Brief Background of the Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)

HOME—BSA Handbooks & Handbook Coverss—Scoutmaster Handbook

A Brief Background of the Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)

7th Edition—The Official Scoutmaster Handbook (1981-1990)

Cover is a full-color reproduction of a Joeseph Csatari painting of a Scoutmaster teaching first aid to 3 Scouts. The book's contents are much like the last handbook, but the paper is much brighter, and the cartoons have been replaced with simple line drawings.
7th Edition

7th Edition Summary and Printing History

title from title page—The Official Scoutmaster Handbook
author uncertain
cover is 1981 Joseph Csatari painting "After Hours"
1981-1990 (9 years)
~295 000 copies printed
size 133x203x19 mm (5-1/4x8")
8 printings:
—1st printing (Jul 1981, 75 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—2nd printing (Jan 1982, 30 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—3rd printing (1982, ~30 000? copies)—368 numbered pages
—4th printing (Jun 1983, 35 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—5th printing (Jun 1984, 35 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—6th printing (Aug 1985, 30 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—7th printing (Jul 1986, 30 000 copies)—368 numbered pages
—8th printing (May 1987, 30 000 copies—368 numbered pages

Actual 7th Edition Table of Contents

Introduction to the World of Boy Scouting
Part 1, LEADING THE TROOP
1, The Scoutmaster's Role
2, Starting Out as a Scoutmaster
3, Troop Organization and the Patrol Leaders' Council
4, The Patrol Method
5, Troop Meetings
Part 2, HELPING THE BOY
6, Aims and Methods
7, Leadership
8, Understanding the Boy
9, Counseling
Part 3, TOOLS TO DO THE JOB
10, Program Planning
11, The Outdoor Program
12, Advancement
13, Training Junior Leaders
14, Troop Administration
15, Games and Activities
16, Ceremonies
17, Uniforms and Insignia
18, Scouting Resources

A Short History of Boy Scouting
Index

1990 Edition—The Scoutmaster Handbook (1990-1998)

BSA ceased labeling Scoutmaster Handbook editions after 1990. This would be the equivalent of an 8th Edition.

The cover is an unbelievably contrived and over-posed photo of a Scoutmaster "helping" a Scout over a rock. A similar silly photo taken during the same BSA photo shoot is opposite page 1 of the 10th Edition of the Scout Handbook. But inside is an attractive book filled with full-color photos throughout. This was the last true Scoutmaster Handbook.
1990 Edition

1990 Edition Summary and Printing History

title from title page—Scoutmaster Handbook
author credit for chapters 1 through 9 is given to James Moise; chapter 10 credit to Linda Glosson and the Center for Youth Development and Research at the University of Minnesota; chapters 11 through 14 revised & updated from the 7th Edition
cover is a ridiculously posed photo of a Scoutmaster and Scouts
1990-1998 (8 years)
~?? copies printed
size 133x203x19 mm (5-1/4x8")
about 7 printings (I haven't kept up with different printings; any information you have is welcome):
—1st printing (May 1990, 50 000 copies)—264 numbered pages
—2nd printing (Jun 1990, 30 000 copies)—264 numbered pages
—3rd printing (May 1992, 30 000 copies)—262 numbered pages
—4th printing (May 1993, 30 000? copies)—262 numbered pages
—5th printing (Aug 1995, 30 000 copies)—268 numbered pages
—6th printing (Sep 1996, 29 000 copies)—268 numbered pages
—7th printing (1997?)

Actual 1990 Edition Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. The Visit
Chapter 2. The Troop Makeup
Chapter 3. All About Patrols
Chapter 4. Using Junior Leaders
Chapter 5. Training Junior Leaders
Chapter 6. The Aims and Methods of Scouting
Chapter 7. Program Planning
Chapter 8. Advancement
Chapter 9. The Outdoor Program
Chapter 10. Understanding Boys
Chapter 11. Troop Administration
Chapter 12. Scouting Resources
Chapter 13. Uniforms and Insignia
Chapter 14. History of Scouting