History of Scouting...
Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell (1857-1941) was a decorated soldier, talented artist, actor and free-thinker. Best known during his military career for his spirited defense of the small South African township of Mafeking during the Boer War, he was soon to be propelled o extraordinary fame as the Founder of Scouting.
He had been impressed during the siege at how boys had used their initiative under pressure to make themselves useful and capitalize on limited resources. Already thinking of developing a training programme for young people Britain, he was urged by friends to re-write his handbook for soldiers (Aids to Scouting) for this younger audience.
In 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas. He brought together 20 boys, some from public schools and some from working class homes, and put them into camp under his leadership. The whole world now knows the results of that camp.
Scouting for Boys was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. Sales of the book were enormous and boys soon formed themselves into Scout Patrols. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organizations became the handbook of a new and, ultimately, worldwide Movement. B-P's great understanding of young people obviously touched a fundamental chord both in this country and others. In September 1908, B-P set up an office to deal with enquiries pouring in about the Movement.
Scouting for Boys has since been translated into many different languages and dialects.
Some 28 million young people worldwide now take part in the adventure of Scouting and in 2007 the Movement celebrates its centenary.
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant of a charter by theParliament of the United Kingdom. The Boy Scout Association was re-named as The Scout Association in 1967.
The stated aim of The Scout Association 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 Scout Association provides a Programme to help achieve this aim for young people from the age of 6 to 25 The latest census shows that over 410,000 people aged 6–25 are members of The Scout Association, with a further 33,000 people waiting to join in the movement. Thanks to this work, The Scout Association is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).
Girls were first admitted in 1976 to the Venture Scouts, and the rest of Sections on an optional basis in 1991. Since 2007 all Scout Groups in Britain must accept girls as well as boys, although religious preferences can be accommodated.
Scouting in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is open to all faiths and variations to the Scout Promise are allowed in order to accommodate those of different religious obligations or national allegiances. The Scout Association does not permit an atheist version of the Promise, or a lack of any sort of faith or religion in the programme, and this has attracted criticism from the National Secular Society (NSS) and the British Humanist Association.
The association's current Chief Scout is Bear Grylls, with Derek Twine as the Chief Executive. The association's president is HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a patron of the organisation.
He had been impressed during the siege at how boys had used their initiative under pressure to make themselves useful and capitalize on limited resources. Already thinking of developing a training programme for young people Britain, he was urged by friends to re-write his handbook for soldiers (Aids to Scouting) for this younger audience.
In 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas. He brought together 20 boys, some from public schools and some from working class homes, and put them into camp under his leadership. The whole world now knows the results of that camp.
Scouting for Boys was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. Sales of the book were enormous and boys soon formed themselves into Scout Patrols. What had been intended as a training aid for existing organizations became the handbook of a new and, ultimately, worldwide Movement. B-P's great understanding of young people obviously touched a fundamental chord both in this country and others. In September 1908, B-P set up an office to deal with enquiries pouring in about the Movement.
Scouting for Boys has since been translated into many different languages and dialects.
Some 28 million young people worldwide now take part in the adventure of Scouting and in 2007 the Movement celebrates its centenary.
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant of a charter by theParliament of the United Kingdom. The Boy Scout Association was re-named as The Scout Association in 1967.
The stated aim of The Scout Association 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 Scout Association provides a Programme to help achieve this aim for young people from the age of 6 to 25 The latest census shows that over 410,000 people aged 6–25 are members of The Scout Association, with a further 33,000 people waiting to join in the movement. Thanks to this work, The Scout Association is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).
Girls were first admitted in 1976 to the Venture Scouts, and the rest of Sections on an optional basis in 1991. Since 2007 all Scout Groups in Britain must accept girls as well as boys, although religious preferences can be accommodated.
Scouting in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is open to all faiths and variations to the Scout Promise are allowed in order to accommodate those of different religious obligations or national allegiances. The Scout Association does not permit an atheist version of the Promise, or a lack of any sort of faith or religion in the programme, and this has attracted criticism from the National Secular Society (NSS) and the British Humanist Association.
The association's current Chief Scout is Bear Grylls, with Derek Twine as the Chief Executive. The association's president is HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a patron of the organisation.
