SALE SCOUTING FOR GIRLS, the Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts, 1st Edition

Books : Children's : Nonfiction : Americana : History : Nature : Cooking : Gardening : Fraternal Groups

 

The Girl Scouts, Inc., headquartered in New York, NY published their official Girl Scout Handbook in 1920. The volume offered here is a first edition, sixth reprinting of the classic, unabridged manual. It has a 1919 foreword by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a 1920 copyright and preface by Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon (1876-1961). The vintage work includes a table of contents and handy index. In addition to various patriotic and historical works (including music and lyrics for “ America the Beautiful ” and more**), its 558 pages are loaded with all sorts of practical information.

They contain nearly everything a young North American woman needed to know about first aid, camping (including how to make an ice chest and directions for a fireless cooker), measurements, map-making and knots, nature study (do you know the earliest spring flower in your neighborhood or how to tell an edible mushroom from a deadly toadstool?), gardening, housekeeping, table manners, child care, good health and hygiene practices, instructions for washing dishes, etc., complete with frontispiece (photo of the statue of the first girl scout in the New World, Magdelaine de Vercheres by Lord Grey), numerous drawings, photographs, illustrations, instructions, charts, tables, references, lyrics and music. The next to last chapter, “Proficiency Tests and Special Medals” includes information about those wonderful badges and pins girls could earn such as the Child Nurse badge, the Golden Eaglet, the Silver Cross, etc. The American Girl Scouts “in grateful acknowledgment to all that she has done for them” dedicated the handbook to Juliette " Daisy " Gordon Low (1860-1927), who founded the organization in 1912.*

The rich, highly collectible edition is in very good to near fine condition, with less than average wear. Apparently issued without a dust jacket, the olive green and black cloth board covers have minor fading, bumping, scuffing, and edge wear. One of the front and one of the back inner end pages have short, interesting notes on them from a previous owner. The “THIS BOOK BELONGS TO” page is partially completed. Otherwise, the pages appear unmarked and in very good shape, with slight edge wear.

This endearing collectible would make a wonderful library addition and a thoughtful gift, especially for folks who collect Scouting Memorabilia and American History and/or Gender Studies majors. We also have some vintage Girl Scout badges and other paraphernalia we would be happy to list; please let us know if you might be interested.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. Preface by Josephine Daskam Bacon, Editor.

SECTION:

I. HISTORY OF THE GIRL SCOUTS 1

II. PRINCIPLES OF THE GIRL SCOUTS 3

III. ORGANIZATION OF THE GIRL SCOUTS 13

IV. WHO ARE THE SCOUTS? 17

V. THE OUT OF DOOR SCOUT 35

VI. FORMS FOR GIRL SCOUT CEREMONIES 44

VII. GIRL SCOUT CLASS REQUIREMENTS 60

VIII. WHAT A GIRL SCOUT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FLAG 67

IX. GIRL SCOUT DRILL 84

X. SIGNALING FOR GIRL SCOUTS 97

XI. THE SCOUT AIDE 105

Part 1. The Home Maker 106

Part 2. The Child Nurse 157

Part 3. The First Aide 164

Part 4. The Home Nurse 217

Part 5. The Health Guardian 254

Part 6. The Health Winner 257

XII. SETTING-UP EXERCISES 273

XIII. WOODCRAFT 280

XIV. CAMPING FOR GIRL SCOUTS 313

XV. NATURE STUDY FOR GIRL SCOUTS 373

XVI. THE GIRL SCOUTS' OWN GARDEN 456

XVII. MEASUREMENTS, MAP-MAKING AND KNOTS 466

XVIII. PROFICIENCY TESTS AND SPECIAL MEDALS 497

XIX. REFERENCE READING FOR GIRL SCOUTS 540

INDEX 548

For some of us, the book sure brings back memories of youthful adventures!

* Today, “Girl Scouts of the USA is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls—all girls—where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth” (from their website). The organization’s membership has grown from the original 18 members in Savannah, Georgia to 3.4 million members throughout the United States and abroad (through USA Girl Scouts Overseas).

** GIRL SCOUTS

Motto--"Be Prepared"

Slogan--"Do a Good Turn Daily"

PROMISE

On My Honor, I will Try: To do my duty to God and my Country. To help other people at all times. To obey the Scout Laws.

LAWS

I A Girl Scout's Honor is to be Trusted

II A Girl Scout is Loyal

III A Girl Scout's Duty is to be Useful and to Help Others

IV A Girl Scout is a Friend to All and a Sister to every other Girl Scout

V A Girl Scout is Courteous

VI A Girl Scout is a Friend to Animals

VII A Girl Scout obeys Orders

VIII A Girl Scout is Cheerful

IX A Girl Scout is Thrifty

X A Girl Scout is Clean in Thought, Word and Deed

Item ID: Vintage SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 1st

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