It's fortunate the scout (CAd 10-13) gets 8 skill points per level because that lets him dump Intelligence. As an archer he'll need Strength and Dexterity, and as a fighter-type (with a medium base attack bonus... sigh)--and like everyone, really--he'll need Constitution. The elite array probably puts either an 8 or 10 in Intelligence (saving the 12 for Wisdom or Charisma). Anyway,

Here's What a Scout Should Take

Maximum Ranks
When the scout gains a level, he puts a skill point in these. He just does.

• Disable Device (Int): The errata for Complete Adventurer added this skill to the scout's list of class skills so he can use his trapfinding special ability. Although it's valid to say No when asked to play the role of trap victim, it's usually going to fall to the scout because he has this ability. Best to invest maximum ranks or else neglect the class feature entirely.
• Hide (Dex): If the DM uses the Rules Compendium's description of the skill Hide, things are much better for the scout. If the DM uses only core rules, however, the skill Hide has much less utility.
• Listen (Wis) or Spot (Wis): I gravitate toward the skill Listen. Blind is a devastating condition that happens frequently to adventurers, while deafened is far rarer. Put ranks into skills which offer more opportunities for their use.
• Move Silently (Dex): An essential skill for moving while in darkness. Humans blunder about in darkness without magical aid, though. Be prepared.
• Search (Int): To disarm the traps first one must find the traps. Better to find them this way than the hard way. Note: The hard way is taking cross-class ranks in the skill Bluff and convincing the barbarian that you already searched that passage and it's clear. Assuming his survival, he may be angry afterward.
• Tumble (Dex): Yes, yes, yes. A scout must be constantly on the move. A scout needs the skill Tumble or he dies.

Minimum or Variable Ranks
The scout should invest leftover points in the following skills, meeting the minimum requirements of some skills, investing just enough in others, and putting maximum ranks in the some skills for fun.

• 1 rank in Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int) and Knowledge (nature) (Int). Unless the scout has the feat Knowledge Devotion (CC 60), he probably has neither the skill points nor the inclination to put maximum ranks in his Knowledge skills.
• 1 cross-class rank in Spellcraft (Int): Spells are everywhere. Having a chance at identifying them can save the scout's life.
• 1 or enough cross-class ranks in Use Magic Device (Cha): Invest enough skill ranks to overcome whatever Charisma penalty the scout may have, but always at least 1 to be able to use the skill. The scout casts no spells. Staying alive at high levels mandates employing spells somehow.
• 5 ranks in Balance (Dex): A scout who invests more is just showing off. The 5 ranks means the scout isn't flat-footed while balancing.
• 5 ranks in Jump (Str): Only for the +2 synergy bonus to Tumble skill checks. Really, jumping is something one does with magic.
• maximum, enough, or 0 ranks in Sense Motive (Wis): The hunch use of the skill Sense Motive is interesting and makes the skill worth taking to a point where that can be used consistently. Note: The uses of the skill Sense Motive don't specifically require the scout interact with the creature whose motive he's trying to sense; it's perfectly reasonable for a scout to remain hidden from such a creature, observe that creature for the appropriate amount of time, and employ the hunch, sense enchantment, or discern secret message uses of the skill Sense Motive versus that creature.
• maximum or 0 ranks in Craft (Int): If the campaign allows the skill Craft (poisonmaking) and the scout picks up the feat Master of Poisons (DrU 51) or if the scout is big on throwing flasks of alchemists fire or acid and wants to save some cash via the skill Craft (alchemy), those are things. Note: At least some spellcasting is required for the skill Craft (alchemy).
• maximum or 0 ranks in Escape Artist (Dex): A Small scout with a low Strength might put maximum ranks into this to escape grapples before he can get an effect like that of the spell freedom of movement; everyone else can probably skip it. Note: The scout gets as a class feature a freedom of movement-like effect at level 18; this is far too long for a Small, low-Strength scout to wait.
• maximum or 0 ranks in Speak Language (n/a): I am personally fond of the huge variety of languages available in Dungeons and Dragons 3.5, having compiled a list of the over 100 official languages available. I think it's fantastic for a character to be able to say, "Why, yes, stewardess, I speak Elsewhale," or, "What, you didn't learn Sporebat in wizarding school?"

No Ranks
A scout can skip these skills entirely.

• Climb (Str), Swim (Str), and Use Rope (Dex): Unless consistently stripped of gear, these skills are all obsolete by character level 5. Magic does them better and cheaper than devoting one's valuable skill points to them.
• Knowledge (geography) (Int): The scout has Speak Language as a class skill. If he gets lost he can just ask someone.
• Ride (Dex): The scout's special ability skirmish doesn't function while he's mounted. The scout himself must move, not his mount.
• Survival (Wis): I wish I could recommend it, but the DCs are so low that luck and the aid another action directed at a higher Wisdom member of the party should meet all the check's DCs. Without the free Track feat the ranger gets, the skill Survival's a waste of points. Be awesome in the woods with a hand of the oak father (MIC 109) (5,000 gp; 1 lb.) instead.

Example
Human Sct1
Str 13, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8

• Level 1 Skills: Disable Device (Int) [4 ranks], Hide (Dex) [4 ranks], Knowledge (dunegoneering) [1 rank], Knowledge (nature) [1 rank], Listen (Wis) [4 ranks], Move Silently (Dex) [4 ranks], Search (Int) [4 ranks], Sense Motive [4 ranks], Speak Language (pick 4) [4 ranks], Spellcraft [cc] [1 rank], Tumble (Dex) [4 ranks].
• Level 2+ Skills: 5 ranks into the skill Jump, and 1 into each of the skills Disable Device, Listen, Search, and Tumble. Level 3's the same except the 5 ranks go into the skill Balance instead. Afterward, work on catching up other skills.

Note: This is just my experience with long-term campaigns and not meant to apply to everyone's campaigns. If playing in an E6 campaign, for example, the skills Climb and Swim certainly can retain their utility throughout the character's career.

There is nothing inherently wrong with sharing secret information; I have done it myself by either sharing notes or talking with individual players in private. I believe it is possible to offer some basic guidelines:

• Share information quickly, a few words at most. Players may lose interest if you spend too much time in secret communication with any one of them.
• For longer correspondences, share the information during a break in play.
• Some information is too trivial to keep secret, particularly when the player will immediately share it with the group. Orcs shouting "Get the Wizard!" likely falls into this category.
• Don't get too carried away with secret sharing. Most of the time its fine to rely on the players to maintain a separation between their knowledge and their character's knowledge.
• If you expect the players to encounter secret information during the game, you can prepare the messages ahead of time. You can use this as a heuristic - if its worth writing out ahead of time, its worth sharing secretly.

Secret information can make the game more immersive and make role playing easier. Ultimately its up to you as the DM to decide what information is worth sharing secretly, and I encourage you to experiment in this area (or talk with your players) to see what feels right.