Staff: Ash or bamboo, two metres, (6 ft. 6-1/2 in.), in length and about one and one-half inches in diameter; marked off on one side in centimetres up to one-half metre, and the balance in metres. On the other side it should be marked off in inches up to one foot and the balance in feet. The staff should have a blunt end. Scouts should make their own staffs whenever it is possible for them to secure the lumber. Hoe or rake handles make excellent staffs. These can be procured through any local dealer at a nominal sum.
The Scout Staff and Its Uses
Many boys, upon taking up the Scout Movement, are dubious about the value of the scout staff and many friends of the movement ask "Why does a boy scout carry a staff?"
Experience has proven it to be one of the most helpful articles of equipment. In order to show this we are reproducing, through the courtesy of Lieut-Gen. Sir Robert S. S. {366} Baden-Powell, illustrations from printed matter used by the English boy scouts. These illustrations show a number of different ways in which the staff will prove a handy and valuable article; in fact, essential to the Scout outfit.
The staff is very useful for beating out brush fires and outbreaks which occur on open heaths.
Wading a stream. Two or three Scouts grasp the Staff like this.
Both patrol tents and tepees can be made with the aid of the Staff.
An improvised stretcher of coats and staves.