Requirements October 1914 until December 1916
To become a first-class scout, the second-class scout must have served as a second-class scout for at least two months and pass the following test:
1. Swim fifty yards.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank.
3. Send and receive a message by Semaphore, or International Morris alphabet, including conventional signs, sixteen letters per minute.
4. Make a round-trip alone (or with another scout) to a point at least seven miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
5. Advanced first aid: Know the methods for panic prevention; what to do in case of fire, ice, electric and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, ear ache, toothache, inflammation or grit in the eye, cramp or stomach ache and chills; demonstrate artificial respiration.
6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily, in the open, without regular kitchen utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed: Eggs, bacon, hunters stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cake, biscuit, hardtack or a "twist" baked on a stick; explained to another boy the methods follow.
7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot, and intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of a compass.
8. Use properly an ax for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry, cabinet-making or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed.
9. Judge distance, size, number, height, and weight within 25%.
10. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants, including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or scent; or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks, or habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
11. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily life the principles of the Scout oath and Law.
12. Enlist a boy trained by himself in the requirements of a tenderfoot.
Requirements December 1916 until February 1917
To become a first-class scout, the second-class scout must have served as a second-class scout for at least two months and pass the following test:
1. Swim fifty yards.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank.
3. Send and receive a message by Semaphore, including conventional signs, thirty letters per minute, or by the General Service Code (International Morris), sixteen letters per minute, including conventional signs.
4. Make a round-trip alone (or with another scout) to a point at least seven miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
5. Advanced first aid: Know the methods for panic prevention; what to do in case of fire, ice, electric and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, ear ache, toothache, inflammation or grit in the eye, cramp or stomach ache and chills; demonstrate artificial respiration.
6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily, in the open, using camp cooking utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed: Eggs, bacon, hunters stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cake, biscuit, hardtack or a "twist" baked on a stick; explained to another boy the methods follow.
7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot, and intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of a compass.
8. Use properly an ax for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry, cabinet-making or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed.
9. Judge distance, size, number, height, and weight within 25%.
10. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants, including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or sent; or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks, or habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
11.Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily life the principles of the Scout oath and Law.
12. Enlist a boy trained by himself in the requirements of a tenderfoot.
Requirements February 1917 until December 1917
After sixty days’ service as a second-class scout, a scout may upon passing the following test to the satisfaction of the local scout authorities, be enrolled as a first-class scout and entitled to wear the first class badge of the Boy Scouts of America.
1. Swim fifty yards.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank.
3. Send and receive a message by Semaphore, including conventional signs, thirty letters per minute, or by the General Service Code (International Morris), sixteen letters per minute
4. Make a round-trip alone (or with another scout) to a point at least seven miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
5. Advanced first aid: Know the methods for panic prevention; what to do in case of fire, ice, electric and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, ear ache, toothache, inflammation or grit in the eye, cramp or stomach ache and chills; demonstrate artificial respiration.
6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily, in the open, without regular kitchen utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed: Eggs, bacon, hunters stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cake, biscuit, hardtack or a "twist" baked on a stick; explained to another boy the methods follow.
7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot, and intelligible rough sketch map, indicating by their proper marks important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of a compass.
8. Use properly an ax for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry, cabinet-making or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed.
9. Judge distance, size, number, height, and weight within 25%.
10. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants, including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or scent; or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks, or habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
11. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily life the principles of the Scout oath and Law.
12. Enlist a boy trained by himself in the requirements of a tenderfoot.
Requirements December 1917 until June 1920
In communities where there is a local council, the first-class test, whenever practicable, should be conducted by the Court of Honor or under the personal supervision of the Scout executive or the Scout Commissioner or a registered deputy designated by either for that purpose.
Where there is no local council, the test should be given under the direction or in the presence of one or more members of the troop committee, or by a special committee representing the Court of Honor which has been selected to conduct examinations for merit badges.
After sixty days’ service a second class scout, a scout may upon passing the following test to the satisfaction of the local scout authorities, be enrolled as a first-class scout and entitled to wear the first class badge of the Boy Scouts of America.
