D. OUR FLAG

slouching standing scoutNot the best way to salute.

Not the best way to salute.

The three fingers held up (like the three points of a Scout Badge) remind her of her three promises in the Scout Promise.

When a Scout meets another for the first time in the day, whether she is a comrade or a stranger, she salutes.

She always salutes an officer—that is a Patrol Leader or a Captain.

Also the hoisting of the Flag, the colors of a regiment, the playing of Star Spangled Banner.

When the National Anthem is played the Scouts do not salute, but merely stand at attention.

When marching in Troop or Patrol formation do not salute with the hand. When passing other Troops or a superior officer, the officer or Patrol Leader in charge alone will salute with the hand, at the same time giving the command, “Eyes right,” or “Eyes left,” as the case may be, on which every Scout will turn her head sharply in that direction till the officer gives the word “Eyes front.”

It is more than ever necessary to hold yourself smartly when giving the salute, otherwise you would make a very slovenly show of it.

Scout signs on the ground or wall, etc., close to the right-hand side of the road.

Road to be followed.

signs made in plants and rocks

Trees blazedwith axe, paperor chalk.Scratch or chalkon ground.Grass or twigs.Stones.

Letter hidden five paces from here in the direction of the arrow.

rectangle with "5" in it and arrow coming out of right side

This path not to be followed.

crossed sticksStop.

Stop.

line of stones

“I have gone home.”

Circle with dot in center“I’ve gone home!”

“I’ve gone home!”

(Signed) Patrol Leader.

At night sticks with a wisp of grass round them or stones should be laid on the road in similar forms so that they can be felt with the hand.

[Practise this.]

When a Captain wants to call her Scouts together she sounds her whistle. Then theydoubleto the Captain.

Whistle signalsare there:—

One long blast means “Halt,” “Silence,” “Alert,” “Look out for my next signal,” or “Cease.” (Stop what you’re doing, look out for next command.)

A succession of long, slow blasts means “Go out,” “Get farther away,” or “Advance,” “Extend,” “Scatter.”

A succession of short, sharp blasts means “Rally,” “Close in,” “Come together,” “Fall in.”

A succession of short and long blasts alternately means “Alarm,” “Look out,” “Be ready,” “Man your alarm posts.”

Three short blasts followed by one long one from Scout Captain calls up the patrol leaders—that is, “Leaders come here!”

Any whistle signal must be instantly obeyed at the double as fast as ever you can run, no matter what other job you may be doing at the time.

Hand signals(which can also be made by patrol leaders with their patrol flags when necessary):—

“Advance,” “Forward.”—Swing the arm from rear to front, below the shoulder.

“Retire.”—Circle the arm above the head.

“Halt.”—Raise the arm to full extension above the head, etc.

“Double.”—The closed fist moved up and down between your shoulder and thigh.

“Quick Time.”—To change from the “Double” to the Quick Time, raise the hand to the shoulder.

“Reinforce.”—Swing the arm from the rear to the front above the shoulder.

“Lie down.”—With the open hand make two or three slight movements towards the ground.

“Wheel.”—Extend your arm in line with your shoulder and make a circular movement in the direction required.

“Incline.”—Extend your arm in line with your shoulder and make a turn with your body in the direction required.

Stalking.—A Scout has to be sharp at seeing things if she is going to be any good as a Scout. She has to noticeevery little track and every little sign, and it is this studying of tracks and following them out and finding out their meaning which we include under the name of stalking. For instance, if you want to find a bird’s-nest you have to stalk. That is to say, you watch a bird flying into a bush and guess where its nest is, and follow it up and find the nest. With some birds it is a most difficult thing to find their nests; take, for instance, the skylark or the snipe. But those who know the birds, especially the snipe, will recognise their call. The snipe when she is alarmed gives quite a different call from when she is happy and flying about. She has a particular call when she has young ones about. So that those who have watched and listened and know her call when they hear it know pretty well where the young ones are or where the nest is and so on.

Deer; sheep; wolk and fox tracksA few tracks which you may see some day.

A few tracks which you may see some day.

