History of Scouting In Mafeking he discovered that given trust and some training boys, could not only be very useful but also enjoyed being useful. In August 1907 he invited some boys to camp on Brownsea Island, Poole harbour. Here the boys camped
(unu-
sual in those days) and were introduced to such things as signalling, tracking, knotting and first aid. Following the success of the camp “BP” published “Scouting for Boys” in 1908, and to his surprise thousands of boys Robert Stephenson Smythe Baden-
spontaneously formed themselves into
Powell, known as “BP”, founded
“Scout Patrols”, who then sought adult
Scouting in 1907. “BP” was born on
leaders to help them. In this unique
22nd February 1857, he enjoyed playing
way the Scout movement began. It is
soccer, the piano, drawing and painting,
important to note that it was the boys
acting, sailing and generally loving an
themselves that made Scouting
outdoor life.
pen; they were the organisers.
When “BP” left school he joined the
Scout Patrols and Troops sprang up
army and during the Boer War (1899
in Ireland almost as soon as they did
–1901) he became a popular hero
in England and in 1908 Scout Troops
when he defended the little town of
were formed in Dublin, Dundalk and
Mafeking for 217 days against a much
Wicklow, some of these early Troops
larger Boer army.
are still in existence today. 8
hap-