Athletics

The policy of the Boy Scouts of America on the question of organized athletics is clearly defined. The Chief Scout Executive, writing to a Scoutmaster in June, 1917, says, in part:

"The activities of the Scout Movement are of course of an outdoor nature, but of the kind that develop sturdy, rugged, wholesome physique, coupled with a knowledge of practical everyday activities in which all Scouts can participate, rather than those activities in which only a certain small number of the more expert athletes can take part under conditions which necessitate the occupation of spectators on the part of all the other boys.

"The great need in the Scout Movement is for development along lines other than those which you have suggested. Purely athletic activities are already so popular and generally so well understood and appreciated, and so thoroughly promoted by a great many firmly established and recognized institutions, that the same urgency does not at present exist for our especial support thereof as against other more urgent and purely Scouting needs."

The Scout principle in games or athletics is "general participation"-as few as possible being merely and only spectators. Basketball, baseball, and similar team games are, from the viewpoint of Scouting, open to the criticism that they are participated in by only a few of the total group. Better activities can and should be substituted.

As regards the gymnasium, it is valuable but should not be permitted to become a substitute for the needed outdoor activities which Scouting promotes.

Badges And Insignia

All Badges and Insignia as well as the name of the Boy Scouts of America are protected by the U. S. Patent and Trade-mark Laws and by the provisions of the charter granted by Congress June 15, 1916.

From the earliest days of the organization no effort has been spared to preserve the inviolability of the Badges and Insignia of Scouting. It is due to the members of the organization, who by personal effort and sacrifice have made themselves proficient in Scouting, and have thereby earned the right to wear the representative insignia, that those not entitled to wear this insignia should be prevented from doing so.

None but duly registered members of the Scout Movement are able to secure any of the restricted insignia, and then only as they qualify for the various degrees.

Transference To Others

Upon occasion Scouts are known to have loaned their Badges or Insignia to girl friends. The Scoutmaster will at once recognize the incongruity as well as the illegality of such action, and should prevent its occurrence. In the first place the Scout Movement is essentially masculine in all of its activities. Its leaders and members are men and boys. The Scouting Program comprises activities requiring a virility, forceful-ness and energy characteristic of boys, but not of girls. It is inconsistent that girls or women should wear any of the insignia which properly belong only to men and boys. Moreover the wearing of the insignia by any person not entitled to do so, depreciates its value and significance. Only by the most scrupulous attention to this matter, will the Scout emblems continue to have the value which makes their possession worthy the best efforts of Scouts and Scout Officials.

Charter And By-Laws On This Point

The Scoutmaster should familiarize the members of his Troop with Section 7 of the Act of Incorporation, and Article VII of the By-Laws of the Boy Scouts of America. An explanation of these provisions to members of the Troop will convince them of their duty of strict compliance therewith. Any other course is unjust to other Scouts, and subversive of the interests of Scouting.

Bands

The By-Laws of the Boy Scouts of America state in Article XVI, Section 4.

Organization

Clause 1-Boy Scout bands and bugle (or fife) and (or) drum corps may be organized among members of the Boy Scouts of America, and provided with suitable insignia indicating this special membership, provided, however, that the purpose of such organization shall be primarily and distinctively for the develop-

When the Schiff Reservation was dedicated in October, 1933, a Band volunteered its services and supplied the inspiring music ment of the boy along lines in harmony with the aims and objectives of the Boy Scout Movement, and that the members thereof also carry out the regular Boy Scout Program.

Sale Of Services

Clause 2-Under no circumstances shall a bugle (or fife) and (or) drum corps or band made up of Boy Scouts of America enter into a contract as members of the Boy Scouts of America for the sale of their services in competition with any other bands of their own or any other community.

It is clearly the intent of these provisions of the By-Laws to prevent a Boy Scout fife and drum corps or a Boy Scout band, in a Boy Scout capacity, from engaging in any service for which pay is to be received. Even were the elements of actual competition not present, as would be the case where the Boy Scout band was the only one available, the intent of the By-Laws is to prevent the Boy Scout band accepting any engagement to play for money.

Scout bands should not play while passing churches, hospitals, or any house where illness is known to exist. Bands should not play after 9 o'clock in the evening when on the street, and bugle practice should not be carried on in open places within 500 yards of houses.

Boy Scout Week And Anniversary Day

The By-Laws of the Boy Scouts of America state:

Article XVI, Section 6-Boy Scout Week shall take place annually during the month of February so as to include February 8th, the date of the original incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America, and to continue through February 12th, Lincoln's Birthday.

The National Council through its various officers and with the cooperation of Scout officials throughout the country shall arrange for a nation-wide celebration during Boy Scout Week, for the purpose of bringing more definitely to the attention of each community, the value of Scouting as a program for work with boys, for the development of character and training for citizenship.

The program for Boy Scout Week will include a plan whereby every registered Scout in good standing shall be given an opportunity to assemble on the evening of Anniversary Day, that is, February 8th, and promptly at 8:15 recommit himself to the Scout Oath and Law.

On this occasion it shall be the duty of the Scoutmaster and other leaders to bring to the attention of the Scouts the extent of the Scout Brotherhood in our own country and throughout the world, and impress upon their minds the fact that every Boy Scout the world over is committed to the same obligation and does a "good turn daily."

It is indeed a happy coincidence that the annual birthday celebration enjoined by the National Council upon every Boy Scout Troop in America falls within the week of Lincoln's Birthday, so that the week's program may include appropriate patriotic services commemorative of this great American. Each year is likely to present some new feature or subject for special emphasis in the week's program. There will always be some subject or event of immediate importance to the community or to the nation, which can be made a pivotal point for the Scout celebration. The opportunity for a renewal of enthusiasm, a re-dedication to the ideals of Scouting, and an extension of the Movement in every community in which it has taken even a precarious foothold, is one that every Scout and Scout official will use to its utmost limit in Boy Scout Week. No matter what the local conditions, Boy Scout Week can be so used as to better them. The National Office, through SCOUTING, will give many timely suggestions. These will be adapted to individual needs by local organizations.