History

A History of Scouting

Can you imagine a world without Scouting?

Without our everyday adventure, the world would certainly be a less interesting place, and if it wasn’t for the talent and originality of one man, the Movement might never have existed at all.

This man was Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941), a soldier, artist, actor and free-thinker. Best known for his spirited defence of the small South African township of Mafeking during the Boer War, he was propelled to further fame as the Founder of Scouting.

Inspired during the siege by the initiative shown by boys under pressure, BP realised that young people had huge potential that was often left untapped.

Already thinking of developing a training programme for young people in Britain, he was encouraged by friends to rewrite his handbook for soldiers (Aids to Scouting) for this younger audience.

The Brownsea camp – August 1907

In 1907 Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas and brought together 20 boys from a variety of backgrounds. The success of the camp spurred him on to finish what would become a classic book of the 20th century.

Scouting for Boys was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new Movement, which secured the royal seal of approval the following year when King Edward VII agreed to the introduction of the King’s Scout Award.

In its first census in 1910, Scouting had almost 108,000 participants; over 100,000 were young people.

Scouting for all ages

It was a global phenomenon. As numbers grew, it soon became clear that young people of all ages and in every country wanted to get involved in Scouting. Wolf Cubs came along for younger Scouts in 1916, followed four years later by Rover Scouts for an older age range.

1920 was also the year of the first World Scout Jamboree. At London’s Olympia, Scouts from across the world gathered to celebrate international unity and the growth of their great Movement.

Branching out

Lord Baden-Powell died in 1941 but his legacy continued. Scouting became a byword for adventure, usefulness and global friendship.

As the Movement spread across the world, Scouting continued to evolve in the United Kingdom. Following heroic work during the Second World War when Scouts acted as coast guards, couriers and stretcher bearers, members continued to show they were truly able to live their motto ‘Be prepared.’

Forward thinking

Scouting has never stood still. New branches such as Air and Sea Scouts became increasingly popular, gaining recognition from the RAF and the Royal Navy.

Scouts were on hand to help out at major events such as the Queen’s coronation, helping the crowds who camped out overnight to get a glimpse of the spectacle.

The Movement continued to grow and move with the times.

Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts became Venture Scouts and the badge system was updated to reflect the wider range of activities a Scout could do.

Girls were invited to join the Venture Scout section; this was introduced to other sections in the early 1990s.

In the true spirit of an inclusive organisation, younger children got to experience Scouting for the first time with the official incorporation of the Beaver Scouts in 1986. Three years later, official headgear was abolished for all sections.

Scouting for the 21st Century

At the dawn of the 21st Century, the Association again underwent reform with the launch of a new logo, uniform and training programme and the introduction of Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network by 2002.

In 2007, the Movement celebrated its centenary and the 21st World Scout Jamboree was held in the UK. Scouting hit the headlines in 2009 when TV adventurer Bear Grylls was announced as the new Chief Scout.

Scouting 2007 Centenary

The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprised celebrations around the world in which Scouts celebrated 100 years of the world Scout movement. The original celebrations were focused on the United Kingdom, such as the camp on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting, and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Essex.

World Scout Jamboree 2007 - UK

The 21st World Scout Jamboree was the main event of the year, with more than 40,000 young people from around the world taking part in a 12 day event in Chelmsford in the south of England.

The event started on 27 July 2007, where the camping participants celebrated the Scouting Sunrise in one place.

While this is not the largest encampment of Scouts ever held (over 50,000 young Scouts camped in Birkenhead at the Coming of Age Jamboree in 1929), it is expected that the large numbers of day visitors and the concurrent camps around the world made this jamboree the largest Scouting event since the movement started 100 years earlier.

1st Topcliffe Scout Group held a day visit to the 2007 World Scout Jamboree!

