M. I. A. Scouts

M. I. A. Scouts BY L. R. MARTINEAU, CHAIRMAN, AND THE COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS, ETC., BY APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL BOARD Purpose.

The aim of the M. I. A. Scouts is to inculcate and stimulate in boys high ideals and worthy ambitions as essential to the best citizenship and the greatest happiness, supplementing the best home influences and existing educational and spiritual agencies which lead the boy to do good to himself by doing good to others. The keynote to the M. I. A. Scout movement may be found in the following:

M. T. A. Scout Ideals.

A scout must Be courageous. Be clean. Be cheerful. Stand erect. Be industrious. Keep his self-respect. Maintain individuality. Be manly. Believe in God and right living.

What Scouting Means. Scoutcraft includes instruction in First Aid, Life Saving, Tracking, Camping, Woodcraft, Nature Study, Cycling, Selfhelp, Self-support, Patriotism, and Loyalty to everything good.

"In all ages there have been scouts, the place of the scout being on the danger line of the army or at the outposts, protecting those of hiscompany who confide in his care. "The army scout was the soldier who was chosen out of all the army to go out on the skirmish line. The pioneer, who was out on the edge of the wilderness, guarding the men, women and children in the stockade, was also a scout. Should he fall asleep, or lose control of his faculties, or fail on his watch, then the lives of the men, women and children paid the forfeit, and the scout lost his honor. "But there have been other kinds of scouts besides war scouts

M. I. A. SCOUTS 355 and frontier scouts. They have been the men of all ages who have gone out on new and strange adventures, and through their work have benefited the people of the earth. Thus, Columbus discovered America, the Pilgrim Fathers founded New England, the early English settlers colonized Jamestown, and the Dutch built up New York. In the same way the hardy Pioneers pushed west and made a new home for the American people beyond the Alleghanies and the Rockies. "These peace scouts had to be as well prepared as any war scouts. They had to know scoutcraft. They had to know how to live in the woods and be able to find their way anywhere, without other chart or compass than the sun and stars, besides being able to interpret the meaning of the slightest signs of the forest and the foot tracks of animals and men. "They had to know how to live so as to keep healthy and strong, to face any danger that came their way, and to help one another. These scouts of old were accustomed to take chances with death, and they did not hesitate to give up their lives in helping their comrades or country. In fact, they left everything behind them, comfort and peace, in order to push forward into the wilderness beyond. And much of this they did because they felt it to be their duty. "These little-known scouts could be multiplied indefinitely by going back into the past ages and reading the histories and stories of the knights of King Arthur, of the Crusaders, and of the great explorers and navigators of the world. "Wherever there have been heroes there have been scouts; and to be a scout means to be prepared to do the right thing at the right moment, no matter what the consequences may be. "The way for achievement in big things is the preparing of one's self for doing the big things — by going into training and doing the little things well.was this characteristic of Livingstone, the great It explorer, that made him what he was, and that has marked the career of all good scouts. "To be a good scout one should know something about the woods and the animals that inhabit them, and how to care for one's self when camping. "The habits of the animals can be studied by stalking them and watching them in their native haunts. "The scout should never kill an animal or other living creature needlessly. There is more sport in stalking animals to photograph them, and in coming to know their habits, than in hunting to kill. "But woodcraft means more than this. Tt means not only the following of tracks and other signs, but it means to be able to read them. To tell how fast the animal which made the tracks was going; to tell whether he was frightened, suspicious or otherwise. 'Woodcraft also enables the scout to find his way, no matter where he is. It teaches him the various kinds of wild fruit, roots, nuts, etc., which are good for food, or are the favorite food of animals. "By woodcraft a scout may learn a great number of things. He

