The Scout Movement
There are more than 40 million Scouts, young people and adults, male and female, in over 200 countries and territories. Some 500 million people have been Scouts, including prominent people in every field.
The aim of scouting is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving the aim is through the provision of exciting and adventurous activities with progressive training based on the scout promise and law guided by adult leadership.
Early Beginnings
All this began with 20 boys and an experimental camp in 1907. It was held during the first nine days of August in 1907 at Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset, England. The camp was a great success and proved to its organiser, Robert Baden-Powell, that his training and methods appealed to young people and really worked. In January 1908, Baden-Powell published the first edition of “Scouting for Boys”. It was an immediate success and has since sold over 100 million copies, making it one of the best selling books of all time.
The success of “Scouting for Boys” produced a Movement that quickly – automatically it seemed – adopted the name of The Boy Scouts. By 1909 “Scouting for Boys” had been translated into five languages, and a Scout rally in London attracted more than 11,000 Scouts.
The first World Scout Jamboree took place in 1920 with 8,000 participants, and proved that young people from different nations could come together to share common interests and ideals. Since that first World Jamboree at Olympia in London, there have been 21 others at different locations.
100 Years and Beyond
In 2007 the Movement celebrated its centenary – 100 years of Scouting. What started as a small camp on Brownsea Island is today a growing Movement with members in nearly every country in the world. Through its unique combination of adventure, education and fun, Scouting manages to continuously renew and adapt itself to a changing world and the different needs and interests of young people across the globe. In doing so it continues to be an inspiration for young people to become active local and global citizens, helping them in creating a better world.
Fundamentals of Scouting
The Purpose of Scouting
Scouting exixts to actively engange and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
- Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal
- Respect – We have self-repect and respect for others
- Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live
- Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes
- Cooperation – We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on values of scouting and:
- Enjoy what theyare doing and have fun;
- Take part in activities indoors and outdoors;
- learn by doing;
- share in spiritual reflection;
- take responsibility and make choices;
- undertake new and challengeing activities; and
- make and live by their Promise.
Join the Adventure
40 million Scouts in over 200 countries
