Among the Boy Scouts

Title

Creator

de la Cruz, Ricardo

Language

English

Year

1937

Subject

Boy Scouts.

Scouting (Youth Activity)

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

Scouting is more of an educational institution than a mere organization of boys, provides a system of education and training by which boys are taught to love knowledge. A Scout has to study and pass certain examinations before he can be promoted to higher ranks, and to get a Merit Badge. Also, Boy Scout recommit themselves to the Scout Oath and Law, which is their renewal of their promise.

Fulltext

January, J.937 THE YOUNG CITIZEN 341 ~ ·~ AMONG THE BOY SCOUTSBy Ricardo de la Cruz~ ANEW YEAR MESSAGE TO SCOUTS Another year has just ended. '} new one has begun. The coming of the New Year means a lot to many people. It symbolizes new life, new vigor, new activities. To the Boy Scout, it should not allow its meaning to escape. The Scout does not need to make New Year resolutions. All he should do is to recommit himself to the Scout Oath and Law,-those ideals, which, in themselves. are the very essence of Scouting·. It is a simple act,-this renewal of our promise. But simple as it is, it is significant of a thousand things. · He should review the past year and think of how he can improve himself. He should ask himself questions. Have I violated the Scout Oath and Law? If so, were those violations un'!voidable? He should examine himself just as a mechanic analyzes a worn-out machine. This is a new year. Bad habits should be discarded and good ones formed in their stead. In short. let us change ourselves for · the better! THE MERIT BADGE PLAN Scouting is more of an educational institution than a mere organization of boys. Just as it affords opportunities for companionship and play, so does it provide a system of education and training by which boys are taught to love knowledge,-to seek for it. not as a matter of course. but as a means of enjoying life more than the average boy does. This is accomplished by the laying down of certain examinations required to be passed by the Scout before he can be promoted to higher ranks. · Before a boy may be accepted into a troop, it is necessary that he pass the Tenderfoot Requirements. Then comes the rank of Second Class. Next to this is First Class. The foregoing ranks have specified examinations for their attainment. To be a Star, a Life, and finally. Jn Eagle Scout. a Scout takes the Merit Badge Route. There are over ninety different merit badges. They cover a wide and varied area of sub jects,- ranging from Astronomy to Zoology. In order to be awarded a Merit Badge, a Scout has to study and pass the requirements for that Merit Badge. For example, a Scout wishes to take the Merit Badge in Swimming. He looks up the requirements for this particular study. Those requirements are listed in the "Handbook for Boys" and in the pamphlets sold at Scout Headquarters. The requirements for Swimming are: ( l) Be able to swim one hundred yards.· (2) Dive properly from the surface of the water. (3) Demonstrate breast. crawl. and side strokes. ( 4) Swim on the back fifty feet. •Manager, Publicity Department, Philippine Council, B. S. A. The Scout then begins to practice constantly the different strokes. Pretty soon, he knows all the required strokes. As a res.ult, he becomes a good swimmer. If he practice earnestly and enthusias(Continued on 1>age 349) Calling All Model ·Builders! .. attention all model Bu;/ders! Proceed to GHQ immediatelyPHILIPPINE MODEL ENGINEERING COMPANY (The HCJme of Models) 892 Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz Tel. 2-68-67 (Just in front of the Grand Opei·a House.>. Big reduction sale now in full swing. GET YOUR MODEL AIRPLANE KIT NOW WHILE THEY LAST! IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO BUILDWE WILL TEACH YOU FREE! -------- -------- ·- Cut hc1·e ___ ._ . . ------·--- ..... Philippine Model Engineering Co. 892 Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz· Manila, Philippines Gentlemen: Please send me without obligation on my part your price list. Name .. . .. • .... . ...... ... .. . .......... .Address .. . .. .... ... .... . . : ... .. • . • · . · · January, J,9.17 AMONG THE BOY SCOUTS (Ctn1tin11ed f1·om page 0 141) tically. be may become an expert. Many Scouts have found their professions and vocations o n I y through the Merit Badge Plan. A promising physician is doubtless interested in the First Aid, Safety. and Personal Health merit badges. Radio, Architectur~. Art. Automobiling. Salesmanship. Woodwork:they all occupy places in the Scout's Merit Badge Library. There was once a country boy who was interested in Soil Management. He decided co take the examination for chis Merit Badge. He bought a pamphlet and studied it for days. Then he presented himself before the Expert Examiner in Soil Management. He was a man who thoroughly knew his business. The boy had his pamphlet with him but the man put it aside. lnSt€ad. be took the boy to a private room. All around the room were shelves. and in the shelves were bottles and cans. The man led the boy and both of them inspected each bottle. In each one was a sample of a kind of soil. All sorts of soils found in their community and the adjoining ones were there. classified and arranged. The boy was much interested. He inspzcted every container with eagerness and delight. He asked the man to teach him bow to collect soils and the method of recognizing each kind. The man gladly helped him. The boy set to work at once. They owned a small shed in their farm. He 'used it for his "laboratory. " Pretty soon. he had shelve.; around the shed. Gradually, he had bottles on those shelves. He visited ;very place of their community and collected various soils. He b~cam~ an "amateur expert." But char boy did not stop. He w~nc to other communities and brought his collecting paraphernalia along. Wherever he went. be bunt· cd for new specimens. He became a real exper.t . . People began to recTHE- YOUNG CITIZEN 349 ABSENT ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL "You all look fine. children, .. Miss Santos said· smilihg as she looked around. But where is Bernardo?" "He is sick, Miss Santos, .. Moises said. "Sick? What is the matter with him?" "He ate too much on New Year's Eve." explained Adriano. "We ~enc around serenading," he added, "and our relatives and neighbors served us suman. bibingka. puro. and chocolate ... "Well. those are good things to ear." remarked Miss Santos. " Yes. Miss Santos, but he stuffed 0gnize him. The government realized his value. In no rime. be was offered a position in the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. He has become one of the leading agriculturists in the country. He has succeeded. All these. be owes to the Merit Badge Plan. This is but one of the many ex~mples wherein we find that Scouting is a great determini.ng factor in himself every rime he was offered some cakes. I ate only twice during the night. Bernard<;> ate five or six times.'' "He bad to be given castor oil early on New Year's Day," Moises put in. " ( am sorry for him. Children. char case is a lesson for you. Food is good and we need it, but you must know when to stop eating. Your stomach tells you when you have bad enough. but you do not listen to it. Eat as much as you need_ but not until you are uncomfortable. No matter how delicious the food. eat only to satisfy your hunger ... our lives. If others can succeed. why .can we not too? MONTHLY ROLL OF HONOR Based on Scout Advancement. December, 1936 Troop 225, Pampanga 130 points Troop 184, Cavite 122 points Troop 185, Cavite 116 points (Certified correct by Mr. Teodoro R. Castro. Record Clerk.)

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