5

TheAdventure ofScouting

THE

ADVE

NTU

RE

OF

SCO

UTI

NG

6

The Scout Badge has been worn by over 250 million Scouts sincethe movement was founded and is today still used by 28 millionScouts worldwide. Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting stated �“ourBadge, we took from the �‘North point�’ used on maps. North - Itshows the true way�”. The two five pointed stars stand for truth andknowledge and the rope tied around the basic motif symbolises unityand brotherhood.The colour of the badge is white on a royal purple background - whiterepresents purity and the royal purple denotes leadership.

Welcome to theworldwidemovement ofScouting

The World Scout Badge

Congratulations! You have taken the firststep along the Scouting Trail.Scouting is about working and livingtogether with your friends in Scouting.With the other members of your Patrolyou will undertake many adventuresin the outdoors�‘Bí Ullamh�’ - �‘Be prepared�’ is the Scout motto and this handbook is designedto prepare you for the experienceof Scouting. There aremany skills to master from

simple knots to cooking a meal for yourselfand your Patrol. The longest journey startswith the first step. As you progress throughScouting you will experience manyadventures, each requiring the use of yourScouting skills. Read this handbook fromcover to cover or drop in and out as youneed - it contains all the information yourequire to enjoy your Scouting.

People who are Scouts are likely tobe

Able to solve problems creatively andeffectivelyCapable of being constructive andproductive members of a teamAble to take care of themselves and othersAble to cope with emergenciesAware of and have a deep affinity with theenvironment and the need to conserve itResponsible and capable of assumingleadership with easeAble to live and survive in the openCapable of undertaking challenging andadventurous activities

7

Scouting - an ideaScouting began from an idea conceived byRobert Baden Powell (known as B-P).Baden Powell was an army commanderduring the Boer War at the end of the 19thcentury. While in the army he wrote ahandbook called �‘Aids to Scouting�’ in whichhe outlined a way that soldiers could betrained. So successful was the book and

his idea Baden Powell spent a lot of timeinvestigating the practices of the NativeAmerican Indians, the Zulu Tribes of Africaand the adventures of Cú Chulainn and theRed Branch Knights in Ireland. He wasparticularly interested in the process of youngpeople becoming warriors in their tribes. Ayoung person in the Zulu Tribe was paintedwhite and sent off into the jungle with nothingmore than a spear and a shield and had tolive there until the white paint wore off -

usually a month. In that time the youngperson had to survive in the wilds, build ashelter and hunt animals.By examining these rites and trials ofeach tribe he began to discoverthe wonders of nature and the skills that were

necessary to survive in thewilderness. Using this as thebase he created the concept ofScouting for young peoplewhich includes - adventures inthe out of doors, working withfriends in small groups,learning by doing, service toothers, woodcraft and natureand a Promise and Law.

methods usedthat he turnedhis thoughts toa similarhandbookwhich could beused by youthorganisations.In researching

THE

ADVE

NTU

RE

OF

SCO

UTI

NG

8

The Story ofScoutingScouting began with a camp in August1907 on Brownsea Island in PooleHarbour, England. The camp was part ofan experiment to try out the ideas thatwould appear in B-P�’s new handbook foryoung people entitled �‘Scouting for Boys�’which was to be published in forthnightlyparts in January 1908.20 boys attended the 10 day camp andwere formed into four Patrols - Bulls,Curlews, Ravens and Wolves.Each Patrol took part in a range ofScouting activities which includedcamping, observation, woodcraft,chivalry,saving life, boating and games.Memorable items of the programmeincluded wide games, making twists andbreads using their coats as mixingboards, and �‘whale hunting�’ in Pooleharbour using a log as a whale andtrying to harpoon it from a small boat. Atnight there would be campfires whereBaden Powell related stories and yarnsof his adventures around the world.The Patrol System, that unique feature ofScouting, was firmly established andproven on the camp. The experimentwas a great success and although thefirst great adventure of Scouting wascoming to a close, an even biggeradventure was to begin.

�‘Scouting for Boys�’ was published inJanuary 1908 in fortnightly parts at four-pence a copy. As each issue came onto thenewstands it was snatched up by youngpeople eager to try out the game of Scouting.Before long Patrols of young people startedto form all over the country.By the end of 1909 there were some 60,000young people registered as Scouts. A yearlater there were 100,000.

Brownsea Island camp 1907 (pictured froma model on display in Poole Museum.