The life of Baden-Powell (1857 - 1941)

Robert Baden Powell

Baden-Powell or B-P was born Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was on the 22 February 1857, the son of Professor Baden-Powell, of Oxford University. Baden Powell and his brothers were encouraged by their mother to make their own fun. They learned about the outdoors, built boats and sailed them and went on long journeys learning to look after themselves.

Baden-Powell attended Charterhouse School during which time he took part in a number of activities including acting, singing, cadets and art. In the woods near the school known as "The Copse" he studied, stalked and tracked animals, birds and his friends and teachers.

Baden-Powell was encouraged to sit Army Exams, he surprised everyone by gaining 2nd place out of 700 candidates, as a result was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the 13th Hussars. He sailed to join his regiment in Lucknow, India, where he took courses in surveying and reconnaissance.

He was quickly promoted and moved up through the ranks and trained his men using competitions and games and taught them how to track and live in wild country. He also wrote a book called "Aids to Scouting" about his methods of Army Training. This book was later to become the basis of Scouting

In 1887 he was sent to South Africa where he took part in a campaign against an African chief called Dinizulu.

In 1899 Colonel Baden-Powell returned to South Africa. because there was the possibility of war between the Dutch settlers (Boers) and the British Settlers. War was declared and Baden-Powell and 1000 men were left to defend the town of Mafeking, which was the supply center for the British. He thought up all sorts of schemes to make it look like the town was heavily guarded. When reinforcements arrived the siege had lasted for 7 months.

Baden-Powell took part in a number of other conflicts and in 1903 was appointed Inspector-General of Cavalry.

In July 1907 B-P ran a camp for a group of boys on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour.

In 1909 B-P was knighted by King Edward VII for his outstanding military career and especially for founding Scouting

Baden-Powell died in Kenya in 1941 when he was almost 84. On his gravestone under the badges of the Scouts and Guides is carved. "Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the World".

Chief Scout of the World

B-P wrote no less than 32 books, the earnings from which helped to pay for his Scouting travels. As with all his successors, he received no salary as Chief Scout. He received various honorary degrees and the freedom of a number of cities, along with 28 foreign orders and decorations and 19 foreign Scout awards. He was later commemorated in Westminster Abbey, London.

B-P is remembered on Founder’s Day, which is celebrated on his birthday (22 February) each year. To this day Scouts continue to enjoy activities in the outdoors and live out B-P’s ideas.

As the great man once said, ‘life without adventure would be deadly dull.’

How Scouting started

Scouting (or the Scout Movement) supports young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society.

During the first half of the 20th century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups for boys (Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Rover Scout) and, in 1910, a new organization, Girl Guides, was created for girls (Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Ranger Guide). It is one of several worldwide youth organizations.

In 1906 and 1907 Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British Army wrote a book for boys about reconnaissance and scouting. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys (London, 1908), based on his earlier books about military scouting, with influence and support of Frederick Russell Burnham (Chief of Scouts in British Africa), Ernest Thompson Seton of the Woodcraft Indians, William Alexander Smith of the Boys' Brigade, and his publisher Pearson.

In the summer of 1907 Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in England to test ideas for his book. This camp and the publication of Scouting for Boys are generally regarded as the start of the Scout movement.

Original Scout logo from 1907

Scout Membership badge prior to 1967

Scout Membership badge - 1967 to present day

Front cover 'Aids to Scouting'

During Baden-Powell's time in the Army he had written a book called "Aids to Scouting" which outlined his methods of Army Training, this book was published in England during the time of the Mafeking Siege during the Boer War 1899/1900.

On his return to England B-P was surprised to find that boys had brought copies of the book and formed themselves into groups and were calling themselves "Boy Scouts" and were practicing the "scoutcraft" ideas published in the book.

B-P decided he would rewrite the book to make it suitable for young people, this book he called "Scouting For Boys" and by the summer of 1907 he was ready to put his ideas to practice.

B-P decided he would rewrite the book to make it suitable for young people, this book he called "Scouting For Boys" and by the summer of 1907 he was ready to put his ideas to practice.

