io8 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



At present, however, it is believed that the Staten Island museum 

 is the only institution of its kind with which a troop of scouts is in 

 direct affiliation. It is scarcely necessary to enumerate the ad- 

 vantages which even a small museum offers for this work ; it con- 

 tains the material necessary to teach the boys not only the pre- 

 scribed requirements in natural history but also the knowledge 

 requisite for many of the merit badges; its library and historical 

 relics serve to foster and develop the patriotic and civic ideals for 

 which the scout organization stands ; and in general the museum 

 may be said to furnish a constant inspiration and stimulus to the 

 active mind of the growing boy. 



The underlying scheme in scoutcraft, it should be understood, 

 is not to make a good camper, a good athlete or even a good 

 naturalist of the youth ; it is to develop ultimately high ideals of 

 character and citizenship. The name of " scout " was selected for 

 the organization because of the sterling qualities of courage, 

 endurance and self reliance exhibited by the scouts of pioneer 

 days. These ideals are embodied in the scout law, and they are 

 impressed on the boy through the principle of the " good turn " 

 which he is expected to perform daily. The success of the mutual 

 relationship between the museum and the scouts lies in the fact 

 that they are able and willing to do their good turns for the 

 museum as well as for individuals. The St. George troop spaded 

 up and prepared the museum grounds for planting; they have 

 been assiduous in providing food for the live pets in the children's 

 room, and those who are interested in ornithology have helped 

 Mr. Cleaves, our assistant curator, in bird banding. At museum 

 meetings and receptions they have been very helpful as ushers and 

 messengers. The curator-in-chief, as scoutmaster, has given much 

 attention to the troop, and has conducted outdoor excursions at 

 least twice a month during the year. On these trips the various 

 requirements of scoutcraft are practised and observations made 

 which will lead, if possible, to subsequent reading or study in the 

 museum. That some of the lessons taught have borne fruit may 

 be seen in the record of woodland fires extinguished by members 