Tracking.—The native hunters in most wild countries follow their game by watching for tracks on the ground, and they become so expert at seeing the slightest sign of a footmark on the ground that they can follow up their prey when an ordinary civilized man can see no sign whatever. But the great reason for lookingfor signs and tracks is that from these you can read a meaning. It is exactly like reading a book. You will see the different letters, each letter combining to make a word, and the words then make sense; and there are also commas and full-stops and colons; all of these alter the meaning of the sense. They are all little signs which one who is practised and has learnt reading makes into sense at once, whereas a savage who has never learned could make no sense of it at all. And so it is with tracking.

Reading Signs.—As you know a soldier Scout in war can only get his information about the enemy by watching for the smallest signs both on the ground and in the far distance. In the war of Texas against Mexico in the last century, it was very important that the general commanding the Mexican Army should be captured when the defeat of that army was accomplished by the Texans. He had disappeared; but some of the Scouts of the Texan force were out scouting for the enemy when they saw in the distance some deer were suddenly startled by something they could not see and ran away. The Texan Scouts were at once suspicious, and went to the spot as fast as they could. There they found a soldier of the Mexicans evidently trying to escape. When they caught him and opened his tunic they found underneath he was wearing a silk shirt, which was not usual with a private in the Army. They took him to Headquarters, and there found that he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican Army, trying to escape disguised as a soldier. And had it not been that they had noticed the deer beingstartled, it is probable that they would not have caught him.

Sherlock Holmesing.—In just the same way detectives, when they are following up a crime, have to act on the very smallest clues, and if they did not use their wits and notice these the criminal would probably escape.

Well, I want Girl Scouts to learn to be almost like detectives in their sharpness in noticing small signs and reading the meaning of them, not merely for the purpose of studying animals and birds, but also for studying their human fellow creatures.

It is by noticing small signs of distress or poverty in people that you can often help them in the best way. Generally those people who most need help are the ones who hide their distress; and if you are clever and notice little signs such as unhappiness, you can then give them or offer them help in some way or other. In this way you learn sympathy for fellow-creatures—not merely to be a friend of animals, but also to be a friend of your fellow-men in this world; and that again is carrying out the Girl Scout Law of helping others and being friendly to all.

Nature in the City.—This noticing of small things, especially in animal life, not only gives you great interest, but it also gives you great fun and enjoyment in life. Even if you live in a city you can do a certain amount of observation of birds and animals. You would think there is not much fun to be got out of it in a city, and yet if you begin to notice and know all about the sparrows you begin to find there is a great deal of characterand amusement to be got out of them, by watching their ways and habits, their nesting, and their way of teaching their young ones to fly.

Dissecting.—If you go to the butcher’s and get him to give you a sheep’s foot and you carefully open it up with a sharp penknife you will see how wonderfully every bone and joint and sinew is made and fitted into the machine which enables the foot to move and the sheep to get along. Then, if you think it out, you know that if you go away across the sea to the other end of the world, to Australia or New Zealand, and take a sheep’s foot there and dissect it in the same way you find it exactly and identically the same over there as it is here. God’s work is the same all over the world. People don’t notice these things and don’t think about them as a rule, and when you begin to think it out you begin to see what a wonderful work it is of God’s, who made all these different animals in their own form, all alike, and yet so different from the other kind of animals, fishes, or birds. You begin to realise then what a wonderful Creator has made the world and all that is in it.

Scouts in uniform will always salute the colors (or standard of a regiment) when they pass. There are generally two such standards, one the “Stars and Stripes,” and the other the “Regimental Colors.”

The Army and Government buildings fly the stars and stripes.

The flag to-day has thirteen alternate stripes of red and white, with a blue field in the corner bearing forty-eight stars. The thirteen stripes symbolize the thirteen original states, and the stars stand for the states now in the Union. The five pointed star is used, it is said at Betsey Ross’s suggestion. This five pointed star is the seal of King Solomon, and the sign of infinity. Even the colors of the flag mean something: red stands for valor, blue for justice, and white for purity.

I pledge allegiance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

When you pledge your allegiance make the full salute, keeping the hand at the brow until you say “flag,” when you extend the hand, still in the salute position, palm up, pointing toward the flag. Hold the hand out thus until the end of the pledge.

