Our History, Practices, and Philosophy

Scouting’s history can be traced back to the time when the founder, Robert Baden-Powell was an army officer in the Boer War. He was in charge of a town, Mafeking, that was besieged by the Boers and with only a few soldiers he often used local boys to help with first aid, carrying messages and running errands.
Baden-Powell returned to England a hero and later wrote a book about training in the army called Aids to Scouting. The ideas in the book were picked up by boys and they appeared to enjoy them. In 1907 Baden-Powell ran an experimental camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. The boys were from a variety of backgrounds and took part in a wide range of sports, games and other activities.

In 1908 B-P published Scouting for Boys based on his earlier book and the success of the Brownsea Island camp. Scouting for Boys was published in six fortnightly parts priced 4d each. Boys all over the country formed themselves into patrols of “Boy Scouts” and Scouting had begun.

In 1929 B-P became Lord Baden-Powell. He died in 1941. By this time Scouting had grown to include other ages, Wolf Cubs starting in 1916 and in 1910 our sister organisation the Guides. Scouting has spread across the world and takes place in 2016 countries and territories. There are over 31 million people involved. It is thought that only four countries do not have Scouts – Andorra, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).

Handshakes

When Baden-Powell was in Africa he saw many tribal chiefs who carried spears and shields. He noticed that it was a sign of great trust to offer your left hand when shaking hands. This was because you had to put down your shield and yet leave the other person with their spear in their hand.
The left hand handshake was adopted by Scouts and is used world-wide.

Salutes

All members of the Scout Movement use the same salute, apart from Beaver Scouts who do not have any salute at all. The salute is made with the right hand and only when standing at the alert. It is both a greeting and a sign of respect.

The Scout sign, made with the hand at shoulder level, is for Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and adults during the making and reaffirming of their Promise.

The three fingers of the salute and sign remind us of our Promise to do our duty to God and to the King and to help other people. There are alternative versions of the Promise for people from other or no religion.

The Purpose of Scouting

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Scout Promise and Law

The Law and Promise are what makes Scouting (and Guiding) different from any other youth organisation in the world.