Boy Rangers of America
Encyclopedia
The Boy Rangers of America was a Scouting program in the United States
for boys ages 8 through 12. It was organized in 24 January 1913 in Montclair, New Jersey
by Emerson Brooks. Although independent of the Boy Scouts of America
, it was the precursor of the BSA's Cubbing program now known as Cub Scouting.
As early as 1911, Ernest Thompson Seton
, the Chief Scout of the BSA, had developed a program for the Boy Scouts of America
named Cub Scouts of America that was never implemented. Chief Scout Executive
James E. West
felt that having BSA programs for younger boys under 12 would draw away boys from the core Scouting program. Unofficial programs for younger boys started around this time, under names such as Junior Troops or Cadet Corps.
Emerson Brooks, a Boy Scout commissioner
, started the Boy Rangers in 1913 and it came to the attention of the BSA. West encouraged further formation of the Boy Rangers of America, as an organization separate from the BSA, and they were incorporated in New York on 6 March 1918.
Boy Rangers were organized as a tribe of eight boys and an adult; up to six tribes would form a lodge. Rank levels were Paleface, Papoose, Brave, Hunter, Warrior and Hi-Pa-Nac. The programs used American Indian
themes and the Great Laws were based on the BSA version of the Scout Law
. The official publication was the magazine The Boy Ranger.
The BSA obtained the rights to Baden-Powell
's The Wolf Cub Handbook in 1916 and used it in unofficial Wolf Cub programs starting in 1918. The BSA finally began some experimental Cubbing units in 1928 and in 1930 the BSA began registering the first Cubbing packs. Many Boy Ranger lodges converted to Cubbing and the Indian themes of the Boy Rangers were incorporated into early Cubbing programs.
Membership numbers are difficult to determine. Some sources state that "at its height" in the 1920s, the Boy Rangers had over 8,000 members in over 700 lodges throughout 47 states, while another states they had 1039 lodges in 1940. When Emerson Brooks died in 1948, his obituary claimed "200,000 members in forty states and several foreign countries."
The Boy Rangers mainly merged into the BSA with the birth of Cubbing in 1930. It was reported that Lewis Lawes
became the president of the Boy Rangers in 1941. Some lodges— such as the one formed in Wellesley, Massachusetts
in 1926 —continued locally through the 1980s. The Great Laws survive as a Cub Scout song that is sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle
.
Scouting in the United States
Scouting in the United States can refer to Scouting associations that are recognized by one of the international Scouting organizations, as well as independent groups that are considered to be "Scout-like" or otherwise Scouting related.-Scouting for boys:...
for boys ages 8 through 12. It was organized in 24 January 1913 in Montclair, New Jersey
Montclair, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...
by Emerson Brooks. Although independent of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, it was the precursor of the BSA's Cubbing program now known as Cub Scouting.
As early as 1911, Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton was a Scots-Canadian who became a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America . Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
, the Chief Scout of the BSA, had developed a program for the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
named Cub Scouts of America that was never implemented. Chief Scout Executive
Chief Scout Executive
The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director....
James E. West
James E. West (Scouting)
Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
felt that having BSA programs for younger boys under 12 would draw away boys from the core Scouting program. Unofficial programs for younger boys started around this time, under names such as Junior Troops or Cadet Corps.
Emerson Brooks, a Boy Scout commissioner
Commissioner Service
Commissioner Service is the group within the Boy Scouts of America that provides direct service to each Scouting unit . Commissioners are experienced Scouters who help chartered organizations and unit leaders to achieve the aims of Scouting by using the methods of Scouting...
, started the Boy Rangers in 1913 and it came to the attention of the BSA. West encouraged further formation of the Boy Rangers of America, as an organization separate from the BSA, and they were incorporated in New York on 6 March 1918.
Boy Rangers were organized as a tribe of eight boys and an adult; up to six tribes would form a lodge. Rank levels were Paleface, Papoose, Brave, Hunter, Warrior and Hi-Pa-Nac. The programs used American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
themes and the Great Laws were based on the BSA version of the Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
. The official publication was the magazine The Boy Ranger.
The BSA obtained the rights to Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
's The Wolf Cub Handbook in 1916 and used it in unofficial Wolf Cub programs starting in 1918. The BSA finally began some experimental Cubbing units in 1928 and in 1930 the BSA began registering the first Cubbing packs. Many Boy Ranger lodges converted to Cubbing and the Indian themes of the Boy Rangers were incorporated into early Cubbing programs.
Membership numbers are difficult to determine. Some sources state that "at its height" in the 1920s, the Boy Rangers had over 8,000 members in over 700 lodges throughout 47 states, while another states they had 1039 lodges in 1940. When Emerson Brooks died in 1948, his obituary claimed "200,000 members in forty states and several foreign countries."
The Boy Rangers mainly merged into the BSA with the birth of Cubbing in 1930. It was reported that Lewis Lawes
Lewis Lawes
Lewis Edward Lawes was a prison warden and an outspoken proponent of prison reform.-Biography:He was born on September 13, 1883, the only child of Henry Lewis and Sarah Abbott...
became the president of the Boy Rangers in 1941. Some lodges— such as the one formed in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
in 1926 —continued locally through the 1980s. The Great Laws survive as a Cub Scout song that is sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle
"Yankee Doodle" is a well-known Anglo-American song, the origin of which dates back to the Seven Years' War. It is often sung patriotically in the United States today and is the state anthem of Connecticut...
.