1. The flag should not be hoisted before sunrise nor allowed to remain up after sunset.2. At retreat, sunset, civilian spectators should stand at attention, Scouts may give their salute.3. When the national colors are passing on parade or review the spectators should if walking, halt, and if sitting, rise and stand at attention and uncover.4. When the flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning it should be hoisted to full staff at the conclusion of the funeral. In placing the flag at half-mast, it should first be hoisted to the top of the staff and then be lowered to position. Preliminary to lowering from half-mast it should first be raised to top.5. On Memorial Day, May 30th, the flag should fly at half-mast from sunrise till noon, and at full mast from noon to sunset.6. The flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning.7. The flag flown upside down is a signal of distress.8. No national flag is ever hung above the flag of another nation. When the flags of two or more nations are displayed they should be on separate staffs or on separate halyards, and on the same level. In America the Stars and Stripes are always given the place of honor on the right.9. An old torn or soiled flag should be destroyed privately and respectfully, preferably by burning.

1. The flag should not be hoisted before sunrise nor allowed to remain up after sunset.

2. At retreat, sunset, civilian spectators should stand at attention, Scouts may give their salute.

3. When the national colors are passing on parade or review the spectators should if walking, halt, and if sitting, rise and stand at attention and uncover.

4. When the flag is flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning it should be hoisted to full staff at the conclusion of the funeral. In placing the flag at half-mast, it should first be hoisted to the top of the staff and then be lowered to position. Preliminary to lowering from half-mast it should first be raised to top.

5. On Memorial Day, May 30th, the flag should fly at half-mast from sunrise till noon, and at full mast from noon to sunset.

6. The flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning.

7. The flag flown upside down is a signal of distress.

8. No national flag is ever hung above the flag of another nation. When the flags of two or more nations are displayed they should be on separate staffs or on separate halyards, and on the same level. In America the Stars and Stripes are always given the place of honor on the right.

9. An old torn or soiled flag should be destroyed privately and respectfully, preferably by burning.

square not1.The Reef Knot, for tying two ropes together. Being a flat knot, it is much used in ambulance work. The best simple knot, as it will not slip and is easy to untie.diagam2.Sheet Bend, for tying two rope-ends together. Make loop A B with one rope and pass rope-end C through and round whole loop and bend it under its own standing part.diagram of knots tied over stick3.Half Hitch, made by passing rope-end round standing part and behind itself. If free end is turned back and forms a loop, the hitch can be easily loosened. A double half hitch is required to make a secure knot.another knot4.The Sheep Shank, for shortening ropes. Gather up the amount to be shortened as in first illustration. Then with parts A and B make a half hitch round each of the bends, as in finished drawing.5.The Bowline, a loop that will not slip, to tie round a person being lowered from a building, etc. Form a loop, then in the standing part form a second and smaller loop. Through this pass the end of the large loop and behind the standing part and down through the small loop.another knot6.Clove Hitch, for fastening a rope to a pole. Either end will stand a strain without slipping, either lengthways or downwards.still another knot7.Fisherman’s Knot, used to tie two lines or ropes of different sizes together. A knot quickly made, and is easy to undo, the ends being simply pulled apart.and a final knot8.Middleman’s Knot.Made in similar fashion to fisherman’s knot. This loop will not slip when knots are drawn together, and can safely be used as a halter.

square not

1.The Reef Knot, for tying two ropes together. Being a flat knot, it is much used in ambulance work. The best simple knot, as it will not slip and is easy to untie.

diagam

2.Sheet Bend, for tying two rope-ends together. Make loop A B with one rope and pass rope-end C through and round whole loop and bend it under its own standing part.

diagram of knots tied over stick

3.Half Hitch, made by passing rope-end round standing part and behind itself. If free end is turned back and forms a loop, the hitch can be easily loosened. A double half hitch is required to make a secure knot.

another knot

4.The Sheep Shank, for shortening ropes. Gather up the amount to be shortened as in first illustration. Then with parts A and B make a half hitch round each of the bends, as in finished drawing.

