Though the war has brought a splendid exhibition of self-sacrifice and devotion on the part of women and a desire to be helpful and patriotic, the sense of service is one which requires further education in the rising generation. The results of such training can only mean a stronger patriotism and a sound practical Christianity instead of a mere profession.
WHAT REMEDY IS PROPOSED?
The aim of the Girl Scout Movement is to assist parents and school teachers by supplying the desirable environment and healthy activities outside the school. The first thing is to attract the girls by happy comradeship, neat uniform, games and competitions which will appeal to them. Then through these to develop in them the four points which I have mentioned as “essential.” But please don’t think that we want to make a school of it. My harping on the “training” may lead you to think so. We do not want to trespass on the school teacher’s ground nor to adopt school curricula or examination systems. Quite the contrary. The weak point of modern education is that though it recognises the value of more up-to-date subjects it has not yet broken away from old methods in presenting them to the child. Till it does so it will remain Instruction instead of Education. Our object in the Scouts is to supply healthy play and recreation: but play when organised need not be waste of time. In these days we cannot afford, nor is it fair on them, to let children waste time and then to launch them “half-baked” into the sea of life-troubles. The Scout training offers them ideals and activities which supplement, without tiring them, the teaching of the school.
Results and experience of five years shows that the scheme is successful in attracting girls of every class in every part of the world. It can be applied equally well in town or country and it helps rather than interferes with every form of religion. Where properly handled it gives remarkable and satisfactory results in the directions looked for.
WHAT IS THE ORGANISATION?
A.—NATIONAL COUNCIL
The National Council is the governing body of the Girl Scout organization. It is composed of delegates from Local Councils and of other elected members. It holds one meeting a year to elect officers and the members of the Executive Board, and to decide matters that concern the policy and welfare of the entire organization.
Duties
The duties of the National Council are to
Charter Local Councils, to commission officers, and register Scouts.