Pollard: Museum Extension Work with Boy Scouts 107 



the policy of the national organization to encourage a boy to be- 

 come a scout merely in order to have a good time. New members 

 were admitted only after careful scrutiny of their school records 

 and affiliations, and their home relationships. The troop therefore 

 increased slowly in numbers but rather rapidly in efficiency. With- 

 in five months after organization there were two patrols (i6boys), 

 of whom six had already passed their examinations and become 

 second-class scouts. Three months later, at the close of the school 

 year, the troop included three patrols of boys, of whom one had 

 become a first-class scout, 17. second-class, and 6 were still tender- 

 feet. There is always a waiting list, and if the museum accom- 

 modations permitted indefinite expansion it is evident that the St. 

 George troop would become one of the largest in the city. 



For the benefit of those who are not familiar with the organiza- 

 tion of the Boy Scouts of America, it may be stated that in order 

 to secure admission every boy must be at least twelve years old, 

 must know the history of the national flag and the forms of 

 respect due to it, must be able to tie four out of a number of pre- 

 scribed knots, and must be familiar with the scout law, badge and 

 oath. After a month, upon passing certain additional require- 

 ments, such as elementary first aid, signalling and cooking, he 

 becomes a second-class scout, and later, after taking more ad- 

 vanced requirements, he reaches the grade of first-class scout. 

 He is then at liberty to try for merit badges in any of a large 

 number of subjects, according to his taste or inclination. The 

 work is thus nicely adjusted to the mental and physical develop- 

 ment of the boy, and affords a constant center of interest as well 

 as a goal for the ambitions. 



Every troop is governed by an adult scoutmaster, and the troops 

 of one city or district are commonly under the jurisdiction of a 

 local council, of which the scout commissioner is the executive 

 officer. Troops may be affiliated with any religious, social or 

 civic organization; and it is evident that if the scout program can 

 be successfully carried out through the agency of a church or 

 club, still better opportunities are afforded by a public museum. 



