Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts Part 19

Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold the arm horizontally, thrusting it in the direction of the march. (This signal is also used to execute quick time from double time.)

_Halt_:

Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust hand upward and hold the arm vertically.

_Double Time_, _March_:

Carry the hand to the shoulder, rapidly thrust the hand upward the full extent of the arm several times.

_Squads Right_, _March_:

Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it to a vertical position above the head and swing it several times between the vertical and horizontal positions.

_Squads Left_, _March_:

Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry it downward to the side and swing it several times between the downward and horizontal positions.

_Change Direction or Column Right (Left) March_:

The hand on the side toward which the change of direction is to be made is carried across the body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal; then swing in a horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new direction.

_a.s.semble_:

Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and describe horizontal circles.

THE GIRL SCOUT SALUTE.

=How To Salute.= To salute, a Girl Scout raises the right hand to her hat in line with the right temple, the first three fingers extended, and the little finger held down by the thumb. This salute is the sign of the Girl Scouts. The three extended fingers, like the Trefoil, represent the three parts of the Promise.

=When To Salute.= When Scouts meet for the first time during the day, whether comrades or strangers, of whatever rank, they should salute each other.

If in uniform a Girl Scout stands at attention and salutes the flag when it is hoisted or lowered, and as it pa.s.ses her in parade. If not in uniform, she stands at attention, but does not salute.

When in uniform and in ranks in public demonstration, a Girl Scout stands at attention and salutes when the Star Spangled Banner is played. But she does not salute when she herself is singing.

In ordinary gatherings when the anthem is played, a Girl Scout stands at attention but does not salute.

When Girl Scouts are on parade or marching in troop or patrol formation, only the officers salute, at the same time giving the command, "Eyes right," or "Eyes left," as the case may be, at which every Scout turns her eyes sharply in the direction ordered till the officer commands, "Eyes front."

When repeating the Promise, a Girl Scout stands at salute.

When in uniform a Girl Scout should salute her officers when speaking to them, or when being spoken to by them.

If in uniform, a Girl Scout should return the salute of a Boy Scout. She does not salute the police or military officers unless they salute her first.

Girl Scouts may salute each other whether they are in uniform or not.

=Pledge of Allegiance.= "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Girl Scouts should stand at attention, bring the hand to the full salute at the first word of the pledge, and at the word "flag" extend the arm, fingers still in the salute position, palm up, pointing to the flag.

=Parades.= Girl Scouts may take part in patriotic parades with the permission of the Local Council or Commissioner or of the Captain where there is no Local Council.

SECTION XI

THE SCOUT AIDE

Introduction.

The six following subjects, Home Economics, Child Care, First Aid, Home Nursing, Public Health, and Personal Health are grouped together, and for proficiency in all of them a special badge called "Scout Aide" is awarded.

This badge will probably be regarded by the outside world as the most important decoration the Girl Scouts can win, and all Scouts who will try for it should realize that those who wear it will represent the organization in a very special sense and will be eager to prove their practical knowledge and ability in the important subjects it stands for.

No young child could pretend to represent ALL this medal stands for. Any grown girl or woman should be proud to own it.

Practical knowledge of Personal Health, Public Health and Child Care will add to the efficiency and happiness of this nation, and the women of today have a better chance to control these things than ever before.

Home Nursing and First Aid will save lives for the nation in the two great emergencies of illness and accident.

Household Economics, the great general business and profession of women, if it is raised to the level of the other great businesses and professions, and managed quickly, efficiently and economically, will cease to be regarded as drudgery and take its real place among the arts and sciences.

When the girls of today have learned to do this, the women of tomorrow will be spared the criticism of waste and extravagance that our nation has had to bear. If Girl Scouts make good as far as this medal is concerned and become real "Scout Aides" the Scout reputation is secure.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

1. THE HOME MAKER

BY SARAH LOUISE ARNOLD

Formerly Dean of Simmons College

_The Keeper of the House._ Every Girl Scout knows that good homes make a country great and good; so every woman wants to understand home-making.

Of course that means "keeping" a house; and of course that means that Girl Scouts should try for the Housekeeper Merit Badge, the "Home Maker."

Now "making a home" doesn't mean just having it, owning it and holding its key. It means making it a good place to live in, or helping to make it so. This sounds like the House that Jack built; but all this belongs to the making of a home.

_Planning Your House._ When you plan a house of your own you must think what it needs most. You would choose, first of all, to have abundant air, fresh and clean; a dry spot where dampness will not stay; suns.h.i.+ne at some time of day in every room of the house, which you can have if your house faces southeast; and you must be able to get a good supply of pure water. You will want to make your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so you will look out for windows, doors and porches.

Think what must be done in a house: eating, sleeping, working, resting, by the whole family. How many rooms must you have? Draw a plan of some house in your neighborhood that seems good to live in. Make up your mind what you like best in that house.

_Furnis.h.i.+ngs._ Then houses must be furnished with the things that the family needs. The furniture will be for use. You must ask every piece what it is good for. What will you do with it? Could you get along without it? Some things you would use constantly, others once in a while. Which would you get first if you were planning carefully? How much would it cost to furnish the house for which you have drawn the plans: to furnish the kitchen, the living room, the bedrooms? Make a list of the furniture _needed_ (not just _wanted_) for each room with the cost of each piece.