356 IMPROVEMENT KRA may be able to toll whether the tracks were made by an animal or by man, bicycle, automobile or other vehicle. "By having his power of observation trained he can tell by very slightsigns, such as the sudden flying of birds, that someone is moving very near him, though he may not be able to see the person. "Through woodcraft, then, a boy may train his eye, and be able to observe things that otherwise would pass unnoticed. In this way he may be able to save animals from pain, as a horse from an illfitting harness. He may also be able to see little things which may give him the clue to great things, and so be able to prevent harm and crime. "Besides woodcraft, one must know something of camp life. One of the chief characteristics of the scout is to be able to live in the open, know how to put up tents, build huts, throw up a lean-to for shelter, or make a dugout in the ground, how the build a fire, how to procure and cook food, how to bind logs together so as to construct bridges and rafts, and how to find his way by night as well as by day in a strange country. "Living in the open in this way, and making friends of the trees, the streams, the mountains, and the stars gives a scout a great d^al of confidence and makes him love the natural life around him. "To be able to tell the difference between the trees by their bark and leaves is a source of pleasure; to be able to make a bed out of rough timber, or weave a mattress or mat out of grass to sleep on, is a joy. And all these things a good scout should know. "Then, too, a good scout should be chivalrous. That is, he should be as manly as the knights or pioneers of old. He should be unselfish. He should show courage. He must do his duty. He should show benevolence and thrift. He should be loyal to his country He should he obedient to his parents, and show respect to those who are his superiors. He should be very courteous to women. One of his obligations is to do a good turn every day to some one. He should be cheerful and seek self-improvement, and should make a career for himself. "All these things were characteristics of the old-time American scouts and of the King Arthur knights. Their honor was sacred. They were courteous and polite to women and children espocially to tho aged, protected the weak, and helped others to live better. They taught themselves to be strong, so as to be able to protect their country against enemies. They kept themselves strong and healthy, so that they might be prepared to do all these things at a moment notice, and do them well. "So the boy scout of today must be chivalrous, manly, and gentlemanly. "When he gets up in the morning he may tie a knot in his necktie, and leave the necktie outside his vest until he has done a good turn Another way to remind himself is to wear his scout badge reversed until he has done his good turn. The good turn may not be a very

M. I. A. SCOUTS 3f>7

— big thing help an old lady across the street; remove a banana skin from the pavement so that people may not fall; remove from streett or roads broken glass, dangerous to automobile or bicycle tires; give water to a thirsty horse; or deeds similar to these. 'The scout also ought to know how to save life. He ought to be able to make a stretcher; to throw a rope to a drowning person; to drag an unconscious person from a burning building, and to resuscitate a person overcome by gas fumes. He ought also to know the method of stopping runaway horses, and he should have the presence of mind and the skill to calm a panic and deal with street and other accidents. "This means also that a boy scout must always be in the pink of condition. A boy cannot do things like these unless he is healthy and strong. Therefore, he must be systematically taking exercise, playing games, running, and walking. It means that he must sleep enough hours to give him the necessary strength, and if possible to sleep very much in the open ,or at least with the windows of his bedroom open both summer and winter. "It means also that he should take a cold bath often, rubbing dry with a rough towel. He should breathe through the nose and not through the mouth. He should at all times train himself to endure hardships. "In addition to these the scout should be a lover of his country. He should know his country. How many states there are in it, what are its natural resources, scope, and boundaries. He ought to know something of its history, its early settlers, and of the great deeds that won his land. How they settled along the banks of the James river. How Philadelphia, New York, and other great cities were founded. How the Pilgrim Fathers established New England and laid the foundation for our national life. How the scouts of the Middle West saved all that great section of the country for the Republic. Me ought to know how Texas became a part of the United Staes, andhow our national heroes stretched out their hands, north and south, east and west, to make one great united country. "He ought to know the history of the important wars. He ought to know about our army and navy flags and the insignia of rank of our officers. He ought to know the kind of government he lives under, and what it means to live in a republic. He ought to know what is expected of him as a citizen of his state and nation, and what to do to help the people among whom he lives. "In short, to be a good scout is to lie a well-developed, well-in formed boy.

