PART VI.

SCOUTING GAMES, COMPETITIONS, AND PLAYS.

WORDS TO INSTRUCTORS.

FOREWORD FOR INSTRUCTOR.

[_N.B.--Remarks printed in italics are, throughout the book, addressed to the Instructor._]

_By the term "Instructor" I mean any man or lad who takes up the training of either a Patrol_ (i.e., _six to eight boys_), _or a Troop_ i.e., (_several Patrols joined together_).

_By means of this book I hope that anyone, even without previous knowledge of scouting, may be able to teach it to boys--in town just as well as in the country._

_The system is applicable to existing organisations such as schools, boys' brigades, cadet corps, etc., or can supply a simple organisation of its own where these do not exist. But in all cases I would strongly commend the "Patrol" system: that is, small permanent groups, each under responsible charge of a leading boy, as the great step to success._

_The reasons for this, the objects of the training and full hints to Instructors I have already published in a pamphlet called "The Boy Scouts Scheme." Price Twopence. Published by Bradbury, Agnew, Bouverie Street, London, E.C. They will be further set forth in Part VI. of the present book._

_I recommend the Instructor to begin with a Patrol of eight boys if possible, and when these have qualified as "First-class Scouts" to select the best five or six to raise each a patrol of his own and instruct it under his (the Instructor's) supervision._

_A great step is to obtain, if possible, a room, barn, or school to serve as a Club, especially for work on long winter evenings. It must be well-lit and warmed. And to have a camp-out in the summer._

_There need be no great expense in working a troop of Boy Scouts._

_Finance must largely depend on the efforts of the Scouts themselves. Methods for making money will be indicated in Part IV. I do not hold with begging for funds if it can possibly be avoided._

_Any further information or advice will readily be given on application, and I shall be glad to have any suggestions or informal reports of progress and numbers trained. But I have no desire to trouble Instructors with red-tape returns, and so on._

_Scouts' Badges, Medals, Patrol Flags, and Crests, Tracking Irons, and such articles of scouts' equipment, can be obtained at low rates on application here._

_All communications should be addressed, not to me by name, but to:_

_THE MANAGER,_ _Boy Scouts,_ _Goschen Buildings,_ _Henrietta Street,_ _London, E.C._

_R. S. S. B.-P. January, 1908._