfastened, but, poor thing, it cannot do this for
itself, so you have to do it a good turn by tying it up. Wrap it neatly
in strong paper.
Just as you tuck in the corners of the blankets on your bed to keep you
warm and snug, so the corners of the paper should be tidily folded at
the ends of a parcel and doubled over flat.
The string should be drawn quite tight, and have only small knots which
won’t slip. It is therefore most important that you should learn, as
Scouts do, how to tie knots properly.
When a parcel is going by post it gets thrown around a good deal and
has to stand a lot of banging about, so bear that in mind when you are
tying it up.
It is always wisest to write the name and address of the person to whom
you are sending the parcel on the parcel itself. Very often people
write this only on labels which they tie on, and then if this label
gets torn off at all, away goes the parcel to the dead letter office or
gets quite lost.
Hemming a Handkerchief
Double the edges twice, so that the rough edge of the square of linen
or muslin are well inside the turning. Then baste all around so as to
hold the turned edges in place, and so that they are the same width all
round.
Then hem it with neat, small stitches.
Darning Stockings
You can do many a good turn by darning.
Mind you get wool or thread the same color, and if possible of the same
thickness as the threads of the stockings you are going to darn.
You should put in your needle about an inch from the actual hole, and
push it up and down in straight lines, taking a thread and missing a
thread.
Then repeat this again criss-cross, leaving loops of the wool where you
turn, so that the new wool can shrink without tearing the stocking when
washed.
Setting a Table
Spread the table-cloth smoothly and evenly.
Put the knives, spoons, forks, and other things also exactly in place,
but before putting them there see that there is not a speck of dirt on
them, no finger marks or dust.
Although there is a regular way of setting a table, and all tables
look much alike when set, there is a great difference between one by
a Scout and set by any other girl. The Scout thinks for herself what
things will be needed for the meal, how many courses there will be, and
therefore how many knives, forks, and spoons, whether pepper will be
wanted or sugar, and puts them on the table accordingly. She uses her
wits as well as her hands.
Binding up a Finger or Knee
_A cut on the hand._ If anybody cuts his hand, and it is your job to
render first aid, the first thing to think about is how to stop the
bleeding. Remember, that just as important as stopping the bleeding is
the keeping of any sort of dirt from getting near the wound. Now dirt
here does not mean what you generally call dirt—mud and dust: it means
anything containing germs. Germs are tiny little insects, so small
that your eye can’t see them; if they get into a cut they may poison
it so that it festers and becomes really dangerous, ending, possibly,
in the loss of a finger or hand. The worst kind of germs are those
that come out of earth—such as garden mold, or mud from the road. They
cause a terrible disease known as lock-jaw, so great care should be
taken if any one gets a deep cut while gardening, for instance. But
any dust, or any soiled object may, and does, contain germs. So if
you are about to bandage a cut, find the very cleanest thing you can
think of to put next to the wound. The inside part of a clean, folded
handkerchief would probably be the best you could do, or failing this
the inside of a clean sheet of notepaper, or the inside of an envelope.
Having put something clean over the wound, you must add padding of some
sort—several handkerchiefs or pieces of rag. Then bind up very firmly
with tight, even pressure so as to stop the bleeding.
You can do this with strips of rag or a large, folded handkerchief.
Make the patient keep his hand raised, or put it in a sling, which you
can make from a scarf if you have one. Remember that your help is only
first aid: so take the patient to a grown-up person who will attend to
the wound more thoroughly, or take him to a doctor to be stitched up.
_A graze._ A graze is a bad scrape which has taken the skin off, and is
usually covered with dirt—grit off the road, and so on. It will not be
bleeding much, as a rule. The treatment should be to wash it well with
clean warm water, soaking it till the dirt comes away, and clean it
with little swabs of wool or cloth. When all the grit is removed cover
the graze with a clean piece of rag. Bandage firmly, but not tight
enough to be uncomfortable.
Nails
In the Japanese army, where soldiers keep themselves very clean, they
have the order that before eating a meal they must always wash their
hands, and they must at no time allow their nails to be dirty. It is
believed that it is this rule which has prevented a great deal of
illness among the soldiers.
[Illustration: Toe-nail cutting. Right. Wrong.]
The reason for it is that these poisonous little germs, which float
about in the air, live on dirt and are very liable to get on to your
hands and to hide under your fingernails, therefore you should always
be careful to keep these clean, especially before handling your food.
Nails, both on fingers and toes, should be kept properly trimmed with
scissors.
Soldiers as well as other people, very often suffer lameness and great
pain from the nail of their big toe growing down into the toe at one
side.
Toe-nail Cutting
This is often caused by letting the nail grow too long until by the
pressure of the shoe, it is driven to grow sideways into the toe. So
you should be careful to cut your toe-nails frequently every week or
ten days, and they should be cut square across the top, not rounded,
and with sharp scissors.
Finger nails should also be cut about once a week to keep them in good
order. They can be rounded to the shape of the finger to prevent the
corners catching and getting torn.
Biting the nails is very bad for them.
Teeth
There is no part of you that poisonous germs attack more readily than
your teeth. They get in between them and burrow inside them, and bring
about that awful pain known as toothache, and the teeth decay and have
to be pulled out; and consequently your food after that does not get
properly chewed.
But you can prevent this for yourself if you take the trouble to clean
your teeth properly, and to brush and wash away these germs out of your
mouth.
The first thing is to have a toothbrush. This you can buy for a few
cents at any drugstore. If you cannot afford to buy one you can at any
rate make one for yourself. There are no drug stores in the wilds of
Africa, and yet the natives there have splendid teeth, and they keep
them clean by continually brushing them after every meal with little
brushes made out of bits of stick.
They take a short stick and hammer the end of it until it is all frayed
out like a paint brush. It is a brush that any Brownie can make for
herself in a few minutes. The thing is not to forget to use it every
morning and every evening, when you get up and before going to bed, and
also if possible after your midday meal.
[Illustration]
Attack those germs with a brush and get them out from their hiding
places between and behind the teeth, and wash them out with mouthfuls
of water, so that they don’t get a chance of burrowing and destroying
your grinders.
In pioneer days when the Indians scalped people they seized them by
the hair growing on the crown of the head, which they called the scalp
lock. A very good way to stand tall and sit tall is to imagine a string
tied to your scalp lock, drawing you up to the ceiling or the sky, and
all the rest of you, both inside and out, will fall into good position.
It is quite painless, so try it.
Games and Practices
A strict obedience to the rules of a game, good temper, pluck and
honest, unselfish play count as much as skill in playing.
A Scout always shakes hands when she loses a game and congratulates the
winner.
Day and Night
The players divide into two parties and form in two lines, back to
back, about three paces apart. One of the lines is named the “Day
Party,” the other the “Night Party.” The leader has a disk painted
black on one side and a white on the other. (A coin may be used instead
of the disk.) In front of each party is a goal. The leader throws the
disk into the air. If the disk alights with the white side up the
leader calls “Day.” The “Day Party” then rushes toward its goal and the
“Night Party” pursues, tagging as many players of the “Day Party” as
possible. These they take back to their own line. The disk is thrown
again, and the party whose side turns up starts for their goal as
before. The game continues in this way until all the players on one of
the sides are lost.
Dodge Ball
Of any even number of players, half form a circle, while the other half
stand inside the ring, facing outward. The players in the center dodge
the ball, which, while in play, is thrown by any of those forming the
circle. Those who are hit with the ball take their places among those
around the circle, and have an equal chance at those remaining in the
center. One is put out at a time. This is kept up until no one is left
in the circle, after which the players exchange places, that is, those
who were in the circle now form around the circle, and vice versa.
Cross Tag
Any player who is chased may be relieved by any other player running
between her and the one trying to tag her. The latter must then run
after the player who ran between, till she in turn is relieved.
Sculptor
One of the players is chosen as the “Sculptor” and she arranges the
other players in different positions and attitudes as statues. No
player dares move or speak, for as soon as she does the sculptor
punishes her by beating her with a knotted handkerchief or towel,
called the “sack-beetle.” After having arranged the players to suit her
fancy the sculptor leaves the playground, saying: “The sculptor is not
at home.” No sooner is she gone than the statues come to life, sing,
dance, jump and play havoc in general. On the return of the sculptor
she counts, “One, two, three,” and any player who is not in her former
posture at “three” receives a beating with the knotted handkerchief
from the sculptor. Should the sculptor punish the wrong statue all the
players rush at her with knotted handkerchiefs and drive her to a goal
previously decided upon, and the game is resumed with some other player
as sculptor.
Inventory Game
Let each girl go into a room for half a minute and when she comes out
let her make a list of what she has seen. Then compare lists to find
who has seen the most.
Testing Noses
This is easiest with the competitors blindfolded. Let them smell
different things and tell what they are. Also the objects may be placed
in bags but this means much more work.
Three Deep
Twenty-four or more players form a circle of pairs with space enough
between the players (who stand closely one behind the other, facing
the center of the circle) to allow the runners to turn and run in all
directions. Two players on the outside of the circle and at a distance
from each other begin the game. One of these is called the “tagger,”
the other is “It.” She tries to tag “It” before she can secure a place
in front of any of the pairs forming the circle. If she succeeds, the
player who has been tagged then becomes the “tagger” and the former
“tagger” tries to secure a place in front of some pair. But whenever
the runner (the player pursued) has succeeded in getting in front of
a pair before being tagged, then the hindmost (the last or third in
the respective rank) must take to her heels and seek to evade the
unsuccessful “tagger,” who now turns her attention to the runner.
In trying to evade a tagger the successive player may run in any
direction, either left or right, outside the circle, but not pass in
front of any one rank to another rank in such a manner as to induce
wrong starts. A hindmost player may also form in front of his own rank,
making the second player in such rank hindmost or “third.” The play is
always directed against the third or last of a rank, two players being
the number limited to each place.
