themselves at, and then challenge another Patrol to have a competition
in that particular line, whatever it may be, whether Signalling, or
Ambulance Work, or playing a game of Hockey, or baseball, or anything
you like; but continually challenge other Patrols to beat you at
your own game, and then practise your game well and make yourselves
efficient at it, so as you do not get beaten. For every game the whole
Patrol should form the team. Don’t have one or two good players and
the rest no use at all; and don’t have individual competition, one
girl against another, but always try and have your Patrol as a team,
then the worst will try and make themselves better in order to play
up the average of the lot, and so play for the good of the Patrol and
not of themselves. If possible, give each of your Scouts her own job
to do in the Patrol. You may find one good at one thing, another good
at another; well, urge her to do her particular job, and to do it well
for the benefit and honour of the Patrol. You will have one little
difficult point that you must keep an eye on; when you are trying to
lead the Patrol and at the same time to show them the way, don’t forget
that you must not do the work of other girls. Give each one her job and
see that she does it, but don’t do it for her, or else she will always
be leaning on you and expecting you to do it.
A Patrol can specialise, that is, all members to take one special
badge, or a bit of ribbon will do, that a Patrol may be a Despatch
Riding Patrol, or a Signalling Patrol, First Aid Patrol, a Home Helping
Patrol, or even an Entertaining Patrol. All the members of the Patrol
win a certain Proficiency Badge, then that Patrol may be recommended
by the Captain to have the honour of wearing that badge on its flag.
I have known a great deal of good to come of a Patrol challenging a
Patrol in another Troop to some sort of competition, and then going to
visit the other Patrol or inviting them to visit themselves at their
own headquarters and entertaining them and having their competition and
making great friends with them; this leads to very good feeling between
different Troops, and is very useful, because you can often pick up
ideas from Patrols of another Troop better than you can from one of
your own Troops. In camp a Patrol is a very useful unit because a whole
Patrol can just pitch into one tent or probably into one room or barn,
or wherever it may be, and there the Patrol Leader’s duties are very
responsible, because she has to keep order in her own tent and see that
it is properly kept clean and tidy.
Example of an English Display
_A Scout Hostel._—Scene: Inside a Scout Headquarters, fitted with bed,
stretcher table, cooking stove, cupboard, Scout Law, etc.
Patrol at right of stage learning electricity and telegraphy.
Patrol at left of stage bathing, dressing, and feeding model baby.
In centre Brownies learning a dance; all under their Patrol Leaders to
demonstrate the method of instruction in the Scouts.
After short demonstration one of the telegraph Scouts stops all work
by saying that she has intercepted a wireless message saying “Air raid
coming on.”
Patrols immediately fall in under their leaders, one as stretcher party
and the other as first-aiders, with haversacks, etc., and march out to
render assistance to police, etc.
Brownies, meantime, clear up the place, make bed ready, get out lint
and bandages, etc., from cupboards, boil up kettle, put away electrical
apparatus, etc.
Re-enter Scout leading a fat old lady, telling her she will be quite
safe here. Old lady very flustered and very grateful. Brownies take
charge of her, giving her a chair, and make her comfortable. As the
Scout goes out the old lady calls after her and tells her she has
dropped her handbag somewhere in the street. Doesn’t know where, dare
not go out to look for it, but hopes that the Scout will; which she
does smilingly.
Wretched woman with baby and crying children brought in next by
another Scout, and made comfortable by Brownies. Fussy old gentleman,
cantankerous old woman also come hustling in, led by Scouts, some lost
children are brought in howling, also any number of other characters
can be devised among your actors, including one man who will insist on
making speeches against the Government for not stopping these raids.
When the room becomes full of them they all keep talking at once of
their various grievances, and the children howling; bombs are heard
without (bang of a drum or box full of old tins dropped), at each
side of which all shriek, are silent for a moment or two, and then
recommence their jabber.
Finally, half the Scouts having returned, they set to work to prepare
food and hand it round to the people, which very soon quiets them,
except the speech-maker, who seizes the opportunity of the others
becoming quiet to make his speech with greater fervor. The Scouts stop
him by putting a sack over his head and bundling him into a corner.
Then the stretcher party bring in an injured person, who is bandaged
and put to bed. Others have slight wounds bound up and treated, and the
Scouts then set to work with rugs and blankets and make beds on the
floor for the whole party.
They then all go to bed comfortably on the floor.
Two Scouts remain on duty, the others lying down to sleep also.
(_Curtain._)
Hints as to Camp Orders
_In going into camp it is essential to have a few “Standing Orders”
published, which can be added to from time to time, if necessary. These
should be carefully explained to patrol leaders, who should then be
held fully responsible for their Scouts carrying them out exactly._
_Such orders might point out that each patrol will camp separately from
the others, and that there will be a comparison between the respective
cleanliness and good order of tents and surrounding ground._
_Patrol leaders to report on the good work or otherwise of their
Captains, which will be recorded in the Captain’s books of marks._
_Bathing under strict supervision to prevent non-swimmers getting into
dangerous water. No girl must bathe when not well._
_Bathing picket of two good swimmers will be on duty while bathing is
going on, and ready to help any girl in distress. This picket will be
in the boat (undressed) with bathing costume and overcoat on. They may
only bathe when the general bathing is over and the last of the bathers
has left the water._
_Orders as to what is to be done in case of fire alarm._
_Orders as to boundaries, grounds to be worked over, damages to fences,
property, good drinking water, etc._
_No Scout allowed out of bounds without leave._
_No boy allowed inside bounds without leave._
PART III
CITIZEN SCOUTS
(OVER 16)
SENIOR SCOUTS
[Illustration: Loafing on the pier.]
EVEN before the war came girls had begun to find that there were better
things in the world for them to do than merely spend half their time in
getting up their dresses and the other half in showing them off: there
was enjoyment to be got without playing tennis, reading novels and so
on; some of them had supposed that going to dances or loafing on the
pier or in the street was the only way to get enjoyment, but others
saw that this was really a great waste of time that became very boring
after a bit. A vast number of them had seen that they were capable of
doing a great many of the things that their brothers could do: they
could play in a lot of games and take part in activities and also could
do a good deal in the direction of work and handcraft, also they found
that they could do well in professions and industries; they found
that careers were open to them. Girls found at last that they had the
power to make some use of their lives instead of drifting through them
aimlessly and getting only a very hollow enjoyment out of them.
THE CITIZEN SCOUT
One of the most notable English statesman said in the fourth year of
the Great War:
“I am anxious to bear testimony to the tremendous part played by the
women in England in this vital epoch of human history. They have not
only borne their burden of sorrow and separation with unflinching
fortitude and patience but they have an enormous share of the burdens
necessary to the practical conduct of the war.
“To their ennobling influence we look not only for strength to win the
war, but for inspiration during the great work of reconstruction we
will have to undertake after victory is won.”
This is becoming true in American also. Never before have our national
ideals been so clearly defined; never before have we realized the
relative values of life.
