History of Scouting

An Overview of Scouting History in

the US and World
2003
Michael R. Brown
 Why Is This Important?
• Our fraternity is based on Scouting principles.
• Our founders were all involved in Scouting.
• In 1932, the BSA National Committee approved
APO as an ‘official’ program. We have been
listed in BSA literature since.
• Until 1967, we required Scouting involvement for
membership.
• Many of our Brothers come to our fraternity
because of their and our Scouting background.
• Those who don’t have this background may not
understand what Scouting is all about.
 What Is Scouting?
• A program of character building and
citizenship based in the out-of-doors.
• Program is used world-wide, with programs
geared to specific age and gender groups.
• It is based on a Scout Promise and Scout
Law.
• Each country customizes it to their culture,
but still adheres to fundamental principles.
 Fundamental Principles
• The Scout Movement is:
A voluntary non-political education movement
for young people, open to all without
distinction of origin, race, or creed, in
accordance with the purpose, principles
and method conceived by the Founder.
-(World Organization of the Scout Movement)
 Fundamental Principles
• Scouting is…
– A Movement
– Voluntary
– Non-political
– Educational
– For young people
– Open to all (who are willing to adhere to its
purpose, principle, and method).
 Fundamental Principles
• Purpose of the Scout Movement:
To contribute to the development of young people
in achieving their full physical, intellectual,
social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as
responsible citizens and as members of their
local, national and international communities.
-(World Organization of the Scout Movement)
 Fundamental Principles
• Principles of the Scout Movement:
– “Duty to God”
– “Duty to Others”
– “Duty to Self”
– Adherence to a Promise and Law
• All member groups must abide by this
-(World Organization of the Scout Movement)
 Fundamental Principles
• Elements of the Scout Method:
– A Promise and Law
– Learning by Doing
– Patrol (or team) System
– Symbolic Framework
– Personal progression
– Nature
– Adult Support
Aims of Scouting

• Character Development
• Citizenship Training
• Personal Fitness

-(Boy Scouts of America)

 Methods of Scouting
CUB SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS VENTURERS
Ideals Ideals Ideals
Den Patrol Method Group Activities
Activities Outdoor Program High Adventure
Advancement Advancement Recognition
Family Involvement Adult Association Adult Association
Home &
Neighborhood
Centered
Personal Growth Teaching Others
Leadership Leadership
Development Development
Uniform Uniform
 Methods of Scouting
Scout Oath (or Promise)
"On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight”
-BSA
 Methods of Scouting
Scout Law

• TRUSTWORTHY • OBEDIENT
• LOYAL • CHEERFUL
• HELPFUL • THRIFTY
• FRIENDLY • BRAVE
• COURTEOUS • CLEAN
• KIND • REVERENT
Methods of Scouting

SCOUT MOTTO
Be Prepared

SCOUT SLOGAN
Do a Good Turn Daily
Methods of Scouting
SCOUT HANDSHAKE

SCOUT SIGN
 Methods of Scouting
• Four Goals of Girl Scouting
– Developing Self-potential
– Relating to Others
– Developing Values
– Contributing to Society
 Methods of Scouting
Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law
 Methods of Scouting
Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I saw and do, and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout
Scout Emblem: World Crest
• Based on fleur-de-lis (trefoil)
• Used on compass: points the
way.
• Three points are three points of
scout oath: Duty to God, others,
and self (obeying Law & Oath).
• Band around the three points
symbolizes world brotherhood.
• The rope symbolizes unity, the
knot strength of world scout
unity.
• Purple denotes leadership and
service, white purity.
Scout Emblem: BSA’s emblem
• Based on fleur-de-lis (trefoil)
• Used on compass: points the
way
• Stars are truth & knowledge
• Three points are three points
of scout oath: Duty to God,
country and others, and self
• Scroll represents smile, has
Scout motto on it, knot
represents good turn
Guide Emblem: World Trefoil
• Based on trefoil
• Three leaves are three fold
promise: duty to God, country
and others, and self
• Stars are Promise and Law
• Flame represents love of
humanity
• Pointed vein is compass point
showing the way
• Gold & Blue: sun shining
over all the children of the
world
 Founders
• Robert Baden-Powell
• Ernest Thompson Seton
• Dan Beard
• William Boyce
• James E. West
• Olave Baden-Powell
• Juliette Low
 Other Important Characters
• E. Urner Goodman
• H. Roe Bartle
• William Hillcourt
• Norman Rockwell
 Robert S.S. Baden-Powell

• Baden-Powell is considered the Founder of

Scouting.
• Born 1857 in England.
• Attended Charterhouse. Was a poor student, but
had good dramatic and artistic skills. Learned
outdoor skills on own and on trips with older
brothers.
• Entered military service in 1876 as a sub-
lieutenant.
 Baden-Powell

• Served 8 years in India.