(When numbers of players in the beginning are too large the circle may
be formed by rows or ranks of threes, instead of twos or pairs.)
Expert players may form several circles and run from circle to circle,
two pairs playing simultaneously. The above play may be varied in a
number of ways.
Chasing an Owl
Another good stalking game is chasing the owl. This is done in thick
woods where one Scout represents the owl hooting at intervals and then
moving to one side for a distance. Each pursuer when seen is called out
of the game, and the owl, if a real good one, may get safely back to
her stump.
Turkey and Wildcat
This is played by the turkey blindfolded “going to roost” in some place
where there are plenty of twigs or dry leaves to crack and rustle.
At the first sound the turkey jumps. If not then within reach of
one wildcat, she is safe and another wildcat has a chance. This is
sometimes very laughable for the turkey being blindfolded may jump
right on the wildcat.
Walking the Plank
Lay on the ground a couple of boards edgewise with an apple or small
prize on the ground at the end of the board for the Brownie who can
walk the plank, squat or stoop and pick up the prize, turn round and
bring it safely back again.
(This practice is most valuable in producing concentration of mind and
action—the effort of body-balance develops mental balance.)
Stepping-Stones
Put down small bits of board, or cardboard (nailed to the ground) or
mark on the ground a twisty line of stepping stones as if for crossing
a brook—some close together, others far apart. Each Brownie to try the
course in turn, two tries. In the second try she carries in her hand
a board about eight inches square on which is a small ball which, of
course, must not be dropped.
(Object similar to that of “Walking the Plank.”)
First Class Brownie
These are what you have to do to become a First Class Brownie.
I. Intelligence. Know the semaphore alphabet and know how to
send and read 3 letters out of 4
correctly.
Know how to count change of a dollar.
Know first and last stanzas of Star-Spangled
Banner.
Know how to tell time by watch.
II. Handcraft. Know eight points of compass.
Knit scarf or make sewing bag, or make and
dress a paper doll.
Clean knives, forks and spoons.
III. Service. Carry a message and remember it for five
minutes and deliver it correctly.
Fold clothes neatly.
IV. Health. Apply triangular bandage.
Perform five physical exercises.
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
CHORUS:
’Tis the star-spangled banner, Oh! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream.
Oh! thus be it e’er when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heaven rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation,
Then, conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust.”
MY COUNTRY, ’TIS OF THEE
My country! ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died!
Land of the Pilgrim’s pride!
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love Thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let Rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our Father’s God, to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!
How to Change a Dollar
American money is divided into
Cents, which are made of copper.
5 cent pieces, commonly called nickels (made of base metal).
10 cents, commonly called a dime (made of silver).
25 cents, commonly called a quarter (silver).
50 cents, or half a dollar (silver).
100 cents make a dollar, which is sometimes made of paper and
sometimes made of silver.
After you learn to count money up to one hundred cents or one dollar,
it is easy to handle larger sums, such as five dollars, ten dollars.
The abbreviation for cents is cts. or ¢.
The abbreviation for dollar is this sign: $.
The monogram of the United States, “U. S.,” makes the dollar sign if
you leave off the bottom of the U.
Reading the Compass
Some time ago some wild Australian natives were taken for a voyage on
a ship. They had always been accustomed to finding their way by tracks
on the ground, so when they got to sea they wondered how the Captain
of the ship found his way across the trackless ocean and they kept a
look-out in the bow looking over in the water to see if they could
discover the footmarks or signs by which the Captain was finding his
way, till at last they went to him and said, “How do you manage it?”
So the Captain showed them the compass which told him which way was
north, which south, east and west, and that by reading the compass,
and reading his map with it, he was able to go into strange parts of
the world without ever having been there before, but always able to
find his way because he knew which way was north by the compass. He
marked the points of the compass on his map and by comparing the map
and the compass it led him north, south, east, or west. And so it is
also necessary for a Girl Scout or a Brownie to know the points of the
compass, because at any time you may be told to go off to the north or
to the south with a message, or you want to know which way the wind is
blowing, whether it is a north wind which is going to bring cold or
an east wind, rain, and so on. But how can you do this if you do not
know which is the south or which is the north? When you have not got a
compass it is quite easy to judge this by the sun. The sun gets up in
the east and sets in the west and in the middle of the day it is due
south of you if you are in the northern part of the world. A Brownie
must understand this and the different points of the compass before she
can be considered a good useful messenger.
Clean Knives, Forks and Spoons
Use very hot water for first cleaning them to get off the grease. That
is the secret of success. Rinse them and use dry clean towels. But mind
you do not put the white handles of knives in the water, because they
are apt to crack if you do so.
Make Doll’s Clothes or Brownie’s Overall
In Australia there is a school where the boys were taught farming, but
the first thing that a boy had to do when he got there was to make
his own saddle and bridle for riding a horse. He was only allowed to
use that same saddle during the rest of his time at the school, some
three or four years, so if he did not make it neatly and well, he was
the laughing-stock of the other boys for the rest of his time. And it
is much the same with the Brownies. They are given directions how to
make their clothes but if they make them badly, well then they will be
ashamed of them for the rest of their time as Brownies. So be careful
to listen to all that is told you as to how you should make the things
and then make them as well as you possibly can.
Knitting
Of course you can do knitting either with a machine or with knitting
needles by hand, but I strongly advise doing it by hand for though
it is a little bit more difficult to learn at first it is much more
pleasing afterwards. By being able to knit you can do good turns to
other people very often indeed. All people, men and women, are glad to
have warm things made for them in winter time, and by being able to
knit a Brownie can lend a hand and give great happiness to other people.
Fold Clothes Neatly
A soldier or sailor on going to bed always puts his clothes neatly in
some spot where he can find them readily in the dark and slip into them
quickly in the case of alarm. And so also Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
do the same, because you never know when an accident may happen; the
house may be on fire, or a thief may break in, and you may want your
clothes suddenly in the dark. If you have them already folded in their
place, you can readily find them and be quickly dressed. But if your
clothes are lying all over the place it is impossible to find them in
the dark. But there is another reason also for keeping your clothes
neatly folded. And that is that they last much longer when properly
taken care of, and always look neat, instead of getting baggy, worn and
thread-bare. No true Brownie ever leaves her clothes lying about in an
untidy way.
To Carry a Message in Your Head
Scouts and Brownies are very often employed as messengers and have done
very good work. That is why so many of them have won War Service badges
in the Great War. And the reason they are used is because they remember
what is told them, carry it in their heads and deliver it properly. A
Brownie learns her message by heart as soon as it is given to her, and
repeats it to the person who gives it; then she keeps on repeating it
while she goes along, and remembers that all the time she is going she
is on duty, and therefore it is her business not to stop and loiter
and look at other things, but to get her duty done. In this way her
attention fixed on her work she can always deliver her message at the
end of the journey quite correctly as she got it in the first instance.
Applying a Triangular Bandage
This is a thing that every Brownie ought to know how to do. It looks
quite easy when you see other people do it, but it is most important
that you should know how to do it yourself, and to do it correctly,
because when people are injured it is necessary for a Brownie to keep
her head and to be able to put on the bandage so that it will do real
good, and not merely look like a good bandage.
There are a great many ways of applying the triangular bandage. When
you become a Scout you will learn these. At present the three most
useful ways are given you, and as you only have three to learn you will
be expected to apply these really well. The large arm-sling is used to
support the forearm and hand. This is how you put it on. Open out the
triangular bandage, lay it across the patient’s chest so that the point
comes under the elbow of the injured arm. One of the ends will then be
over the good shoulder. Take hold of the other end and bring it up over
the bad shoulder, round the neck, and tie it in a square or reef knot.
Then fold the point over the elbow and pin it neatly.
To apply a triangular bandage to a sprained ankle, fold it into what is
called a “wide bandage.” This means bring the point down to the base,
then fold it once again.
[Illustration: Wide Bandage]
Apply the middle of this to the sole of the patient’s foot, bring
the two ends up and cross the bandage firmly over the instep (or top
of foot). Bring the ends round the ankle tightly, cross at the back,
bring up round again and tie in a square or reef knot. This bandage is
useless unless applied very firmly. A good way of insuring its getting
tighter instead of looser, after it is applied is to wet the bandage:
it will then shrink in drying and tighten the pressure evenly all over.
Proficiency Badges for Brownies
Now having won your First Class as a Brownie, you can go on and do
great things. You can earn badges to wear on your arms. Look at these
and see which you would like, and go in and win.
These are the Proficiency Badges for which First Class Brownies may
qualify. They are in four groups.
Group I. INTELLIGENCE.
Group II. HANDCRAFT.
Group III. SERVICE TO OTHERS.
Group IV. PHYSICAL HEALTH.
Group I. Intelligence
_Collector._—For collecting stamps, medal ribbons, specimens, crests,
etc., or keeping a scrap-book. (Neatness of arrangement to count.)
[Illustration]
_Observer._—Study of animals, birds, plants, etc. Tracking and Kim’s
Game.
[Illustration]
_Signaler._—Elementary signaling with flags, etc., and scout signs.
[Illustration]
Group II. Handcraft
_Artist._—Drawing or painting or modeling. (Self-expression rather than
artistic merit to count.)
[Illustration]
_Weaver._—Knitting, netting, patch-work, basket-making.
[Illustration]
_Wood-Worker._—Chip carving, fretwork, or carpentry.
[Illustration]
Group III. Service for Others
_First Aider._—Know how to treat minor injuries and accidents.
[Illustration]
_Guide._—Must know how to show the way to strangers, and know where to
find Police Station, Fire Station, Doctor, etc., and know the history
of the place.
[Illustration]
_House Worker._—Make tea, peel potatoes, prepare vegetables, clean up,
make bed.
