Outdoor Sports and Games | Page 6

that our trained athletes are the equal of the world in nearly all
branches of sport.
In many of the English schools it is a regular part of the school work
for the teacher to organize hare and hound chases. The hares are given
a start of several minutes and leave a trail by means of bits of paper or
confetti, which they carry in a bag. In this kind of running the object to
be sought is not so much speed as endurance. An easy dog trot with
deep regular breathing will soon give us our second wind, when we can
keep on for a long distance.
After any kind of physical exertion, especially when we are in a
perspiration, care must be exercised not to become chilled suddenly. A
rub down with a rough towel will help to prevent soreness and stiff
muscles. The lameness that follows any kind of unusual exercise is an
indication that certain muscles have been brought into use that are out
of condition. A trained athlete does not experience this soreness unless
he has unduly exerted himself, and the easiest way to get over it is to do
more of the same kind of work until we are in condition.

II
THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Headquarters--Purpose--Scout law--How to form a patrol of
scouts--Organization of a troop--Practical activities for scouts--A scout
camp--Model programme of a Sir R.S.S. Baden-Powell scout camp
The Boy Scout movement that has recently been introduced both in
England and America with such wonderful success is so closely related
to nearly all branches of outdoor recreation and to the things that boys
are interested in that this book would be incomplete without mention of
the object and purposes of this organization. It is a splendid movement
for the making of better citizens, and it cannot be too highly
recommended.
The Boy Scouts of America is a permanent organization, and it has its

headquarters at 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City. From the central
office, patrols and troops are being formed all over the United States.
Any information with reference to the movement may be obtained by
applying to this office.
Through the courtesy of the managing secretary, Mr. John L. Alexander,
certain facts are presented concerning the organization, which are
obtained from their published literature, for which due credit is hereby
given.
The Boy Scouts is an organization the purpose of which is
character-building for boys between the ages of twelve and eighteen. It
is an effort to get boys to appreciate the things about them and to train
them in self-reliance, manhood, and good citizenship. It is
"peace-scouting" these boys engage in, living as much as possible out
of doors; camping, hiking and learning the secrets of the woods and
fields. The movement is not essentially military, but the military virtues
of discipline, obedience, neatness and order are scout virtues.
Endurance, self-reliance, self-control and an effort to help some one
else are scout objectives. Every activity that lends itself to these aims is
good scoutcraft.
The Boy Scouts were started in England by Gen. Sir Robert
Baden-Powell. He was impressed with the fact that 46 per cent. of the
boys of England were growing up without any knowledge of useful
occupations, and wanted to do something that would help the boy to
become a useful citizen. He emphatically stated that his intention was
not the making of soldiers. In his work. General Baden-Powell has
touched the boy's life in all its interests and broadened a boy's outlook
by the widest sort of activities. In two and a half years over half a
million Boy Scouts have been enrolled, and twenty thousand of these
have been in parade at one time in London.
The scout idea has sprung up spontaneously all over America. In
Canadian cities the Boy Scouts number thousands. In the United States,
towns and cities are being swept by the idea. Gangs of boys are to be
seen on every hand, doing their best at scoutcraft, "doing a good turn
every day to some one," and getting fun out of it. Prominent business

men and educators are behind the movement.
The aim of the Boy Scouts is to supplement the various existing
educational agencies, and to promote the ability in boys to do things for
themselves and others. The method is summed up in the term
"scoutcraft" and is a combination of observation, deduction and
handiness--or the ability to do. Scoutcraft consists of "First Aid," Life
Saving, Tracking, Signalling, Cycling, Nature Study, Seamanship and
other instruction. This is accomplished in games and team play and in
pleasure, not work, for the boy. The only equipment it needs is the
out-of-doors, a group of boys and a leader.
Before he becomes a scout, a boy must take the scouts'