• Assigned to Africa. Used his outdoor skills
as a military scout during the Zulu uprising.
• Assigned to Malta. Served as intelligence
officer.
• Started to write Aids to Scouting to teach
others his scouting skills. Taught in small
groups called ‘patrols’.
 Baden-Powell
• Baden-Powell’s “Scouting” program was
very radical.
– Men were in small groups under leadership of
one of their own, not an officer.
– Method of training was by games and activities,
not drilling.
– What was being taught was self-reliance and
independence, and thinking on your own.
 Baden-Powell
• As a colonel during the Boer War in 1899,
defended Mafeking during a 217 day siege.
• His actions made him a hero to the British
people and promotion to Major General.
• Unknown to B-P, his Aids to Scouting
became a popular book, and many used it to
teach youth.
• Remained in Africa to establish South
African Constabulary.
 Baden-Powell
• After returning to England, was inspired to
re-write military manual into something
more suitable to youth. Used Seton and
Beard’s work as inspiration.
• Tried out his “scheme” in August, 1907
with weeklong camp at Brownsea Island
with 22 boys from different backgrounds.
• Success lead to publication of Scouting for
Boys in 1908 in six parts.
 Baden-Powell
• Established Boy Scout Association in 1908.
• Knighted in 1909 for his military service.
• Retired from military service in 1910 as a
lieutenant general to start his “second life”.
• Baden-Powell would thus devote the
remainder of his life to Scouting, both in the
UK and world-wide.
 Baden Powell
• Established Girl Guide Association in 1910.
• Would met and marry Olave Soames in
1912.
• Proclaimed Chief Scout of the World, at first
World Scout Jamboree in 1920.
• In 1929, made a peer for establishing
Scouting. First Baron of Gilwell, Gilwell
being center of scout leader training (Wood
Badge).
 Ernest Thompson Seton

• Artist, Naturalist, Author.

• 1860-1946.
• Established Woodcraft Indians in 1902, a
program for boys based on American Indian
Lore. Program spread to a few countries.
• Merged Woodcraft Indians into BSA in
1910, became BSA’s Chief Scout.
 Ernest Thompson Seton
• Wrote first Boy Scout handbook, a combination of B-Ps
work and his own Birch Bark Rolls.
• Wanted BSA’s highest award to be called Wolf Scout.
Called Eagle Scout instead.
• Left BSA in 1915. Disagreements as to why.
• Re-established Woodcraft League, now for boys and
girls. Organization died in late 1940s, but program
lives on in other groups.
• Some works: Wild Animals I Have Known, Two Little
Savages, Rolf in the Woods, Birch Bark Rolls, Book of
Woodcraft, and many more.
 Daniel Carter Beard

• Writer, Artist, Naturalist.

• 1850-1946.
• Established Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905,
later in 1909 the Boy Pioneers, a program
for boys based on the American
frontiersman.
• Merged SDB/BP into BSA in 1910, became
BSA’s National Scout Commissioner.
 Daniel Carter Beard

• Known as “Uncle Dan” to many youth, longtime

contributor to Boy’s Life.
• Helped design Boy Scout Uniform and First Class
Badge. Proposed Eagle Scout as BSA’s highest
award.
• A National Honorary member of APO.
• Some works: American Boy’s Handy Book,
illustrated Mark Twain’s Connecticut Yankee in
King Arthur's Court.
 William D. Boyce

• American newspaper publisher.

• Lost in London fog in 1909. A Boy Scout helped
him, without accepting a tip. Learning about
Scouting, brought it to USA and incorporated the
BSA, but had little involvement afterwards.
• Later established Lone Scouts of America for rural
youth in 1915. LSA merged into BSA in 1924 as
Lone Scout program, soon dropping their unique
award system. Lone Scout program still exists
today.
 James E. West

• Attorney working for child’s rights.