5.The Bowline, a loop that will not slip, to tie round a person being lowered from a building, etc. Form a loop, then in the standing part form a second and smaller loop. Through this pass the end of the large loop and behind the standing part and down through the small loop.

another knot

6.Clove Hitch, for fastening a rope to a pole. Either end will stand a strain without slipping, either lengthways or downwards.

still another knot

7.Fisherman’s Knot, used to tie two lines or ropes of different sizes together. A knot quickly made, and is easy to undo, the ends being simply pulled apart.

and a final knot

8.Middleman’s Knot.Made in similar fashion to fisherman’s knot. This loop will not slip when knots are drawn together, and can safely be used as a halter.

While making your knots S.T.

Strings or ropes are used almost daily by every one in some form or other, and yet people often break their nails and teeth gnawing at their own knots to untie them. Time spent in learning a few simple reliable knots is not time wasted, but quite the contrary.

To tie a knot seems a very simple thing and yet there are right and wrong ways of doing it, and Scouts ought to know the right way. For sometimes even lives depend on a knot being properly tied, as with sailors or men in building trades, and in case of fire-rescue.

The right kind of a knot is one which you can tie easily and be certain it will hold under any normal strain, and which you can easily undo.

A bad knot called a “granny” is one which slips when you pull hard, or which gets jammed so tight that you cannot untie it.

Of course there are several ways of tying the same knot, and so if your sailor uncle can show you a good way to make a bowline don’t tell him the one in this book is the only way.

The End.

The Bight or Loop, formed by turning the rope back on itself.

The Standing Part, or long portion of the rope.

Rope ends that ravel are annoying and before working your scout rope too hard in practicing all these knots it is a good plan to whip the ends.

This is how you do it. Hold the rope end in your right hand. Take about 10 inches of twine, make a loop and lay it parallel on the rope so that the end of the twine extends about two inches beyond the end of the rope. Hold it firmly and with your left hand wind the standing part of your twine around your rope neatly up toward your right thumb. When you have bound the twine loop on to the rope for say an inch, then tuck your winding end through the loop, pull both ends of the twine, and cut them off close to the rope.

Now you are ready to work. There are two simple devices which will help you to learn the knots in the Tenderfoot test more easily, so it is well to master them first.

One is the

which is the very easiest of all to make. It is the first half of the square knot, and is a part of many other knots.

Back the end around the standing part and through the bight and draw tight.

The other is the

If you hang out some clothes on the line when there is a thunderstorm in the air, it will be well to tie up your clothes line with a slip knot at each end, as clothes and all can be taken down in a hurry. A slip knot made in one end of your cord, can be useful when you want to tie up a big parcel, for you can get a good “purchase” on the cord; it is also good in hitching a horse to a post.

Make a bight. Put your thumb and finger through it and pull up a loop of the free end of the rope.

The square knot (or reef knot) is the best simple all round knot, as it will not slip or jam and is easily untied. It is the safest knot to tie your parcels with when mailing them. It is also used to join two ropes, mend the clothes line, and for a hundred other uses. It is called a reef knot because it is used to reduce the size of a sail on a boat. As it is flat it is much used in First Aid, for tying a sling or triangular bandage.

Take an end of rope in each hand. Cross right end over the left and twist; then the same end (which is now in your left hand) over the other end, and twist again. Then pull the standing parts.

If you are left-handed, of course you would naturally first put your left end over your right. The thing to remember in tying a square knot is that the ends must alternate; otherwise you get a “granny,” or “lubber’s” knot.

The Sheet Bend (or Weaver’s knot) is good to use when you want to join a thick line to a thin one, or attach a rope to a loop or ring. They use this knot on steamboats when the big hawser can’t be thrown on shore, but a light line can be attached and easily thrown to the dock. It is a good knot for Scouts to use when making a guard line to keep back crowds, at a rally for instance. With this knot you can join your wool when knitting, and it is an excellent way to attach a fly to a fishing line.

Make a loop AB with one rope; pass the end, C, of your other rope through this loop, round both sides of the loop and down under its own standing part. Pull firmly.

