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Fort Collins Area

Troop 97 BSA
Fort Collins,
Colorado USA

A Brief Background of the Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)

General

This is a brief summary and comparison of each edition of the Scoutmaster Handbook. After producing a Scout Handbook during their first year of operation, the BSA began working on a Scoutmaster Handbook almost immediately. They issued about 3 separate printings of an unbound draft edition and an unbound "proof" edition 1912 and 1913 for evaluation, then released the first official Scoutmaster Handbook edition in 1914.

1st Edition—Handbook for Scout Masters (1914-1920)

All are tan-colored hardbound or red leather, with a photo of a Scout holding a stave on the cover. The author credit simply states, "Published under the supervision of the Editorial Board Representing the National Council". Editorial Board members are listed as William D. Murray (who later wrote the BSA's first history, in 1937), George D. Pratt, & Frank Presbrey. The book is unusual in containing many black-and-white photographs, though some were of poor quality. The book includes 4 pages of military drill, plus a page-and-a-half of "order of the staff" (exactly corresponding to the Army's drill with rifles), this despite Baden-Powell's recommendation that drill not be a part of Scouting.

1st Edition Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Handbook for Scout Masters
• under supervision of Editorial Board
• cover art is black-and-white photo
• 1914-1920 (6 years)
• ?? copies printed
• size 127x190x19 mm (5x7-1/2")
• 10 printings (4 draft or proof printings, 6 regular printings):
  
  Draft/Proof Printings (as identified by BSA)—
  —1st printing, labeled "PROOF COPY", pale green cover (1912, ?? copies)—203 numbered pages
  —2nd printing, labeled "PROOF COPY", pale green cover (1912, ?? copies)—161 numbered pages
  —3rd printing, not labeled PROOF, pale green cover (1912, ?? copies)—161 numbered pages
  —proof copy, labeled "PROOF EDITION", no cover (1913, 10 000 copies)—344 numbered pages
  
  Regular Printings (as identified by BSA)—
  —4th printing (Mar 1914, 10 000 copies)—352 numbered pages [this is the first official printing of the handbook]
  —5th printing (early 1915, ?? copies)—352 numbered pages
  —6th printing (late 1916, ?? copies)—352 numbered pages
  —7th printing (fall 1917, ?? copies)—352 numbered pages
  —8th printing (1918, ?? copies)—404 numbered pages
  —9th printing (1919, ?? copies)—404 numbered pages

Actual 1st Edition Table of Contents

• I Organization
• II Scout Requirements
• III Principles and Methods
• IV The Adolescent Boy
• V Troop and Patrol Management
• VI Training of Patrol Leaders
• VII Suggestive Programs for Scout Masters
• VIII Drills and Demonstrations
  Manual of Marching
  Order of the Staff
  First Aid Drill
  A Scout Field Day
• IX Chivalry and Morality
• X Suggestive Course of Study
• Bibliography of Books
• Index

2nd Edition—Handbook for Scoutmasters (1920-1936)

Covers are all leather in varying colors, with gold lettering and a gold First Class badge. As before, the author credit simply states, "Published under the supervision of the Editorial Board Representing the National Council". Editorial Board members are listed as William D. Murray, Frank Presbrey, & Dr Henry Van Dyke. Like before, the book contains many black-and-white photographs, and 4 pages of military drill (though no more "order of the staff"). The book is thorough. Only limited updating was done over the book's 18 printings.

