Scouting, Volume 1, Number 8, August 1, 1913 Page: 3

SCOUTING.
ALL SAY DON'T DROP THE BOY.
(Continued from Page 1)
wonderful opportunity to demonstrate
the merit of the Scout system, by such
diagnosis and treatment as will dis-
cover and remove the abnormal con-
dition. He is a happy man who can
win the everlasting loyalty and grati-
tude of a boy whose surroundings have
denied him the unrestrained associa-
tion of the other fellows by restoring
him to good standing among his con-
temporaries—by enfranchising him to
the great democracy of boyhood.
In the end, the half-interested Scout
is usually working under a half-inter-
ested Scout Master. Like pulpit, like
pew. If the boy is at fault, the Scout
Master has the best opportunity to
correct the defect; if the leadership is
below the standard, the Scout Master
again becomes the best physician.
With a normal boy and a wide-awake
Scout Master, scouting is no half-
hearted proposition. All of which is
just another way of saying what we
are constantly told—that the success
of the Scout Movement is in the hands
of the men who head the troops.
A. J. C.'s problem is present, likely
without exception, with every one o-f
us. We all have half-hearted boys.
But let us not spell the everlasting
exile of the boy from Boyland by
"dropping" him from the troop roster.
Let us rather discover wherein lies the
cause for his lack of interest—because
we need always to remember that the
raison d'etre of Scouting is the best
development of the boy into the best
type of American manhood. We are
best able to do that, by creating around
him such environment, by giving him
such concrete ideals, by providing such
healthy outlets for his normal energiesr
as will truly educate him by drawing
out the best that is in him. Can you
think of any system which better fills
the bill than the Boy Scouts of
America?
(Signed) J. R. MARCUM.
Scout Master, Huntington, W. Va.
From a Rhode Island
Scout flaster.
Another letter has this to say: "The
question that arrives first to me is,
'Why is the boy only half-interested?'
Is it the fault of the boy, or does the
fault rest with the life and work of the
troop and Scout Master—it might be
better put—the lack of life and work.
No normal boy, whatever may be his
likes or dislikes but what may be
reached through some one or more of
the numerous and varied activities of
scouting as suggested in the 'Hand-
book.'
"It seems to me not a question of
dropping the boy, but one of revising
and widening our methods of interest-
ing the boy."
A. S. WOODWORTH.
Scout Master, Harrisville, R. I.
From a Wisconsin
Scout Master.
To the Editor of "Scouting."
"I would say most emphatically do
not drop him. Our work should not be
where it is the easiest always; and fur-
thermore, aren't we organized mainly
to help the fellow who needs it the
most, and surely a fellow of that kind
does.
I have worked with boys for the last
seven years and for the last six months
have organized under the Boy Scout
movement about thirty Scouts, and my
experience has been that when a fellow
is half hearted, something has either
been wrong with me or some of the
fellows in the patrol. The best rem-
edy I find, is to make a special effort to
do something that would interest that
particular boy. Study him and find out
what his favorite sport is or some
other "hobby" he may have. Then tell
some of the older Scouts in confidence
to keep boosting the work while with
the fellow to try to encourage him, and
tell of the good they have gotten out
of it. Boys often can do more with
them than the Scout Master himself.
At all times make the boy understand
that when orders are given they must
be obeyed.
(Signed) MAX STIEG.
Scout Master, Clintonville, Wis.
From an Ohioan.
Chester L. Sharp writes from Lan-
caster, O., "Should he be dropped? He
should not be dropped. Find out why
he is only partly interested, in other
words study the boy. Nine times out
of ten the cause can be removed. Of
course it will take work. One could
not suggest a cure unless he knew
the Scout."
BOARD OF HEALTH
SUMMER BULLETIN.
Typhoid Fever Inoculation Urged by Com-
missioner Lederle.
The Board of Health, New York
City, has issued a bulletin of special
advice for the summer months, which
contains information of interest espe-
cially to Scout Masters who take their
boys into the country on hikes and
camping expeditions.
