The Three Classes of Scouts
There are three classes of scouts among the Boy Scouts of America, the
tenderfoot, second-class scout, and first-class scout. Before a boy can become a
tenderfoot he must qualify for same. 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 on meeting certain requirements may
become a second-class scout, and a second-class scout upon meeting another set
of requirements may become a first-class scout. The first-class scout may then
qualify for the various merit badges which are offered in another part of this
chapter for proficiency in scouting. The requirements of the tenderfoot,
second-class scout, and first- class scout, are as follows:
[Red Font = Requirements removed
from the "modern" program.]
Tenderfoot
To become a scout a boy must be at least twelve years of age and must pass a
test in the following:
1. Know the scout law, sign, salute, and significance of the badge.
2. Know the composition and history of the national flag and the customary
forms of respect due to it.
3. Tie four out of the following knots: square or reef, sheet-bend, bowline,
fisherman's, sheepshank, halter, clove hitch, timber hitch, or two half hitches.
He then takes the scout oath, is enrolled as a tenderfoot, and is entitled to
wear the tenderfoot badge.
Second-Class Scout
To become a second-class scout, a tenderfoot must pass, to the satisfaction
of the recognized local scout authorities, the following tests:
1. At least one month's service as a tenderfoot.
2. Elementary first aid and bandaging; know the general directions for first
aid for injuries; know treatment for fainting, shock, fractures, bruises,
sprains, injuries in which the skin is broken, burns, and scalds; demonstrate
how to carry injured, and the use of the triangular and roller bandages and tourniquet.
3. Elementary signaling: Know the semaphore, or American Morse, or Myer
alphabet.
4. Track half a mile in twenty-five minutes; or, if in town, describe
satisfactorily the contents of one store window out of four observed
for one
minute each.
5. Go a mile in twelve minutes at scout's pace — about fifty steps running
and fifty walking, alternately.
6. Use properly knife or hatchet.
7. Prove ability to build a fire in the open, using not more than two
matches.
8. Cook a quarter of a pound of meat and two potatoes in the open without
the
ordinary kitchen cooking utensils.
9. Earn and deposit at least one dollar in a public bank.
10. Know the sixteen principal points of the compass.
First-Class Scout
To become a first-class scout, the second-class scout must pass the following
tests:
1. Swim fifty yards.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank.
3. Send and receive a message by semaphore, or American Morse, or Myer
alphabet, sixteen letters per minute.
4. Make a round trip alone (or with another scout) to a point at least seven
miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of
the trip and things observed.
5. Advanced first aid: Know the methods for panic
prevention; what to do in
case of fire and ice, electric and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway
horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness,
poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know
treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, earache, toothache, inflammation or grit in eye, cramp or stomach ache and
chills;
demonstrate artificial respiration.
6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily, in the open, without regular kitchen
utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed. Eggs, bacon,
hunter's stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cake, biscuit, hardtack or a
"twist," baked on a stick; explain to another boy the methods
followed.
7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot, an
intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks important
buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc.
Point out a compass direction without the help of the compass.
8. Use properly an axe for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an
article of carpentry or cabinet-making or metal work made by himself. Explain
the method followed.
9. Judge distance, size, number, height and weight within 25 per
cent.
10. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants, including
poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or scent; or six species of
wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks, or habits; or six species of native
wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North
Star,
and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
11. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily
life the principles of the scout oath and law.
12. Enlist a boy trained by himself in the requirements of a
tenderfoot.
Baden-Powell's Requirements (1938)
Baden-Powell's
Tenderfoot
245.
Before being invested, he must satisfy the S.M. that he knows:--
(1)
The Scout Law and Promise, and that he understands their meaning.
(2)
Salutes and their importance.
(3)
The Signs.
(4)
The composition and history of, and how to fly, the Union Jack.
(5)
Certain uses of the Scout staff indicated in Chart No. 24, obtainable
from I.H.Q. (Equipment Dept.).
(6)
The following knots: reef, sheet bend, clove hitch, bowline, round turn
and two half hitches, sheepshank; and understands their respective uses.
(7)
How to whip the end of a rope.
428.
Before being awarded the Second Class Badge, the Scout must pass the
following tests:--
(1)
First Aid. Know the general
rules of health as given in "Scouting for Boys."
Campfire Yarn 18.
Be able to deal with the following:--
Cuts and Scratches.
Sprains.
Burns and Scalds.
Bleeding from the nose.
Stings and bites.
Sunburning, avoidance and treatment.
Know how to clean a wound and apply a clean dressing.
Have a knowledge of the triangular bandage as a large and small sling and
as applied to knee, head, and foot; and understand the importance of summoning
adult help and treating for shock (not electric).