In August B-P with a few adult helpers set up his camp on Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset. His guinea pigs were 20 boys, from different walks of life. The boys were divided in to Patrols with an older boy in charge of each group.

At the camp the boys had a time of their life doing such things as swimming, stalking, hiking and playing games and around the nightly campfire listened to B-P telling stories of his adventures.

After the camp B-P finished writing "Scouting for Boys" and in 1908 it was published in eight fortnightly parts each costing 1 penny.

Front cover 'Scouting for Boys'

B-P had expected that "Scouting for Boys" would be used by existing youth groups like the Boys Brigade and the YMCA, however all over the country boys were forming themselves into Scout Troops and were asking adults to lead them.

B-P was still in the Army at this time but had to open an office to answer the hundreds of letters he was receiving from boys telling him of their adventures.

By the end of 1908 Scouting had spread to Ireland, Australia, Canada New Zealand and South Africa.

For wider reading and more about Baden Powell including:

BP's Last Message to Scouts, Scouting Traditions, Scouting Facts & Scouting collectables, head to The Scouting Pages

The Old Uniform

Baden-Powell made sure that every item of uniform had a use:

Broad Rimmed Khaki Hat - good protection from sun and rain, good camouflage.

Scarf / Neckerchief - useful as emergency bandage or rope, protects neck
from sun

Shirt - comfortable, shows Scout is always prepared

Shorts - give freedom to the legs, when ground is wet can go around without socks
and no clothes get wet

The Staff - lots of uses, e.g. making stretchers, keeping back a crowd, testing depth of river, helping another Scout over wall by making step

Old Scout uniform

The Brownsea Island Camp (The First Scout Camp)

In August B-P with a few adult helpers set up his camp on Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset. His guinea pigs were 20 boys, from different walks of life. The boys were divided in to Patrols with an older boy in charge of each group.

At the camp the boys had a time of their life doing such things as swimming, stalking, hiking and playing games and around the nightly campfire listened to B-P telling stories of his adventures.

Why Brownsea Island?

Brownsea Island was chosen for the camp because it was off the beaten track and was difficult to get to and this was due to BP being a very public figure and if the Press had got to know his plans it would have been difficult to reporters on the scent of a good story away, so that the experimental camp could be given a fair trial out of the public gaze.

More about the first ever Scout camp...

B-P held an experimental two-week camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island, (Poole Harbour) on the English south coast in August 1907. He tested his ideas with a programme of Scouting activities - camping skills, observation, nature, woodcraft, life-saving, first aid, games & contests – this was an outstanding success.

They set up camp on the remotest point of the island in order to really test themselves & clearly the boys all enjoyed themselves, lighting fires, camping, cooking, learning to track, swimming climbing, learning group skills, fishing, swimming, climbing, hiking, woodcraft, navigation, team & individual games,... much like beavers, cubs & scouts of today!

The camp began with a blast from a kudu horn Baden-Powell had captured in the Matabele campaign. He used the same kudu horn to open the "coming of age"Jamboree 21 years later in 1929. Baden-Powell made full use of his personal fame as the hero of the Siege of Mafeking. For many of the participants, the highlights of the camp were his campfire yarns of his African experiences, and the Zulu "Eengonyama" chant - meaning "he is a lion".

Each Patrol camped in an army bell tent. The day began with cocoa, exercises, flag break and prayers, followed by the morning activity. After lunch there was a strict siesta, followed by the afternoon activity and tea. The day ended with games, supper, campfire yarns and prayers.

Each day was based on a different theme. Some of these themes have been modified and are still incorporated in Scout camps today:

Day 1 Preliminary
Day 2 Camping
Day 3 Observation
Day 4 Woodcraft
Day 5 Chivalry (doing a "good turn" each day)
Day 6 Saving a life
Day 7 Patriotism
Day 8 Games

A History of 1st Topcliffe

COMING VERY SOON

Someone has got to do the research first!

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