History of Scouting

Scouting was founded in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell a British army commander who lead troops in Africa in the Boer War. It began with 20 boys taken from different social background to an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Dorset for 9 days in August 1907 which proved to Baden-Powell that his training and methods appealed to young people. In January 1908 he published the first edition of 'Scouting for Boys' issued in fortnightly issues. 

This was originally meant to provide a method that other organisations could use, however youngsters started to organise themselves and the scout movement was born. 

Just two years later, Baden-Powell returned from overseas to a rally, held a Crystal Palace, attended by over 11,000 scouts. The movement gained its Royal Charter in 1912 and King George V became its Patron. The first Jamboree (an international camp) took place at Olympia, London in 1920 and there have been 24 in total, the next one is due to take place in 2023 in South Korea. 

The success of scouting of with boys aged 11-18 gave rise to appeals to provide similar activities for younger boys and in 1916 the Wolf Cub section, a forerunner to Cub Scouts, for boys aged 8-11 was formed. Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books were used to provide an imaginative background to the activities and by the end of the year over 10,000 boys has enrolled. 

Baden-Powell was always quick to emphasise that Scouting is a Movement and should not become static. Throughout its history Scouting has adapted - formation of the Sea Scouts in 1909, Rover Scouts (for over 18s) in 1918, Air Scouts in 1941, Beaver Scout (for ages 6-8) in 1982 and in 1991 Scouting became open to boys and girls of all ages (before this girls were only able to become members of the eldest section - Venture Scouts for 15-20 year olds). 

Scouting continues to be open to all, actively engaging and supporting young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.