One hundred years ago democracy was a masculine noun. Women worked
loyally in the home for husband, son and brother. The war came and
suddenly they found themselves working for all men who were holding
high the ideals of the American home and the American nation. By
assuming these responsibilities, women have entered unconsciously into
active citizenship from which there is no retreat.
The great experiment is here. American girls are showing that they are
made of the same stuff as their sturdy forefathers, and by thousands
are entering untried and difficult fields and finding themselves
capable of doing a great many things that their brothers and fathers
have heretofore done. Handcraft, industries and professions have all
been opened to young women. They are working in farm and field, factory
and railway, bank and business office, hospital and camp, canteen and
reconstruction. Girls and women with clear heads and adaptability
are entering in amazing numbers into business and professional life,
proving that their brains are not inferior to those of men. They have
been keen to take up new tasks and quick to learn unfamiliar processes
and their employers have been generous in acknowledging that skill
comes only with practice.
But the authorities found on examining women for their new employments,
that the lack was not entirely or fundamentally that of technical
training but that a preliminary course was needed particularly in
health knowledge and in discipline. These things would have been useful
in any line of work, whether for war or for peace, and we are now awake
to the necessity of such training. If a girl is to be equally efficient
with her brother for work in the world, she must be given equal chances
with him, equal chances for gaining character and skill discipline and
bodily health, and equal chances for using these when she has got them.
Therefore the Citizen Scout was started, in order that girls with a
sound body and disciplined mind should be able to help their country in
many different ways after this tremendous world struggle.
Every Citizen Scout should have a vocation which she has chosen and
by which she can support herself. If one can work at some congenial
employment all the better, but even an apparently stupid occupation can
be made interesting by a realization of the part it plays in the world
of industry by which we all live, and one can get great pleasure out
of work well done, even if it is only oiling a machine successfully.
Wouldn’t it make the daily labor more interesting to combine head with
hand? For instance to put heads on pins all day long in a factory
sounds monotonous, but the people to whom pin making is interesting
find out what pins are made of, where the metal is found, how many
things pins are used for; what people used as substitutes before pins
were made. Once in England, a man took so small a thing as a needle
for the subject of a play which has been well known ever since; Gammer
Gurton’s Needle. The machines which make the pins and needles are
to-day marvels of skill developed through centuries of patient labor of
head and hand. Farm labor is toilsome, but the life of the race depends
on the products of field and pasture, and the Citizen Scout who works
on the land is helping to feed the world.
But success in an industrial or professional career is neither the end
nor the greatest joy of a girl’s life. Home making is after all the
vocation which calls most naturally and most deeply to a woman and is
most worthy of her best efforts. However independent and self reliant a
girl may be, the finding of her life comrade, the settling of her own
home and the bringing up of her little ones are the biggest happiness
that can be had in this world. Nature never meant a man or woman to
live alone, and though bachelors may think themselves happy and free,
they cannot realize the intense delight that comes with the home,
the married comradeship and the children. There a woman has her real
opportunity and her kingdom, and at the same time her responsibility.
She is the making or the marring of the house, and her influence will
rule her children all through their after life. If she recognizes
this and shoulders her duty with that idea in mind she can in forming
her children’s character do a tremendous thing for each of them and a
valuable service for the nation.
But to be the right sort of comrade to her husband and her children
a girl must have known work herself. She must have gone through the
struggle against failure and have enjoyed the triumph of success to be
able fully to sympathize with her partner in his troubles and to be of
use in helping him through them. A house mother is a money spender not
a money getter, and her work is really much harder than his. A wise
educator has said: “I will undertake to guarantee the stability of our
American democratic institutions if you will see to it that American
wives are taught how best to spend the money their husbands earn.
Somewhere in that last ten per cent of a man’s income are hidden away
his present happiness and future prospects,” and those of his children.
The women of America must see to it that as far as lies in their power
the vast resources of this great country are carefully conserved and
wisely expended.
To be a valuable citizen the first qualification is an understanding
of the organization and administration of one’s government. With
more knowledge of the principles for which our government really
stands there will come to the thinking American girl a desire to help
definitely in the administration of those principles. Real social
service will develop every Citizen Scout, give her a broader vision
of life, awaken her sympathy and clear her intellect so that when she
casts her vote she will do it with intelligence and with civic pride.
Qualifications for Citizen Scouts
To become a Citizen Scout a girl must be 17 years old, or over, and she
must declare her belief in the civic ideals of:
1. Good health—by trying to attain the Girl Scout standard of physical
health.
2. Vocational Skill—by being willing to perfect herself in some work by
which she can earn her living.
3. Public Service—by pledging herself to some public service, either
individually or in her troop.
Any Girl Scout over seventeen shall be eligible for promotion to
“Citizen Scout.” When there are enough Citizen Scouts in any troop
they may form a Citizen Scout patrol under their own patrol leader, in
the same troop where they were formerly Scouts, or separate troops
of Citizen Scouts may be formed if desired, either by ex-Scouts
or by young women who have not been Scouts before. The number of
members for Citizen Scout patrol or troop is not limited. One member
will be elected Troop leader, and other officers may be elected as
found desirable. A Troop may, if it likes, choose a member of the
Local Committee or any woman in the community in whose sympathy and
judgment they have confidence to act as “counsellor and friend.” Or
they may refer to the local director or to the chairman of Girl Scout
Captain Association when any difficulty arises, or they may be quite
independent of any control outside of their own troop, except the
Council and Local Committee.
A Citizen Scout troop may adopt any crest of the list authorized by
Headquarters but a crest is not obligatory.
Each Citizen Scout must pay an annual registration fee of 25 cents to
National Headquarters.
A Citizen Scout is expected to make the regular Girl Scout promise
and in addition to accept for herself the three ideals of good
citizenship.—Good Health, Vocational Skill, and Public Service.
Motto, “Be Prepared.”
Badge: The Trefoil. To the Citizen Scout the badge stands not only for
the three parts of the Scout promise, but also for the three civic
ideals.
Citizen Scouts use the regular Girl Scout Salute. (See p. 65.)
The uniform consists of:
Khaki long coat (or Norfolk suit).
Khaki hat.
G.S. (Girl Scout) on collar, or coat lapels.
Hat band with Tenderfoot badge on it.
Instead of the full uniform a Citizen Scout may wear a brassard of
khaki with stencilled trefoil and letters G.S. to which she may add the
crest of her troop. The Troop leader’s insignia is a ¼ inch red ribbon
around the left arm above elbow. This may be put on uniform or brassard.
Citizen Scouts may work for the same proficiency badges as Girl Scouts.
They are recommended to qualify for the progressive badge, especially
if they have already won the Proficiency badges.
A Citizen Scout who has been a Girl Scout may continue wearing her
badge or she may wear the stripes to indicate the number of badges
secured. One stripe denotes five badges; two stripes denote ten, and
three denote fifteen badges.
Citizen Scout Ideals
Under the three civic ideals of Good Health, Vocational Skill and
Public Service certain activities are suggested from which the Citizen
Scout may choose.
