FIG. 26.--An example of the little lonely school in the woods, a problem of the social worker. Not enough children to stimulate one another properly in the lesson-getting and play activities.] THE BOY-SCOUT MOVEMENT There is much to commend the boy-scout movement as a country organization. It must be thought of as an educative institution. In discussing its best meanings and possibilities, Professor E. L. Holton, of the Kansas State Agricultural College, says: "Education as used here means habits of health, of work, of thrift, of observation, and of research. It is habit that determines the health of an individual and the sanitary conditions of a community; the social and moral level of the worker and the quality of his work; the returns from the farm and the ideals of the farmer; a man's bank account and his insight into the secrets of his environment. Habit has its physical basis in the flesh, the blood, and the nerve cells. There must be actual first-hand experience and leadership hitched up with text-book knowledge in educating the boy. The old elemental instincts of adventure, pugnacity, gang life, and following leadership must be taken into account and made to work out into life-compelling desires." Before attempting the organization of the local Boy Scouts, one is advised first to send to the national organization and that of the state, if there be any, for literature and directions. The only caution which it seems necessary to give here is that there be connected with the conduct of the organization some serious problems and requirements and that it be not given over exclusively to merely doing wild and daring "stunts" and "hiking" about the country. RURAL BOY-SCOUTS IN KANSAS As an example of what is being done by way of organizing the rural boy scout movement, the Kansas plan under the direction of Professor E. L. Holton is here given:-- The Agricultural College Council is organizing companies of Rural-Life Boy Scouts in all parts of Kansas. The aim of the Council is "a company in every community." There are 160,000 boys in Kansas eligible to membership. It seeks to encourage boys to learn the secrets of the prairies, the streams and the forests, and be able to read nature as well as books; to have a growing bank account, and to do some type of work better than it has been done by anyone else. During the month of July or August there is to be a five to ten days' Rural-Life Camp of Instruction in each county, which is to be attended by all companies of the county. This camp of instruction will be under the direction and management of the County Council. The program will consist of:-- 1. Games and athletic contests. 2. Contest in judging farm crops and stock. 3. Naming birds, wild animals, fish, flowers, trees, shrubs, etc. 4. Reporting on the savings bank accounts. 5. Contests in any other line of work carried on in the county. 6. Talks on rural life subjects.