14 
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
bol of the democratic basis of our American government 
and a constant demonstration of it. 
Troop 
From one to four of these Patrols constitute a Troop, 
the administrative unit of the organization. Girl Scouts 
are registered and chartered by troops, and the Troop 
meeting is their official gathering. The Troop has the 
privilege of owning a flag and choosing from a list of 
flowers, trees, birds, and so forth, its own personal crest 
and title. 
Captain 
Its leader is called a Captain. She must be twenty-one 
or over, and officially accepted by the National Head- 
quarters, from whom she receives the ratification of her 
appointment and to whom she is responsible. She may 
be chosen by the girls themselves, suggested by local 
authorities, or be herself the founder of the Troop. She 
represents the guiding, friendly spirit of comradely lead- 
ership, the responsibility and discretion, the maturer 
judgment and the definite training which shapes the pol- 
icy of the organization. 
Lieutenants 
She may, in a small troop, and should, in a large one, 
be assisted by a Lieutenant, who must be eighteen or over, 
and who must, like herself, be commissioned from Na- 
tional Headquarters, and if desired, by a Second Lieu- 
tenant, who must be at least sixteen. 
Council 
The work of the Girl Scouts in any community is made 
many times more effective and stimulating by the co- 
operation of the Council, a group of interested, public 
spirited citizens who are willing to stand behind the girls 
and lend the advantages of their sound judgment, broad 
