The Official Handbook of the
Lone Scouts of America

The handbook stated, on the cover, that the Lone Scouts of America was "[a]n organization For, Of and By Boys, whose Basis is Self-Reliance, whose spirit is Cooperation and Friendliness, and whose purpose if Self-Respect."

The very last item of interest in the Handbook was the illustration showing the Lone Scout Grip. "The sign of meeting a brother Lone Scout is the peace sign, given with the left arm (the arm being raised as are the two arms of the Indian figure which represents the Organization). The brother Lone Scout will answer...with the sign of the circle (which is the thumb and forefinger of the left hand formed together in a circle, and [was] understood to mean that as the circle has no beginning or ending, [their] brotherhood also [would] have no end.) The brotherhood grip of the Lone scouts [was] used [by]... [c]lasp[ing] the solitary forefinger of the right hand of the right hand of [the] brother Lone Scout closely with the three fingers [of the] right hand, crossing the forefinger...in the sign of the crossed logs of the fire, and the two thumbs in the position shown [at left], which is the sign of the tepee."

The Lone Scout Hand Book further stated that: "A member of the Lone Scouts of America is taught about his body and how to care for it; mind development; [the] principles of honor[,] truth and honesty; how to make things; how to use his God-given senses; [and] woodcraft; in short, the things upon which is laid a foundation for clean living and good citizenship." They became Good Citizens of their communities, their country, and the world.

The handbook started with "How to Become a Lone Scout." It highlighted the official magazine, "Lone Scout." It stated that "[t]hru its sale the expenses of the Organization are kept up. so that the L.S.A. has the proud boast of being a self-supporting organization. It asks no endowments, solicits no contributions—it stands squarely on its own feet."

The handbook indicated that "[i]n order to become a Lone Scout a boy must sign and send in an application blank, which [was] obtained either by clipping it out of the official magazine, "Lone Scout," or by sending in to the Long House for an application card."

Each year there was an "Annual Roll Call" which was completed between January 1st and February 1st. "To register the Lone Scout [detached] the second section of his Membership Card marked 'Registration Card,' and [sent] it with five cents in stamps or coin to the Membership Director...On the Lone Scout's Membership Card appear[ed] his Membership Number...This number is retained by the Long Scout as long as he remain[ed] an active member...which means so long as he re-registers each January...The right to [the] Membership Number [was] forfeited by a Lone Scout if he fails to re-register within the given time."

The handbook also gave details about "The Lone Scout Tribe." It went on to state that "[i]t is, however, very desirable, wherever it is possible, for the Lone Scout to join himself with other Lone Scouts, so as to be able to avail himself of the assistance of his brother Lone Scouts in passing his Degree Tests, contributing to the official Magazine and the amateur publications, gaining new members for the Organization and new readers for the Magazine...No boy [was] compelled to join a Tribe or to form one, but there [were] many advantages in so doing. No Lone Scout may belong to more than one Local Tribe." This, of course, did not restrict the Lone Scout from joining tribes which were not local, such as a Mail Tribe, for instance.

The handbook went on to highlight the "Tribe Constitution," "How to Get a Charter," the duties of the Tribe Chief, how to conduct Tribe meetings, some instruction in parliamentary law, and forming a Wigwam.

A Wigwam was a banding together of three to five Tribes. "In the Wigwam each Tribe has its own officers and manages its own affairs, but jointly they [chose] an older person to supervise their plans and arrangements. This officer [was] known as the Medicine Man. His duties [were] largely advisory, but in all matters where the Tribes composing the Wigwam act together he [became] the commanding officer and the Tribe's Chief [had to] defer to his directions...For this reason the Medicine Man must be an older person. The following rigid rule [was] made: The appointment of a Medicine Man must be reported to the Long House and his election confirmed by Chief Totem (W. D. Boyce). He must [have been either] a Lone Scout of 18 years old or over, or he must be a responsible adult over 21, whose character is vouched for by to other grownups. Such vouchers must [have accompanied] the report of his appointment." Once a year, on May 1, each Wigwam was to send a complete report of its condition to the Membership Director at the Long House.

Of course, the degree tests, degree books, and degree badges were discussed in the handbook. These are detailed elsewhere in this web site.

Contributing to "Lone Scout" was also discussed and "[e]very Lone Scout [was] privileged to contribute to the official magazine, [which was] in every sense of the word "of the boys, by the boys and for the boys." All articles submitted to "Lone Scout" [were to] be original, except in the case of jokes, and the originality of the material must" be in a certain format such as "[t]he title of the story, article or poem [was to be] placed in the center, beneath it the name of the author with his Degree titles and honor initials in one line, and beneath that the authors address. The Degree titles must be given." The preferred paper size was to be 8½x11 inches. If a type writer was used, the text was to be double spaced so that "editorial corrections can easily be made."

Self Government was a feature of Lone Scouting and a Grand Council of the Lone Scout of America was formed. "Any Lone Scout who [had] passed all his Degree Tests and [had] won either the Booster title or the title of Lone Scout Graduate [could] apply for admission to the Grand Council. If [the Lone Scout['s] record [was][ clear he [would] at once be admitted and his name [was] published in 'Lone Scout.' He [was] given a new membership number, or rather a Grand Council number, which [remained] with him ever after."

The Grand Council was divided into sixteen district of nearly equal population. They were as follows: