Scouting, Volume 2, Number 23, April 1, 1915 Page: 57
112 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 57
still of appeal to boys. Thanks to the laboratory for investigation pro-
vided by the Scont constituency itself, and to the co-operation of authors
who now know better than before the importance of this phase of Scout
work, the problem is working itself out. In the creation of such stories
the Magazine and Book Departments have been able to suggest to authors
themes which conform to the principles of conduct set forth in the Scout
oath and law. Writers have seized upon these new ideas gladly and
have developed them with enthusiasm. This has enabled Boys' Life to
portray boy-life as it is, with its natural and proper problems, pleasures
and excitements, discreetly casting a romance about the little things
that are called commonplace, interpreting them in their powerful but
often forgotten relation to the boy and his destiny, and making boys
happy—meanwhile keeping the stories clear of inaccuracies of fact, clear
of those thrills which are degrading, and inspiring to higher aims and
better effort.
Creating International Friendships
Especially notable has been the influence of Boys' Life in creating
friendships between boys in widely separated parts of the United States
and between American boys and boys in other countries. This influence
has been exerted through what is known as "The Lonesome Corner,"
a regular department of the magazine. Starting with the names of three
or four boys who had written that they would like to correspond with
other boys, the list of those who are exchanging letters regularly through
the magazine has grown to thousands, and is steadily increasing. The
importance of this activity of boys can scarcely be over-estimated. Scout-
masters, teachers, ministers, college professors, and parents have de-
clared in letters written to Scout Headquarters, that in addition to the
personal pleasure and immediate educational benefit which boys get
from such interchange of letters, the formation of friendships around
the world is doing much to bring about a better international under-
standing, mutual appreciation and good will, and cannot but have a
good effect on the future relations of the United States with other
nations. The development of this department is but another instance
of the opportunities seized by Boys' Life to make itself really service-
able to boys in ways that are worth while.
Its Good Influence May Be Extended
All men, and women, too, who know for what purpose, on what
basis, and in what manner Boys' Life is published have opportunity to
assist both in bringing the good influence of this magazine into the lives
of more boys, and in making this influence still stronger and better. It is
simply a matter of getting more readers, for more readers mean more
advertising and a resulting increase of revenue to be devoted entirely
to the further improvement of the magazine, and the further extension
of the pleasures and benefits of Scouting among boys.
The Best of it in a "Boy Scout Year Book"
Reference has been made to the distinguished contributors to Boys'
Life and the valuable character of their contributions. We are very
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 2, Number 23, April 1, 1915, periodical, April 1, 1915; New York, New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth282730/m1/59/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.