CHAPTER 1
SCOUTCRAFT
HINTS TO INSTRUCTORS
Instruction in scouting should be given as far as possible through practices, games, and competitions.
Games should be organized mainly as team matches, where the patrol forms the team, and every boy is playing, none merely looking on.
Strict obedience to the rules to be at all times insisted on as instruction in discipline.
The rules given in the book as to games may be altered by Scout-masters where necessary to suit local conditions.
The ideas given here are merely offered as suggestions, upon which it is hoped that instructors will develop further games, competitions, and displays.
Several of the games given here are founded on those in Mr. Thompson Seton’s “Book of Woodcraft”, called “Spearing the Sturgeon” (Whale Hunt), “Quick Sight” (Spotty Face), “Spot the Rabbit”, “Bang the Bear”, “Hostile Spy” (Stop Thief), etc.
A number of non-scouting games are quoted from other sources.
The following is a suggestion for the distribution of the work for the first few weeks. It is merely a Suggestion and in no sense binding.
Remember that the boy on joining, wants to begin “Scouting” right away; so don’t dull his keenness, as is so often done, by too much preliminary explanation at first. Meet his wants by games and scouting practices, and instil elementary details bit by bit afterwards as you go along.
N.B.— The previous paragraph was in the former editions of this book, but it was in some cases ignored by Scoutmasters, with the result that their training was a failure.
Remember also to start small. Six or eight carefully chosen boys will be enough to begin with, and after they have received Scout training for a month or two, they will be fit to lead and instruct fresh recruits as they are admitted.
FIRST EVENING
Indoors
Address the boys on ‘Scoutcraft”, giving a summary of the whole scheme, as in this chapter, with demonstrations or lantern slides, etc.
Form Patrols, and give shoulder-knots.
FOLLOWING DAYS
Practical work, outdoors if possible, from the following:— Alternatives according to whether in town or country, indoors or out.
Parade, break National Flag and salute it.
Scouting game: e.g., “Scout Meets Scout” (see page 47). Practise salutes, signs, patrol calls, scouts’ chorus, etc. Practise making scout-signs on ground.
Tie knots.
Make ration bags, leather buttons, etc
Self-measurement by each Scout of span, cubit, finger, joint, stride, etc. (see page 105).
Send out scouts independently or in pairs to do a “good turn”, to return and report how they have done it (page 23).
March out the Patrol to see the neighbourhood.
Make them note direction of starting by ‘compass, wind, and sun (see pages 64-72).
Notice and question them on details seen, explain “land marks”, etc. (see page 65).
Practise Scout’s pace (see page 63).
Judge distances (see page 106).
Play a Scouting Wide Game (see “Games”, page 181).
Or indoors if wet— ”Ju Jitsu”, “Scouts’ War Dance”, Boxing, Scouts’ Chorus and Rally, etc.
Camp Fire Yarns from this book or from books recommended. Or rehearse a Scout play, or hold Debate, Kim’s Game, etc.
Patrols to continue practice in these throughout the week in their own time or under the Scoutmaster, with final games or exercises on the following Saturday afternoon.
If more evenings than one are available in the week one of the subjects might be taken in turn more fully each evening and rehearsals carried out of a display.