Girl Scouts are slower to begin than other girls, perhaps, but they stick to it till they've made good. "She carried that through like a Girl Scout" ought to become a common saying.

2. PROFICIENCY TESTS

ARTIST SYMBOL--A PALETTE

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Submit a drawing, a painting, or a model of sculpture which in the judgment of a competent professional represents a sufficiently high order of ability to merit recognition.

This badge is offered with the object of encouraging a talent already existing, and it is not suggested that Girl Scouts should select this badge unless they are possessed of sufficient natural talent to warrant presenting their work to a good judge. The standard required for winning the badge is left to the judgment of the professional as it is impossible for the organization to lay down strict requirements in these subjects.

REFERENCES:

"Children's Book of Art," A. E. Conway, Adam and Charles Black.

"Knights of Art," Amy Steedman, George W. Jacobs and Company.

"Gabriel and the Hour Book," Evaleen Stein.

"Apollo," by S. Reinach, from the French by Florence Simmonds, Scribners.

ATHLETE*** SYMBOL--BASKET BALL

[Ill.u.s.tration]

To qualify for this a Girl Scout must be at least fourteen, and must hold the badge for personal health, the "Health Winner."

1. State briefly the value and effect of exercise.

2. Demonstrate habitual good posture, sitting and standing.

3. Demonstrate (a) marching steps, quick and double time, and Scout's Pace.

(b) Setting-up exercises, (as shown in Handbook).

4. Present statement from troop Captain, of a hike of at least 5 miles.

5. Demonstrate with basket ball 5 goals out of 7 trials standing at least 5 feet from basket, OR demonstrate with basket ball distance throw of 40 feet.

6. Demonstrate with indoor base ball accurate pitching for distance of forty feet.

7. Write brief description of rules for five popular games.

8. Play well and be able to coach in any three of the following games: Basket Ball, Battle Ball, Bowling, Captain Ball, Dodge Ball, Long Ball, Punch Ball, Indoor Baseball, Hockey--field or ice, Prisoners' Base, Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Volley Ball Newcomb.

9. Hold swimming badge or bring statement of ability to demonstrate three strokes, swim 100 yards, float and dive. Note: For alternate to swimming requirements see First Cla.s.s Test, question 7, page 65.

10. Demonstrate three folk dances, using any nationality, OR be a qualified member of a school or society athletic team, playing one summer and one winter sport, OR be able to qualify for entry in a regular compet.i.tion in some sport such as Tennis, Skating, Skiing. Running, Pitching Quoits, etc.

REFERENCES:

"Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium," Jessie H.

Bancroft, Macmillan.

"Summer in the Girls' Camp," A. W. Coale, Century.

"Book of Athletics," Paul Withington, Lothrop.

"Outdoor Sports and Games," C. H. Miller, Doubleday Page.

BEE KEEPER SYMBOL--HIVE

[Ill.u.s.tration]

1. What const.i.tutes a swarm of bees? How do they live? Tell how honey is gathered and stored and honeycomb is built, and what part the queen, drones and workers play in the life of the colony.

2. Be able to recognize and describe each of the following: queen, drones, workers, eggs, larvae, pupae, honey, bee food, wax, pollen, propolis, brood-nest, comb, different queen cells.

3. Have a practicable knowledge of bee keeping and a.s.sist in hiving a swarm, examining a colony, removing the comb, finding the queen, putting foundation in sections, filling and removing supers, and preparing honey in comb and strained for market, and present a certificate to this effect.

4. Know which flowers afford the best food for bees, and how honey varies according to the flowers in color and flavor.

REFERENCES:

"Productive Bee Keeping," Pellett.

Bulletins from Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

"Life of the Bee," Maurice Maeterlinck, Dodd.

"Queen Bee," Carl Ewald, Thomas Nelson and Sons.

"How to Keep Bees," A. B. Comstock, Doubleday Page.

BIRD HUNTER SYMBOL--BLUE BIRD

[Ill.u.s.tration]

To qualify for this badge a Girl Scout should belong to the Audubon Society[8] and be able to answer the following:

1. Give list of twenty wild birds personally observed and identified in the open and show field notes including at least the date seen, markings, food habits, nesting habits if known, and migration, if any.

2. Give game-bird laws of her State.