2010

20 years of Scouting in Ruardean

be prepared... ...to celebrate!

Plans are already in place to celebrate 20 years of Scouting in Ruardean. So watch this place as things develop.

Why not join our facebook page and tell us about your experiences of Scouting in Ruardean. Perhaps you are, or know of someone, who has been a member and can tell us about your time in the Beavers, Cubs or Scouts?

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1907 - 2007 A history of Scouting

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 to 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 capitalise on limited resources. Already thinking of developing a training programme for young people in 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 organisations 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 celebrated its centenary.