I. “I WILL MAKE MYSELF PHYSICALLY PERFECT.”
The Government requires that its employees shall pass a physical
examination to determine their fitness for service. It is strongly
recommended that every Citizen Scout shall determine her own physical
fitness by a similar examination given by some competent physician.
In this way she may discover any weakness or defect and remedy it by
exercise, rest or medical care. An annual examination of one’s body is
a strong asset for a long life.
The best body to have is one which is in such good health that its
owner does not need to think about it. It serves her constantly and
faithfully. The rules for keeping such a servant are:
Absolute cleanliness in body and clothing.
Daily exercise and rest in proper amounts.
Sufficient good plain food at regular intervals.
Plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
A Citizen Scout should have a definite knowledge of personal health and
of her own physical constitution and powers; should know the dangers of
disease, and the effects of the social evil.
A Citizen Scout should also understand the health conditions in her
own neighborhood and have full information as to food, water, and milk
supply, the ashes and garbage disposal, street cleaning and other
matters relating to the public health in her community.
Suggested Activities
Gymnasium Exercises.
Organized sports and games, with teams for competitions against other
Scout troops, Y. W. C. A. Jewish Alliance, schools, colleges or other
organizations.
Troop hikes, indoor social games, and dancing.
Debates, talks by public health officers, readings on topics relating
to household and civic sanitation. These should be linked up with
some sort of actual community public health work such as milk or food
inspection, school inspection, work of visiting nurse and school
doctor, anti-tuberculosis campaigns, etc.
Advanced First Aid.
Advanced Home Nursing.
Badges: Ambulance.
Athletics.
Public Health.
Home Nursing.
Special Health Award
Special Health Award
Citizen Scouts who attain to the Girl Scout standard of health shall
be known as Super Scouts or Senior Scouts, and they shall be allowed
to arrange the Girl Scout inter-troop athletic meets and competitions,
calling upon the various captains of Girl Scout troops in the community
and also Citizen Scouts to furnish girls to make up the teams. The
Citizen Scouts may coach teams and shall act as umpires and referees in
the games.
II. “I WILL BE ABLE TO EARN MY OWN LIVING.”
Among the subjects Citizen Scouts may take up are nursing, child
nursing, wood working, metal working, design, interior decoration,
stenographer, typewriting, journalism, telegraphy, dress-design,
dressmaking, salesmanship, cooking, marketing, farming, gardening, and
all varieties of trades.
Groups of Citizen Scouts would find much pleasure and profit, if they
would undertake some quite different line from their daily occupation
such as basket making, modeling, pottery, book-binding, upholstery, or
any other branch of industrial or fine arts.
If a troop of Citizen Scouts wishes to study industrial problems in
their own trade or trades where other girls are employed, meetings may
be arranged between the groups of girls in the different occupations.
A sympathetic understanding of others needs will tend to create a
better social stability. Self perfection and vocational advancement
need not necessarily lead to selfishness and fancied superiority. In
these discussions or debates outsiders may be invited to take part. A
successful business woman might come to give her experience and help
in the discussion. A troop scrap book of clippings from newspapers and
magazines showing what is going on in the industrial world will be of
interest.
Badges
Artist
Automobiling
Child nurse
Clerk
Cook
Invalid
Dairy
Electricity
Farmer
Gardening
Home nursing
Housekeeper
Interpreter
Laundress
Music
Needlewoman
Photography
Scribe
Telegraphy
Special Vocational Award
_Home maker._—To win this a Citizen Scout must hold the cook,
laundress, needlewoman, housekeeper, and home nurse’s badges, and must
actually take charge of her home for a period of three months, keeping
the accounts, and superintending all the housework that is done when
she cannot do it all herself.
_Industrial Worker._—To win this badge a Citizen Scout must support
herself for at least three months, and bring a certificate from her
employer to prove she has done this.
III. “I WILL SERVE MY COUNTRY.”
Each Citizen Scout troop should when possible, take up some definite
form of public service. When such group work is not possible, each
individual can find real public service opportunities open in any
number of fields.
Scouting gets its “punch” from actual participation in doing things
worth while. Therefore, use study clubs, lectures, books, etc.; as
may be necessary but base your tests on actual deeds performed. First
a follower (learner) and then a leader. A Citizen Scout can observe
and study law-making in progress in a local board of supervisors of a
county or city council or state legislature; or report on a session
of court covering at least one full legal case. She might visit the
freight terminal, and follow the milk delivery to the door of the
consumer; or find a voluntary job in a creche, hospital or old ladies’
home, and do something worth while for thirty hours. She might attend
a meeting of the School Board; help with school luncheons, and follow
the work of the school nurse in the home. Any girl who will follow
up any department of government and actually take part in it for a
week—whether in street cleaning or reading to blind old ladies—will
always thereafter have a different attitude toward civic affairs in
that field.
Each Citizen Scout should find her own field and cultivate it: devote
so many hours actual participation and report on it; develop qualities
of leadership for her patrol; assist a captain of younger Girl Scout
troop; take over the village park, the care of a public library,
provide summer outings for poor children, conduct a camp, helping
a teacher, etc. District nursing offers many chances for voluntary
effort. Sunday school teaching, Y. W. C. A. work, Girl’s Friendly
Societies, Big Sisters, all provide good opportunities. Red Cross and
other patriotic organizations need helpers. No one should live to
herself alone these days. Your country needs YOU now—not next week or
when you have leisure, but NOW. The girl who doesn’t respond never will
be worth what she might be. What are you going to do about it? Do it
now!
Badges
Public Health.
Civics.
_Special Civic Award._—Must hold a civics badge, and carry out some
definite investigation of civic matters, and report on it in an article
of 500 words or more, or must carry through some public service for a
period of at least three months.
The Badges are similar to those for Girl Scouts with a red border round
them.
Badges are also given to girls who qualify in technical or
continuation schools, or in some cases in their now factories or
workshops. These are grouped as follows:
Activities for Citizen Scouts
GROUP 1. _Nursing Service._
Medical Student.
Home Nursing.
Convalescent Nursing.
Child Nursing.
Hospital Nursing.
Masseuse.
Physical Trainer.
GROUP 2. _Arts and Crafts._
Architects.
Artists.
Embroiderer and Lace Maker.
Designer.
Wood-worker.
Sculptor and Modeller.
Metal worker.
Musician.
Photographer.
Acting and reciting.
Dancing.
GROUP 3. _Professional._
Accountant.
School Teacher.
Secretary.
Journalist.
Motorist.
Telegraphist.
GROUP 4. _Manufacturer._
Textile worker.
Leather worker.
Toy maker.
Confectioner.
Dressmaker.
GROUP 5. _Commercial._
Clerk.
Saleswoman.
Traveller.
Foreign Correspondent.
Manager.
GROUP 6. _Housework._
Cook.
Domestic Science.
Parlourmaid.
Housemaid.
GROUP 7. _Outdoor work._
Agriculture.
Dairy farming.
Horticulture.
Poultry farming.
Bee keeping.
Fruit growing.
Market gardening.
