AND as you continue your work as a Scoutmaster, a the day will come when first one, then another of your Scouts reaches fifteen years of age. With his age and increased capacity for responsibility, the boy —the young man—reaches out for older companionship, more stirring adventure, for multiplied contacts with the adult life into which he must soon begin to fit himself.

Lucky the Scout who finds in the life of his Troop the outlet for his interests and abilities beyond the day he is fifteen. Throughout the country, successful Scoutmasters hold their boys, in the normal activities of the Troop, far beyond any fifteen year age limit. The Troop program is varied enough, exciting enough, even for the boy who feels himself growing away from the association with twelve-year-old "kids."

Many older Scouts carry on in the Patrol where they got their start—some of them as ordinary members, others as Patrol Leaders, giving to the younger boys some of the fun they themselves had. Others, upon reaching sixteen years, take over Troop leadership responsibilities as Junior Assistant Scoutmasters.

And yet, whether they continue in their usual places or not, when they become fifteen, Scouts like to feel themselves apart from the younger boys, they look forward to be granted Senior Scout Status.

The decision to grant this status for the Scouts of the Troop rests with the Scoutmaster. At the same time, the Scoutmaster should determine whether the granting of the status alone is sufficient, or whether special activities should be inaugurated for the Troop's Senior Scouts.

Senior Scout Status

The Senior Scout Status for Scouts of fifteen years of age and above entails the following:

1. The title "Senior Scout"

2. The privilege of wearing the "Senior Scout B.S.A." strip on the Scout shirt.

3. Eligibility for the Senior Scout special activities, ranks and titles.

4. The opportunity to continue in a broadened Scout relation, practicing the Scout Oath and Law in daily life, and taking more responsibility in helpful service through Scouting and other organizations in his community life.

While by reaching the minimum age a Scout automatically becomes eligible to apply for participation in Senior Scout activities, he may not wear the special insignia nor participate in the Senior Scout Advancement program until he has consulted with his Scoutmaster and secured his approval. The result of this consultation would normally be the filling out of the Senior Scout Application (Form No. 1100). This makes provision for answering health questions and for a health check-up. The form also provides for the formal approval of the parent or guardian. The filled-in application is submitted to the Local Council. There is no added registration fee for the registered Scout receiving Senior Scout Status.

Who wouldn't thrill at such a camping place. Trout for breakfast from a mountain stream on Philmont Scout Ranch, N. Mex.

Special Senior Scout Activities

To encourage the Scout to take advantage of the broadened opportunities granted him as a Senior Scout, the Scoutmaster will find it desirable to meet with his Senior Scouts from time to time.

These get-togethers, in the beginning, will be simple, informal gatherings, with no special program—just friends coming together to talk over what may be in their hearts, possibly after a Troop meeting, or, maybe, on a separate evening, in the Scoutmaster's home.

The Seniors may also undertake a hike or an overnight camp under the leadership of the Scoutmaster, and use the opportunity further to discuss what is involved in Senior Scouting.

A social activity may be organized, at which the Seniors may bring their girl friends for an evening of fun and companionship.

Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch—200 square miles of western country with rugged mountains ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 feet rising out of the plains and grazing land of northern New Mexico—is providing new camping thrills and old-time western adventure for thousands of Senior Scouts. Although Philmont Scout Ranch is a camp for all Scouts, plenty of hiking and camping experience with your Troop and in your

Senior Scouts in many sections of the country have specialized in Indian Lore and have kept alive the traditions of the Redman.

Council Camp prepares your Scouts to get the most out of a visit to this ranch, for the type of camping done at Philmont Scout Ranch requires advanced preparation. Philmont was established to provide: (1) An adventuresome camping experience for Scouts.

(2) A base camp in the great Southwest of our country from which many points of national and historic interest may be visited by Troops. Kit Carson's home is on the property.

(3) Facilities for camp leadership training.

Plan a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch at Cimarron, New Mexico, for real adventure along its rocky mountain trails, among its colorful canyons, and on its open plains. Your Local Council office or the National Camping and Activities Service will gladly furnish you further information.

Senior Scout Organization

After having started on special Senior Scout activities, the question will soon arise: "Why not form a Senior Patrol?" In other words, "Why not organize the Seniors into a more definite and permanent organization?"

The considerations that will determine this decision are given in Chat 22 (page 422):

1. Is the Troop succeeding with the basic program of Scouting already?

2. Is this particular Troop ready for Senior Scouting?

3. Is the right leadership available?

If the answers to the questions are in the affirmative, the next step is to decide what type of Senior Scout Organization to undertake—to choose between Sea Scouting, with its tang of the sea and its traditions of seamanship (see Chat 22 and Chat 41), and Explorer Scouting, with its promise of exciting adventure and with the traditions of pioneers, backwoodsmen, explorers in the far corners of the globe.

Explorer Scouting is the natural outgrowth of the work and the life in the Troop. Explorer Scouting is Troop Scouting—only more so!