by Ernest Thompson Seton
A Coup claim properly filled out and passed by the Tribal Council becomes a
valued thing to be kept in one's own tally book.
The Woodcraft League is organized on the idea that boys and girls who are interested in outdoor life and in active living will continue along these lines as they grow older. Woodcraft coups and degrees are standard. They include work for both sexes, though each sex will find it desirable to select the ones most fitted to it. In many cases, however, both boys and girls may select the same coup or degree. In fact, we believe that a sharing of many experiences would greatly help in solving some of the problems which we are facing at the present time.
Badges for Coup and Grand Coup
A coup or a grand coup is a single exploit for which the feather badge is given. It is meant to be a really meritorious exploit in a given department. A grand coup of the same department is similar, but of such excellence that a person achieving it, is considered in the highest class. Furthermore, the grouping has been attempted so that no one, through mere industry, can keep on adding honors in the field that they have in a sense conquered. The one exception to this is such as are specified as repeaters, viz., mountain-climbing. Any lowering of these standards would rob the coups of their value. The committee has steadfastly aimed to raise the standards, while adding to the number of departments of activity.
A degree is conferred as an evidence of all-round proficiency in a given department.
No badges are conferred unless the exploit has been properly witnessed or proven, and approved by a careful local committee. When it is a question of time under one minute, only stop watches are allowed. Badges, once fairly won, can never be lost for subsequent failure to reach the standard. Except when otherwise stated, the exploits are meant for all ages.
At least two witnesses are preferred as sponsors for the achievement, but obviously in some cases this is impossible. In such cases, it is sufficient if claimant convinces the committee in charge that the coup has been fairly won.
NOTE--No two coups may be claimed for one exploit. For example: Coup for swimming 200 yards, in time, and coup for swimming 220 yards, any time. You cannot swim the 200 yards in time and then swim 20 yards more and claim two coups. Each coup must be a separate exploit.