[Illustration]
Group IV. Physical Health
_Athlete._—Able to run, jump, climb, throw, and catch.
[Illustration]
_Swimmer._—Able to swim twenty-five yards, and float and dive in the
water.
[Illustration]
_Team Player._—For hockey, basket ball and other team games.
[Illustration]
Note:—The full details for these will be found in the Leaders’ Manual.
PART II
GIRL SCOUTS
(11 TO 18)
CHAPTER I
HOW TO BECOME A TENDERFOOT
THE SCOUT PROMISE
ON my honour I will try—
TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD AND TO MY COUNTRY.
TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.
TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW.
THE SCOUT LAW
1. A Scout’s honor is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a sister to every other
Girl Scout.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout Keeps herself pure.
7. A Scout is a friend to animals.
8. A Scout obeys order.
9. A Girl Scout is cheerful.
10. A Scout is thrifty.
WHAT IS A GIRL SCOUT?
This is a Girl Scout.
She is in her uniform, wearing her badges of rank and awards for
proficiency.
[Illustration: A Girl Scout.]
The stripes on her left breast and the badge in her hat show that she
is a Patrol Leader—that is, she commands a group of seven other Scouts
who form the “Patrol.” She carries in her hand the flag of the Patrol.
The badge on her right breast is that for “War Service”—meaning that
she has done public service during the war.
What Do Girl Scouts Do?
Look on the cover and you will see that they are jolly people who enjoy
themselves, they are a happy sisterhood who do good turns to other
people.
[Illustration: As a Munition Worker.]
In Europe Girl Scouts are called Girl Guides and this is what they have
done abroad during the Great War.
In the towns they have helped at the Military Hospitals as assistants
to the ward-maids, cooks, and laundry women. In the Government offices,
such as the War Office, the Admiralty, and other great departments of
the State, they have acted as orderlies and messengers. They have taken
up work in factories, or as motor-drivers, or on farms, in order to
release men to go to the front.
At home and in their club-rooms they have made bandages for the
wounded, and warm clothing for the men at the Front and in the Fleet.
(S.T. stands for “Stand tall and Sit tall”)
In the country they have collected eggs for the sick, and on the moors
have gathered sphagnum moss for the hospitals.
Over in France a great Recreation and Rest Hut for the soldiers has
been supplied by the Guides with funds earned through their work. It
is managed by Guide officers, or ex-Guides. Among the older Guides
there are many who have done noble work with the Hospitals at home and
overseas; there was one in particular who went through great adventures
in Serbia during the invasion of that country.
[Illustration: A Hostel Scout.]
At home in many of the great cities the Scouts have turned their
Headquarters’ Club-Rooms into “Hostels.” That is, they have made them
into small hospitals ready for taking in people injured in air-raids by
the enemy.
So altogether the Scouts have shown themselves to be a pretty useful
lot in many different kinds of works during the war, and, mind you,
they are only girls between the ages of 11 and 18. But they have done
their bit in the Great War as far as they were able, and have done it
well.
There are 64,000 of them, and they are very smart, and ready for any
job that may be demanded of them.
They were not raised for this special work during the war, for they
began some years before it, but their motto is “Be Prepared,” and it
was their business to train themselves to be ready for anything that
might happen, even the most unlikely thing.
[Illustration: Scout Orderly.]
So even when war came they were “all there” and ready for it.
It is not only in Great Britain that they have been doing this, but—in
Canada and Australia, West, East, and South Africa, New Zealand,
the Falkland Islands, West Indies, and India. The Scouts are a vast
sisterhood of girls, ready to do anything they can for their country
and Empire.
In this book I will show you as briefly as possible how you become a
Scout, and what you have to do to make yourself fit for service. And I
can tell you right off now that one thing you’ve got to do is to laugh
and enjoy it all; you can’t help doing so when you get into it.
What the Guides Do
As a Guide your first duty is to be helpful to other people, both in
small everyday matters and also under the worst of circumstances. You
have to imagine to yourself what sort of things might possibly happen,
and how you should deal with them when they occur. Then you will know
what to do.
[Illustration: Finding the Wounded.]
I was present when a German aeroplane dropped a bomb on to a railway
station in London. There was the usual busy scene of people seeing to
their luggage, saying good-bye and going off by train, when with a
sudden bang a whole car was blown to bits, and the adjoining ones were
in a blaze; seven or eight of those active in getting into the train
were flung down—mangled and dead; while some thirty more were smashed,
broken, and bleeding, but still alive. The suddenness of it made it all
the more horrifying. But one of the first people I noticed as keeping
their heads was a smartly dressed young lady kneeling by an injured
working-man; his thigh was smashed and bleeding terribly; she had
ripped up his trouser with her knife, and with strips of it had bound
a pad to the wound; she found a cup somehow and filled it with water
for him from the overhead hose for filling engines. Instead of being
hysterical and useless, she was as cool and ready to do the right thing
as if she had been in bomb-raids every day of her life. Well, that is
what any girl can do if she only prepares herself for it.
[Illustration: Binding up Injuries.]
Long before there was any idea of the war the Scouts had been taught to
think out and to practise what they should do supposing such a thing as
war happened in their own country, or that people should get injured
by bombs or by accidents in their neighbourhood.
In order to be able to deal with such cases the first thing that you
have to know is how to go out in the country and find the wounded
by following their tracks to where they have crawled away to hide
themselves or get water; you must know how to bind up their wounds
temporarily; how to light a fire and boil up some hot soup, or
fomentations for their injuries; you must be able to signal to other
Scouts in the distance in order to call up help; you must be able
to make a shelter out of the brush-wood around you, or to rig up a
stretcher or means of carrying the injured on carts or barrows and so
to get them in to hospital.
Then you have to know how to turn a room or a cellar into a ward, how
to make up beds and apparatus for the use of the sick and wounded; how
to nurse them; how to change their bandages; how to cook their food;
what sort of ventilation is necessary; how to wash the linen and so on.
Convalescent Nursing
Finally there comes the convalescent stage when your patients are
getting better, and you have to give them more nourishing food, cooked
in a tempting manner, and you have to keep their minds active and
cheerful by being able to read or sing to them, and so to cheer them
back to life.
These are things which have to be learnt in peace-time, and because
they were learnt by the Scouts beforehand, these girls were able to do
their bit so well when war came.
[Illustration: Cheering them back to life.]
Frontier Life
But they have to Be Prepared for many other things besides sickness. It
falls to the lot of very many girls to take up life Overseas, and very
often it is a rough life, and one full of adventures and romance.
But although this sounds nice in books and stories it is no fun for
a girl who has had everything done for her at home, to find herself
stranded in an outlandish place with no one available to help her, no
water or gas laid on, no shops, or bakers, no cooks, no doctors.
[Illustration]
She has to do everything for herself. This is where so many women, who
had charge of ambulances in Serbia and other countries during the war,
came out so splendidly, doing everything for themselves, and showing
the greatest possible courage and handiness in the difficulties and
dangers of active service.
(S.T.)
A story which should appeal with special force to Girl Scouts is that
of Emilienne Moreau.
She is a French girl, and was living at Loos where the heavy fighting
took place in October, 1915.
When the Germans took the place and held it, after their retreat from
the Marne a year before, she, with her family, remained there and made
the best of things under the German occupation.
She lived with her aged father and invalid mother, a sister, and a
small brother of ten.
The father, broken in health and spirits by the presence of the hated
Germans, died. Loos was practically empty of inhabitants, business was
at a standstill—it was impossible to get a coffin even in which to bury
the poor man.
So this girl, with the help of her young brother, got hold of some
planks and themselves made one for their father’s body.
[Illustration]
In September she noticed that the German garrison of the place were
getting disturbed. More men were put into the town, and more defensive
works were made. Shells began to fall, and the firing to become more
intense day by day.
Instead of hiding in the cellar she climbed into the roof, where
through a hole in the tiles, she was able to see the fighting that
went on between the German defenders and the Highlanders who were
attacking.
For several days it continued, but the Scotsmen finally got into the
town and drove the Germans out from street to street with hand-to-hand
fightings.
In a hidden corner five Germans kept fighting our troops unseen until
this girl discovered their position.
She got hold of some hand-grenades and threw them in among them,
killing three of them. The two survivors attacked her with bayonets,
but she had armed herself with the revolver belonging to a dead British
officer, and as they came at her she turned it on them with quick and
steady aim and shot them both.
Then she went to work, regardless of the danger of rifle fire and
shrapnel, tending the wounded, rendering first-aid, bringing water and
blankets to them, thereby saving their lives and easing the pain of a
number of British soldiers.
[Illustration]
Our officers found her doing these things. She was personally thanked
and congratulated by the British general for her valuable assistance
to the medical staff, and for her courage and gallant help against
the enemy, and she was later on awarded the French Military Cross
“for valour on the field of battle.” Later we heard that Emilienne
Moreau was a French Girl Scout, and what this gallant French girl did,
her sister Girl Scouts in Britain would, I hope, also do in similar
circumstances.
But it could only be done when a girl has trained herself as the Scouts
do to be plucky, to be handy, to keep cool, to know what is the right
thing to do—and to do it at no matter what risk to herself.
Frontierswomen
I have met many fine frontierswomen in my time. In Matabeleland,
when the natives rose against us, Mrs. Selous, the wife of the great
elephant hunter, was alone in her home, thirty miles away from the
nearest town. Some natives living close by came and asked her for
the loan of as many axes as she could spare, as they wanted to chop
firewood. Shortly afterwards her husband, who had been away shooting,
came galloping in, and told her to saddle and mount her horse at once
and to get away as the natives were “up” and murdering the white
inhabitants.
[Illustration: A Frontier-woman’s Ride for Life.]