Naturalist.
The badge for these is a coloured Badge round the arm. When a Student
passes a higher examination of the technical school, she obtains a
further Badge of a crown to add to the stripe.
In many places the leaders of Scout troops have felt the need of
more training for the work they were doing with their girls, and so
Training Schools have been established, or classes have been organized
under the auspices of a local Council. In some cases regular troops
of older girls have been organized for the purpose of training them
to be Girl Scout leaders. Such “Officers’ Training Troops” offer
excellent opportunities for girls to learn all the Scout practices and
activities, and at the same time how to manage troops, by the best
possible method—that of actually doing it.
Discipline
In training yourself to be an officer you will recognise that in order
to command obedience you have yourself to understand how to obey. It is
only by practising your own self-discipline that you will see how to
develop it in others.
Responsibility
As an officer you will be a responsible person in authority. You will
not have others to turn to for instruction, you will have to devise
your own plans and to put them into action for yourself. You will be
_trusted_ and _expected_ to do these things.
Sympathy and Fairness
In dealing with those under you you must have sympathy with each
individual. Each one of them has a different mind and a different
capacity; this you have to take into account, and you must remember
that success will only come where you get their whole-hearted
enthusiasm for the work. The successful officer never drives—she leads.
Leadership
[Illustration: “Come on, Lads!”]
[Illustration: “Go on, you ——”]
So the Scout officer leads her girls by her own example, whether it is
in
her Character that is patience, good temper, keenness,
and zeal,
or
her Skill at handcraft,
or
her Service in doing good turns and readiness to
sacrifice her time, money, or even life itself for
others,
or
her Development of her own health and strength in order
to fit her to carry out her life’s work.
The Joy of Scouting
Now after reading this don’t, for goodness’ sake, drop your jaw and
think that “this is not the sort of thing you want to learn in becoming
a Cadet.” There is no need to be downhearted because there is a serious
side underlying all the jollity of Scout games. Quite the opposite.
Scout games and practices are just as lively and exciting as any
others, but they bring greater enjoyment in the end. Why? Because after
all, when you have played your tennis or your golf, your hockey or even
your humble hopscotch, you begin to think it was very jolly but there
was something lacking; what _good_ did it do to anyone? It was to some
extent time wasted. The worst agony of death at the moment when the
sands are running out and minutes are precious is the feeling that so
many hours of life have been wasted on things that did not matter.
PART IV
CAPTAINS
WHAT IS GIRL SCOUTING?
THE Girl Scouts are a Sisterhood. This means that members of it, from
top to bottom, are working together as sisters—elder and younger
sisters—from joy of the work. It is not a small army composed of
officers, non-commissioned officers and privates in their respective
grades directing or directed under imposed instruction, therefore
the title of Captain and Lieutenant, which, although adopted in the
Association, does not exactly describe their rôle, so I shall in these
notes refer to the seniors of all grades as I always think of them,
viz. as the Captains—those who, like elder sisters, show the younger
ones how “to turn to the right and keep straight on.” The secret of
successful execution of a scheme or of an order is that those to whom
it is imparted should not merely have the statement but understand the
meaning that underlies it. So I would propose here—without any idea of
instructing my grandchildren how to masticate hen products—to help them
to understand some of the methods of our movement so that those who
are interested may the more easily take up the work of guiding girls in
this happy sisterhood.
The Need
That nation comes to the fore which has the most character in its
citizens. It deserves its supremacy only when that character is a
good character. The character of a nation is not merely that of a
few leaders but of the majority of the people. Character is largely
a matter of environment and training, and, later on, of experience.
Undoubtedly the mother’s influence gives as a rule the first impetus
to character. A mother cannot give that which she does not possess
herself. Therefore it is all-important that the mothers of our country
should possess character of a high quality in order to inculcate it
in their children. Hitherto the girls, some of the future mothers
of our race, have had little character training as a direct part of
their education. Character includes self-reliance, self-discipline,
cheerfulness, consideration for others, sense of duty, patriotism,
and other such moral qualities. But there are other things besides
character needed to make a citizen, especially:
Skill in handicraft or other work.
Sense of duty and service for others.
Physical health and knowledge.
It is on these four lines therefore that the training of the Girl
Scouts is carried out, through games and practices which appeal to the
girls.
What Need Is There for It?
1. War has shown how valuable women can be to the country and to
themselves if only trained.
2. Also peace has shown how far from happy life can be for some unless
they are trained. From want of proper training preventable misery
exists among a very large class. This is to be seen in the squalor in
our great cities, in the poverty and unhappiness, the infant mortality,
the preventable diseases and social diseases due to ignorance,
carelessness, and generally to want of character.
Is Not Education Good Enough?
No. Though it is very good and vastly improved of late years and
probably better than that of any other nation, yet it cannot under
existing conditions entirely prepare the girl for what is possible for
her in the present day, much less for what will be required of her in
the near future. The remedy largely needed is formation of character.
Character is formed more by the environment outside the school walls
than by the instruction within them; that environment may be for good
and at the same time it may very easily be for bad.
Practical efficiency in homecraft or in mothercraft is essential, but
efficiency is desirable in many other spheres for professions, and in
the many fields in which woman has proved that she can shine.
The need of health for herself and knowledge of health for her children
and for the service for others is essential on a far more general
scale than has been heretofore possible through school training alone.
Sense of Duty to Others
Though the war has brought a splendid exhibition of self-sacrifice
and devotion on the part of women and a desire to be helpful and
patriotic, the sense of service is one which requires further education
in the rising generation. The results of such training can only mean
a stronger patriotism and a sound practical Christianity instead of a
mere profession.
WHAT REMEDY IS PROPOSED?
The aim of the Girl Scout Movement is to assist parents and school
teachers by supplying the desirable environment and healthy activities
outside the school. The first thing is to attract the girls by happy
comradeship, neat uniform, games and competitions which will appeal
to them. Then through these to develop in them the four points which
I have mentioned as “essential.” But please don’t think that we want
to make a school of it. My harping on the “training” may lead you to
think so. We do not want to trespass on the school teacher’s ground nor
to adopt school curricula or examination systems. Quite the contrary.
The weak point of modern education is that though it recognises the
value of more up-to-date subjects it has not yet broken away from old
methods in presenting them to the child. Till it does so it will remain
Instruction instead of Education. Our object in the Scouts is to
supply healthy play and recreation: but play when organised need not be
waste of time. In these days we cannot afford, nor is it fair on them,
to let children waste time and then to launch them “half-baked” into
the sea of life-troubles. The Scout training offers them ideals and
activities which supplement, without tiring them, the teaching of the
school.
Results and experience of five years shows that the scheme is
successful in attracting girls of every class in every part of the
world. It can be applied equally well in town or country and it helps
rather than interferes with every form of religion. Where properly
handled it gives remarkable and satisfactory results in the directions
looked for.
WHAT IS THE ORGANISATION?