• Was orphaned and crippled at early age.
• Chief Scout Executive of BSA, 1910-1943.
• Strong leadership of BSA got it thru the
early years: merger of rival scouting groups,
WWI, first National Jamboree, and more.
• A National Honorary member of APO.
 Olave Baden-Powell
• Olave Soames married B-P in 1912.
• Became involved with Girl Guides,
eventually becoming Chief Guide of Girl
Guides, replacing B-P’s sister, Agnes, in
1918.
• Appointed World Chief Guide in 1930.
• Made Dame Grand Cross of BE, 1932.
• Died in 1977.
 Juliette Low
• Born 1861 in Savannah, GA.
• Founder of Girl Scouts of the USA.
• Befriended B-P in 1911 and learned of
Scouting and Guiding. Involved with
Guides in the U.K.
• Inspired by this, she established the Girl
Scouts in 1912 in Savannah, and dedicated
her life to the movement.
• Died in 1926.
 E. Urner Goodman
• Early Scoutmaster and later Scout Executive in
Philadelphia and Chicago Councils, National
Program Director 1931-51.
• Established Order of the Arrow at council camp at
Treasure Island in 1915.
• Order of the Arrow would became the official
honor society within the BSA.
• OA was inspired by Seton’s work with Woodcraft
Indians.
 H. Roe Bartle

• Became a Scout Executive in 1921 in Wyoming,

later moved to St. Joseph and then Kansas City.
• Our National President from 1931-46.
• Established Mic-O-Say in 1925, a rival program to
OA. This program spread to other councils, and
still exists today in the two he established.
• Later entered public office in the 1950s, retiring as
a scout executive.
 William Hillcourt

• “Green Bar Bill”, “Scoutmaster to the

World.”
• Born Vilhelm Bjerregaard Jensen in
Denmark in 1900.
• A Boy Scout in Denmark, earned Knight-
Scout, highest in Denmark.
• In 1925, started on a world tour with a
scouting theme. In US, worked with the
BSA, and stayed.
 Green Bar Bill
• Started writing and editing Scouting
Magazine.
• Wrote first Handbook for Patrol Leaders.
• Started a column in Boy’s Life aimed at
Patrol Leaders under the byline of “Green
Bar Bill.”
• Introduced Wood Badge, an advanced
leadership program for Scoutmasters, to
BSA.
• Also wrote Scout Field Book and two
editions of the Boy Scout Handbook.
 Green Bar Bill

• “Retired” in 1965.
• Wrote a bio of B-P, World Brotherhood editions
of B-P’s Scouting for Boys and Aids for
Scoutmasters.
• In 1978, wrote new editions of Boy Scout
Handbook bringing back an outdoor orientation as
part of the “All Out for Scouting” program.
Received Silver Buffalo for this work.
• Died in 1992 in Sweden during a world tour, the
day before returning to his homeland.
 Norman Rockwell
• Famous American Illustrator.
• 1894-1978.
• First professional job as Boys’ Life
artist, later art director, 1912-16.
• From 1925-76, did 50 calendars
depicting scouts, establishing for
many the “image” of scouting. First
two done free as a thanks to BSA.
• Would receive a Silver Buffalo for
his work.
 Establishment of BSA
• Boy Scouts of America incorporated in 1910.
• Later, a group under the leadership of Edgar
Robinson of the YMCA brought together almost
all youth organizations to truly create the program.
• Many early “rival” Scouting programs merged
into BSA.
• BSA would get Congressional Charter in 1916.
• BSA is a member of WOSM as the scouting
organization in the USA.
 Historic Highlights
• 1912: BSA purchases Boy’s Life magazine from
scout who started it and made official BSA mag.
• Scouts helped out during WWI
• 1930s: Cub Scouts started, expanded Senior Scout
program started which would include Sea, Air,
and “land” based programs.
• 1932: Schiff Scout Reservation opened in N.J.
• 1935: planned First National Jamboree cancelled
due to infantile paralysis epidemic.
• 1937: First National Jamboree held in D.C.
 Historic Highlights
• 1938 & 1941, Waite Phillips gives land on
his N.M. ranch that becomes Philmont
• During WWII, Scouts gave service to
country: selling war bonds, gathering paper
and scrap metal, victory gardens, messenger
and emergency services, etc.
• After WWII, Scouts helped revise scouting
in other countries thru World Friendship
Fund.
 Historic Highlights