[Illustration]
Being a frontierswoman it did not take her long to catch and saddle
up her horse, and in a few minutes she and her husband had left their
home, and were riding for their lives towards Bulawayo. Before they
were out of sight of their house they could see smoke and flames
already issuing from it. The natives who had borrowed the axes had
done so with the object of murdering them, and finding that they had
escaped, were now wreaking their vengeance on their property. It was
just Mrs. Selous’ promptness, cool-headedness, and ability to ride that
saved her life.
[Illustration]
Another woman at that time was similarly out on her farm, while her
husband was away in some other part of the country. The natives
surrounded her house in the night and attacked her faithful native
servants. Knowing her danger, she slept in her clothes, and realising
what was the matter when she heard the noise of the attack, she
seized her revolver and, slipping out of the house through a back
window, she escaped into the garden and hid herself behind a tombstone
there. In the early dawn the marauders departed, and she came out of
her hiding-place to find her home wrecked and her faithful servants
all killed. A relief party of white men soon after arrived from the
nearest township, and found her quite self-possessed and calm. The only
excitement she showed was her intense relief at the fact that one of
the attackers had seized her sewing machine and was making off with it
when he was killed by one of her men, and had dropped the machine at a
spot where it just escaped falling down the well. So she rode back to
Salisbury in triumph with her rescuers, clutching her beloved sewing
machine. She had no sooner reached safety than she discovered that she
had dropped her revolver, and she insisted on going back again to find
it. You might think that she could have got a new revolver in the town,
but that was not the question. The revolver was a favourite of hers,
because, although old and rather out of gear, she had once killed a
lion with it.
She had many other exciting adventures in Rhodesia which I have not
space to tell here, but she was a splendid type of what a London girl
can do when put to it in places of difficulty and danger, if only she
has trained herself.
(S.T.)
The story of Laura Secord, the heroine of Canada, shows what a
frontierswoman may be called upon to do, and what she can do if only
she has Been Preparing herself in strength of mind and body like a
Scout.
Canada was at war with the United States over a hundred years ago.
Battles between the Americans and the English were being fought on all
sides in that unhappy year 1812. After the engagement on Queenstown
Heights a terror-stricken woman went tramping over the field where the
slain were lying in search of her husband. Laura Secord had heard that
her husband had been wounded and left there for dead; but on finding
him, to her joy she discovered that he was still alive, though badly
injured.
It was during his long illness that a report was brought to Laura
Secord that the Americans were again coming to surprise the English,
unknown to the general.
Owing to her pluck and determination, Laura achieved a famous deed of
heroism and saved her country by taking the information of the advance
of the enemy right away to the commanding officer of the British
troops. Through difficulties and dangers she sped without a fear for
her own safety; she trudged on through forests and bogs, going twenty
miles round out of the beaten track so as to avoid being traced. In the
dusk of the evening her path was checked by a deep stream. Here she
felt almost hopeless, until she found a tree-trunk fallen across the
water, and by this she managed to scramble to the opposite bank. Whilst
dreading what might happen at home to her invalid husband and her
little children left behind, Laura Secord still pressed forward through
the darkness, tired and weak, till she at length reached the British
camp, and was able to unburden her mind and give the news of the danger
to the officer in command. All present were struck with admiration for
her gallant effort, and with the knowledge of the impending danger thus
gained, the British were able to BE PREPARED.
Now, did not this Laura Secord, though quite untrained, do every part
of the duty of a Girl Scout? She showed SENSE OF DUTY in leaving all
that was dearest to her to go off to the commander.
She showed cleverness and RESOURCE in getting through the American
outposts by driving her cow in front of her, pretending that she was
merely taking her out to graze.
She showed ENDURANCE going such a long journey rapidly and well, being
healthy and fit for hard work.
Also CAMPAIGNING in being able to find her way by a circuitous route
through forests and by night, and yet not seen by the enemy—SAVING
LIFE, too, not only of the soldiers in the force, but eventually of
all her nation, by freeing her country of the enemy.
She showed PATRIOTISM by sacrificing her own wishes for the good of her
country, and risking her life for the good of her nation.
Why “Scouts”?
On the North-West Frontier of India there is a famous Corps of soldiers
known as the Scouts, and their duty is to be always ready to turn out
at any moment to repel raids by the hostile tribes across the Border,
and to prevent them from coming down into the peaceful plains of India.
This body of men must be prepared for every kind of fighting. Sometimes
on foot, sometimes on horseback, sometimes in the mountains, often with
pioneer work, wading through rivers and making bridges, and so on. But
they have to be a skilful lot of men, brave and enduring, ready to
turn out at any time, winter or summer, or to sacrifice themselves if
necessary in order that peace may reign throughout India while they
keep down any hostile raids against it. So they are true handymen in
every sense of the word, and true patriots.
[Illustration: Facing a Difficulty.]
When people speak of Scouts in Europe one naturally thinks of those men
who are mountaineers in Switzerland and other mountainous place, who
can guide people over the most difficult parts by their own bravery and
skill in tackling obstacles, by helpfulness to those with them, and
by their bodily strength of wind and limb. They are splendid fellows
those guides, and yet if they were told to go across the same amount
of miles on an open flat plain it would be nothing to them, it would
not be interesting, and they would not be able to display those grand
qualities which they show directly the country is a bit broken up
into mountains. It is no fun to them to walk by easy paths, the whole
excitement of life is facing difficulties and dangers and apparent
impossibilities, and in the end getting a chance of attaining the
summit of the mountain they have wanted to reach.
[Illustration: Why “Scout”?]
Well, I think it is the case with most girls nowadays. They do not
want to sit down and lead an idle life, not to have everything done
for them, nor to have a very easy time. They don’t want merely to walk
across the plain, they would much rather show themselves handy people,
able to help others and ready, if necessary, to sacrifice themselves
for others just like the Scouts on the North-west Frontier. And they
also want to tackle difficult jobs themselves in their life, to face
mountains and difficulties and dangers, and to go at them having
prepared themselves to be skilful and brave; and also they would like
to help other people to get over their difficulties also. When they
attain success after facing difficulties, then they feel really happy
and triumphant. It is a big satisfaction to them to have succeeded and
to have made other people succeed also. That is what the Girl Scouts
want to do, just like the mountaineer guides do among the mountains.
Then, too, a woman who can do things is looked up to by others, both
men and women, and they are always ready to follow her advice and
example, so there she becomes a Scout too. And later on if she has
children of her own, or if she becomes a teacher of children, she can
be a really good Scout to them.
In fact, if one caricatured a Scout one would draw her thus:—“Turn to
the right and keep straight on.” And for these reasons the name Scout
was given to them originally.
[Illustration]
By means of games and activities which the Scouts practise they are
able to learn the different things which will help them to get on in
life, and show the way to others to get on also. Thus camping and
signalling, first aid work, camp cooking, and all these things that
the Scouts practise are all going to be helpful to them afterwards in
making them strong, resourceful women, skilful and helpful to others,
and strong in body as well as in mind, and what is more it makes them a
jolly cheery lot of comrades also.
“Be Prepared!”
The motto of the Scouts on which they work is “Be Prepared,” that is,
be ready for any kind of duty that may be thrust upon them, and what
is more, to know what to do by having practised it beforehand in the
case of any kind of accident or any kind of work that they may be
asked to take up. Thousands of women have done splendid work in this
war, but thousands more would have been able to do good work also had
they only Been Prepared for it beforehand by learning a few things that
are useful to them outside their mere school work or work in their own
home. And that is what the Scouts are learning in all their games and
camp work; they mean to be useful in other ways besides what they are
taught in school.
How to Join
You join a Troop in your neighborhood and become a member of one of the
Patrols in it. A Patrol is a group of eight girls, under the command of
a Patrol Leader. Each Patrol is called after a bird or a flower, and
has that flower or bird embroidered on its flag. The Patrol is the team
for play or for work, and each Patrol endeavors—or at least considers
itself—to be the best in the Troop.
If there is no Troop in your neighborhood you can become a “_Lone
Scout_.” That is, you can make the promise, carry out the Scout Law and
all the practices by yourself, and you can wear the uniform and win the
badges.
[Illustration]
For this you must report and be registered. That is, if you cannot hear
of a Scout officer near you, write to the Secretary at Headquarters,
tell her where you live and she will put you in touch with the nearest
officer who will register you and help you.
Scout Ranks
At first you rank as a Candidate until you pass your Tenderfoot tests.
Then you can go on and rise to the following ranks:—
Candidate.
Tenderfoot.
Second-Class Scout.
First-Class Scout.
Corporal.
Patrol Leader.
Senior Scout or Citizen Scout.
HOW TO BECOME A TENDERFOOT
(S.T.)
A. You must learn the _Scout Law_.
B. You must make the _Scout’s Promise_.
C. You must learn the _Salute and the Woodcraft Signs_
of the Scouts.
D. You must understand how the _Flag_ is made up, and
how it should be flown.
E. You must be able to tie _knots_ and know what they
are used for; any four of the following:—
Reef-knot, Sheet bend, Clove-hitch, Bowline,
Fisherman’s knot, Sheepshank.
F. Elementary Scout’s Drill.
This may seem to be rather a lot of things to learn, but they are
really very easy, and I will show you in the next few pages how to do
it without much trouble.
When you can do these you will no longer be a Candidate, you will be
admitted into the Scouts as a “Tenderfoot,” and can then go on and win
badges.
The Tenderfoot Badge
The Badge of the Girl Scouts is the “Trefoil” (three leaves), which
represent the three promises made on joining, as the three fingers held
up in the salute also do.
[Illustration]
The proper place for the Tenderfoot Badge is in the centre of the loose
ends of the tie.
A. THE GIRL SCOUT’S LAW
1. A GIRL SCOUT’S HONOR IS TO BE TRUSTED.
If a Scout says “On my honour it is so,” that means
that it _is_ so just as if she had taken a most solemn
oath.