Scout Virtues. "There are other things which a scout ought to know and which should be characteristic of him. * * * * * He must learn to obey, before he is able to command. He should so learn to discipline and control himself that he will have no thought but to obey the orders of his officers. He should keep such a strong grip on his own life

?,:,s IMPROVEMENT ERA eiiUL lm w ill uui allow himself to do anything which is ignoble, or which will harm his life or weaken oil powers of endurance. "Another virtue of the scout is that of courtesy. A boy scout ought to have a command of polite language. He ought to show that he is a true gentleman by doing little things for others. "Loyalty is also a scout virtue. A scout ought to be loyal to all to whom he has obligations. He ought to stand up courageously lor the truth, for his parents and friends. "Another scout virtue is self-respect. He ought to refuse to accept gratuitiesfrom any one, unless absolutely necessary. He ought to work for the money he gets. "For this same reason he should never look down upon any one who may be pooler than himself, or envy any one richer than hinisell. A scout's self-respect will cause him to value his own standing and make him sympathetic toward others who may be, on the one hand, worse oil, or, on the other hand, better off as far as wealth is concerned. Scouts knew neither a lower nor a higher class, for a scout is one who is a comrade to all and who is ready to share that which he has with others. "The most important scout virtue is that of honor. Indeed, this is the basis of all scout virtues, and is closely allied to that of seltrespect. When a scout promises to do a thing on his honor, he is bound to do it. The honor of a scout will not permit of anything but the highest and the best and the manliest. The honor of a scout is a sacred thing, and cannot be lightly set aside or trampled on.

is another one of the sc6*ut virtues. "Faithfulness to duty When it a scout's duty to do something, he dare not shirk. A scout is is iaithtul to his own interest and the interests of others. He is true to his country and his God. "Another scout virtue is cheerfulness. As the scout law intimates, he must never go about with a sulky air. He must always be bright and smiling, and, as the humorist says, 'Must always see the doughnut and not the hole.' A bright face and a cheery word spread like sunshine from one to another. It is the scout's duty to be a sunshinemaker in the world. "Another scout virtue is that of thoughtfulness, especially to animals; not merely the thoughtfulness that eases a horse from the pain of a badly fitting harness or gives food and drink to an animal that is in need, but also that which keeps a boy from throwing a stone at a cat or tying a tin can on a dog's tail. If a boy scout does not prove his thoughtfulness and friendship for animals, it is quite certain that he never will be really helpful to his comrades or to men, women and children who may need his care. "And then the final and chief test of the scout is the doing of a good turn to somebody every day, quietly and without boasting. This is the proof of the scout. It is practical religion, and a boy honors

M. I. A. SCOUTS 359 God best when he helps others most. A boy may wear all the icoul uniiorms made, all the scout badges ever manufactured, know all the woodcraft, campcralt, scoutcratt, and other activities of boy scouts, and yet never be a real boy scout. To be a real boy scout means the doing of a good turn every day with the proper motive, and if this be done the boy has a right to be classed with the great scouts that have been of such service to their country. — Extract from Boy Scouts '

of America, "Handbook for Boys."

The great movement of the Church from Illinois and Iowa to these mountains, in 1847, an ^ the years immediately following, developed among both men and women the highest art of scoutcraft, perhaps, that has been found among any pioneers in the history of our country. Loyal to country and to their religion, hardy and persevering, they made thousands of shining examples of choicest citizenship, brave, wise and God-fearing.

