THE BENEFITS OF A SCOUT TRAINING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 1 April 1931, Page 16

THE BENEFITS OF A SCOUT TRAINING.

BADEN-POWELL SENDS A MESSAGE TO PARENTS.

Dr P. Clennell Fenwick, Dominion Chief Commissioner of Boy Scouts, has received the following letter to parents from the Chief Scout, Lord BadenPowell: — “I have been asked to tell you about, the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Movement. When you, as father, have little leisure from your business, or when as mother, you are fully occupied in household affairs, it is difficult for you to give all the time you would like to your children. You want your child to enjoy itself and at the same time not get into mischief, and through the Sco'ut and Guide Movement we can supply this enjoyment in the jolly companionship of other boys or girls, and under good and kindly supervision. Further than’ this we can give education. It is difficult for a school teacher with a crowded timef table, and large classes to take each individual child and develop its character. It is not possible to teach character to a class since no two children possess the same characteristics, and yet from the point of view of future success in life, character is the most important point in the child’s education. “The Scout and Guide Movement is established for the purpose of helping parents and school teachers in this important direction, by taking the boys and girls in their spare time and developing in each one of them health of body through out-door activities, and strength of character through games and practices which appeal to the youngster and are designed to that end. These inculcate in him or in her the sense of honour and trustworthiness, initiative and self discipline, self respect and purity and helpfulness in the' home and to others. These all go to constitute character, and we instil into him other attributes which tend to make him successful in his career and helpful to the community. “The Scoutmaster or Guide Captain «fco whom you entrust your child gives this training for no personal reward, but simply from a sense of patriotism and interest in the young. It will greatly help him or her if you put yourself in touch with him and tell him exactly how matters stand with your child, so that he can arrange his training accordingly ; and, secondly, you can help him by showing to j-our child an interest in his progress from time to time and by encouraging him in his efforts to qualify for badges of proficiency, etc. By such mutual co-operation between parents and Scoutmaster the results on the child’s health and character are often astonishing and tend to ensure for him a happy and successful future. I hope sincerely that you will find it so in the case of your own young Scout or Guide.”