Similarly, if a captain says to a Scout, “I trust you
on your honor to do this,” the Scout is bound to carry
out the order to the very best of her ability, and to
let nothing interfere with her doing so.
If a Scout were to break her honor by telling a lie, or
by not carrying out an order exactly when trusted on
her honor to do so, she would cease to be a Scout, for
the time being, and she may be required to hand over
her Scout badge.
2. A SCOUT IS LOYAL
to the President and to her officers, to her mother and
father, to her employers, to those who may be under
her, and to her friends. She must stick to them through
thick and thin against any one who is their enemy, or
who even talks badly of them. A Scout will not talk ill
of them herself.
3. A SCOUT’S DUTY IS TO BE USEFUL AND TO HELP OTHERS.
She is to do her duty before anything else, even though
she gives up her own pleasure, or comfort, or safety to
do it. When in difficulty to know which of two things
to do, she must ask herself, “Which is my duty?”—that
is, “Which is best for other people?”—and do that one.
She must Be Prepared at any time to save life and to
help injured persons. And _she should do at least one
good turn_ to somebody every day.
4. A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ALL, AND A SISTER TO EVERY
OTHER SCOUT.
Thus, if a Scout meets another Scout, even though a
stranger to her, she may speak to her, and help her in
any way that she can, either to carry out the duty she
is then doing, or by giving her food, or, as far as
possible, anything that she may be in want of. A Scout
must never be a SNOB. A snob is one who looks down
upon another because she is poorer, or who is poor and
resents another because she is rich. A Scout is like
Kim—“Little friend to all the world.”
5. A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS—
that is, she is polite to all—but especially to old
people and invalids, cripples, etc. And she must not
take any reward for being helpful or courteous.
6. A GIRL SCOUT KEEPS HERSELF PURE. SHE IS CLEAN IN
WORD, IN THOUGHT, IN DEED.
She is strong enough in her mind to be above talking or
listening to dirty subjects. She keeps herself pure,
clean-minded, and womanly.
7. A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ANIMALS.
She should save them as far as possible from pain, and
should not kill any animal unnecessarily, not even the
smallest of God’s creatures.
8. A SCOUT OBEYS ORDERS
of her parents, patrol leader, or Captain without
question. Even if she gets an order she does not like
she must do as soldiers and sailors do—she must carry
it out all the same _because it is her duty_. After she
has done it she can come and state any reasons against
it; but she must carry out the order at once. That is
discipline.
9. A GIRL SCOUT IS CHEERFUL
under all difficulties. When she gets an order she
should obey it cheerily and readily, not in a slow,
hang-dog sort of way, and should sing even if she
dislikes it.
When she is in trouble or in pain it will at once
relieve her if she forces herself to smile—to “grin and
bear it.”
Scouts never grumble at hardships, nor whine at each
other, nor frown when put out.
A Scout goes about with a smile and singing. It cheers
her and cheers other people, especially in time of
danger, for she keeps it up then all the same.
10. A SCOUT IS THRIFTY—
that is, she saves every penny she can, and puts it
into the bank, so that she may have money to keep
herself when out of work, and thus not make herself a
burden to others; or that she may have money to give
away to others when they need it.
How Camping Teaches the Scout Law
Last year a man went out into the woods to try and see if he could live
like the prehistoric men used to do; that is to say, he took nothing
with him in the way of food or equipment or even clothing—he went just
as he was, and started out to make his own living as best he could.
Of course the first thing he had to do was to make some sort of tool
or weapon by which he could kill some animals, cut his wood and make
his fire and so on. So he made a stone axe, and with that was able to
cut out branches of trees so that he could make a trap in which he
eventually caught a bear and killed it. He then cut up the bear and
used the skin for blankets and the flesh for food. He also cut sticks
and made a little instrument by which he was able to ignite bits of
wood and so start his fire. He also searched out various roots and
berries and leaves, which he was able to cook and make into good food,
and he even went so far as to make charcoal and to cut slips of bark
from the trees and draw pictures of the scenery and animals around him.
In this way he lived for over a month in the wild, and came out in the
end very much better in health and spirits and with a great experience
of life. For he had learned to shift entirely for himself and to be
independent of the different things we get in civilisation to keep us
going in comfort.
[Illustration: “He went just as he was!”]
That is why we go into camp a good deal in the Boy Scout and in the
Girl Scout movements, because in camp life we learn to do without so
many things which while we are in houses we think are necessary, and
find that we can do for ourselves many things where we used to think
ourselves helpless. And before going into camp it is just as well to
learn some of the things that will be most useful to you when you get
there. And that is what we teach in the Headquarters of the Girl Scout
Troops before they go out and take the field. For instance, you must
know how to light your own fire; how to collect dry enough wood to make
it burn; because you will not find gas stoves out in the wild. Then
you have to learn how to find your own water, and good water that will
not make you ill. You have not a whole cooking range or a kitchen full
of cooking pots, and so you have to learn to cook your food in the
simplest way with the means at your hand, such as a simple cooking pot
or a roasting stick or an oven made with your own hands out of an old
tin box or something of that kind.
[Illustration: “You have not a whole cooking range.”]
Nature Study
It is only while in camp that one can really learn to study Nature in
the proper way and not as you merely do it inside the school; because
here you are face to face with Nature at all hours of the day and
night. For the first time you live under the stars and can watch them
by the hour and see what they really look like, and realise what an
enormous expanse of almost endless space they cover. You know from
your lessons at school that our sun warms and lights up a large number
of different worlds like ours, all circling round it in the Heavens.
And when you hold up a coin at arm’s length and look at the sky, the
coin covers no less than two hundred of those suns, each with their
different little worlds circling round them. And you then begin to
realise what an enormous endless space the Heavens comprise. You
realise perhaps for the first time the enormous work of God.
[Illustration: Green Caterpillar.]
Then also in camp you are living among plants of every kind, and you
can study them in their natural state, how they grow and what they
look like, instead of merely seeing pictures of them in books or dried
specimens of them in collections.
[Illustration: Pupa.]
All round you, too, are the birds and animals and insects, and the
more you know of them the more you begin to like them and to take an
interest in them; and once you take an interest in them you do not want
to hurt them in any way. You would not rob a bird’s nest; you would not
bully an animal; you would not kill an insect—once you have realised
what its life and habits are. In this way, therefore, you fulfil the
Scout Law of becoming a friend to animals.
[Illustration: Cabbage Butterfly.]
By living in camp you begin to find that though there are many
discomforts and difficulties to be got over, they can be got over with
a little trouble and especially if you smile at them and tackle them.
Then living among other comrades in camp you have to be helpful and do
good turns at almost every minute, and you have to exercise a great
deal of give and take and good temper, otherwise the camp would become
unbearable.
(S.T.)
So you carry out the different laws of courteousness, of helpfulness,
and friendliness to others that come in the Scout Law. Also you pick up
the idea of how necessary it is to keep everything in its place, and
to keep your kit and tent and ground as clean as possible; otherwise
you get into a horrible state of dirt, and dirt brings flies and other
inconveniences.
You save every particle of food and in this way you learn not only
cleanliness, but thrift and economy. And you very soon realise how
cheaply you can live in camp, and how very much enjoyment you can get
for very little money. And as you live in the fresh, pure air of God
you find that your own thoughts are clean and pure as the air around
you. There is hardly one of the Scout Laws that is not better carried
out after you have been living and practising it in camp.
B. THE SCOUT PROMISE
On my honour I will try—
1. TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD AND TO MY COUNTRY.
2. TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.
3. TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW.
Duty to God
An old British chieftain, some thirteen hundred years ago, said:
“Our life has always seemed to me like the flight of a sparrow through
the great hall, when one is sitting at meals with the log-fire blazing
on the hearth, while all is storm and darkness outside. He comes in,
no one knows from where, and hovers for a short time in the warmth
and light, and then flies forth again into the darkness. And so it is
with the life of a man; he comes no one knows from where; he is here
in the world for a short time, till he flies forth again, no one knows
whither. But now you show us that if we do our duty during our life we
shall not fly out into darkness again, when life is ended, since Christ
has opened a door, for us to enter a brighter room, a heaven where we
can go and dwell in peace for ever.”
Religion seems a very simple thing:
1st. To trust in God.
2nd. To do good to other people.
The Knights
The old knights, who were the scouts of the nation, were very
religious. They were always careful to attend religious service,
especially before going into battle or undertaking any serious
difficulty. They considered it was the right thing always to be
prepared for death. In the great church of Malta you can see to-day
where the old knights used to pray, and they all stood up and drew
their swords during the reading of the Creed, as a sign that they were
prepared to defend the gospel with their swords and lives. Besides
worshipping God in church, the knights always recognised His work in
the things which He made, such as animals, plants, and scenery. And
so it is with the Scouts to-day, that wherever they go they love the
woodlands, the mountains, and the prairies, and they like to watch
and know about the animals that inhabit them, and the wonders of the
flowers and plants. No man is much good, either to himself or to
others, unless he believes in God and obeys His laws. So every Scout
should have a religion.
Regiments in God’s Army
There are many kinds of religion, such as Roman Catholics, Protestants,
Jews, Mohammedans, and so on, but the main point about them is that
they all worship God, although in different ways. They are like an army
which serves one king, though it is divided into different branches,
such as cavalry, artillery, and infantry, and these wear different
uniforms. So, when you meet a girl of a different religion from your
own, you should not be hostile to her, but recognise that she is still
serving the same king as you.
In doing your duty to God always be grateful to Him. Whenever you enjoy
a pleasure or a good game, or succeed in doing a good thing, thank Him
for it, if only with a word or two, just as you say grace after a meal.
And it is a good thing to bless other people. For instance, if you see
a train starting off, just pray for God’s blessing on all that are in
the train.
In doing your duty towards man be helpful and generous, and also always
be grateful for any kindness done to you, and be careful to show that
you are grateful.
