|
| |
The Open Road Pioneers Club was launched in October 1927 from
the pages of The Open Road For Boys magazine. The club was open to all
boys and men who: have an interest in outdoor life, a desire to develop
their ability to use and enjoy the land and water trails, and an eagerness to
follow in the footsteps of the pioneers who, in blazing the way and in founding
our country, lived on intimate terms with nature. (1939 Open Road
Pioneers pamphlet)
The Open Road Pioneers' Club was patriotic, non-political and
non-sectarian. The club had no membership dues, was only loosely organized -
local chapters were on their own to format their own outdoor program. Lone
Pioneers, who joined alone were also encouraged.
|
Open Road Pioneers' membership pin |
solid copper Open Road Pioneers' pin |
The Inner Circle Open Road Pioneer Pin, the highest honor
that could be earned. This rank was earned after completing the first 4
ranks, then submitting a request to have his club record reviewed by the
national headquarters in Boston, MA. If the member passed a written test,
then the 5th rank was awarded. |
| The Club Undertakes
1) To acquaint each member with the spirit and ideals of the frontier
2) to encourage each member to adopt the principles of courage,
self-reliance, honesty, sportsmanship, endurance, progress and co-operation.
3) To teach each member useful things about woodcraft and outdoor life.
4) To familiarize each member wit the natural wonders which are all about
him
5) to enlist each member in helping to conserve and increase the fish,
the game, the forests and the other natural resource of his locality.
|
Motto: Be
Sure You're Right - Then Go Ahead
Code: Meet each obstacle-physical, mental or moral-
face to face and overcome it. |
The official handbook for the Open Road Pioneers' was
Deep-river Jim's Wilderness Trail Book. There was a 25 page section devoted
to the club. |
|
The first 4 ranks of the Open Road Pioneers' were metal
pins in the shape of feathers. Each rank had several tasks. When a single
task was completed and gold metal arrowhead shaped pin was awarded. After
completing 10 tasks, the rank was earned. Trailsman was the first level,
Woodsman second, Hunter third and Explorer fourth. These ranks were earned
locally. |
Although the Open Road Pioneers' did not have a uniform,
members were encouraged to wear the emblem (shown right) and ranks on a
jacket or sweater. |
Emblem of the Open Road Pioneers, gold silk-screened on
navy blue felt. |
|
Open Road for Boys, 1941 |
Open Road Pioneer Club pages were a part of the Open Road
for Boys magazines. |
This 1951 newspaper article shows that the Open Road
Pioneers were still active. |
1940 Membership Certificate to the Open Road Pioneers' Club
• Home • Site Map • Updates • Add Your Stuff • YMCA Comrades and Pioneers • YMCA Pioneers • Junior American Citizens • Junior Citizens Service Corps • Open Road Pioneers • Junior Birdmen Of America • 4-H Clubs • Junior Girls Units • Hi-Y & Try-Hi-Y Clubs • Girl Reserves - Y.W.C.A. • Junior Garden Clubs of America • Sunbeams • Girl Guards • Camp Fire Girls • Victory Kids • Pioneer Girls • Oriole Girls • Moentita Girls • Lutheran Girl Pioneers • Liberty Bell Bird Club • Girls' Club of the Ladies Home Journal • Sunbrite Junior Nurse Corps • Girls' National Honor Guard • Girls Clubs of America • Girls Auxiliary • Girls' Friendly Society • Girls In Action • Future Homemakers of America • Boy Rangers of America • Boys' Clubs Of America • Betty Crocker-Homemaker of Tomorrow • Bee Hive Girls • Bethany Girls • Junior Audubon Clubs •
|
