THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA The corporation of the Boy Scouts of America operates through the national council, consisting of 1,200 representatives from local councils and Scout leaders all over the United States. This operates through an executive board and various national committees. The president of the United States serves as honorary president. Local councils are chartered by the national council. Troops are composed of not more than 32 boys in charge of a scoutmaster, who must be an adult American citizen. There may be four patrols to each troop, in charge of a boy leader. Troops are chartered by the national council and are usually organized in connection with some kind of institution, such as a church or school.
Training of the nearly 240,000 volunteer leaders to conduct scout work is effected through courses conducted not only by local Scout councils but in con junction also with colleges, nor mal schools and theological sem inaries. In 1927, 388 such courses for scoutmasters were given, for which 10,944 certificates were awarded to those completing the work. The first rank is that of tenderfoot ; next comes second class scout, while further prog ress entitles the boy to first class rank. First class scouts may qual ify for merit badges in 88 subjects of vocational, outdoor or edu cational interest, and may progress to Star, Life and Eagle rank— the last mentioned requiring one year's service as a first class scout and 21 merit badges being the highest rank. Palms are awarded Eagle scouts for further merit badges earned. Eagle scouts who during the year have performed outstanding service to the community are eligible to awards of the Harmon Foundation of New York amounting to $100 each and given annually as an incentive to higher education. The highest award in the Boy Scouts of America is the gold honour medal for saving life at the risk of the rescuer's own. Some 1,200 awards were made for 191I-1927.
To the influence of the Boy Scouts is attributed in great part the increased interest during recent years in camping and other outdoor activities. With the co-operation of experts, minimum requirements of health, safety and sanitation have been developed that have set a standard for safe camping throughout the United States. During the summer of 1927 it was estimated that some 325,00o scouts spent a week or more in camp, not counting those attending short-term, winter and troop camps. The troop com mittee of every troop is obligated to attempt to provide a week or more in camp for every scout. Life-saving and water-front safety are important features of the summer programme. "Every Scout a swimmer," is a scout slogan. Sea scouting is a branch of the organization that has for its object the promotion of seaman ship and water activities. Other camp activities include tree planting, trail building in national parks and elsewhere, exploration and adventure hikes, patriotic pilgrimages to historical shrines, trekking auto and truck tours, conservations, establishing and maintaining game sanctuaries and fish hatcheries, forestry projects of all kinds, fire fighting, service to State and county fairs and exhibition service and demon stration camps. A special effort has been made to reach the boys on farms and in communities so small that there are not enough boys to organize a full troop. If a boy cannot join a troop or patrol, he may become a lone scout and carry on the Scout programme by correspondence.
See the Handbook for Boys, 1927, and Boys' Life. (J. E. W.)