How to Become a Star
Remember that a present given to you is not yours until you have
thanked the giver for it. While you are the sparrow flying through the
hall, that is to say, while you are living your life on this earth, try
and do something good which may remain after you. One writer says:
“I often think that when the sun goes down the world is hidden by a
big blanket from the light of heaven, but the stars are little holes
pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this
world. The stars are not all the same size; some are big, some little,
and some men have done great deeds and others have done small deeds,
but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they
went to heaven.”
Try and make your hole in the blanket by good work while you are on the
earth.
IT IS SOMETHING TO BE GOOD, BUT IT IS FAR BETTER TO DO GOOD.
Duty to God and Country
Have you ever thought what a lot we owe to the Kaiser William of
Germany. If he had not tried for world power, we should never have come
together so closely as we have done with all our brothers and sisters
overseas.
C. SIGNS AND SIGNALS
The Scout’s Salute
The right hand raised level with shoulder, palm to the front, thumb
resting on the nail of the little finger, and the other three fingers
upright pointing upward.
That is the Scout Salute.
[Illustration: Not the best way to salute.]
The three fingers held up (like the three points of a Scout Badge)
remind her of her three promises in the Scout Promise.
1. To do her duty to God and Country.
2. To help others.
3. To obey the Scout Law.
When a Scout meets another for the first time in the day, whether she
is a comrade or a stranger, she salutes.
She always salutes an officer—that is a Patrol Leader or a Captain.
Also the hoisting of the Flag, the colors of a regiment, the playing of
Star Spangled Banner.
When the National Anthem is played the Scouts do not salute, but merely
stand at attention.
When marching in Troop or Patrol formation do not salute with the hand.
When passing other Troops or a superior officer, the officer or Patrol
Leader in charge alone will salute with the hand, at the same time
giving the command, “Eyes right,” or “Eyes left,” as the case may be,
on which every Scout will turn her head sharply in that direction till
the officer gives the word “Eyes front.”
It is more than ever necessary to hold yourself smartly when giving the
salute, otherwise you would make a very slovenly show of it.
Woodcraft Signs
Scout signs on the ground or wall, etc., close to the right-hand side
of the road.
Road to be followed.
[Illustration: Turn to the right.]
[Illustration: Trees blazed with axe, paper or chalk.]
[Illustration: Scratch or chalk on ground.]
[Illustration: Grass or twigs.]
[Illustration: Stones.]
Letter hidden five paces from here in the direction of the arrow.
[Illustration]
This path not to be followed.
[Illustration: Stop.]
[Illustration]
“I have gone home.”
[Illustration: “I’ve gone home!”]
(Signed) Patrol Leader.
At night sticks with a wisp of grass round them or stones should be
laid on the road in similar forms so that they can be felt with the
hand.
[_Practise this._]
Signals and Signs
When a Captain wants to call her Scouts together she sounds her
whistle. Then they _double_ to the Captain.
_Whistle signals_ are there:—
One long blast means “Halt,” “Silence,” “Alert,” “Look out for my
next signal,” or “Cease.” (Stop what you’re doing, look out for next
command.)
A succession of long, slow blasts means “Go out,” “Get farther away,”
or “Advance,” “Extend,” “Scatter.”
A succession of short, sharp blasts means “Rally,” “Close in,” “Come
together,” “Fall in.”
A succession of short and long blasts alternately means “Alarm,” “Look
out,” “Be ready,” “Man your alarm posts.”
Three short blasts followed by one long one from Scout Captain calls up
the patrol leaders—that is, “Leaders come here!”
Any whistle signal must be instantly obeyed at the double as fast as
ever you can run, no matter what other job you may be doing at the time.
_Hand signals_ (which can also be made by patrol leaders with their
patrol flags when necessary):—
Hand Signals
“_Advance_,” “Forward.”—Swing the arm from rear to front, below the
shoulder.
“_Retire._”—Circle the arm above the head.
“_Halt._”—Raise the arm to full extension above the head, etc.
“_Double._”—The closed fist moved up and down between your shoulder and
thigh.
“_Quick Time._”—To change from the “Double” to the Quick Time, raise
the hand to the shoulder.
“_Reinforce._”—Swing the arm from the rear to the front above the
shoulder.
“_Lie down._”—With the open hand make two or three slight movements
towards the ground.
“_Wheel._”—Extend your arm in line with your shoulder and make a
circular movement in the direction required.
“_Incline._”—Extend your arm in line with your shoulder and make a turn
with your body in the direction required.
Observation
_Stalking._—A Scout has to be sharp at seeing things if she is going
to be any good as a Scout. She has to notice every little track and
every little sign, and it is this studying of tracks and following them
out and finding out their meaning which we include under the name of
stalking. For instance, if you want to find a bird’s-nest you have to
stalk. That is to say, you watch a bird flying into a bush and guess
where its nest is, and follow it up and find the nest. With some birds
it is a most difficult thing to find their nests; take, for instance,
the skylark or the snipe. But those who know the birds, especially the
snipe, will recognise their call. The snipe when she is alarmed gives
quite a different call from when she is happy and flying about. She has
a particular call when she has young ones about. So that those who have
watched and listened and know her call when they hear it know pretty
well where the young ones are or where the nest is and so on.
[Illustration: A few tracks which you may see some day.]
_Tracking._—The native hunters in most wild countries follow their
game by watching for tracks on the ground, and they become so expert
at seeing the slightest sign of a footmark on the ground that they can
follow up their prey when an ordinary civilized man can see no sign
whatever. But the great reason for looking for signs and tracks is
that from these you can read a meaning. It is exactly like reading a
book. You will see the different letters, each letter combining to make
a word, and the words then make sense; and there are also commas and
full-stops and colons; all of these alter the meaning of the sense.
They are all little signs which one who is practised and has learnt
reading makes into sense at once, whereas a savage who has never
learned could make no sense of it at all. And so it is with tracking.
_Reading Signs._—As you know a soldier Scout in war can only get his
information about the enemy by watching for the smallest signs both on
the ground and in the far distance. In the war of Texas against Mexico
in the last century, it was very important that the general commanding
the Mexican Army should be captured when the defeat of that army was
accomplished by the Texans. He had disappeared; but some of the Scouts
of the Texan force were out scouting for the enemy when they saw in the
distance some deer were suddenly startled by something they could not
see and ran away. The Texan Scouts were at once suspicious, and went
to the spot as fast as they could. There they found a soldier of the
Mexicans evidently trying to escape. When they caught him and opened
his tunic they found underneath he was wearing a silk shirt, which was
not usual with a private in the Army. They took him to Headquarters,
and there found that he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican Army,
trying to escape disguised as a soldier. And had it not been that they
had noticed the deer being startled, it is probable that they would
not have caught him.
_Sherlock Holmesing._—In just the same way detectives, when they are
following up a crime, have to act on the very smallest clues, and
if they did not use their wits and notice these the criminal would
probably escape.
Well, I want Girl Scouts to learn to be almost like detectives in their
sharpness in noticing small signs and reading the meaning of them, not
merely for the purpose of studying animals and birds, but also for
studying their human fellow creatures.
It is by noticing small signs of distress or poverty in people that you
can often help them in the best way. Generally those people who most
need help are the ones who hide their distress; and if you are clever
and notice little signs such as unhappiness, you can then give them or
offer them help in some way or other. In this way you learn sympathy
for fellow-creatures—not merely to be a friend of animals, but also
to be a friend of your fellow-men in this world; and that again is
carrying out the Girl Scout Law of helping others and being friendly to
all.
_Nature in the City._—This noticing of small things, especially in
animal life, not only gives you great interest, but it also gives you
great fun and enjoyment in life. Even if you live in a city you can do
a certain amount of observation of birds and animals. You would think
there is not much fun to be got out of it in a city, and yet if you
begin to notice and know all about the sparrows you begin to find there
is a great deal of character and amusement to be got out of them,
by watching their ways and habits, their nesting, and their way of
teaching their young ones to fly.
_Dissecting._—If you go to the butcher’s and get him to give you a
sheep’s foot and you carefully open it up with a sharp penknife you
will see how wonderfully every bone and joint and sinew is made and
fitted into the machine which enables the foot to move and the sheep
to get along. Then, if you think it out, you know that if you go away
across the sea to the other end of the world, to Australia or New
Zealand, and take a sheep’s foot there and dissect it in the same way
you find it exactly and identically the same over there as it is here.
God’s work is the same all over the world. People don’t notice these
things and don’t think about them as a rule, and when you begin to
think it out you begin to see what a wonderful work it is of God’s,
who made all these different animals in their own form, all alike, and
yet so different from the other kind of animals, fishes, or birds. You
begin to realise then what a wonderful Creator has made the world and
all that is in it.
D. OUR FLAG
Scouts in uniform will always salute the colors (or standard of a
regiment) when they pass. There are generally two such standards, one
the “Stars and Stripes,” and the other the “Regimental Colors.”
The Army and Government buildings fly the stars and stripes.
Description of the American Flag
The flag to-day has thirteen alternate stripes of red and white, with
a blue field in the corner bearing forty-eight stars. The thirteen
stripes symbolize the thirteen original states, and the stars stand for
the states now in the Union. The five pointed star is used, it is said
at Betsey Ross’s suggestion. This five pointed star is the seal of King
Solomon, and the sign of infinity. Even the colors of the flag mean
something: red stands for valor, blue for justice, and white for purity.
Pledge of Allegiance
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT
STANDS, ONE NATION INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
When you pledge your allegiance make the full salute, keeping the hand
at the brow until you say “flag,” when you extend the hand, still in
the salute position, palm up, pointing toward the flag. Hold the hand
out thus until the end of the pledge.
How to Fly the Flag and Show Respect to It
1. The flag should not be hoisted before sunrise nor
allowed to remain up after sunset.