1. Swim 50 yards.
The swimming test should be over a measured 50 yards, either outdoors or in a tank. The Scout may not touch bottom, the side of the tank or of a boat, or any object throughout the trial. Diving at the start is permitted. Speed is not essential and the use of various strokes is allowed.
2. Earn and deposit at least two dollars in a public bank. (Liberty Loan subscriptions and War Savings Certificates are accepted.)
Although this is a separate test from second-class requirement number nine the dollar earned and saved to pass second-class scout may be counted. These two dollars must have been earned and saved by the Scout himself.
The boy must have actually earned the dollar since becoming a Scout. He should not earn the money from parents or relatives, for a scout should not be paid for home duties or good turns.
The money must be deposited in a public bank or used to buy U.S. Bonds, or War Savings Stamps.
3. Send and receive a message by Semaphore, including conventional signs, thirty letters per minute, or by the General Service Code (International Morris), sixteen letters per minute, including conventional signs.
This requirement calls for a practical knowledge and use of one of the codes including conventional signs. The General Service Code is to be preferred. The Scout should actually send and receive a message of thirty words or more under field conditions at the required rate of speed.
4. Make a round-trip alone (or with another scout) to a point of at least seven miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
This trip should not be made along city streets or automobile roads. The route should follow small country roads and at least a part of the hike should be across country through fields and woods. The return may be by the same or by another route.
The Scout should carry a notebook from which he will prepare his report of the trip. He should carry a map and set his course by it.
This should be a Scout’s report, including character of the country, possible camping sites noted, condition of roads, and paths, trees, birds and animals seen, and the like. A mere time-table is not sufficient. Incidents, such as stopping to buy ice cream or meeting a brother scout, are purely incidental. Not more than two boys may make this hike together. Excepting “lifts” in automobiles or wagons is not permitted.
In preparing the report, to be submitted, do care must be given to neatness, spelling, grammar, and penmanship.
A great many scouts make this an overnight hike. It is not recommended that the map-making tests be combined with this.
5. Advanced first aid; know the methods for panic prevention; what to do in case of fire, ice, electric, and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snakebite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sun-stroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, earache, toothache, inflammation or grit in the eye, crap or stomach ache, and chills; demonstrate artificial respiration.
The Scout must secure a grade of at least 80% coveraging all the material on First Aid given in the Handbook for Boys and answering satisfactorily all questions specifically mentioned in this requirement.
He must demonstrate and explain the Schaefer Method of artificial respiration.
6. Prepare and cook satisfactorily in the open, using camp cooking utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed: Eggs, bacon, hunter’s stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cakes, biscuit, hardtack or a “twist”, baked on a stick; explain to another boy the methods followed.
By the time the Scout is ready to take this test, he should be familiar with outdoor cooking and should have cooked each one of the articles listed in this requirement with the exception of foul and game.
Note that in passing the test he should use camp cooking utensils.
The scoutmaster or examiner must name the two dishes for the Scout to cook not permitting him to choose. The results must be good and edible. Remember that the Scout is required to explain the method followed to another scout.
7. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot and intelligible rough sketch map, including by their proper marks important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of the compass.
The Scout should be able to interpret all conventional signs including contour lines on the maps of the U.S. Geological Survey. He must demonstrate that he can use a map to find his way in the open.
He should draw from field notes a map of a rule district at least 200 yards square. Compass direction, scale, and at least six different conventional signs should appear on the map. The final map should be neat. he may use a ruler and compass.
He must also point out a compass direction without the help of a compass.
8. Use properly and axe for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry, cabinet-making, or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed.
In felling the tree the Scout must display real skill in the use of the axe, not merely succeed in “beavering” it down with patient but unskilled hacking. The tree to be chopped should always be dead.
If an article of Craftsmanship is submitted, it must be of sufficient size and complication to be of value. It must have been made by the Scout unaided.
9. Judge distance, size, number, height, and weight within 25%.
The Scout must be able to estimate with fair accuracy -- distances, from one inch to one miles; the size of shoes, bottles, collars, and baskets; the number of persons in a room, keys on a ring, spokes in a wheel, pages in a book, etc.; the height of persons, trees, houses, hills, and mountains; and weights from 1 ounce up to that of an average individual.
