Know the Scout Oath and Law, Motto, Sign, Salute, and significance of the Badge and Uniform

Object

To give to the boy an understanding of the ideals of Scouting.

Interpretation

The boy must be able to repeat the Scout Oath, Law and Motto and tell in his own words what each of them means. As far as the Law is concerned, he is required to know the twelve points in full, which means not only the brief statement "A Scout is Trustworthy, a Scout is Loyal," etc., but the additional text explaining each point. (See Chat 3.) He must show how to make the Sign and Salute, and must explain when they are used. He must tell the significance of the Badge (what the three points, the stars, the eagle, the scroll symbolize), and of the Uniform (that it stands for brotherhood, Scout ideals and outdoor living).

To become a Scout, a boy must be at least twelve years of age. Upon demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Scoutmaster his ability to repeat the Scout Oath and Law in full and his thorough knowledge of their meaning, and upon meeting the following requirements, the boy formally subscribes to the Oath and Law and is registered as a Tenderfoot Scout, and is then entitled to wear the Tenderfoot Badge and the Official Uniform of the Boy Scouts of America.

1. Know the Scout Oath and Law, Motto, Sign, Salute, and significance of the Badge and Uniform.

2. Know the composition and history of The Flag of the United States of America and the customary forms of respect due to it.

3. Tie the Square Knot and any eight of the following knots: Sheet Bend, Bowline, Fisherman's, Sheepshank, Slip, Clove Hitch, Timber Hitch, Two Half Hitches, Carrick Bend, Miller's Knot, Rope Halters, Pipe Hitch, Stevedore, Barrel Hitch, Girth Hitch, Binder Twine Bend, Lariat Loop, Hitching Tie.

Preparation

The boy should be encouraged to make a thorough personal study of this Requirement from a copy of the Handbook for Boys. After he has secured a general knowledge, his Patrol Leader should explain the various points to him, and, if possible, illustrate the Oath, Law and Motto, with appropriate episodes from the Troop's memorable history. His Patrol Leader will teach him to make the Sign and Salute correctly, and will let him study his own Badge as he describes its significance.

Examination

The examination may be made along the lines given below. It should be understood that the suggested questions are not standard questions which must be asked. On the contrary, the Scoutmaster is encouraged to follow his own heart in the matter, although of course he should make certain that the boy meets the standards of the Boy Scouts of America.

Oath: "Do you know the Scout Oath? Please recite it. What do you mean by 'honor'? What do you feel is your duty to God? As a boy, what is your duty tc your country? How would you set about to 'help other people at all times'? What should you do to keep yourself 'physically strong'? What do you mean by 'mentally awake' and 'morally straight'?"

Law: "Do you know the Scout Law? Please recite it in full. What does 'loyal' mean to you? What is a Good Turn? Why not take pay for doing it? Why is obedience essential in a Scout Troop, at home, in school? Why should a boy 'save to pay his own way'? What does 'stand up for the right' mean? What do you mean by 'clean in body' and 'clean in thought'? How can you be 'faithful in your religious duties'?" And such other questions as the Scoutmaster may want to ask to ensure that the boy has a real understanding of the Scout Law.

Scouts learn the left hand Scout handclasp and use this hearty handshake whenever they meet a brother Scout.

Motto: "What is the Scout Motto? What do you think are some of the things a Scout should 'Be Prepared' to do?"

Sign and Salute: "Make the Sign. And now, the Salute. Why the three fingers pointing upward? When would you use the Salute? When the Sign?"

Badge and Uniform: "Show me the parts of the Badge and tell me what each part stands for. Why do we have a Uniform, and for what three great things does it stand?"

Tenderfoot Requirement No. 2

Know the composition and history of The Flag of the United States of America and the customary forms of respect due to it.

Object

To arouse in the boy a love for his Flag through a better understanding of it.

The idea is not to clutter up the mind of the boy with numerous facts and figures, but to have him know how our Flag looks, the story of its origin, and how he should show respect to The Flag in his every-day contacts with it.

Interpretation

The boy should know the composition of The Flag of June 14, 1777 (with thirteen stripes and thirteen stars arranged in a circle), of 1795-1818 (with fifteen stripes and fifteen stars), and of today (with thirteen stripes and forty-eight stars) and should know the significance of the stripes and the stars. He should have a general knowledge of the history of these three forms of The Flag. As far as the "customary forms of respect" are concerned, he should know how to greet The Flag, when he is in Scout Uniform and when not in Uniform; when and how to raise The Flag; lower it and fold it; what to do with worn-out Flags. He should know the simple rule for displaying The Flag ("Consider yourself The Flag; Consider your right shoulder the blue field (the Unioa); always face people"), and demonstrate how this rule applies to placing The Flag in a meeting room or on a platform, to hanging it on the wall, to carrying it in parade. See detailed information in the Handbook for Boys.

Respect to The Flag of the United States is instilled into the boy as he enters the Scout Brotherhood.

Preparation

In all the preparation, the boy should have a chance to handle an actual Flag, either a large Flag, or the Troop's parade Flag. It may be suggested that he make a simple sketch of it to aid him in remembering its composition. He should learn the history and forms of respect due to The Flag by reading of them in the Handbook for Boys and discussing them with his Patrol Leader.

Examination

The examination may follow more or less closely the interpretation given above. Be sure that it is not a dull examination of dry facts, but that the romance of The Flag and the reasons for respecting it predominate.

Tenderfoot Requirement No. 3

Tie the Square Knot and any eight of the following knots: Sheet Bend, Bowline, Fisherman's, Sheepshank, Slip, Clove Hitch, Timber Hitch, Two Half Hitches, Carrick Bend, Miller's Knot, Rope Halters; Pipe Hitch, Stevedore, Barrel Hitch, Girth Hitch, Binder Twine Bend, Lariat Loop, Hitching Tie.

Object

To teach the boy to use his hands and to start him on the road to camping and pioneering.

Interpretation

The boy must tie all the knots quickly and easily and must explain at least one specific use for each knot. (In this connection, it is recommended that the Troop decide for itself which knots it requires that its boys know from the above list. In making the choice, knots should be included for the following uses: end knots, for tying two ropes together, for tying a rope to another object, for making permanent loops, for shortening rope. The Square Knot and the first eight knots mentioned provide for these uses.)

A knot is a knot. Scouts learn to tie them in front or in back, in the dark or in a hurry. Then the knot l.as become of real use.

Preparation

The boy's buddy will demonstrate the knots for him, help him to tie them, and will show him how to use them. It is particularly important that the boy be permitted to use the proper material for the various knots: i.e. different thicknesses of rope for the Sheet Bend, gut for the Fisherman's Knot, binder twine for the Binder Twine Bend, etc.

Examination

Have the boy tie all nine knots at the examination and have him explain the use to which he would put each of them