2. At retreat, sunset, civilian spectators should stand
at attention, Scouts may give their salute.
3. When the national colors are passing on parade or
review the spectators should if walking, halt, and if
sitting, rise and stand at attention and uncover.
4. When the flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of
mourning it should be hoisted to full staff at the
conclusion of the funeral. In placing the flag at
half-mast, it should first be hoisted to the top of the
staff and then be lowered to position. Preliminary to
lowering from half-mast it should first be raised to
top.
5. On Memorial Day, May 30th, the flag should fly at
half-mast from sunrise till noon, and at full mast from
noon to sunset.
6. The flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning.
7. The flag flown upside down is a signal of distress.
8. No national flag is ever hung above the flag of
another nation. When the flags of two or more nations
are displayed they should be on separate staffs or on
separate halyards, and on the same level. In America
the Stars and Stripes are always given the place of
honor on the right.
9. An old torn or soiled flag should be destroyed
privately and respectfully, preferably by burning.
E. KNOTS AND HOW TO TIE THEM
[Illustration: 1. THE REEF KNOT, for tying two ropes together. Being a
flat knot, it is much used in ambulance work. The best simple knot, as
it will not slip and is easy to untie.]
[Illustration: 2. SHEET BEND, for tying two rope-ends together. Make
loop A B with one rope and pass rope-end C through and round whole loop
and bend it under its own standing part.]
[Illustration: 3. HALF HITCH, made by passing rope-end round standing
part and behind itself. If free end is turned back and forms a loop,
the hitch can be easily loosened. A double half hitch is required to
make a secure knot.]
[Illustration: 4. THE SHEEP SHANK, for shortening ropes. Gather up the
amount to be shortened as in first illustration. Then with parts A and
B make a half hitch round each of the bends, as in finished drawing.]
[Illustration: 5. THE BOWLINE, a loop that will not slip, to tie round
a person being lowered from a building, etc. Form a loop, then in the
standing part form a second and smaller loop. Through this pass the end
of the large loop and behind the standing part and down through the
small loop.]
[Illustration: 6. CLOVE HITCH, for fastening a rope to a pole. Either
end will stand a strain without slipping, either lengthways or
downwards.]
[Illustration: 7. FISHERMAN’S KNOT, used to tie two lines or ropes of
different sizes together. A knot quickly made, and is easy to undo, the
ends being simply pulled apart.]
[Illustration: 8. MIDDLEMAN’S KNOT. Made in similar fashion to
fisherman’s knot. This loop will not slip when knots are drawn
together, and can safely be used as a halter.]
While making your knots S.T.
Knots
Strings or ropes are used almost daily by every one in some form or
other, and yet people often break their nails and teeth gnawing at
their own knots to untie them. Time spent in learning a few simple
reliable knots is not time wasted, but quite the contrary.
To tie a knot seems a very simple thing and yet there are right and
wrong ways of doing it, and Scouts ought to know the right way. For
sometimes even lives depend on a knot being properly tied, as with
sailors or men in building trades, and in case of fire-rescue.
The right kind of a knot is one which you can tie easily and be certain
it will hold under any normal strain, and which you can easily undo.
A bad knot called a “granny” is one which slips when you pull hard, or
which gets jammed so tight that you cannot untie it.
Of course there are several ways of tying the same knot, and so if your
sailor uncle can show you a good way to make a bowline don’t tell him
the one in this book is the only way.
The Parts of a Rope
The End.
The Bight or Loop, formed by turning the rope back on itself.
The Standing Part, or long portion of the rope.
Whipping
Rope ends that ravel are annoying and before working your scout rope
too hard in practicing all these knots it is a good plan to whip the
ends.
This is how you do it. Hold the rope end in your right hand. Take about
10 inches of twine, make a loop and lay it parallel on the rope so that
the end of the twine extends about two inches beyond the end of the
rope. Hold it firmly and with your left hand wind the standing part of
your twine around your rope neatly up toward your right thumb. When you
have bound the twine loop on to the rope for say an inch, then tuck
your winding end through the loop, pull both ends of the twine, and cut
them off close to the rope.
Now you are ready to work. There are two simple devices which will help
you to learn the knots in the Tenderfoot test more easily, so it is
well to master them first.
One is the
Overhand Knot
which is the very easiest of all to make. It is the first half of the
square knot, and is a part of many other knots.
Back the end around the standing part and through the bight and draw
tight.
The other is the
Running Noose
If you hang out some clothes on the line when there is a thunderstorm
in the air, it will be well to tie up your clothes line with a slip
knot at each end, as clothes and all can be taken down in a hurry. A
slip knot made in one end of your cord, can be useful when you want to
tie up a big parcel, for you can get a good “purchase” on the cord; it
is also good in hitching a horse to a post.
Make a bight. Put your thumb and finger through it and pull up a loop
of the free end of the rope.
Reef or Square Knot
The square knot (or reef knot) is the best simple all round knot, as
it will not slip or jam and is easily untied. It is the safest knot
to tie your parcels with when mailing them. It is also used to join
two ropes, mend the clothes line, and for a hundred other uses. It is
called a reef knot because it is used to reduce the size of a sail on a
boat. As it is flat it is much used in First Aid, for tying a sling or
triangular bandage.
Take an end of rope in each hand. Cross right end over the left and
twist; then the same end (which is now in your left hand) over the
other end, and twist again. Then pull the standing parts.
If you are left-handed, of course you would naturally first put your
left end over your right. The thing to remember in tying a square knot
is that the ends must alternate; otherwise you get a “granny,” or
“lubber’s” knot.
Sheet Bend
The Sheet Bend (or Weaver’s knot) is good to use when you want to join
a thick line to a thin one, or attach a rope to a loop or ring. They
use this knot on steamboats when the big hawser can’t be thrown on
shore, but a light line can be attached and easily thrown to the dock.
It is a good knot for Scouts to use when making a guard line to keep
back crowds, at a rally for instance. With this knot you can join your
wool when knitting, and it is an excellent way to attach a fly to a
fishing line.
Make a loop AB with one rope; pass the end, C, of your other rope
through this loop, round both sides of the loop and down under its own
standing part. Pull firmly.
Clove Hitch (or Builder’s Knot)
The clove hitch is used when fastening two poles together as in
scaffolding, as either end will stand a strain without slipping either
lengthwise or downwards. It is also used to tie a boat to a stake, or
in First Aid to tie on a splint.
Pass the end around the post, below the standing part; around the post
again, over the standing part, and tuck it down between the standing
part and the turn.
Half Hitch
The half hitch is a very useful thing to know. It is not really a knot,
but a loop used in tying many of the harder knots. A double half hitch
is needed to make a secure knot and is used for fastening awning ropes,
flag rope, etc. The more it is strained the faster it holds. It is a
simple way of making a rope fast in a hurry, where a long continued
strain is not expected, thus it is used in tying a boat’s painter,
which is not a man but a rope fastened to the bow of a small boat.
Bowline
A Bowline makes a noose that is permanent, neither jamming nor
slipping. It is useful in hoisting and lowering, as in case of fire,
rescuing from drowning, a painter’s chair, etc. It is also used in a
guard line, as a halter for animals, or wherever a safe loop is needed.
Take end in right hand: measure with your left sufficient rope for the
loop you want; make a bight in your left hand and hold it. Now take the
end of the rope in your right hand, put it up through the bight, round
the standing part, and down through the bight again: pulling the end
and both sides of your permanent loop with the right hand against the
standing part in your left hand; (three against one).
Sheepshank
A scout would not waste a rope by cutting it but would shorten it by
making a sheepshank. This will stand a great strain without slipping,
but will loosen when held slack.
Lay the rope out straight. Cross your hands and take hold of the rope.
Take up the slack by drawing your hands past each other. Hold the three
parts of the rope between the loop and the end, and put it over the
loop, leaving sufficient loop sticking out so the half hitch won’t
slip off it; then pull. Do the same at the other end, and put it over
the loop, leaving sufficient loop sticking out so the half hitch won’t
slip off it; then pull. It can be untied by a quick jerk of the outside
ropes forming the bights. To shorten a rope permanently this way, pass
the ends through the loops, and the knot will hold for any length of
time.
Fisherman’s Knot
This knot is used to tie two unequal thicknesses of rope. It gets its
name from the fact that it is always employed in joining silkworm gut
for fishing purposes.
Lay the two ropes parallel, the ends pointing different ways. Tie
an overhand knot on rope one with the end of rope two, and then tie
an overhand knot on rope two with the end of rope one. Now pull the
standing parts and the knots will jam against each other and remain
firm. To untie, pull the short ends apart, and then loosen.
When a girl has passed her Tenderfoot test, she is ready to become
a full-fledged Scout. She pays to Headquarters her registration
fee, 25 cents, and receives the registration card which is a sort
of certificate of membership and shows that her name is registered
at Headquarters. Now she is entitled to wear the uniform. And more
than all, she makes her Scout promise solemnly before the troop, and
thus becomes one of the Scout sisterhood. This is not an appropriate
occasion on which to admit the public, or to make any great show or
fuss.
F. DRILL AND EXERCISE
Scouts learn drill to enable them to be moved quickly from one point to
another in good order. Drill also sets them up, and makes them smart
and quick.
It strengthens the muscles which support the body, and by keeping the
body upright the lungs and heart get plenty of room to work, and the
inside organs are kept in the proper position for good digestion of
food, and so on. A slouching position, on the other hand, depresses
all the organs, and prevents them doing their work properly, so that a
stooping person is generally weak and often ill. Growing girls are very
apt to slouch, and should therefore do all they can to get out of the
habit by plenty of physical exercises and drill.
Stand upright when you are standing, and when you are sitting down sit
upright, with your back well into the back part of the chair.
