Scouting began tentatively with a fortnight-long summer camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island in 1907.  This first camp was a trial organised by Robert Baden-Powell with the aid of some instructors, to teach the boys about camping, observation, deduction, woodcraft, boating, lifesaving, patriotism, and chivalry, all those values that BP held highly.

On January 24, 1908, the first of six instalments of BP’s Scouting for Boys was published, and thousands of people bought the handbook and by the time the final instalment was published, in April, scores of impromptu Boy Scout troops had already sprung up across Britain.

There’s much more to be read about the history of the movement here.

Scouting is a uniformed, faith-based movement – the uniform was introduced to hide all the differences of social standing and to show equality and inclusion, the element of faith. 

The Scout Troop is organised into Patrols, and for many activities, during a regular Troop meeting the young people will work together as a team to solve a challenge or to win a game, there’s much more detail about the structures here.   The Scout is encouraged to be more “self-propelled” than a Cub, and to think through and solve challenges and problems for themselves rather than rely on their Leaders.

The Scouts help their Leaders by providing programme ideas through their regular Council meeting.

Scouts are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities as part of their programme, including

traditional scouting skills such as camping, survival and cooking, along with new digital skills.   Scouts are encouraged to join in with an activity rather than to achieve a level of ability.  Badges and awards are used to recognise an individual’s ability, the many activity badges on offer can be found here.   In contrast, the range of challenge awards encourage a belief in the strength of the team and are used as stepping stones to the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

As the ACC (Scouts) I hope that our Scouts will be great ambassadors for their Troop, District and County wherever they may go and that because of the structures that the County team has put in place and the support that they offer then senior awards will be achieved, not just because they can, but as a demonstration of how the individual has developed on their journey through Scouting.

Get Involved

If you are not already involved in Scouts and would like to take part in the fun of Scouting either as a Scout, or as an adult Leader or Helper, please feel free to contact the Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) for the Scouts section, who will be pleased to give you details of a Troop near you and If he doesn't know all the answers he will know someone who does!

The ACC Scouts can be contacted by using the Contact form on the website

Jonathan Hazell

ACC (Scouts)

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Twitter @ACC_Scouts