The scout movement commenced in 1903 after the appearance of a book called Scouting for Boys, written by the then Inspector General of Cavalry in the British Army Lt. Col. Sir Robert Baden Powel. Although the author’s basic intention was only to formulate certain guiding principles to be followed by the existing youth organizations, it soon became evident that a new movement had begun. In fact, Baden Powel came to be known as the father of the scout movement.
Baden Powel had held an experimental camp on Brown-sea Island in Poole harbour, Dorset, and put his ideas into practice. He believed that the youths should organize themselves into small natural groups of six or seven under a boy leader. Their training should add another dimension to their education by teaching them the art of mapping, signalling, rope knotting, first-aid and all the other skills needed in camping and similar outdoor activities.
A boy becomes a scout by joining a scout troop any time between the age of 11 and 16. Before being accepted as a scout, a boy has to take an oath that he would do his duty to God and his country or sovereign, help other people at all times and to obey the scout laws. The Scout Laws are: i) a scout is to be trusted, ii) a scout is loyal, iii) a scout is friendly and considerate, iv) a scout is a brother to all other scouts, v) a scout has courage in all difficulties, vi) a scout makes good use of his time and cares for others’ possessions and property, vii) a scout has respect for himself and for others.
Almost all of the scout activities are based on the patrol which is the primary unit in scouting. The patrol leader takes part in the planning and running of activities. This does not mean that each patrol works only on its own. The patrols regularly come together for Troop Meetings and activities. The scouts from different patrols may even work for a particular Proficiency Badge in which they share a common interest. The traditional scouting activities are hiking, camping and pioneering.
Scouting today is a worldwide movement. There is a Boy Scouts World Committee, elected by the Boy Scout World Conference which comprises all National Member Associations. The conference is the General Assembly of world scouts and meets every two years.