[Illustration:
A
|
NATIONAL|COUNCIL
|
B | B
+---------+---------+
| FEDERATION |
| OR STATE |
| ORGANIZATION |
C | | C
+-+-------------------+-+
|LOCAL COUNCILS |
| |
| |
| |
D | | D
+--+--- ----+--+
|TROOPS |
| |
| |
| |
E | | E
+-+----- -----+-+
|PATROLS |
| |
| |
| |
F | | F
--+----------- -----------+--
GIRL SCOUTS
A—National Council—Officers, Executive Board,
Headquarters, Staff.
B—Federation or State Organization. Commissioner.
C—Local Council Officers, Local Director or Secretary.
D—Troops—Captains and Lieutenants.
E—Patrols—Patrol Leaders and Corporals.
F—Girl Scouts—Brownies—Citizens Scouts.]
A.—NATIONAL COUNCIL
The National Council is the governing body of the Girl Scout
organization. It is composed of delegates from Local Councils and of
other elected members. It holds one meeting a year to elect officers
and the members of the Executive Board, and to decide matters that
concern the policy and welfare of the entire organization.
Duties
The duties of the National Council are to
Charter Local Councils, to commission officers, and
register Scouts.
Manufacture and copyright the Badges.
Select uniforms and other equipment.
Determine the general policies and lay down the lines
of Girl Scout training.
These functions are carried out by an Executive Board between the
annual meetings of the National Council. The National Headquarters and
a staff of workers are employed to execute the orders of the National
Council.
Officers
The President.
Two Vice-Presidents.
The Treasurer.
The Chairman of the Executive Board.
Executive Board
The Executive Board works through Committees, which act as advisers to
the board in matters concerning Field, Standards, Uniforms, Business,
Education, Editorial, Publicity, etc. Final action is in the hands of
the Executive Board, which is responsible to the National Council.
National Headquarters
National Headquarters is divided into departments for the more
efficient handling of the work. The head of the office staff is the
National Director.
The _Director_ is appointed by the Executive Board, and serves as the
Secretary of the National Council, the Executive Board and the various
committees thereof. Under the authority of the Executive Board she
acts as the administrating officer of the Girl Scouts and has general
direction of the administrative work.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit.
Scout hat, gold and black hat cords (see Committee on Uniforms, Jan.
12, 1918).
_Insignia._ Four bands of half-inch black braid all around left cuff
(see Committee on Standards, May 7, 1918).
_National Field Captains_ are employed by the organization and assigned
to work in the field.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit.
Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (see Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12,
1918).
_Insignia._ Three bands of half-inch black braid all around left cuff
(see Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).
COMMUNICATIONS
Every Girl Scout, every officer and councilor, every troop and council
has the right of direct communication with National Headquarters and
in cases of dispute an appeal may be made to the Executive Board.
It is, however, desirable that in all ordinary matters the lines of
communication to Headquarters should be as follows:—
From a troop, through the Captain, or through the troop secretary
giving name and number of troop, and name of captain.
Where a Local Council is established, it is the normal medium of
communication between the captains (troop) under its jurisdiction and
National Headquarters.
Where a Federation or State Organization is established it may serve
as the medium of communication between the Local Councils and National
Headquarters in matters that affect the general policy of all the Local
Councils included in it.
Local Councils may also communicate direct with National Headquarters
in matters that concern their own locality.
B.—FEDERATION OR STATE ORGANIZATIONS
A number of Local Councils may join together to form a Federation for
mutual support. Local Councils belonging to it may delegate their
general policy to the Federation but retain their power to control
their Councils in local matters.
The officers of the Federation may be elected as required.
Field Captains may be employed for organizing their work.
The presiding officer is the Commissioner.
Membership in such a Federation is voluntary.
Or instead of a Federation of Councils a State Organization may be
formed. The area under control will coincide with the State of the
United States.
C.—LOCAL COUNCILS
In any community where there are Girl Scouts a Local Council may be
organized. This is a body of representative citizens of the community
(number varies according to size of the community) who are organized
for the purpose of promoting the welfare of the Girl Scouts of that
district. They determine the policies and direct the local work,
following the rules and regulations laid down in the official Handbook
and Manual subject to the general policies determined by the National
Council or its Executive Board. Each Chartered Local Council may send
one delegate to the National Council and one additional delegate for
every 200 registered Scouts under its jurisdiction. The National
Executive Board is the court of last resort and every member of the
Girl Scout Organization has the right of appeal to that court. The
Local Council’s officers recommend Captains and Lieutenants for
commissions, and have the power to request their resignation when
desirable, or they may appeal to National Headquarters to dismiss an
undesirable captain. A Local Council may ask Headquarters for the
assistance of a Field Captain.
_Insignia for Local Councilors._ Gray and black shoulder cord and
fringe (see minutes Executive Board, April 11, 1918).
Gray and black hat cord.
The shoulder cords may be worn with any costume—the hat cords are
generally worn only with the uniform hat.
The Commissioner
Is the presiding officer of the Local Council. She is chairman of the
Local Executive Board, she is elected by the Local Council and receives
a commission from the National Headquarters.
_Duties._ Her duties are to secure the harmonious coöperation of the
captains in her district, to inspect Scout patrols and troops and
advise how to conduct them according to the principles found in the
Handbook, to be the authority for recommending the issue or denial of
captains’ certificates and foster the movement generally.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat with gray cord with gray
acorns.
_Insignia._ Gray shoulder cord and fringe (may be worn with any costume
if Commissioner prefers not to have a uniform) (see minutes Executive
Board, April 11, 1918).
Officers
Of Local Councils will be elected according to the needs of the
community.
Deputy Commissioner
Stands in the relation of vice-president to the commissioner.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk Suit. Scout hat with gray cord with black
acorns.
_Insignia._ Gray shoulder cord with black and gray fringe and black
center, may be worn with any costume if the Deputy Commissioner
prefers not to have a uniform (see minutes Executive Board, April 11,
1918).
District Commissioner
In large communities it is possible to divide the territory into
districts each with a District Commissioner who is responsible for the
work in that district to the Commissioner.
_Uniforms._ Khaki Norfolk Suit. Scout hat with gray cord with gray
acorns.
_Insignia._ Black shoulder cord with black and gray fringe with gray
center. May be worn with any costume if the District Commissioner
prefers not to have a uniform.
The Local Director
Is the title given to the executive officer of the local Council. (This
officer was formerly called Secretary.)
_Duties._ She has charge of Headquarters and other property of
the local organization, has general supervision of the Captains
and instructs new captains in their duties, organizes new troops,
receives and forwards to Headquarters all applications for captains’
certificates, keeps all records of the council and of the troops and
such information concerning them as may be necessary for the work. She
is secretary of the Committees, but her presence at each meeting is
decided by the Local Council; it is her duty to attend public meetings
connected with the organization and she represents Girl Scouts at
the meetings of other organizations unless otherwise directed by the
Council.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat with gold and black hat cord
(see Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).
_Insignia._ Four bands one-fourth-inch black braid, all around left
cuff (Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).
Local Field Captains
May be employed by Local Councils for organizing their work.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com.
on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).
