Who founded Scouts?
Lord Robert Baden-Powell. The History of Scouts
Scouting’s origins date back to the start of the Twentieth Century. They have survived the two World Wars, sweeping social events and the challenges of other influences, to become stronger than ever. It does this by placing the needs of young people first -- in a program that adapts to change.
The Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, was born in England in 1857. He lived a busy and adventurous life and, as a boy, spent much of his spare time in open-air pursuits, hunting in the woods, and joining his brothers in expeditions by land and in their boats. Thus he developed his powers of observation and resourcefulness, which helped him to acquire many useful skills .His first introduction to Scouting skills was through stalking and cooking game while avoiding teachers in the nearby woods, which were strictly out-of-bounds. He also played the piano and violin, was an ambidextrous artist, and enjoyed acting. Holidays were spent on yachting or canoeing expeditions with his brothers. Baden-Powell made paintings and drawings almost every day of his life. Most have a humorous or informative character. He published books and other texts during his years of military service both to finance his life and to educate his men. He joined the army and served in India and Africa. In 1899, during the Second Boer War in South Africa, he successfully defended the town of Mafeking. At this time he wrote several books for military reconnaissance and scout training and these became an inspiration for boys back in England. When BP returned from the Boer War, he found the youth of the British Isles playing games taken from this handbook he had written for army scouts. BP was persuaded to rewrite his book and named it “Scouting for Boys”, and the Scouting movement began. Scouting has spread around the world and is currently active in over 216 countries with more than 26,000,000 members. In 1907 he brought together boys of all different backgrounds for an experimental camp in Brownsea Island, which is now seen as the beginning of scouting. Baden-Powell was regarded as an excellent storyteller. During his whole life he told "ripping yarns" to audiences. After his marriage to Olave St Clair Soames, B-P, his sister Agnes and wife Olave actively gave guidance to the Scouting movement and the girl Guides Movement. He lived his last years in Kenya, where he died and was buried in 1941. (Wikipedia). Some Quotes from Lord Baden-Powell :"Try to leave this world a little better than you found it and, when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best."
"An animal has been made by God just as you have been. He is therefore a fellow creature. He has not the power of speaking our language, but can feel pleasure or pain just as we can, and he can feel grateful to anyone who is kind to him. A Scout is always helpful to people who are crippled or blind or deaf and dumb; so he is good also to these dumb fellow-creatures of ours." "The open-air is the real objective of Scouting and the key to its success". Lord Baden-Powell Founder of Scouting |
Lismore Scouts - "Sir Walter Davidson's Own"Scouting started in England in 1907 and in Australia in 1908. The Lismore Scout Troop was registered in 1917 and Cub Scouts started here around 1920, though rumour has it that scouts started meeting long before that, even by 1909. According to The Log of the 1st Lismore Troop by Eileen Grey, Lismore Scouts formed a guard of honour for the civic reception of the then Governor, Sir Walter Davidson when he came to visit Lismore. He was so pleased with the rescue work done by the senior scouts during several floods, and their fundraising for WWI troops comfort fund that he gave the troop the honour of being "his own troop", and it is still named, "1st Lismore, Sir Walter Davidson's Own".
From forming a guard of honour for the Queen's visit to Lismore in 1954 to marching in Anzac Day parades and doing valuable Landcare work, the 1st Lismore Scout Group has a long history of community involvement stemming back 97 years.The journal of one late Senior Scout revealed the 1st Lismore Scout Group was even involved in celebrating the coronation of King George V in 1911, where they proudly displayed a banner saying Scouts carry on the ideals of knighthood. Lismore Scouts to the Rescue in the 1917 FloodB-P's last message to scouts: "I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have a happy life too. I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a child, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a adult. Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy — stick to your Scout Promise always — even after you have ceased to be a child — and God help you to do it"
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