2nd Edition Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Handbook for Scout Masters, later Handbook for Scoutmasters
• under supervision of Editorial Board
• cover art is gold First Class badge
• 1920-1936 (16 years)
• ?? copies printed
• size 114x178x31 mm [later printings 19 mm] (4-1/2x7")
• 18 printings:
  —1st printing (1920, ?? copies)—608 numbered pages, black cover
  —2nd printing (1921, ?? copies)—615 numbered pages, black cover
  —3rd printing (1922, ?? copies)—632 numbered pages, black cover
  —4th printing (1923, ?? copies)—632 numbered pages, maroon cover
  —5th printing (1923, ?? copies)—632 numbered pages, dull green cover
  —6th printing (1924, ?? copies)—632 numbered pages, yellow brown cover
  —7th printing (1924, ?? copies)—668 numbered pages, maroon cover
  —8th printing (1925, ?? copies)—668 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —9th printing (1926, ?? copies)—668 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —10th printing (1926, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —11th printing (1927, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —12th printing (1927, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —13th printing (1928, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —14th printing (1929, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —15th printing (1930, ?? copies)—676 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —16th printing (Apr 1932, 10 000 copies)—628 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —17th printing (Jun 1934, 3500 copies)—628 numbered pages, dark red cover
  —18th printing (Jun 1934, 7500 copies)—628 numbered pages, dark red cover

Actual 2nd Edition Table of Contents

• PART I, Troop Method and Technique
• I. Scouting—A National Service
• II. Bird's-Eye View of Scouting
• III. Early Objectives
• IV. Hikes and Meetings
• V. Scoutcraft, Alternative Methods
• VI. Class Requirements—Standardization
• VII. The Scout Troop and Patrol
• VIII. Scouting and the Community
• PART II, Problems of Reaching Boys
• IX. The Scoutmaster
• X. Boys
• XI. The Scout and His Life Work
• XII. Physical Welfare
• XIII. Scout Contests
• XIV. Games
• XV. Drill
• XVI. The Scout Uniform
• XVII. The Scout Camp
• XVIII. Story Telling
• XIX. Some Rural Problems
• XX. Seascouting
• PART III, Scouting—A National Movement
• XXI. History of the Boy Scouts of America
• XXII. System of Organization of the Boy Scouts of America
• XXIII. Policies
• XXIV. National Constitution and By-Laws with Index
• Appendix
• I. Troop Charter
• II. Local Council Constitution
• III. Uniform Specifications
• IV. Letters from Sir Robert Baden-Powell
• V. Scout Publications
• VI. Cross Index

3rd Edition—Handbook for Scoutmasters (1936-1947)

Covers are all tan hardbound, with a black & white drawing of a Scoutmaster carrying a stave. The only color is his red neckerchief. This book was unique in being printed in 2 volumes. Interestingly, volumes 1 and 2 were never printed at the same time. Indeed, there were only 11 printings of volume 2, while during the same period there were 13 printings of volume 1. This book is even more extensive and thorough than the 2nd Edition, and each chapter is called a chat. The "Presentation Note" near the front of each volume give primary author credit to William Hillcourt, while noting that such a book results from the efforts of many. The book contains many black-and-white photos.

3rd Edition Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Handbook for Scout Masters
• William Hillcourt
• tan cover with a black & white & red drawing of a Scoutmaster carrying a stave
• 1936-1947 (11 years)
• ?? copies printed
• size 114x178x20 mm (vol. 1) x31 mm (vol. 2) (4-1/2x7")
• 13 printings of volume 1:
  —1st printing, vol. 1 (Dec 1936, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —2nd printing, vol. 1 (Feb 1937, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —3rd printing, vol. 1 (Nov 1937, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —4th printing, vol. 1 (Oct 1938, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —5th printing, vol. 1 (Mar 1939, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —6th printing, vol. 1 (Nov 1940, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —7th printing, vol. 1 (May 1941, ?? copies)—501 numbered pages
  —8th printing, vol. 1 (Mar 1942, 15 000 copies)—501 numbered pages
  —9th printing, vol. 1 (Feb 1943, 20 000 copies)—501 numbered pages
  —10th printing, vol. 1 (Jul 1944, 15 000 copies)—501 numbered pages
  —11th printing, vol. 1 (Dec 1944, 10 000 copies)—498 numbered pages
  —12th printing, vol. 1 (Mar 1945, 7000 copies)—498 numbered pages
  —13th printing, vol. 1 (Oct 1945, 20 000 copies)—498 numbered pages
  