Troops
_Insignia._ Three bands of one-fourth-inch black braid all around left
cuff (Com. on Standards, May 7, 1918).
Girl Scouts are organized in troops under the direct charge of a
Captain who may or may not have one or more Lieutenants to assist her.
A troop may be of any size, although it is not advisable for a Captain
to have a troop of more than thirty girls unless she is assisted by a
capable Lieutenant.
The Captain
Must not be less than twenty-one years old, and must have a personal
character and standing, a good moral influence over girls, and
sufficient steadfastness of purpose to carry out the work with
energy and perseverance. She should have a general knowledge of the
Handbook, and should appreciate the underlying aim and principles of
Girl Scout training. She must apply to National Headquarters for her
commission. Application should be made on blanks supplied from National
Headquarters and must be endorsed by three prominent citizens of the
community. Where a Local Council is established the application must
be sent through the Local Council. The Captain has the power to enroll
Scouts, and to release a Scout from her promise, to suspend her for a
certain period, or withdraw her badges and discharge her. A Scout who
considers herself unjustly treated may appeal to the Local Council or
even to National Council. The Captain directs the Scout training of the
girls in her troop, and may examine them for the Tenderfoot and Second
Class tests. Where no court of honor exists she may secure examiners
for them for the special subjects of proficiency badges or this may be
done by the Local Council.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com.
on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).
_Insignia._ Gold and black shoulder cord (Com. on Uniforms, Jan. 12,
1918), two bands one-fourth-inch black braid all around left cuff (Com.
on Standards, May 7, 1918).
Captain’s pin.
Lieutenant
Should not be less than 18 years of age. Her qualifications are the
same as those for Captain and she receives her commission in the same
way. She is chosen by the Captain, performs the duties of the Captain
during her absence and such other duties as the Captain may assign to
her.
_Uniform._ Khaki Norfolk suit. Scout hat, gold and black hat cord (Com.
on Uniforms, Jan. 12, 1918).
_Insignia._ One braid one-fourth-inch black braid all around left cuff
(Com. on Uniforms, May 7, 1918).
Lieutenant’s pin.
Captains and Lieutenants on making their application to enter the
organization pay a small fee which covers the entire period of
membership. Commissions are issued for one year and must be renewed at
the end of the period.
E.—PATROLS
Troops are divided into _Patrols_ of about eight girls each, for
convenience in work and play. One of the eight girls is chosen _Patrol
Leader_ and another the _Corporal_.
_The Patrol Leader_ must be what her name implies, a leader, for she
stands next to the Captain and Lieutenant and takes either’s place in
their absence. She is responsible for her patrol. She may be elected by
the girls themselves or appointed by the captain, with the consent of
the girls. She holds office for six months or a year, and is eligible
for reëlection. Her duties include calling the roll, keeping records of
the attendance and dues of her patrol, and leaving the meeting place in
order. Any of these duties may be delegated to the Corporal, or to some
other member of the patrol, particularly as the Patrol Leader becomes
capable of assuming heavier responsibilities, to relieve her of the
routine duties.
_Uniform._ Regular Scout uniform.
_Insignia._ Chevron, two stripes, on left sleeve above elbow.
The Patrol Leader carries the patrol pennon.
_The Corporal_ may be elected by the patrol, appointed by the captain
or by the Patrol Leader. She takes the latter’s place when she is
absent, and performs such other duties as may be assigned to her by the
Patrol Leader or by the Captain.
_Uniform._ Regular Scout uniform.
_Insignia._ Chevron, one bar; on left sleeve above elbow.
Want of space in the present book prevents me from going into the
details of the dress, administration, and discipline of the Movement,
but these can all be found in the _Book of Rules_, which can be
obtained from Headquarters price 6_d._
Discipline of the Movement
All these rules may appear rather alarming to an outsider, but please
remember that they are “rules” as for cricket and not “regulations”
as for police purposes. They are merely intended as indications for
“playing the game,” and that is the only form of discipline that we ask
for in the sisterhood. Their object is to ensure that their policy is
adhered to under which our Charter of Incorporation was granted, and
also to guarantee to parents that reliable officers are in charge of
their girls to ensure fairness of standard in awards, and to secure
efficient training by having efficient Scouters.
Method
_Method._—Our method of training is to educate from within rather than
to instruct from without; to offer games and activities which, while
being attractive to the girl, will seriously educate her morally,
mentally, and physically.
Our aim is to promote “not so much the acquisition of knowledge as the
desire and capacity for acquiring knowledge.”
In other words, the Captain’s job is to enthuse the girl in the
right direction. By acting on this principle she will save herself
considerable trouble in reaching her goal and in producing smart, keen
and capable girls.
It is the means by which the modern schoolmistress scores over her more
old-fashioned sister, since she develops a girl to be efficient rather
than scholarly, to have character rather than erudition—and that is
what counts towards success in life nowadays.
By “efficiency” I don’t mean mere money-making skill, but a general
intelligence and capability to live a free, prosperous and happy life.
To preach “don’t” is to incite the doing of wrong. Rather infuse the
right spirit; as powder is to the shot, so is spirit to action.
_Moral Instruction._—Direct moral instruction—like drill—produces a
pleasing veneer, but unless there is properly seasoned character below
this will not stand wear.
Wise old Plato long ago gave us the right lead in education, and one
which only now is beginning to be followed, when he said that there
was innate good in every child, and the aim of education should be to
develop these natural “instincts of virtue” through suitable practices.
_Active versus passive education._—No mention of reading, writing, and
’rithmetic as essentials, but of enlarging the natural instincts, i.e.,
character by practices not merely by precepts.
The average girl (if there is such a thing as an average girl) does
not want to sit down and passively receive theoretical instruction.
She wants to be up and actually doing things in practice, and this is
a good lever to work upon if only the teacher will recognise it as the
instrument ready to her hand.
Your first step then is to study the girl herself; to recognise her
likes and dislikes, her good qualities and her bad, and to direct her
training on these.
How to Apply the Training
The scheme given in this book is little more than a suggestive outline.
It is left to the ingenuity of the Captain to devise generally on these
lines further activities such as will best suit her local conditions.
Games and practices selected or planned for the purpose can be made to
teach, through the youthful enthusiasm of the girls, most of the moral
attributes required, such as self-restraint, good temper, obedience to
leaders and to rules, unselfishness, pluck, moral endurance, fairness,
esprit de corps, etc., as well as physical hygiene. Further, they teach
soberness in success, good humour in defeat, and repression of show-off
and hysterics.
For example, if a girl faints on parade it should be a point of honour
almost to take no notice of her beyond allowing her Corporal and one
other Scout to look after her. The business of the moment should go on
as if nothing untoward were happening.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SCOUTER
There are two fundamental points to be considered in dealing with
Scouts. The first is that the only woman who can hope for real success
as a trainer of Scouts is the one who can be their elder sister. The
“Commanding Officer” is no good and the “Schoolmistress” is doomed to
failure (though in neither case probably would the woman recognise
it herself nor admit it). This fact is being proved daily by the
successful results already gained by our Captain. By the term “elder
sister” I mean one who while commanding their respect can place herself
on terms of comradeship with her girls, entering into their games and
laughter, herself thereby winning their confidence and putting herself
into that position which is essential for teaching, namely, where by
her own example she leads them in the right direction instead of merely
pointing the way.