On the word “Alert,” the Scout stands upright with both feet together,
hands hanging naturally at the sides, fingers straight, and looking
straight to her front.
A Scout will never build up a healthy, sound body if she is not prudent
about her health. Elder girls can easily help the younger ones by
leading them to tell of their state, and should urge them not to go
long marches if they are not fit, or allow their feet to remain damp
or cold at such times, as it is very bad for them. They may not feel
it at the time, but it may lead to illnesses years afterwards. It is
their duty to promote their health and to nurse it into a good sound
condition, which will make them hardy in after life.
[Illustration: “Growing girls are very apt to slouch.”]
Scout Setting Up Exercises
I. Positions
1. _Standing:_ Feet parallel, few inches apart. Stand erect, top of
head high (note: top of head is above ears. Forehead is not the top),
chin parallel with floor, arms easy at side. The ears, shoulders, hips
and ankles should be in a straight line, weight over ankles.
2. _Sitting:_ Keep back straight in sitting, lower back against the
back of the chair, and feet on the floor. Note: Arm stretch positions
named in exercises
—downward straight at sides.
—upward close to ears.
—sideward on shoulder level.
—forward at shoulder level.
When doing exercises, remember always to keep good standing position.
Execute the exercises in brisk rhythm, without jerks. Repeat each
several times, but not so much that it tires you.
II. Breathing
1. Arms from downward through forward, to upward stretch counting
“one.” Arms down counting “two.” Take deep breath as arms go up, and
breathe out as arms come down.
2. Arms from downward through forward, to upward, counting “one,” to
side stretch, counting “two,” taking full breath, accenting “two” with
side stretch. Down to side counting “three.”
Count while doing these exercises, accent on “_one_.”
III. Arms
1. From downward to side stretch counting “one,” return to downward
counting “two.”
2. From side to upward stretch counting “one” (look up), return to
side, counting “two.”
3. From downward to forward stretch, counting “one” (don’t slump),
return to down, counting “two.”
4. From arms easy, at side, to down stretch, counting “one” (don’t
hump), return to arms easy, counting “two.”
5. Arms easy, turn palms out, expanding chest and flattening shoulder
blades, stretching down, counting “one,” return to arms easy, counting
“two.”
6. Elbows, on shoulder line, and bent, palms horizontal, tips of middle
fingers together, thumb touching chest. Move elbows back, flattening
shoulder blades, finger tips separating (thumbs make a line outward on
chest), counting “one,” return, counting “two.”
7. From last position, elbows bent, stretch arms, sideways, backwards,
counting “one,” return, counting “two.”
8. Arms upward stretch, close to ear, body bent continuously side to
side. (Do not twist.)
IV. Legs
(These exercises cannot be done in stiff shoes.)
1. From good standing position, roll feet outward, weight on outside of
feet, toes curled in, counting “one,” return counting “two.”
2. Alternate foot stretch. Foot stretch is done by raising the heel,
bending the knee, the toes and ball of foot remaining on floor. Count
“one,” “two,” one count for each foot.
3. Alternate foot stretch, at same time bending the knee, of weight
bearing leg, count as in ex. 2. Keep body straight, hips steady.
4. Double knee bend (bend both knees, raising heels, keeping back
straight). The knees should bend straight forward over the feet. Count
“one” on bend, “two” on return.
5. Alternate backward kick, bending at knee only, counting as in ex. 2.
6. Same as exercise 5 in double quick time. (This is running in place.)
7. Alternate front high knee bend, raising foot from floor. Count as in
ex. 2. Keep body straight.
8. Same as exercise 7, in double quick time.
9. Deep double knee bend, raising heels from floor, bringing arms from
downward to side stretch with the bend. (This helps to keep balance.)
10. Arms upward stretch, body bent front, hands touching floor.
V. From Lying Position
1. Legs alternately upward stretch, making right angle with the body.
2. Same exercise both legs together.
3. Same as exercise 2, letting feet go back over head.
NOTE: The best time to take these exercises is before
dressing in the morning or the last thing at night
before going to bed. Corsets should never be worn
during exercises where the arms are raised above the
height of the shoulders. No matter how loose they may
be, it causes actual injury. Keep watch and see that
the feet remain parallel. The tendency with most people
is for them to turn out.
A New England farmer’s wife was baking several kinds of pies for
Thanksgiving. To distinguish them she marked some T. M. for “’tis
mince” and the rest she marked T. M. for “’tain’t mince.” When you are
reading this book you will now and then see two mysterious letters
which you will promptly obey whether you are sitting or standing. They
are the letters S. T. and they mean Sit Tall and Stand Tall.
[Illustration: Horseshoe Formation]
Tenderfoot Investiture
The Captain calls “Fall in.” The troop is formed in a horse shoe, with
the Captain and the Lieutenant in the gap. When ordered to come forward
by the Captain the Patrol Leader brings the Tenderfoot to be invested
to the center, where they stand facing the Captain.
The Captain then asks: “Do you know what your honor means?” The
Tenderfoot replies: “Yes, it means that I can be trusted to be truthful
and honest” (or words to that effect).
Captain: “Can I trust you on your honor to do your duty to God and to
your country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout
Law.”
Tenderfoot: “On my honor I will try to do my duty to God and to my
country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law.”
The Captain then says: “I trust you, on your honor, to keep this
promise.”
While the recruit is making her promises aloud, all the Scouts remember
their own promises, and vow anew to keep them.
The Captain orders: “Invest,”—and pins on her trefoil badge, explaining
that it is her Scout’s life. If, for misbehavior her trefoil or life
has to be taken from her, she becomes a dead Scout for the time the
Captain orders—a day or a week—and is in disgrace. The badge may be
worn at all times, but the uniform is worn only when the patrol meets.
The new Scout is then initiated into the mysteries of the secret
passwords, “Be Prepared” (said backwards), or “Little Friend of all the
World.”
The Scout should salute the Captain, when she gives her her badge.
The lieutenant hands the new Tenderfoot her registration card, and her
hat. (This part of the ceremony may be omitted if desired.)
Captain orders: “About Face”—“Salute”—
Tenderfoot faces the troop, who give her the full salute to welcome her
into the troop, and then she and her Patrol Leader march back to their
places.
Now the Scout is a regular member of one of the Patrols in the troop. A
Patrol is a group of six or eight Scouts who work together as comrades
under a girl who is the Patrol Leader. The Leader has an assistant
called a Corporal. All Scouts must obey the Leader and Corporal.
Each troop is called after a bird or flower. When the Scouts first
started troops they were only called after flowers but there were many
girls who felt that though a flower is very pretty and gives out a
sweet influence round it, it doesn’t last long, nor does it “hustle
around and do things”; they wanted something more active as their
emblem. So now a troop can choose which it likes, a bird, or a flower,
or tree or shrub.
The troop may have a flag, which has the number of the troop on it,
and besides this each Patrol Leader may have a small flag, ten inches
deep, on a staff, with the crest of her troop in cloth stitched on to
it on both sides.
[Illustration]
Each member of the troop wears an emblem badge sewn over her left
pocket flap, and a shoulder knot of the colors chosen by her troop.
Every Scout is expected to know all about the life history of the
emblem of her troop. If it is a flower, she should know what it looks
like, when and where it blooms, and she should if possible grow it
herself. If the emblem is a bird the Scout should know what it looks
like, its call or song, its food, where to look for its nest, the color
of its eggs and time of migration.
BIRD. ATTRIBUTE. COLOR.
Robin. Brave and friendly. Brown and red.
Swallow. A quick home worker. Dark blue and white.
Wren. Modest and plucky. Brown.
Sparrow. Busy and home-loving. Black and brown.
Bantam. Plucky and strong. Red and yellow.
Canary. Makes sunshine in the Yellow and white.
house.
Thrush. Gives joy to all. Brown and yellow.
Blackbird. Happy and helpful. Black and yellow.
Cardinal Bird. Beautiful and lively. Rosy red.
Mocking Bird. Courageous and singing Greyish brown and
while he works. white.
List of Troop Crests Always Kept in Stock
Sunflower.
Red Rose.
White Rose (Cherokee).
Oak.
Pansy.
Fuchsia.
Poppy.
Narcissus.
Jonquil.
Holly Leaf and Berries.
Red Clover.
Lily-of-the-Valley.
Daisy.
Goldenrod.
Forget-me-not.
Lilac.
Violet.
Iris.
Pink Carnation.
Morning Glory.
Pink Wild Rose.
Thistle.
Nasturtium.
Daffodil.
Dogwood.
Holly.
A Cuckoo Patrol
A jay is a showy, gaudy kind of bird and, like her bigger friend the
peacock, has a rasping, raucous voice, and she eats other birds’ eggs,
and generally does more harm than good in the world. There are human
jays and peacocks, but you won’t find them among the Scouts. The
English cuckoo is a curious bird of another kind. She makes herself
out to look somewhat like a hawk, and somewhat like a dove, you don’t
know whether she is very bold or very peaceful; at any rate she lets
you know that she’s there. She uses her voice freely. But she’s a lazy
creature, does not bother to make a nest of her own, but goes and puts
her eggs in other birds’ nests—rather deceitful, because she often
makes her eggs match those in the nest she is using—gives them all the
trouble of bringing up her young ones. She leaves them and goes off
South in July, before her offspring can fly with her. In fact, she is a
fraud, she imitates others and blusters about a lot for a short time,
but she does not do any real work.
Sometimes there have been imitation Girl Scouts, who dressed themselves
up in our uniform, gave themselves similar badges, made themselves
unpleasantly conspicuous, but never really grasped the Scout spirit nor
did the Scout work, and so they won for themselves the name of cuckoo.
So don’t belong to a cuckoo patrol.
If you are the Scout you ought to be, you will start to work to make
your own patrol the best in the troop and to make yourself the best
Scout in the patrol—for smartness, for efficiency, and for happiness.