The clove hitch is used when fastening two poles together as in scaffolding, as either end will stand a strain without slipping either lengthwise or downwards. It is also used to tie a boat to a stake, or in First Aid to tie on a splint.

Pass the end around the post, below the standing part; around the post again, over the standing part, and tuck it down between the standing part and the turn.

The half hitch is a very useful thing to know. It is not really a knot, but a loop used in tying many of the harder knots. A double half hitch is needed to make a secure knot and is used for fastening awning ropes, flag rope, etc. The more it is strained the faster it holds. It is a simple way of making a rope fast in a hurry, where a long continued strain is not expected, thus it is used in tying a boat’s painter, which is not a man but a rope fastened to the bow of a small boat.

A Bowline makes a noose that is permanent, neither jamming nor slipping. It is useful in hoisting and lowering, as in case of fire, rescuing from drowning, a painter’s chair, etc. It is also used in a guard line, as a halter for animals, or wherever a safe loop is needed.

Take end in right hand: measure with your left sufficient rope for the loop you want; make a bight in your left hand and hold it. Now take the end of the rope in your right hand, put it up through the bight, round the standing part, and down through the bight again: pulling the end and both sides of your permanent loop with the right hand against the standing part in your left hand; (three against one).

A scout would not waste a rope by cutting it but would shorten it by making a sheepshank. This will stand agreat strain without slipping, but will loosen when held slack.

Lay the rope out straight. Cross your hands and take hold of the rope. Take up the slack by drawing your hands past each other. Hold the three parts of the rope between the loop and the end, and put it over the loop, leaving sufficient loop sticking out so the half hitch won’t slip off it; then pull. Do the same at the other end, and put it over the loop, leaving sufficient loop sticking out so the half hitch won’t slip off it; then pull. It can be untied by a quick jerk of the outside ropes forming the bights. To shorten a rope permanently this way, pass the ends through the loops, and the knot will hold for any length of time.

This knot is used to tie two unequal thicknesses of rope. It gets its name from the fact that it is always employed in joining silkworm gut for fishing purposes.

Lay the two ropes parallel, the ends pointing different ways. Tie an overhand knot on rope one with the end of rope two, and then tie an overhand knot on rope two with the end of rope one. Now pull the standing parts and the knots will jam against each other and remain firm. To untie, pull the short ends apart, and then loosen.

When a girl has passed her Tenderfoot test, she is ready to become a full-fledged Scout. She pays to Headquarters her registration fee, 25 cents, and receives theregistration card which is a sort of certificate of membership and shows that her name is registered at Headquarters. Now she is entitled to wear the uniform. And more than all, she makes her Scout promise solemnly before the troop, and thus becomes one of the Scout sisterhood. This is not an appropriate occasion on which to admit the public, or to make any great show or fuss.

Scouts learn drill to enable them to be moved quickly from one point to another in good order. Drill also sets them up, and makes them smart and quick.

It strengthens the muscles which support the body, and by keeping the body upright the lungs and heart get plenty of room to work, and the inside organs are kept in the proper position for good digestion of food, and so on. A slouching position, on the other hand, depresses all the organs, and prevents them doing their work properly, so that a stooping person is generally weak and often ill. Growing girls are very apt to slouch, and should therefore do all they can to get out of the habit by plenty of physical exercises and drill.

Stand upright when you are standing, and when you are sitting down sit upright, with your back well into the back part of the chair.

On the word “Alert,” the Scout stands upright with both feet together, hands hanging naturally at the sides, fingers straight, and looking straight to her front.

A Scout will never build up a healthy, sound body if she is not prudent about her health. Elder girls can easily help the younger ones by leading them to tell of their state, and should urge them not to go long marches if they are not fit, or allow their feet to remain damp or cold at such times, as it is very bad for them. They may not feel it at the time, but it may lead to illnesses years afterwards. It is their duty to promote their health and to nurse it into a good sound condition, which will make them hardy in after life.

One girl with tummy pushed out; one girl slouchign forward and one girl with proper posture“Growing girls are very apt to slouch.”

“Growing girls are very apt to slouch.”

1.Standing:Feet parallel, few inches apart. Standerect, top of head high (note: top of head is above ears. Forehead is not the top), chin parallel with floor, arms easy at side. The ears, shoulders, hips and ankles should be in a straight line, weight over ankles.