M. I. A. Scouts Organization.

Any member of the Y. M. M. I. A. under the age of 18 years may become a member, and is entitled to be enrolled in the M. I. A. Scouts. Any member of any other Auxiliary Organization, or any non-member of the Church, between 12 and 18 years of age, may become an M. I. A. Scout on a majority vote of the local M. I. A. Scouts and by consent of his parents. The officers of the M. I. A. Scouts shall consist of:

1. A scout leader, who must be over 21 years of age, who shall be chosen annually by the members of the M. I. A. Scouts from the senior class of the Y. M. M. I. A. 2 An assistant scout leader, who shall be chosen in the same way from the senior class.
2. A patrol captain and one assistant captain for each eight scouts, to be chosen annually in the same way as the scout leader from the junior members.
3. The president and his counselors of the ward Y. If. M. I. A., and the junior class teacher, shall have general supervision of the officers and activities of the M. I. A. Scouts, and shall be ex-officio members thereof, in the respective wards, and shall hear and settle all matters of controversy, policy and local initiative.
4. A scout secretary and treasurer, who should keep a membership roll and the minutes of scout meetings, a record of its achievements and an account of its finances. This office should be held by the assistant scout leader.

360 IMPROVEMENT ERA Meetings or the M. I. A. Scouts.

To avoid additional meetings in the wards, the M.* I. A. Scouts should meet immediately before or after the regular ward mutual meeting, and spend thirty minutes in talks, exercises, and practice in scoutcraft, scout programs and scout activities. When seasonable, these meetings may be held outdoors, and a greater length of time may be occupied. After a careful selection of officers and the confirmation of their selection by the presidency of the ward Y. M. M. I. A., the scouts may proceed with their work and recreation. At the outset let it be understood by officers and members that good order and discipline shall be strictly observed, and that scout meetings must show the same respect for the common good as is the rule in regular M. I. A. meetings. It is not the purpose of the scout movement to do away with or supersede the regular manual class-work of the junior boys. This work must not be interfered with. Indeed, it is hoped and expected that scoutcraft will add enthusiasm and loyalty to the regular work of Mutual Improvement and other organizations. It is not the purpose to provide an inflexible program for each ward or each scout organization, but to leave to the local officers opportunity for originality and initiative under the general headings and outlines which have the approval of the General Board. Prompt and punctual opening of scout meetings, at the hour appointed, is imperative. The scout leader should call the scouts to order exactly at the time appointed, declare the order of business, and proceed at once to execute it 1. Roll call. 2. Brief M. I. A. Scout drill, as follows: I. Setting-up exercises; four weeks. II. Drill formation in the closed order; four weeks. III. Red Cross drill, and first aid; ten weeks. IV. Packing, tieing, etc.; two weeks. V. Camp cooking and camp discipline; four weeks. (For text books on exercises, see "U. S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1911" and "American Red Cross First Aid" text book.) 3. Instruction:Not to exceed ten minutes. 4. Miscellaneous: Announce next meeting's exercises and act on current business. 5. Dismiss by number or song or scout yell.

M. I. A. SCOUTS 361 The time, thirty minutes, allotted to scout meetings, is so brief that not a minute should be lost. But care should be taken to have each meeting contain enough of drill and other snappy exercises in scoutcraft, as suggested in the opening of this chapter, as shall be appealing and helpful in constructive and progressive work. While the boys may be given reasonable latitude in scout meetings, strictest respect for authority and scout regulation must be insisted upon from the outset. It is designed to have brief talks to the boys under the division, "Instruction," on the choice of trades, professions, and occupations, giving such suggestive direction to their aims, tastes and capacities, for such callings, as may be profitable, worthy and independent. The great underlying purpose in incorporating scoutcraft in the M. I. A. junior activities is the making in our boys a more rugged manhood and more self-reliant characters. We give to the organizers of the "Roy Scouts of America" unstinted praise for the splendid ideas and movement they have inaugurated, and find in their Handbook for Boys most excellent outlines for scoutcraft, which we advise our M. T. A. Scout officers to use as far as they find them adapted to their local conditions. From time to time, when practicable, visits will be made to wards and stakes by members of the General Board and the Athletic Committee, and especially by the Field Athletic Director.

John H. Taylor, for the purpose of instruction and assistance to local officers. Since the general authorities of the Church approve of the movement in athletics and M. T. A. Scouting, it is expected that the local stake and ward officers of the Church will aid and sustain the efforts of Y. AT. M. T. A. officers and members who have direct contact with these activities.