The Psychology of the Girl
The second item to recognise, although as a point it is of first
importance, is that the girl of eight to ten is psychologically quite
different from the girl of ten to fifteen. I don’t mean that the change
comes about with a bang in the tenth year; but the younger girl is
growing relatively in mind and body more rapidly than the elder one,
and the transition gradually comes about approximately at those ages in
the average girl. The age at which crime begins among the poorer class
of children points to the age at which character begins to form itself,
and it appears much earlier in life than is usually supposed; that is
to say, the crime returns show a good deal of juvenile depravity at
the early age of ten and eleven, and at twelve it has mounted to its
highest point in the young generation up to twenty. Between the ages
of eight and nine, therefore, seem to be the right time to get hold of
the girl when the seeds of character may begin to sprout into pliant
tendrils ready to trail off in the wrong direction, but easily taken in
hand at that time and trained aright.
Under eleven the following are common attributes in the average
child: make-believe, appreciation of fairy tales, eagerness for
new experiences, collection of stamps and other curios, mental
restlessness, physical restlessness, thoughtlessness, untruthfulness,
etc. Over eleven the following attributes may be generally counted
on: constructiveness, hero-worship, liking for team games, dawning
conscience, sense of humour, of pathos and of sympathy.
Character
In any case sense of honour, truth, self-control, fairness, discipline,
responsibility and good humour have been too little inculcated among
girls in the past, and this important omission we endeavour to make
good in the practices and activities of the Scout work adapted to the
psychology changes as they come.
The Patrol System for Scouts
I remember when we first started the Boy Scout and Girl Scout Movements
in England, I received some valuable advice from a prominent business
man with regard to organising the Headquarters Office.
He told me that women were far the best clerks to employ in preference
to men, but he said the pity of it was that they only rose to a certain
height in their work and they could not be made managers of departments
because they could not take responsibility.
War conditions have since shown that if he meant this as a rule he was
wrong. Women have risen splendidly to the occasion, and in very many
cases have shown themselves perfectly qualified to take higher duties
upon themselves.
At the same time there is no doubt that if more of them were prepared
for it early in life, many more of them would be so employed in
ordinary times of peace.
In the Girl Scout Movement, as in the Boy Scouts, we also have the
small unit—the Patrol—commanded by its own girl Leader.
This in the first place conduces to the Patrol Spirit among its
members, where each of them considers the honour of her unit to be
always at stake, and that it is up to her among its other members
constantly to uphold its reputation.
This brings the development of self-discipline, sense of duty and
selflessness down to the individual. Emulation between Patrols in
a Troop make for a higher standard of efficiency and collective
discipline all round; and this is a great help to the Captain.
But also there is the Patrol Leader. She is the responsible officer for
leading her Patrol to victory and for keeping each member of the unit
up to the mark so that the Patrol as a whole does not fall behind any
other.
To do this effectively she soon discovers, if it is not otherwise
pointed out to her, that she has to be a Leader not only in name but in
fact and in act.
She has to be an all-round efficient, and she has to use her brain and
thought, her initiative and power of command to hold and lead those
under her.
With a little practice this rôle becomes a habit. Having learnt how
to obey and how to restrain herself she develops the power of command
and her own sense of responsibility, thereby unconsciously preparing
herself to take higher positions of trust in real life later on.
But above all this means for each individual the development of
_character_. And that is our aim.
_The Court of Honour_ formed by Patrol Leaders and their Assistants
(“Corporals”) is also of untold value in founding and developing the
strength of the Scout spirit and the sense of responsibility to a
further degree among the girls.
For these reasons the Patrol System is the most important element in
the Girl Scout Training, and it is, as far as I know, the only step so
far made available towards educating girls practically in two points
which have long been missing in their upbringing—namely, in the sense
and practice of Self-discipline and Responsibility.
How the Scout Training Appeals
From the parents’ point of view Scout work gives character to the
girls, also skill at handicrafts; thirdly, service and helpfulness to
others; fourthly, physical health and development.
From the teacher’s point of view it provides a healthy environment
outside the school, and activities which tend to develop in practice
many of these attributes inculcated theoretically in the girls’ lessons.
From the girls’ point of view Scouting puts them into fraternity gangs
among jolly comrades and it gives them a smart dress and equipment,
it appeals to their imagination in results, and it engages them in an
active open-air and healthy life.
Our aim is to give equal chances to all and to give the most help to
the least fortunate.
The training applies equally well to girls of all classes and can be
carried out in towns just as well as in the country.
Camps
Camping, which a few years ago was looked upon as impossible for girls,
has now become an institution in very many centres—or one that has
brought the very best results. It is what the girls look forward to
with intense joy, and it gives the Captains their greatest opportunity.
Large camps are, for training purposes, a mistake: one troop of three
or four patrols is as much as a Captain and Lieutenant can manage with
due regard to the health and training of the girls. They may be carried
out in tents or in barns and farm buildings, empty houses, etc.
Religion
Two authorities from very different points of view have gone so far as
to describe Scouting and Scout work as “a new religion and a practical
one.” One of these was a clergyman and a schoolmaster, and the other a
statesman of strong human sympathies.
We have not ourselves pretended to claim any such standing for the
teaching, but we do find from experience that _where rightly handled_
it can put the right spirit and the right grounding into children for
developing religion through their inner consciousness instead of having
theology imposed upon them through surface instruction of morality
taught them through fear of punishment.
Nature Study and Good Turns
To interest the child is our method of training in the Scout movement,
whatever may be the subject taken up. It can equally be used in the
development of the elements of religion without in any way trenching on
the teaching of any particular denomination—indeed it is helpful to all.
We use, therefore, the study of Nature as a first step to the
realisation of the Creator. The dissection of a plant or bird, the
observation of the habits of an animal or an insect, or the study of
the stars and planets all command the eager interest of the girl, and
if properly applied, reveal to her with absorbing force the miracle
laws of Nature; it gives her a sense of the beautiful; it gives her an
uplifting instinct of reverence for the power of God.
Then, on the moral side, to _be_ good is of little interest to the
child; to do good is another matter. She has an innate predisposition
to the active practice rather than to the passive reception, and the
Scout encouragement to do the daily good turn meets her inclination
and eventually leads her—bit by bit—to the practice of kindness and
of self-sacrifice for others as her natural habit of mind and action.
In other words, the germ of the Divine Love that is within her is
developed along lines which appeal to her, till it blossoms out as an
integral part of her life and character, as her soul. In this way the
soul is educated, that is, self-expanded from within: it cannot be
developed artificially by the application of book instruction and rules
from without.
Nature study should not be the mere formal class teaching of the
school, but should be the interested pursuit of each individual girl in
that branch of it which particularly appeals to her, through practical
handling and dealing with it.