• 1950: Second National Jamboree held in

Valley Forge, PA.
• USPS issues first Boy Scout stamp.
• 1950s: Scouts do Get Out the Vote
campaigns.
• 1960: 50th Anniversary & Fifth National
Jamboree held in Colorado City.
• 1967: BSA hosts twelfth World Jamboree
in Idaho.
 Historic Highlights
• 1970: Project SOAR (Save Our American
Resources) begun.
• 1971: Exploring Program goes co-ed.
• 1972: the “improved” scouting program,
with a more urban emphasis, was
introduced. Membership drops.
• 1973-76: various projects relating to the
Bicentennial are begun.
 Historic Highlights
• Late 70s, the “All Out for Scouting” program
restored a more traditional camping-oriented
program.
• Tiger Cubs, for 7yo, introduced in 1982.
• Varsity Scouts, for 14-17yo, introduced in 1984.
• 1985: 75th Anniversary of BSA. 11th National
Jamboree held at Ft. A.P. Hill, Virginia.
• 1987: begun campaign against 5 unacceptables:
drug abuse, hunger, child abuse, illiteracy, and
youth unemployment. Drugs: A Deadly Game
program, and Youth Protection Training begun.
 Historic Highlights
• 1988: Scouting for Food begun, largest National
Good Turn ever.
• 1989: BSA allows women to hold any volunteer
position.
• 1990s: BSA helps to re-establish scouting in the
former USSR and other former communist
countries.
• 1998-2000: BSA aimed to perform 200 million
hours of service to the community as the Service
to America program. Completes 214 million
hours.
 Establishment of GSUSA

• Girl Scouts of the USA incorporated in

1912. National Organization established in
1915.
• GSUSA would also get Congressional
Charter in 1950
• GSUSA is a member of WAGGGS as the
Girl Scouting organization in the USA
• Today has 300+ Councils, serving 2.7
million girls
 Establishment of Camp Fire
• Established as Camp Fire Girls in Vermont
in 1910 by Luther and Charlotte Gulick.
• Program build around self-reliance and
leadership. Wo-He-Lo (Work, Health,
Love) is their watch word.
• E.T. Seton and his wife, Grace, Dan Beard
and his sister Lina were involved in its
organization. Seton’s Woodcraft Indian
program a great influence on Camp Fire
program.
 Camp Fire
• The BSA viewed Camp Fire as their
counterpart for girls and not the GSUSA.
James West was member of their Executive
Board. Same people involved in both
groups.
• Camp Fire went co-ed in 1975.
• Renamed Camp Fire USA in 2001.
• Today has 125 Councils in 40 states,
serving 630,000 youth.
 Establishment of WOSM
• World Organization of the Scout Movement.
• An international, non-governmental organization
composed of its recognized National Scout
Organizations(NSO), one per country.
• Formed in 1920 as the Boy Scout International
Bureau.
• There are more than 25 million Scouts, young
people and adults, male and female, in 216
countries and territories. Only 7 countries do not
have Scouting!
 World Jamboree

• International gathering of Scouts from around the

world (14-18yo). Around 30,000 attend.
• Held every four years, the next one (21th) will be
in England for the 100th Anniversary of Scouting
in 2007.
• First World Jamboree in 1920 in England.
• BSA hosted the World Jamboree in 1967.
• The fifteenth Jamboree, planned for Iran in 1979,
was “postponed.”
 Other World
Events
• World Moots (for Rovers, 18-25yo) every 4 years.
– Next one in Taiwan in 2004 (the 12th).
• World Youth Forums every 3 years, in
conjunction with World Scout Conference.
– Next one in Tunisia in 2005 (the 9th).
• Jamboree On the Air (JOTA) every year, along
with Jamboree On the Internet (JOTI).
• Runs International Camp in Switzerland.
 Establishment of WAGGGS
• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts.
• An international, non-governmental
organization composed of its recognized
national Guide/Scout organizations.
• Formed in 1928, out of International
Council.
• There are over 10 million Girl Guides and
Girl Scouts in 140 countries.
 BSA Programs

• BSA has three programs: Cub Scouts, Boy

Scouts, Venturing.
• Each program is geared to specific age
groups.
• Has 319 councils serving 3 million boys
and girls.
 Cub Scouts
• Tiger Cubs
– Grade: 1st (~6yo)
– Program based on boy/adult partners
• Cub Scouts
– Grades: 2nd & 3rd (~7-8yo)
– Home and family based program
– Advancement: Bobcat, Wolf, Bear
• Webelos Scouts
– Grades: 4th & 5th (~9-10yo)
– More advanced program leading to Boy Scouts
– Advancement: Webelos, Arrow of Light
 Boy Scout Program
• Traditional Program for Boys 11-17yo.
• Units are called Troops, subdivided into
Patrols.
• Units are youth-led by Senior Patrol
Leaders and Patrol Leaders, adults are more
of counselors.
• Advancement program of Tenderfoot,
Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle
Scout.
 Eagle Scout
• Highest Boy Scout Award.
• Requirements include:
– Earning 21 merit badges.
– Serving in a leadership position.
– Planning and carrying out a community service
project.
• Only 2% of Boy Scouts earn it.
 Venturing Program
• New co-ed program for high school & college age
youth (14-20yo). Replaces Exploring.
• Units are called Venturing Crews, members are
Venturers.
• Youth members fully run program, adults are only
advisors.
• Advancement is Bronze, Gold, Silver, Ranger.
• Sea Scouts, a nautical program established in
1912, is part of this program. Sea Scouts have
advancement of: Apprentice, Ordinary, Able,
Quartermaster.
 2005 National Scout
Jamboree
• July-August, 2005 at Ft A.P. Hill, Virginia.
• 40,000+ participants, several from foreign countries.
• Alpha Phi Omega plans to have a presence there with
a booth manned by APO members.
• Jamborees are held every 4 years, and are large
displays of scouting. This will be the 16 th one. Next
one in 2010, at Ft A.P. Hill, for the 100th Anniversary
of the BSA.
 High Adventure
• Philmont Scout Ranch, 215sqmi ranch in
Cimarron, New Mexico.
• Florida Sea Base in the Florida Keys.
• Northern Tier in Ely, Minnesota.
 Order of the Arrow