(2)
Signaling. Know the Semaphore
or Morse sign for every letter in the alphabet and for the numerals, and be able
to send and receive a simple message. He
must also understand the use of the calling up sign and its answer, the general
answer, the end of message sign and its answer, and the cease signal.
(3)
Observation. Follow a trail
half a mile in 15 minutes; or if this be impossible, describe satisfactorily the
contents of one shop window out of four, observed for one minute each, or Kim's
Game, to remember 16 out of 24 well-assorted small articles after one minute's
observation. Go a mile at Scout's
Pace.
Note.-It is wise that boys should be trained in both following a trail
and Kim's Game.
(4)
Pioneering. Demonstrate
correctly the following:--
(a)
Square and diagonal lashings.
(b)
Timber hitch, rolling hitch and fisherman's knot.
(5)
Firelighting. Lay and light a
wood fire in the open, using not more than two matches, natural timber to be
used wherever possible.
(6)
Cooking. Cook a quarter of a
pound of meat and two potatoes, without cooking utensils other than a billy can,
over a wood fire in the open.
(7)
Axemanship. Know the safety
rules and care of a hand axe and knife.
Demonstrate
the correct ways of chopping firewood.
(8)
Compass. Demonstrate the
practical use of a compass and know the 16 principle
points.
(9)
Service. Have at least one
month's satisfactory service as a Tenderfoot and satisfy the S.M. that he can
repass his Tenderfoot tests.
429.
The badge is granted by the L.A. on the recommendation of the S.M. who
acts as examiner.
Baden-Powell's
First
Class Scout
430.
Before being awarded the First Class Badge, a Second Class Scout must
have attained the age of 14 years, and satisfy his S.M. that he can pass his
Tenderfoot and Second Class tests: and pass the following tests:--
(1)
Swimming. Swim 50 yards.
If a doctor certifies that bathing is dangerous to the boy's health he
must, instead of this, pass one of the following badges:--
Camper, Handyman, Healthyman, Naturalist, Pioneer, Stalker, Starman, or
Tracker.
(2)
Pioneering. Demonstrate
correctly the following:--
(a)
Shear lashing.
(b)
Back and eye splices.
(c)
Fireman's chair knot and man harness knot.
(3)
Signalling. Send and receive
a message either in semaphore, at rate four (twenty letters a minute), or in
Morse, at rate three (fifteen letters a minute).
He must also understand the alphabetical check for numerals.
(4)
Estimation. Estimate without
apparatus, distance, numbers and height within 25 percent, error each side.
(5)
First Aid. Know the position
of the main arteries (names unnecessary) and be able to stop bleeding; how to
recognise and apply First Aid to fractured arm, fore-arm, and collar bone, and
the importance of not moving other suspected fractures; and the proper method of
dealing with any of the following emergencies:--
Fire,
drowning, fainting, ice breaking, electric shock, grit in the eye, fits.
Be
able to throw a lifeline with reasonable accuracy.
(6)
Cooking. Cook satisfactorily
(over a wood fire in the open) two of the following dishes: Porridge, bacon,
hunter's stew-as may be directed; or skin and cook a rabbit; or pluck and cook a
bird; also make a "damper" or a "twist" baked on a thick
stick.
(7)
Mapping. Read and be able to
use a on-inch Ordnance Survey map (or its local equivalent) and draw an
intelligible rough sketch map. Use a
compass and point out a compass direction by day or night without the help of a
compass.
(8)
Axemanship. Use a felling axe
for felling or trimming light timber, or, if this be impracticable, be able to
log up a piece of timber and demonstrate the theory of felling a tree.
(The
term "felling axe" includes both three-quarter and half size.)
(9)
Journey. Go on foot or row a
boat, alone or with another Scout, for a total distance of fourteen miles, or
ride an animal or bicycle (not motor) a distance of thirty miles; he must write
a short report of the journey with special attention to any points to which he
may be directed by the Examiner or his Scoutmaster (a route map of the journey
is not required). The journey should
occupy about twenty-four hours and camping kit for the night must be taken and
used. Whenever practicable, the camp
site must be of the Scout's own choosing, and not where other Scouts are
camping. His S.M. or Examiner may
indicate the route and suggest the approximate area but not the actual position
where he will make his camp. In
abnormal circumstances the L.A. may give permission for the paragraph to be made
easier to exceptional cases. This
test should normally be the final one taken for the First -Class badge.
431.
Where thought desirable, the L.A. or D.C. may authorise the boy's own S.M.
to examine in tests 1,2,4, and 6. (See
Rule 405 (ii).
See: Policy, Organisation, and
Rules - 1938 (Baden-Powell's final version before his retirement):
Tenderfoot
Second
Class
First
Class
