Mutual Work

MUTUAL, WORK Athletics and Scout Work

What was Done in 1915-16 The Committee on M. I. A. Scout Work gave a report to the General Board, on May 31, showing the condition of this department for the year ending that day. It shows commendable growth and in- creasing interest. The great need now seems to be qualified and in- — terested leadership and even in this direction there is steady im- provement: Troops registered, 148, increase of 44; scout masters registered,

M. I. A. SCOUT TROOP 2, PROVO, ON A HIKE TO THE LAKE

148, increase of 44; scouts registered at last report, May 31, 1915, 2,044; scouts canceled at expiration of their registration, on account of scout masters moving away or unable to continue the work and no one else found to date by ward authorities to take their places, 499. This number of scouts canceled does not indicate a permanent or to- tal loss,as many of these scouts are re-registered again by new scout masters taking up the work. Scouts re-registered during the year, 1,545; new scouts registered during the year 1,581. This is only ap- proximate as to its being the number of new registered boys, as scout masters in re-registering seldom re-register every boy who formerly belonged to his troop. This is due to some of the boys dropping out of the work through lack of interest, some on account of age, others going away to school, and others old enough to be used as leaders m other Church activities. The greatest loss, however, comes through or the scout masters giving up the work either from lack of interest inability to continue their labors. Total number of registered scouts May 31, 1916, 3,126; total increase of registered scouts, 1,082. In ad-

850 IMPROVEMENT ERA dition to the 3,126 scouts doing scout work as members of the na- tional organization, there are perhaps from 1,500 to 2,000 boys who are in touch with scout work in some of its phases, and through more efficient stake and ward organization will be brought in harmony with the complete scout program. The attached list shows the number of registered scouts in each stake. The scouts are distributed in the dif- ferent states as follows: Arizona, 65; Wyoming, 68; Nevada, 44; Idaho, 478; Utah, 2,471. Twenty-two stakes have no scout organization. This number in- cludes Juarez and the two Canadian stakes. Up to date no report has

FIRST AID FOR SHOCK OR FAINTING fcene at the Scout exercises onM. I. A. Day, May 16, Richfield, Utah, Troop 1, Ray Chidester, Scout Master.

been received from the latter as to whether they have or have not scouts registered with the Canadian organization. Twenty-three stakes have registered deputy scout commissioners. There are six regularly organized scout masters' associations. However, many stakes have a department for scout masters at their regular monthly meeting. Salt Lake Scout Masters' association is made up of the scout leaders of seven stakes; the Ogden association from three stakes. These associations have done very efficient work, and have given the scout masters the necessary training to carry on the work as leaders of boys. The Brigham Young University of Provo has given an efficient six weeks' course in scoutcraft to seventeen of their advanced students under the leadership of the stake deputy scout commissioner, Le Grand Hardy. It is to be hoped that all of the Church schools that have the necessary leadership will give the same course during the coming year. Our relations with the national organization have been very cor- dial. Any suggestions made to them that might assist us in handling the work more advantageously have been accepted by them. Any as- sistance that we have asked for has been very cheerfully given and they have kept in close touch with us in carrying on the work. Practically in every place where the work has been organized the

MUTUAL WORK 851

A BUNCH SIGNALING TUDGING SECOND CLASS COOKING TEST Troop 2, Provo, Utah. L. H. Hardy, Scout Master.

boys have taken an active part welfare of the com- in the civic munity and have assisted in ward and stake affairs. They have also done a wonderful amount of good in their indi- vidual and community "good turns." The work, when it has been handled properly, has re- ceived the endorsement of ward and stake authorities. Unfortu- nately, some of the scouts and scout leaders have obtained the wrong idea regarding scout work, and the result has been detrimental to the movement. These evils are rapidly being THE MOST ANXIOUS MOMENT overcome through our scout Second Class fire-making. Troop 2, Provo. masters' associations, schools, L. H. Hardy, Scout Master. etc., and the labors of Seoul Commissioner Dr. John H. Taylor and Assistant Scout Commissioner Oscar A. Kirkham, in their visits to the different wards and stakes. Several troops have scout bands. Permanent summer camps in some places are being provided f" r ih" scouts, and as a whole the work is in a favorable condition. We shall endeavor during the com- ing year to have every stake take up scout work in conjunction with the rest of their M. I. A. work, to build up the now existing troops and organizations, so that every boy will have the benefit of the ex- cellent training and development that the scout movement affords.

852 IMPROVEMENT ERA LIST OF REGISTERED SCOUTS IN EACH STAKE Asst. A sst. Stake Troops Scout Scout Scouts Stake Troops Scout Scout Scouts Masters Masters tasters Ma sters Alpine 7 7 4 170 North Davis. 1 1 1 19 Bear Lake ... 2 2 2 45 North Sanpete 4 4 107 Rear River ..3 3 3 47 North Weber ... 2 2 31 Benson 3 3 2 49 Ogden 2 2 39 Big Horn 1 1 1 24 Oneida 4 4 5 70 Bingham 2 2 1 37 Panguitch ... 1 1 12 Rlackfoot ... 2 2 1 36 Parowan 1 1 16 Box Elder 2 2 2 29 Pioneer 2 2 2 29 Carbon 4 4 4 80 Portneuf 1 1 1 10 Cache 8 8 5 146 Rigby 1 1 1 37 Cassia 5 5 2 75 Salt Lake ... 4 4 6 107 Cottonwood .1 1 15 Sevier 4 4 3 52 Curlew 1 1 1 12 South Davis.. 2 2 2 83 Deseret 3 3 64 South Sanpete 5 5 4 84 Duchesne 4 4 69 Star Valley 2 . . 2 1 44 Emery 1 1 17 St. George... 2 2 1 63 Ensign ' 4 4 3 89 Summit 1 1 1 27 Fremont 4 4 6 80 Tooele 2 2 39 Granite 8 8 8 179 Uintah 4 4 5 48 Jordan 4 4 6 118 Utah 8 8 2 183 Juab 3 3 3 65 Wasatch .... 3 3 3 68 Liberty 7 7 4 154 Wayne 1 1 20 Malad 2 2 2 63 Weber 3 3 3 55 Maricopa 1 1 65 Yellowstone . . 1 1 13 Moapa 1 1 44 Nebo 4 4 3 98 148 148 104 3126

Reading Course for 1916-17

Begin now to make points for your association and stake in the reading course. Here are the books and the points for each: The New Testament, 7 points. "Tales from Shakespeare," Lamb, 2 points. Shakespeare's Plays: "Hamlet," "Midsummer Night's Dream," "Henry VIII," "King Lear," "Romeo and Juliet," 2 points for each play. "Little Women," Alcott, 2 points. "How We Got Our Bible," Smyth, 2 points. "Sandsy's Pal," Hunting, 2 points. "Wild Animals at Home," Seton, 2 points. "Jacob Hamblin," Little, 2 points. "Wild Roses," Driggs, 2 points. "Under the Country Sky," Richmond, 2 points. "Speeches of the Flying Squadron," 2 points. Any of the book stores will gladly furnish you the prices. See lists and prices in this number of the Era.

Infinity

O, how I love the vast, unblemished plains, That lose themselves in heaven's azure vaults; Moulded and clothed by God, they beauteous lie Before me, and I stand amazed in the presence of Infinity! A weak and groveling thing! Man, how vain and foolish! Boasting fancied strength and wisdom deep. A conqueror Of heaven, of earth, of sea, and scorning The Power that gave thee breath, the Creator of thine home. Go thou alone into the silent night. Behold the wondrous picture! 'Twill teach thee well. RAYMOND, ALBERTA FRANK C. StEET.E