August 1st 2007, our meeting night was a famous anniversary for the Scouting movement initiated by Lord Baden-Powell. Exactly 100 years ago to the day, Brownsea Island, off the Dorset Coast in southern England was the venue for Robert Baden-Powelhs experimental camp for scouts. Twenty-one boys from all classes of society camped out for 10 days learning outdoor sports and crafts, cooking on an open fire and living together under the stars. Although, not a financial success, this camp was the forerunner of thousands of similar camps in the future. The first Scout jamboree was held at the Crystal Palace site in 1909 and shortly after this time, the Girl Guide movement was bom. In 1914 the Wolf Cubs groups, based on the Rudyard Kipling novel, began, followed by the Brownies in 1918.
The scouting movement is just as popular today-as it was 100 years ago, and has been introduced into numerous countries around the world.
Our speaker Wendy Baden-Powell told us about the history of her family and the development of her grandfather Robert as a war hero and the founder of the Scouting Movement. Robert Stephenson Smythe Powell was a son of Henriette Smythe and Professor Baden Powell Bom in 1855, he inherited the artistic style of his parents. He wrote and illustrated his own stories. Attending Charterhouse School, although not art outstanding academic student, he excelled in sports and outdoor activities exhibiting the qualities of teamwork resilience and courage. Robert attended the Royal Military College and served in Africa, India, Afghanistan and Malta. Robert Baden-Powell (this name had been altered in 1869, on the death of his father when the hyphen was added to his father’s two names) became famous for his bravery at Mafeking in Cape Colony in the Boer War in 1899 when Mafeking was besieged for 217 days. Later the Boers retreated and the town was relieved. Queen Victoria made Baden-Powell a Major General for his activities on the battlefield. He- established the South African Constabulary with the slogan “Be Prepared” which later became the scout slogan. Robert Baden- Powell was challenged by the leader of the Boys Brigade to improve and develop the existing program to boost membership. Using the methods he employed to improve the cavalry, innovations accepted today, he began the scout movement we know at present. He wrote, “Aids to Scouting” and other books, which laid out the principles and methods still used by scouts.
Marrying late, his wife and later his children took part in and extended the scout movement, and his grandchildren are still actively involved in Scouts and Guides. Lord Baden-Powell received many awards and commendations and died in Kenya on 8th January 1941.
His legacy lives on and his granddaughter Wendy has visited many guide and scout groups throughout the world, with the. philosophy of children taking part in activities embodying “freedom, fun and fresh air.”
Source: 2007-09 DETHS Newsletter
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