2.Sitting:Keep back straight in sitting, lower back against the back of the chair, and feet on the floor. Note: Arm stretch positions named in exercises

—downwardstraight at sides.—upwardclose to ears.—sidewardon shoulder level.—forwardat shoulder level.

When doing exercises, remember always to keep good standing position. Execute the exercises in brisk rhythm, without jerks. Repeat each several times, but not so much that it tires you.

1. Arms from downward through forward, to upward stretch counting “one.” Arms down counting “two.” Take deep breath as arms go up, and breathe out as arms come down.

2. Arms from downward through forward, to upward, counting “one,” to side stretch, counting “two,” taking full breath, accenting “two” with side stretch. Down to side counting “three.”

Count while doing these exercises, accent on “one.”

1. From downward to side stretch counting “one,” return to downward counting “two.”

2. From side to upward stretch counting “one” (look up), return to side, counting “two.”

3. From downward to forward stretch, counting “one” (don’t slump), return to down, counting “two.”

4. From arms easy, at side, to down stretch, counting “one” (don’t hump), return to arms easy, counting “two.”

5. Arms easy, turn palms out, expanding chest and flattening shoulder blades, stretching down, counting “one,” return to arms easy, counting “two.”

6. Elbows, on shoulder line, and bent, palms horizontal, tips of middle fingers together, thumb touching chest. Move elbows back, flattening shoulder blades, finger tips separating (thumbs make a line outward on chest), counting “one,” return, counting “two.”

7. From last position, elbows bent, stretch arms, sideways, backwards, counting “one,” return, counting “two.”

8. Arms upward stretch, close to ear, body bent continuously side to side. (Do not twist.)

(These exercises cannot be done in stiff shoes.)

1. From good standing position, roll feet outward, weight on outside of feet, toes curled in, counting “one,” return counting “two.”

2. Alternate foot stretch. Foot stretch is done by raising the heel, bending the knee, the toes and ball of foot remaining on floor. Count “one,” “two,” one count for each foot.

3. Alternate foot stretch, at same time bending the knee, of weight bearing leg, count as in ex. 2. Keep body straight, hips steady.

4. Double knee bend (bend both knees, raising heels, keeping back straight). The knees should bend straight forward over the feet. Count “one” on bend, “two” on return.

5. Alternate backward kick, bending at knee only, counting as in ex. 2.

6. Same as exercise 5 in double quick time. (This is running in place.)

7. Alternate front high knee bend, raising foot from floor. Count as in ex. 2. Keep body straight.

8. Same as exercise 7, in double quick time.

9. Deep double knee bend, raising heels from floor, bringing arms from downward to side stretch with the bend. (This helps to keep balance.)

10. Arms upward stretch, body bent front, hands touching floor.

1. Legs alternately upward stretch, making right angle with the body.

2. Same exercise both legs together.

3. Same as exercise 2, letting feet go back over head.

Note: The best time to take these exercises is before dressing in the morning or the last thing at night before going to bed. Corsets should never be worn during exercises where the arms are raised above the height of the shoulders. No matter how loose they may be, it causes actual injury. Keep watch and see that the feet remain parallel. The tendency with most people is for them to turn out.

A New England farmer’s wife was baking several kinds of pies for Thanksgiving. To distinguish them she marked some T. M. for “’tis mince” and the rest she marked T. M. for “’tain’t mince.” When you are reading this book you will now and then see two mysterious letters which you will promptly obey whether you are sitting or standing. They are the letters S. T. and they mean Sit Tall and Stand Tall.

Horseshoe Formation

The Captain calls “Fall in.” The troop is formed in a horse shoe, with the Captain and the Lieutenant in the gap. When ordered to come forward by the Captain the Patrol Leader brings the Tenderfoot to be invested to the center, where they stand facing the Captain.

The Captain then asks: “Do you know what your honor means?” The Tenderfoot replies: “Yes, it means that I can be trusted to be truthful and honest” (or words to that effect).

Captain: “Can I trust you on your honor to do your duty to God and to your country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law.”