  11 printings of volume 2:
  —1st printing, vol. 2 (Mar 1937, 25 000 copies)—1150 numbered pages (vol. 2 starts on p.507)
  —2nd printing, vol. 2 (Mar 1938, 10 000 copies)—1150 numbered pages
  —3rd printing, vol. 2 (Dec 1938, 10 000 copies)—1150 numbered pages
  —4th printing, vol. 2 (Nov 1939, 10 000 copies)—1150 numbered pages
  —5th printing, vol. 2 (Apr 1941, 10 000 copies)—1150 numbered pages
  —6th printing, vol. 2 (Feb 1942, 10 000 copies)—1164 numbered pages
  —7th printing, vol. 2 (Jul 1942, 20 000 copies)—1164 numbered pages
  —8th printing, vol. 2 (Oct 1943, 20 000 copies)—1164 numbered pages
  —9th printing, vol. 2 (Oct 1944, 9000 copies)—1164 numbered pages
  —10th printing, vol. 2 (Apr 1945, 11 000 copies)—1158 numbered pages
  —11th printing, vol. 2 (Dec 1945, 20 000 copies)—1142 numbered pages

Actual 3rd Edition Table of Contents

Volume I

• PART I—SCOUTING
• Chat 1—The Origin of Scouting
• Chat 2—The Game of Scouting
• Chat 3—The Elements of Scouting
• Chat 4—Giving the Boy Scouting
• PART II—EARLY DAYS
• Chat 5—Building a New Scout Troop
• Chat 6—The Rise of the Troop
• Chat 7—The New Scoutmaster in an Established Troop
• Chat 8—Organization in Rural Areas
• PART III—LEADERSHIP
• Chat 9—Troop Leadership
• Chat 10—The Troop Committee
• PART IV—THE PATROLS IN THE TROOP
• Chat 11—The Patrol Method
• Chat 12—The Patrols and Their Leaders
• Chat 13—The Troop Leaders' Council
• Chat 14—The Working of the Patrol Method
• PART V—THE BOY IN SCOUTING
• Chat 15—His Entry
• Chat 16—His Attendance and Tenure
• Chat 17—His Growth
• PART VI—SPECIAL FEATURES
• Chat 18—The Scout Uniform
• Chat 19—Financing the Troop
• Chat 20—Other Features
• PART VII—RELATIONSHIPS
• Chat 21—Relationships with the Community
• Chat 22—The Scout Group: Cubbing, Scouting, and Senior Scouting
• PART VIII—GROWTH OF THE SCOUTMASTER
• Chat 23—Scoutmastership Training
• PART IX—HISTORY AND POLICIES
• Chat 24—History
• Chat 25—Policies

Volume II

• PART X—PROGRAM BUILDING
• Chat 26—Planning a Balanced Program
• Chat 27—Troop Meetings
• PART XI—OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
• Chat 28—Hiking
• Chat 29—Short Term Camping
• Chat 30—Long Term Camping
• PART XII—ACTIVITIES FEATURES
• Chat 31—Games and Contests
• Chat 32—Other Activities
• PART XIII—SCOUTCRAFT ACHIEVEMENTS
• Chat 33—The Advancement Program
• Chat 34—Second Class and First Class Advancement
• Chat 35—Second Class Requirements
• Chat 36—First Class Requirements
• Chat 37—The Merit Badge Program—Star, Life and Eagle Ranks
• Chat 38—Other Achievements
• PART XIV—SENIOR SCOUTING ACTIVITIES
• Chat 39—The Senior Scout in the Troop
• Chat 40—The Explorer Patrol in the Troop
• Chat 41—The Sea Scout Patrol in the Troop
• Chat 42—Other Senior Scouting Activities
• EPILOGUE
• BIBLIOGRAPHY

Last Revision to This Page: 8 August 2006
Copyright © 2006 by Jeff Snowden
Web format © 2006 by Troop 97 BSA