BOY SCOUTS

an organization of boys in the United States and England which has for its purpose the development of character and manly qualities in young boys. According to some authorities the idea was first conceived by Lieut.-Gen. Sir Robert S. 8. BadenPowell, on observing the efficiency of a system of despatch carrying boys in South Africa during the Boer War. However, he did not put the idea into effect in England until 1908, when, according to other authorities, it was suggested to him by the example of Indians,’ an organization of boys which the latter had founded in the United States as far back as 1900, for the purpose of enabling city boys to obtain the healthy influence of country development and to encourage nature study. At about the same time Dan Beard, the American illustrator, had also formed a similar organization, ‘The Sons of Daniel Boone.’ These two tions were merged into the Boy Scot of America, in 1910, and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. In that same year the British Boy Scouts were established under a royal charter. The object of the organization in this country, where it is le military in character than in England, is to bring city boys into rugged, natural environment during their holidays, to teach them self reliance and otherwise to influence them in the direction of good morals. Only boys over the age of twelve may join. Hight boys form a ‘patrol;’ four patrols constitute a ‘troop.’ Each troop is under the leadership of an adult, a ‘scoutmaster.’ The organization as a whole is governed by a National Council. At the beginning of 1922 there were 611 local councils, 416 of which were rated ‘first cla ,’ meaning that they supported paid executives. The country is divided into 12 regional scout districts, each including several states. On joining, a boy takes an oath, in which he declares that ‘on my honor I will do my best; to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the scout laws; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.’ He also prom isés to be ‘trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.’ He must also ‘do one good turn daily.’ The motto of the organization is ‘be prepared.’ On joining a bey is rated as a ‘tenderfoot,’ but by meritorious conduct he becomes a second cla scout. He may rise in standing and compete for a badge of reward by qualifying in any one or several of 67 specialties, which range from woodcraft to music or aviation. There is a _ National-Court of Honor which awards medals for proficiency in these specialties and for bravery in saving life. In 1921 three gold, 64 silver and 80 bronze medals were awarded. These medals lift a boy to the rank of Life, Star or Eagle, and entitle him to life membership in the organization. The national headquarters of the organization are in New York city, where the official organ, ‘Boy’s Life,’ and an organ for adult scoutmasters and officials, ‘Scouting,’ are published. In the beginning of 1922 there were 403,156 boy members and 12,043 scout leaders.