In order to contract typhoid fever it
is necessary to swallow the germs, and
this introduction of the poison fre-
quently takes place through the me-
dium of infected well water. Milk may
also become infected and convey the
disease, and typhoid fever is some-
times transmitted by the contamina-
tion of food by flies. The Board points
out that it would indeed be well for
those who seek rest and recreation in
the country to pay more attention to
their sanitary surroundings and less to
the scenery. The bulletin continues:
"It is a true saying that 'an ounce of pre-
vention is worth a pound of cure' and
fortunately typhoid vaccination is proving to
be as successful a preventative as is vaccination
in smallpox. Should its use become general,
typhoid fever will undoubtedly occupy eventual-
ly the almost negligible position held by
smallpox in civilized communities. Commis-
sioner Lederle strongly advises those who in-
tend to spend their vacations in the country
districts to be vaccinated against typhoid
fever. This vaccination is performed free by
the department for those unable to pay a
physician. The process is unaccompanied by
danger but, as it is best performed by means
of successive inoculations a week apart, no
time should be lost by those who intend to
avail themselves of its benefits. This is really
the most important advice, and it is very im-
portant, that the Commissioner has to offer
for the summer months.
NOW READY
Official Boy Scout Song Book
New Songs especially written for Scouts.
Many old favorites adapted to their use.
Postpaid, 15 Cents Per Copy
SCOUTING AND ONE BOY.
ONE of my boys presented a perplex-
ing problem, beginning the night
of his enrollment to give me
trouble by creating a disturbance and by
influencing others. He passed his ten-
derfoot examination creditably, but his
attitude in class did not improve. Al-
though on various occasions I sent him
home, hoping each time that he would
not return, he came promptly to each
successive meeting.
A 200-mile hike was arranged and
much to my chagrin my disturber
planned to go. At the first city of any
consequence, I gave the boys their lib-
erty for four hours. The other boys
all availed themselves of this oppor-
tunity to go sight seeing, but my boy
very cordially paid his respects to the
prisoners of the local jail. At our next
stop, the Scout amused himself with a
drunken man with whom he became
fast friends. At Sandusky another
drunken friend was discovered.
This was as far as I could let him
go. I had said very little at first to
find out his natural inclinations, but the
time had arrived for action. I ex-
plained in detail the result of such habits.
As he was inclined to be indifferent I
told him that unless he showed marked
improvement I would be obliged to
send him home. Finally he acted with
perfect indifference when given certain
camp duties and by his neglect and in-
subordination provoked me beyond en-
durance. I ordered him to pack up his
belongings and start for home at once.
To my surprise, the entire troop came
to plead for our miscreant, asking me
please to give him another trial. I
was so thoroughly impressed by this
appeal from fortv good Scouts that I re-
called my verdict and asked him to
remain. I took occasion to tell him
that the other boys interceded for him,
and each one was ready to sacrifice
something to help him, and I explained
fully the Scout Laws to him.
When I asked him whether such an
act on the part of his companions was
not worth an effort he did not answer
"I will try," but "I will. Major."
He did "make good." There is not a
more attentive boy in my troop, one
more uniformly courteous, or one who
lives up to our Scout Laws more thor-
oughly than this boy. I am entirely
convinced that the inspiration which
prompted the remainder of the troop to
intercede for him was entirely due to
their training as Scouts.—John S. W in-
disch, S. M., Troop No. 13, Cleveland, O.
DR. HOLH WILL GIVE FREE
LECTURES.
Scout Masters near New York will
be interested in knowing that Dr.
Frits V. Holm, an explorer of note,
is much interested in Scout work. Dr.
Holm has kindly offered to give some
occasional free lectures to Scout troops
in and near New York. If an operator
and lantern can be arranged for, the
lecture will be illustrated. It will deal
with his many interesting experiences
on the various exploring expeditions
he has lead, more especially his 2,500
mile journey into the far interior of
China, the result of which was the
bringing to the Metropolitan Museum
of Art of a two-ton monolith-replica
of the famous Chinese Nestorian
Monument of Sian-fu, Shensi province,
dnted A. D. 781.
Dr. Hohn's address is 14 John St.,
New York City.