Tenderfoot: “On my honor I will try to do my duty to God and to my country, to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law.”

The Captain then says: “I trust you, on your honor, to keep this promise.”

While the recruit is making her promises aloud, all the Scouts remember their own promises, and vow anew to keep them.

The Captain orders: “Invest,”—and pins on her trefoil badge, explaining that it is her Scout’s life. If, for misbehavior her trefoil or life has to be taken from her, she becomes a dead Scout for the time the Captain orders—a day or a week—and is in disgrace. Thebadge may be worn at all times, but the uniform is worn only when the patrol meets.

The new Scout is then initiated into the mysteries of the secret passwords, “Be Prepared” (said backwards), or “Little Friend of all the World.”

The Scout should salute the Captain, when she gives her her badge.

The lieutenant hands the new Tenderfoot her registration card, and her hat. (This part of the ceremony may be omitted if desired.)

Captain orders: “About Face”—“Salute”—

Tenderfoot faces the troop, who give her the full salute to welcome her into the troop, and then she and her Patrol Leader march back to their places.

Now the Scout is a regular member of one of the Patrols in the troop. A Patrol is a group of six or eight Scouts who work together as comrades under a girl who is the Patrol Leader. The Leader has an assistant called a Corporal. All Scouts must obey the Leader and Corporal.

Each troop is called after a bird or flower. When the Scouts first started troops they were only called after flowers but there were many girls who felt that though a flower is very pretty and gives out a sweet influence round it, it doesn’t last long, nor does it “hustle around and do things”; they wanted something more active as their emblem. So now a troop can choose which it likes, a bird, or a flower, or tree or shrub.

pennant flag with flower

The troop may have a flag, which has the number of thetroop on it, and besides this each Patrol Leader may have a small flag, ten inches deep, on a staff, with the crest of her troop in cloth stitched on to it on both sides.

Each member of the troop wears an emblem badge sewn over her left pocket flap, and a shoulder knot of the colors chosen by her troop.

Every Scout is expected to know all about the life history of the emblem of her troop. If it is a flower, she should know what it looks like, when and where it blooms, and she should if possible grow it herself. If the emblem is a bird the Scout should know what it looks like, its call or song, its food, where to look for its nest, the color of its eggs and time of migration.

BIRD.ATTRIBUTE.COLOR.Robin.Brave and friendly.Brown and red.Swallow.A quick home worker.Dark blue and white.Wren.Modest and plucky.Brown.Sparrow.Busy and home-loving.Black and brown.Bantam.Plucky and strong.Red and yellow.Canary.Makes sunshine in the house.Yellow and white.Thrush.Gives joy to all.Brown and yellow.Blackbird.Happy and helpful.Black and yellow.Cardinal Bird.Beautiful and lively.Rosy red.Mocking Bird.Courageous and singing while he works.Greyish brown and white.

A jay is a showy, gaudy kind of bird and, like her bigger friend the peacock, has a rasping, raucous voice, and she eats other birds’ eggs, and generally does more harm than good in the world. There are human jays and peacocks, but you won’t find them among the Scouts. The English cuckoo is a curious bird of another kind. She makes herself out to look somewhat like a hawk, and somewhat like a dove, you don’t know whether she is very bold or very peaceful; at any rate she lets you know that she’s there. She uses her voice freely. But she’s a lazy creature, does not bother to make a nest of her own, but goes and puts her eggs in other birds’ nests—rather deceitful, because she often makes her eggs match those in the nest she is using—gives them all the trouble of bringing up her young ones. She leaves them and goes off South in July, before her offspring can fly with her. In fact, she is a fraud, she imitates others and blusters about a lot for a short time, but she does not do any real work.

Sometimes there have been imitation Girl Scouts, who dressed themselves up in our uniform, gave themselves similar badges, made themselves unpleasantly conspicuous, but never really grasped the Scout spirit nor did the Scout work, and so they won for themselves the name of cuckoo. So don’t belong to a cuckoo patrol.

If you are the Scout you ought to be, you will start to work to make your own patrol the best in the troop and to make yourself the best Scout in the patrol—for smartness, for efficiency, and for happiness.

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