Birth of Scouting

Baden-Powell set to work to rewrite his book for a younger readership and in 1907 he held an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, to try out his ideas. He brought together 22 boys, some from public schools and some from working class homes, and put them into camp under his leadership.

The Brownsea Island Camp, 1907

Scouting for Boys

'Scouting for Boys' was published in 1908 in six fortnightly parts at 4d a copy. Sales of the book were tremendous and boys formed themselves into Scout Patrols to try out his ideas.

The front cover of 'Scouting for Boys'

What had been intended as a training aid for existing organisations became the handbook of a new and, ultimately, worldwide Movement. Baden-Powell’s great understanding of boys obviously touched a fundamental chord in the youth both in this country and others too. 'Scouting for Boys' has since been translated into many different languages and dialects. Without fuss, without ceremony and completely spontaneously, boys began to form Scout Troops all over the country. In September 1908, Baden-Powell set up an office to deal with enquiries pouring in about the Movement.

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