1. To explain the scheme and scope of the Scout Organization.

2. To suggest indirectly the reasons for the group's entering Scouting.

3. To organize and begin the Tenderfoot instruction.

4. To establish a temporary organization.

*Adapted from "A Scoutmaster's First Six Weeks."

Equipment:

1. Handbook for Boys.

2. Membership application blanks.

3. Ropes for knot-tying, about three feet long.

4. The Flag of the United States of America.

Program

Game-10 minutes. Explain that one part of the Scout Oath refers to keeping "mentally awake" and that you're going to test this right at the start with a game. Select something simple, such as the following which is suitable for a medium-sized room:

Crows and Cranes. Divide the boys into two teams lined up facing each other, one side called the "Cranes," the other side the "Crows." When the leader calls out "Cranes!" or "Crows!" all on the team named must turn and run to the wall in back of them. If a boy is tagged by an opponent before reaching the wall, he is captured and becomes a member of the other team. This can be kept up until one team has captured all those on the other side. The leader can add fun by dragging out the words and by giving occasional false alarms; for example: "Cr-r-r-r-rows" or "Cr-r-r-r-ranes" or "Cr-r-r-r-rash."

Other good games are found in Chat 31 of this Handbook. Try such games as "Jump the Stick," "Swat 'Em," and "Do This-Do That." They all work well with ten or a dozen boys. "Seize the Bacon" requires less room for playing.

Talk on Scouting-10 minutes (boys seated). Say something like this; briefly, simply:

"Every boy who thinks of becoming a Scout ought to know just what he's getting into before he joins. So I'm going to tell you what Scouting is; what the two million Scouts of the world stand for:

"A Troop of Scouts is a bunch of fellows who are banded together for fun in service to others and in outdoor adventure. They train themselves along many lines of skill in woodcraft and usefulness in emergencies so that they will 'Be Prepared,' as the Scout Motto says, to be stronger men and more valuable citizens to their country.

"The Troop we organize here must be one of the finest and most active Troops ever started. It must measure up with the best Troops in the Council. Every Scout in it must be right on the job all of the time to be the best kind of a Scout he can. Ours must be a winning team in the great game of Scouting!

"Now what will our Troop do? First we'll dig in and pass the Tenderfoot Requirements. We'll organize and select Patrol Leaders, as the Handbook describes. At the weekly meetings we'll go ahead and practice some of the advanced Requirements so that we'll move forward steadily. We'll have a lot of keen games and special stunts. We'll try out our skill in the contests and the rallies. We'll take hikes just as often as we can-overnight trips as soon as we're ready for them. We'll be having great adventures together that fellows who aren't Scouts couldn't have. At first we'll keep our numbers small; we'll pick our men.

"More important than anything else I have mentioned is the Scout Oath or Promise to which every member subscribes when he joins. It is this: (or who knows what it is?) 'On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.' Unless you feel sure that you want to live up to this Oath the very best you can, you shouldn't become a Scout. The Oath and the twelve points of the Law are a tough lot of things for any fellow to live up to; only those with grit and nerve should tackle them. You had better think that part over pretty carefully before you make up your minds to be Scouts.

Arm at exact right angle. Little finger and thumb touching. This Scout makes the Scout Sign. Recognized among Scouts everywhere.

"Here's one more point-the real price of membership in this Troop will be unfailing regular attendance at its meetings, and steady progress in all the things that make a Scout 'Prepared.' If I put my own time into the activities of this Troop I shall certainly expect you to do your part with equal faithfulness. Is that plain-and fair?"

Knot-Tying-20 minutes. Practice two or three of the Tenderfoot knots. Begin with a rapid demonstration and explanation of the use of each one. Have all the boys provided with light rope three or four feet long and have them all tie each knot as soon as it has been demonstrated and explained. When they have learned several knots, have them try these in competition for speed. Have the boys hold the ropes above their heads until the signal to tie is given, each boy dropping his rope to the floor or holding it up and calling "Done!" when he has tied the knot called for.

Explanation of Tenderfoot Requirements-20 minutes (Scouts seated).

a. Exhibit the Handbook for Boys-its importance and the necessity for securing it at once.

b. Enumerate the Tenderfoot Requirements. (From Handbook for Boys.) c. Call attention to the index in the Handbook.

d. Ask every boy to prepare to meet as many as possible of the Tenderfoot Requirements by next meeting. Lay stress on learning the Scout Oath and Law thoroughly and promptly.

e. Mention the registration fee and the necessity for its prompt payment. (No boy's Scout membership begins until he is registered. Then he may enjoy the privileges of wearing the Uniform and Insignia and advancing in rank-privileges that are available to registered Scouts only.) f. Distribute the application blanks and request their return by the following meeting, with registration fees.

Scout Drill-15 minutes. (Have a visiting Scout or Scouter on hand for this instruction if necessary.) See Index: Scout Drill.

Closing ceremonies-15 minutes.

(a) Have each boy choose which Patrol he will join on a temporary basis. A later readjustment can be made if the number does not balance well.

Appoint an intelligent boy who appears to be suited for faithful detail work as Scribe. His duties at the beginning will be: make up a roll, receive applications and fees, and record the essential facts of each meeting. Later a regular Scribe's Record Book, issued by the National Council, will be found helpful for his work.

The seeming mystery of the square knot and all other knots is revealed to the twelve-year-old candidate for Tenderfoot.

(b) Repeat request for return of application blanks and registration fees by the next meeting.

(c) Repeat request for Tenderfoot Requirements to be learned by the next meeting.

(d) Have a boy (or a visiting Scout) lead several Scout yells, such as: "A-M-E-R-I-C-A! BOY SCOUTS! BOY SCOUTS! U-S-A!"

(e) Close the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag and the Scout Motto. (Boys do not formally repeat the Scout Oath until after they are installed as Tenderfoot Scouts.)