formed by a young man who is interested in being a big brother to younger boys. He applies for an appointment as Scout Master, qualities for the position and then acts as a recruiting officer to enroll and train a patrol. He can work in his leisure hours, with any group of boys, in any place most convenient for him and them. There are boys everywhere who are eager for the fascinating work and play.
Scout patrols may be formed either with or without connection with some religious or educational institution. The easiest way to become a Boy Scout is to join a patrol that has already been started. These patrols may be in a Sunday School, a Boys’ Brigade, a Boys’ Club, a Young Men’s Christian Association, a Young Men’s Hebrew Association, a Young Men’s Catholic Association, or any other organization of a like nature.
A patrol consists of eight boys, one of whom becomes the patrol leader and another the assistant patrol leader. A troop consists of three or more patrols, and the leader of the troop is called a Scout Master. There can be no patrols or troops of Boy Scouts without this Scout Master.
There are three classes of scouts among the Boy Scouts of America—the Tenderfoot, the Second-class Scout, and the First-class Scout. Before a boy becomes a Tenderfoot he must qualify for that class. A Tenderfoot, therefore, is superior to the ordinary boy because of his training. To be a Tenderfoot means to occupy the lowest grade in Scouting. A Tenderfoot, after serving one month and meeting certain other requirements explained further on in this article, may become a Second-class Scout, and a Second-class Scout, upon meeting another set of requirements, may become a First-class Scout.
A boy becomes a Tenderfoot when he knows the history of the United States Hag and the customary forms due it; when he knows the Scout law, sign, salute and significance of the badge; and when he can tie quickly and efficiently four out of nine most common standard knots. Having successfully passed such a test, the boy takes the Scout oath: "I promise, on my honor, I will do my best: 1. To do my duty to God and to my Country, and to obey the Scout Law. 2. To help other people at all times. 3. To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
There are twelve elements of the Scout law which the boy promises to obey and uphold. He must do his best to be trustworthy,