Baden Powell at the Brownsea Camp 1907

9

Baden Powell at theBrownsea Camp 1907

Baden Powell beside his tent on BrownseaCamp 1907

Scouting was formed by young peoplecreating Patrols as a result of reading�‘Scouting for Boys�’. Soon after, neighbouringPatrols came together to play the game ofScouting. Adults were asked to help organisesome of the activities and before long Troopsof Boy Scouts started to appear.The first countries outside of Britain to

establish Scouting were those countries thatformed the British Empire.Scouting started in Australia, Ireland, Malta,New Zealand and South Africa towards theend of 1908 and in 1909 in Canada, Chile,India and the USA. There is a story told thatthe founder of American Scouting, W.D.Boyce, was walking through London when

he became lost in a thick fog. Out of the fogcame a small boy who brought him back tohis hotel. On his arrival he thanked the boyand offered him a reward for his services.The young boy refused, saying that he wasa Scout and was doing his good deed for theday, and off he went into the fog again.The next day W.D. Boyce investigatedScouting and brought the idea back toAmerica, forming the Boy Scouts ofAmerica.

THE

ADVE

NTU

RE

OF

SCO

UTI

NG

10

The year 1909 was a remarkable year for Scouting. The first great rally was held at theCrystal Palace in London, and was attended by 11,000 Scouts. Some girls were presentwearing Scout hats and carrying staves and insisting they were Girl Scouts. At first girlswere allowed to register as Scouts but after a period of time, the Girl Guides came intoexistence.

A 3 year old Scout, perhaps a child of aScout Leader, at the salute base in 1909

This picture shows perhaps the first girlscout, taking up the position of PatrolLeader at the 1909 rally

In 1920 the first World Jamboree was held. 8,000 Scoutsfrom 34 countries attended.Since then, the World Jamboree has been held every 4years. It is the highlight of any Scout�’s life to attend suchan event. During the Third World Jamboree in ArrowePark in Birkenhead, each Scout contributed a penny to acollection to buy B-P a wedding present. From themoney collected they presented B-P with a Rolls Roycecar and a specially designed Rolls Royce caravan.

Scout Gatherings

11

Scouting in Ireland�‘B.P.Scouts�’ had come to Ireland within a year or two ofthe 1907 launching of the movement in Britain. By 1910several troops were in existence, most of them wearing auniform of khaki shorts and shirt and the broad rimmedB-P hat. At this time Ireland was part of the UnitedKingdom. The early Troops were very much attached tothe British establishment and Protestant Churches inIreland. After the Free State was formed many peoplesought the formation of a truly Irish Scouting Organisationfor young people.

In 1925 in Greystones, Co.Wicklow, Fr. Ernest Farrell wentinto action running a boysorganistaion based on campingand hiking and other activities of aScouting nature. Later, in 1927,with the assistance of his brotherFr. Tom Farrell, and officialapproval of the Catholic Church,the Catholic Boy Scouts ofIreland was formed.

Throughout the years both ScoutAssociations have worked closely together,exchanging programme material andattending many International Jamborees.In 1965 the Federation of Irish ScoutAssociations was formed which allowedinternational recognition of both Associationsby the World Organistaion of the ScoutMovement (WOSM).

Scouting IrelandIn 1998, serious talks commenced to seekthe establishment of a new Association to becalled Scouting Ireland which wouldcomprise the two Scout Associations for thebetterment of all young people in Ireland.Both agreed to form a new Association andScouting Ireland was formed in January2004.

Log book of a Patrol Hike in the 1950�’s

Fr. Tom Farrell

THE

ADVE

NTU

RE

OF

SCO

UTI

NG

12

World Jamboree Badges

13

THE

ADVE

NTU

RE

OF

SCO

UTI

NG

14

Baden Powell was a keen painter and illustrator and his work is displayedthroughout his handbooks. This work is entitled �‘Scouts of the World�’.

She is a rich and rare land,Oh she�’s a fresh and fair land;She is a dear and rare land,

this native land of mine.

No men than her�’s are braver,Her women�’s hearts ne�’er waver;

I�’d freely die to save her,and deem my lot divine.

She�’s not a dull nor cold land,No, she�’s a warm and bold land;

She is a true and old land,this native land of mine.

Could beauty ever guard her,and virtue still reward her;

No foe would cross her borderNor friend within it pine.

Oh, she�’s a fresh and fair land,Oh, she�’s a true and rare land;Yes she�’s a rare and fair land,

this native land of mine.

Thomas Davis (1814-1845)

Thomas Davis was an Irish writer andpolitician who was the chief organizer and

poet of the Young Ireland Movement. Whileat Trinity College, Dublin, he developed anidea of uniting all creeds and classes in a

vigorous national movement.

A Scout�’s Anthem - �‘A Rich And Rare Land�’