Through such Nature investigation, and the consequent appreciation
of God the Creator, the Captain can lead the girl on to a right
understanding of biology and of her own position in the order of
nature; to realise how she can be associated with the Creator in His
work and how she can have her part in the romance of reproduction and
the carrying on of the race; also that good motherhood is a wonderful
gift of God, at once a sacred and a patriotic privilege and duty.
Many a girl has been ruined by ignorance on the subject, and by the
wrong or debased views picked up haphazard. Parents to a great extent
evade their duties in this direction, and yet they are apt to resent
other people trying to remedy their neglect. So it is often desirable
for a Captain to consult the mother before talking to a girl, but
the girl should not be left to slide in ignorance. Then it is not a
thing to deal with before a number of girls, but with the individual
according to her psychology.
One of the objects in a Captain being “an elder sister rather than an
officer” to her girls is precisely that she can talk to them intimately
and naturally on this very vital topic.
Rallies
Rallies are useful for bringing together a number of Troops to see
each other and be seen by others whom it is desired to interest in
the Movement. For either or both purposes it is a good thing to have
displays of Scout activities by the different patrols and companies,
and also to have competitions between them in various Scout practices.
A too common fault about Rallies is that the stage-managing is
faulty—the way in which the thing is presented is as important as the
thing presented, so far as the outside impression is concerned. The
other fault is that generally the displays are chosen too much with a
view to training the girls and too little with a view to interesting
the onlookers. This is a bad fault if you are trying to spread the
Movement and to get people keenly interested in it. The two points can
perfectly well be combined. Let the programme err on the short side,
and let it be full of variety, novelty, incident, and interest. Long
signalling tests and bandaging exhibitions are intensely boring to the
onlookers who don’t understand them. Whereas a realistic accident, a
pretty dance, good acting, and graceful gymnastics, and exhibitions of
work done, or girls at work, are pleasing and attractive.
Let it go with a snap—short, sharp and sweet.
Often the Rally includes inspection by a Commissioner or other officers.
Inspection of Troops by Commissioners
There was in the early days of the Movement a tendency to look upon the
inspection of a Troop rather in the light of a military parade or a
social function, when in point of fact it should be neither.
A cursory review by a visiting officer is bound to induce training for
outward effect and appearance, an entire perversion of our aims and
methods.
I have seen it suggested, even quite recently, that the girls in the
Troop should be ranged for inspection in order of size so that they may
please the eye of the inspector!
The up-to-date inspecting officer is not likely to be taken in by
eye-wash. Her aim is to ascertain to what extent results have been
attained by the Captain among the girls in each Patrol in her Troop in
the four main branches of our training.
Character and Intelligence.
Skill and Handicraft.
Service for Others.
Physical Health and Health Knowledge.
She will generally take each Patrol separately, or if there is not time
for this, one Patrol selected at random from each Troop.
She will then, by questioning the Patrol Leader and some of the
Scouts, judge for herself to what extent the leader is capable of
responsibility and leadership, and to what extent the girls are
efficient, keen, and smart.
She can, by a few simple tests, soon see whether they have really
earned their badges, and she can offer them simple personal advice
which will sink in and be valued.
The Scout Spirit and Scout proficiency are to her the important points
to look for.
Accurate drill, neat bandaging, quick and legible signalling, smart
uniform, are excellent steps, but they are only steps among others
towards the attainment of womanly efficiency on the part of the
individual girl.
That is the aim of our training.
Happy, smiling face, ready resourcefulness and quick intelligence
in carrying out any job that may be given is the evidence of keen
esprit de corps in the Patrol, are by far the best indications to
the inspecting officer as to whether or not true Scout training is
practised by the Captain in her Troop.
Give Us the Young!
As Benjamin Kidd has written, let our cry be:——
“Oh! you wise men who would reconstruct the world! Give us the young.
Give us the young. Do what you will with the world, only give us the
young. It is the dreams which we teach them: it is the Utopias which we
conceive for them: it is the thoughts which we think for them, which
will rebuild the world. Give us the young before the evil has held them
and we will create a new Heaven and a new Earth.”
* * * * *
Transcriber’s note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
Some of the layout forms in the book were unable to be followed
exactly. Changes are noted below.
Page 13, “thy” changed to “they” (they must always wash)
Page 19, “simultaneuosly” changed to “simultaneously” (two pairs
playing simultaneously)
Page 48, “throughtout” changed to “throughout” (reign throughout India)
Page 65, “salue” changed to “salute” (the salute, otherwise)
Page 74, “strips” changed to “stripes” (thirteen stripes symbolize)
Page 80, “AB” was originally positions with the A directly above the B.
Page 80, “split” changed to “splint” (tie on a splint)
Page 85, “parellel” changed to “parallel” (chin parallel with floor)
Page 89, the following line was the final line on the page but does not
fit in the text and was deleted:
not feel it at the time, but it may lead to illnesses years
This line may be found on page 84.
Page 100, “lettter” changed to “letter” (choose a letter of the)
Page 106, “anl” changed to “and” (and slugs as food)
Page 125, “plans” changed to “plants” (any ordered plants)
Page 149, “find” changed to “five” (Boer five pounds for)
Page 154, “says” changed to “say” (stick, say, six feet)
Page 156, “which” changed to “when” (when you hold it)
Page 158, “mackeral” changed to “mackerel” (are the herring mackerel)
Page 158, “warking” changed to “working” (keep a hard-working man)
Page 159, “strip” changed to “string” (string to your package of)
Page 161, “bright” changed to “bring” (overnight, bring to boiling)
Page 169, “medal” changed to “medals” (received medals for saving)
Page 176, “stragihtened” changed to “straightened” (straightened and
bound to)
Page 178, “suck” to “sucked” (spirit is thus sucked in)
Page 179, “away” to “awake” (be kept awake if)
Page 180, “tonsilitis” changed to “tonsillitis” (suffer from
tonsillitis)
Page 180, “vitrol” changed to “vitriol” (throwing vitriol over)
Page 194, “angles” changed to “ankles” (the ankles, should be)
Page 204, “dulll” changed to “dull” (play these dull games)
Page 206, “Madge” changed to “Badge” (a certain Proficiency Badge)
Page 217, “Committe” changed to “Committee” (of the Local Committee)
Page 217, “000” changed to “65” (See p. 65.)
Page 223, “teach” changed to “teacher” (helping a teacher)
Page 224, “Groud” changed to “Group” (GROUP 2. _Arts and Crafts._)
Page 229, “Associaton” changed to “Association” (adopted in the
Association)
Page 230, “mapority” changed to “majority” (majority of the people)
Page 236, “back” changed to “black” (gold and black hat cords)
Page 236, “Form” changed to “From” (From a troop, through)
Page 239, “corporation” changed to “coöperation” (the coöperation of
the)
Page 242, “withdrew” changed to “withdraw” (withdraw her badges)
Page 250, “it” changed to “its” (uphold its reputation)
Page 251, “unbringing” changed to “upbringing” (in their upbringing)