• Scouting’s National Honor Society.

• OA is a service organization, like APO, and
also emphasizes leadership.
• Established in 1915 at Philadelphia
Council, soon spread to other councils.
• 1938, made an experimental program.
• 1946, made an official program of BSA.
 Order of the Arrow

• Holds biennial Conferences at college

campuses, 4-5 day event of training and
fellowship. APO usually has a presence.
• National Leadership Seminars, weekend
training events run in various locations.
• Since late 80s, run Trail Crews at Philmont
to build new trails. Recently added
Wilderness Crews at Northern Tier to
build/repair portage trails.
 Wood Badge
• Advanced Adult leader training used world-
wide, but each country’s is different.
• Created by B-P, symbol are small wooden
beads he collected during Zulu uprising.
• In 1970s, added in Leadership Development
from White Stag program. Teaches the 11
skills of leadership.
• Well known and respected leadership
training program, recently revised in the US.
 Silver Buffalo
• Award given at the National level annually to those
who contribute to youth, regardless of their
Scouting association.
• Recipients include: B-P, Beard, Boyce, West, Seton,
Goodman, Bartle, 13 Presidents, Norman Rockwell,
Roger Tory Peterson, Norman Vincent Peale,
Charles Schulz, Generals MacArthur,
Westmoreland, Powell, Burl Ives, Hank Aaron, Milt
Caniff, Neil Armstrong, Bob Hope, Jimmie Stewart,
Irving Berlin, Walt Disney, Charles Lindbergh,
Richard Byrd, and an Unknown Scout.
 GSUSA Program

• Has several age specific programs:

– Daisy 5-6yo
– Brownie 6-8yo
– Junior 8-11yo
– Cadette 11-14yo
– Senior 14-17yo
– Campus Girl Scouts college-based groups
• Studio 2B will soon replace the Cadette &
Senior programs
 Gold Award
• Highest Girl Scout Award, earned by Senior Girl
Scouts.
• Award established in 1980, replacing Golden
Eaglette(1918-39); Curved Bar(1940-63); and
First Class(1963-80).
• Requirements include:
– Earn four Cadette and Senior GS Interest projects.
– Earn Career Exploration Pin.
– Earn Senior Girl Scout Leadership award.
– Earn Senior Girl Scout Challenge pin.
– Planning and carrying out a community service project
of at least 50 hours.
 Camp Fire Program
• Several programs, including Club based ones:
– Starflight: Kindergarten - 2 grades.
– Adventure: 3-5 grades.
– Discovery: 6-8 grades.
– Horizon: 9-12th grades.
• Wohelo Award- Camp Fire’s highest honor, ~200
earned per year. Requires completing four
"Reflections" and advocate for improved social
conditions.
 Resources
• BSA web site www.scouting.bsa.org
• GSUSA web site www.gsusa.org
• CampFire web site www.campfireusa.org
• WOSM www.wosm.org
• WAGGGS www.wagggs.org
• US Scouting Service project www.usscouts.org
• Order of the Arrow www.oa-bsa.org
 References
• The Boy-Man, by Tim Jeal, 1990
• Baden-Powell--The Two Lives of a Hero, by
William Hillcourt with Olave Baden-Powell, 1964
• The Chief: Ernest Thompson Seton and the
Changing West, by H. Allen Anderson, 1990
• Boy Scouts: An American Adventure, Robert
Peterson, 1985
• History of the Boy Scouts of America, William D.
Murray, 1937.
 References
• A Thing of the Spirit: The Life of E. Urner
Goodman, Nelson Block, 2000.
• Brotherhood of Cheerful Spirit: A History of the
O.A., 3rd ed, 2000.
• A History of Wood Badge in the US, 1988.