Scoutcraft - Scoutmaster Share

The object of this course of training is to endeavour to help the Scoutmaster in
this particular. First, by showing the object of the Scout training; secondly, by suggesting methods by which it may be carried out. Many a Scoutmaster would probably desire I should give him all particulars in detail. But this would in reality be an impossibility, because what suits one particular Troop or one kind of boy, in one kind of place, will not suit another within a mile of it, much less those scattered over the world and existing under totally different conditions. But one can give a certain amount of general suggestion, and Scoutmasters in applying this can judge for themselves far best which details are most likely to bring about success in their own particular Troops.... 

I would add that undoubtedly it is through sport that you can best get hold of a boy. Many of our working-class lads have never known what it was to play any regular game with strict rules. This, in itself, is an education. When you have your boys running round in a spiral rally you will notice how few of them are light and active runners; probably they have never done much running. Nor do boys of that kind usually have discipline, sense of fair play, or keenness for winning simply for the honour of the thing without thought of prizes or rewards. All these come very quickly with a little organised play in competition with other Patrols or Troops. I prefer football, basket ball, hockey, and rounders as being the best games, since they are played by teams in which each player plays in his place under good discipline, where pluck, determination, unselfishness, and good temper are developed. I read recently in the Boys' Brigade Gazette the following excellent thought in that connection: 

"Take football seriously. If you do, it may prove to be one of the roads leading to the Kingdom of Heaven. Football is almost as important a part of the company'straining as drill and — my meaning will not be mistaken — as the Bible- class. It should be in the regular program of every company, only it must be football, and not merely playing at playing football."