In 2007 Scouting celebrates its worldwide centenary. It started with an experimental camp on Brownsea Island in the United Kingdom for twenty boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds. Today, it involves girls and boys, men and women from every race, religion and culture, and practically every country in the world.

Robert Baden-Powell
(1857-1941)

Scouting was founded by Robert Baden-Powell. Born on 22 February 1857, his determination, coupled with his considerable charm and adventurous spirit, made him a national hero and an inspirational leader of young people.

His many experiences as a boy and as a soldier helped him to form his training methods. One of a family of ten, he spent his holidays camping, hiking and sailing, acquiring essential outdoor skills. While at school he would disappear into the nearby woods - officially off limits to pupils - and learnt how to hide his tracks, climb and 'freeze' to escape detection by his schoolmasters.

Brownsea Island Camp The adventure begins

On 29 July 1907 twenty boys arrived on Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset, for what was to be the first ever Scout Camp. Baden-Powell had taken care to ensure that all activities could be enjoyed by every boy - from the most privileged to the most deprived and had chosen boys from a cross-section of society.

The eight-day programme, which began on 1 August 1907, included fun and games and was designed to teach key skills and instil noble values such as chivalry and self-discipline. Despite their cultural and social differences, the boys lived, worked and played together in a way that would not have been thought possible. The success of the camp had exceeded all expectations and Baden-Powell was now ready to take his idea to a wider audience

Spanning the globe - bringing nations together

By 1909 the Movement had taken firm root. Scouting for Boys had been translated into five languages. A Scout rally in London attracted more than 11 ,000 Scouts. As a result of Baden Powell taking a holiday in South America, Chile was one of the first countries outside Britain to begin Scouting. In 1910 he visited Canada and the United States where it had already begun.

The first World Jamboree took place in 1920 with 8,000 participants and proved that young people of many nations could come together to share common interests and ideals. Since that first World Jamboree, there have been seventeen others in countries as far afield as Chile, Japan, Hungary and Australia. The 21st World Scout Jamboree takes place in the UK in summer 2007, welcoming 40,000 Scouts from nearly every country in the world.

Brilliant uncirculated 50 pence coin in a commemorative folder.

$15.95 CDN

Read the Newsletter about Robert Baden-Powell in the siege of Mafeking.

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