Brief Background of the Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)

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A Brief Background of the Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)

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 the only two-volume Scoutmaster Handbook until 2015. 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 cover

3rd Edition Summary and Printing History

title from title page—Handbook for Scout Masters
by 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

4th Edition—Handbook for Scoutmasters (1947-1959)

All covers were dark brown and blue with a drawing of a Scoutmaster talking with a Scout (wearing red neckerchiefs). Both were wearing campaign hats in the first 6 printings, and overseas caps in the final 5 printings. Both drawings were done by BSA art director Don Ross, who also painted the covers for the 1948 Scout Handbook and the Cub Scout Handbooks of the period. Author again was William Hillcourt. The book is back to a single volume, and the 3rd Edition's volume 2 has been converted to "The Scoutmaster's Tool Chest", a 150-page section with 20 "tools" to help the Scoutmaster. The tool entitled "Scout Drill" at last does away with military drill, and introduces a minimum of formations and silent signals to arrange them. The book contains many black-and-white photos.
4th Edition, first 6 printings 4th Edition, last 5 printings

4th Edition Summary and Printing History

title from title page—Handbook for Scoutmasters
by William Hillcourt
cover drawings of Scoutmaster talking with a Scout, both by Don Ross
1947-1959 (12 years)
415 000 copies printed
size 114x178x19 mm (4-1/2x7")
11 printings:
—1st printing (Sep 1947, 40 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—2nd printing (Feb 1948, 25 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—3rd printing (Oct 1948, 50 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—4th printing (Jan 1950, 35 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—5th printing (Jun 1951, 35 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—6th printing (Sep 1952, 35 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—7th printing (Dec 1953, 35 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—8th printing (Dec 1954, 35 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—9th printing (Dec 1955, 40 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—10th printing (Dec 1956, 45 000 copies)—512 numbered pages
—11th printing (Dec 1957, 40 000 copies)—512 numbered pages

Actual 4th Edition Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
What Scouting Is
The Boy, the Man and the Job
PART ONE—The Scoutmaster's FIRST Job: Helping boy leaders to make the PATROL METHOD work
I—How the Patrol Method Works
Chapter 1—Why the Patrol Method
Chapter 2—Setting Up the Patrol Method
II—Leadership
Chapter 3—The Troop Leaders' Council
Chapter 4—Other Leaders and Helpers
III—Planning the Work
Chapter 5—Planning for the Year
Chapter 6—Planning for the Month
IV—The Life of the Patrol
Chapter 7—The Patrol Carries On
V—The Life of the Troop
Chapter 8—Troop Meeting Tonight
Chapter 9—The Troop Goes Hiking
Chapter 10—Camping Overnight
Chapter 11—The Summer Camp Adventure
Chapter 12—Other Things to Do
PART TWO—The Scoutmaster's SECOND Job: Helping each individual BOY to grow
I—The Boy Becomes a Scout
Chapter 13—The Boy Joins
II—The Boy in Scouting
Chapter 14—The Boy Stays
Chapter 15—The Boy Grows
The Scoutmaster's TOOL CHEST
Tool 1—Setting Out with the Troop
Tool 2—Chartering and Registration
Tool 3—Patrol Leaders' Training
Tool 4—Patrol Recognition
Tool 5—Financing the Troop
Tool 6—Troop Equipment
Tool 7—Troop Meeting Room
Tool 8—Troop Records
Tool 9—Uniforming the Troop
Tool 10—Program Themes
Tool 11—Games and Projects
Tool 12—Troop Hike Ideas
Tool 13—Wide Games
Tool 14—Ceremonies
Tool 15—Scout Drill
Tool 16—Singing
Tool 17—Story Telling
Tool 18—Troop Mobilization
Tool 19—Literature Helps
Tool 20—Scout Requirements