The Scout should judge three objects in each classification, making fifteen in all, out of which he should be allowed not more than three failures to come within the 25% of error allowed.
10. Describe fully from observation tends species of trees or plants, including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or sent; or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks or habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
The Scout must actually point out the North Star and should point out in the sky and name three constellations or more.
In addition he must pass a test in either trees, plants, wild birds, or wild animals based on his own observation.
Trees
The Scout must “describe fully from observation tends species of trees.” Hence identification by leaves alone is not sufficient. He should know something about their bark, fruit, manner of growth, and usual habitat.
Plants
Similarly he must not pick out ten species of wild plants by their flowers are berries alone. He should be able to identify them when flowers and berries are not present. Poison ivy must be identified.
Birds
The Scout may have first studied wild birds in a zoological garden or museum but he must have observed in the field the birds he chooses to describe. “A bluebird is blue” is far from being sufficient description. He must know, besides the detail appearance of the bird, something of its habits. He must be able to recognize a stuffed specimen or a picture of each bird he describes.
Animals
What has been said above concerning birds holes true also when the Scout elects to pass the test by describing six wild animals.
11. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily life the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.
The Scoutmaster must be thoroughly convinced that the Scout has made an honest and serious effort to abide by the Scout Oath and Law. He must secure unequivocal statements to this effect from the boy’s parents and from his teacher or his employer. The daily practice of the good turn is the best proof of the boy’s living up his Scout obligations.
12.Enlist a boy he trained by himself and the requirements of a tenderfoot.
The Scout must personally and list and train a recruit, who must become a registered Scout, not necessarily in the same troop.
Note: A Scout taking the examination for First Class any Scout must be able to answer any question on the Tenderfoot and Second Class Requirements.
Requirements June 1920 until August 1922
After sixty days’ service a second class scout, a scout may, upon passing the following test to the satisfaction of the local scout authorities, be enrolled as a first-class scout and entitled to wear the first class badge of the Boy Scouts of America:
1. Swim 50 yards.
2. Send and receive a message by Semaphore, including conventional signs, thirty letters per minute, or by the General Service Code (International Morris), sixteen letters per minute, including conventional signs.
3. Make a round-trip alone (or with another scout) to a point of at least seven miles away (fourteen miles in all), going on foot or rowing boat, and write a satisfactory account of the trip and things observed.
4. Advanced first aid; know the methods for panic prevention; what to do in case of fire, ice, electric, and gas accidents; how to help in case of runaway horse, mad dog, or snake bite; treatment for dislocations, unconsciousness, poisoning, fainting, apoplexy, sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and freezing; know treatment for sunburn, ivy poisoning, bites and stings, nosebleed, earache, toothache, inflammation or grit in the eye, cramp or stomach ache, and chills; demonstrate artificial respiration.
5. Prepare and cook satisfactorily in the open, using camp cooking utensils, two of the following articles as may be directed: Eggs, bacon, hunter’s stew, fish, fowl, game, pancakes, hoe-cakes, biscuit, hardtack or a “twist”, baked on a stick; explain to another boy the methods followed.
6. Read a map correctly, and draw, from field notes made on the spot and intelligible rough sketch map, including by their proper marks important buildings, roads, trolley lines, main landmarks, principal elevations, etc. Point out a compass direction without the help of the compass.
7. Use properly and ax for felling or trimming light timber; or produce an article of carpentry, cabinet-making, or metal work made by himself. Explain the method followed.
8. Judge distance, size, number, height, and weight within 25%.
9. Describe fully from observation ten species of trees or plants, including poison ivy, by their bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, or scent; or six species of wild birds by their plumage, notes, tracks or habits; or six species of native wild animals by their form, color, call, tracks, or habits; find the North Star, and name and describe at least three constellations of stars.
10. Furnish satisfactory evidence that he has put into practice in his daily life the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.
11. Enlist a boy he trained by himself and the requirements of a tenderfoot.
