Scouts Founder's Day

On January 24, 1908, the Scouting movement began in England with the publication of the first part of the book scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell. The name Baden-Powell was well known to many British schoolboys, and thousands of boys eagerly bought this notebook. By the end of April, all parts of Boy Scouts had been published, and many Boy Scout groups were quickly appearing all over England. Every February 22nd is Scouts Founder's Day, celebrated to honor the founder of the scouting movement, Baden-Powell.

The purpose of the Scout movement, proposed by the founding father of Baden-Powell in 1907, is a method of education besides school, to help the child mature fully, become an understanding, capable person who have a moral, a strong body, have a clear mind, become a useful citizen for society, or for the country where you live. This movement is for everyone. Regardless of race, culture, country, regardless of income of each family.

The Scout Movement has been preserved since 1907 because of their mastery of the following basic principles. This is a non-political, purely educational organization. This is a completely independent organization. Independence is very important in Scouting. A scouting unit, from a team, to a group, to a federation or to a region or a country, must be independent. Due to its independence, it develops very fully, not affected by opposing forces, or not suitable for Scouting.

In 1900, Baden-Powell became a national hero in Britain after defending Mafeking for 217 days during the South African War. Soon after, Aids to Scouting, the military manual he wrote for British soldiers in 1899, attracted many young readers. The boys enjoyed the lessons in tracking and observing, and used the book to organize complex games. Knowing this, Baden-Powell decided to write another handbook on the demilitarized field for young people, which also emphasized the importance of morality and good deeds.

First, however, he wanted to test his ideas on a group of boys. On July 25, 1907, a group of 21 teenagers were taken by Baden Powell to Brown Sea Island in Dorset shire, where they camped for two weeks. With the support of other instructors, he taught the boys about camping, observation, reasoning, woodworking, sailing, lifesaving, patriotism, and chivalry. Many of these lessons are delivered through creative games the kids love. So the first Boy Scout Camp was a great success.

With the success of the Boy Scouts Movement, Baden-Powell established the Boy Scouts Center office, which registers new Scouts and designs uniforms. By the end of 1908, there were 60,000 Scouts, and these groups began to mushroom in the countries of the British Commonwealth. In September 1909, the first national Boy Scout Camp was held at Crystal Palace, London. Ten thousand scouts showed up, including a group of schoolgirls in uniform calling themselves Girl Scouts. In 1910, Baden-Powell founded the Girl Guides organization, which operated separately from the Boy Scouts.

The American version of the Scout movement dates back to an event that happened in London in 1909. When William Boyce got lost in the fog, This Chicago publisher was helped by a Boy Scout. After guiding Boyce to where he needed to go, the boy refused his payment, explaining that as a Boy Scout he would not accept money for a good deed. This gesture inspired Boyce to combine several national youth organizations in the US, notably Woodcraft Indians and Sons of Daniel Boone, into the Boy Scouts of America. On February 8, 1910, Boy Scouts of America was founded, the movement soon spread throughout the country. In 1912, the Girl Scouts of America was founded by in Savannah, Georgia.

In 1916, Baden-Powell organized the Wolf Cubs, which Americans call the Cub Scouts, for boys under the age of 11. Four years later, the first World Boy Scout Jamboree (1st Boy Scout Jamboree) was held in London, and Baden-Powell was awarded the title of Chief Scout of the world.

Many statistics about Scouting show that, at present, more than 40 million young people, boys and girls in more than 200 countries and regions are members of the movement. About 500 million people have been scouts in their lifetime. Since the first World Scout Jamboree in 1920, 22 such meetings have been held continuously almost every four years, at various locations around the world (The World Scout Meeting was only interrupted between 1937 and 1947 due to World War II.)

According to many observers, thanks to a very unique educational method associated with play, nature, adventure, towards universal values ​​of humanity, on the basis of awakening spiritual consciousness, with which Scouting is constantly renewing and adapting to a constantly changing world, to meet the needs of global youth. Scouting is a great inspiration to young people who want to become active citizens, contributing to society from local to global scale, with the desire to join hands to build a better world.

The Origin of Scouts Founder's Day

Scouts Founder's Day is celebrated every year on February 22, after Baden Powell's birthday. He is the core, the father of the Scout movement. Today, the statue of Robert Baden-Powell is located in the south of England.

Bi Pi (Baden Powell) is the affectionate name that all Scouts all over the world give to Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell, the founding leader of the world Scouting movement.

Baden Powell’s birthday on February 22, 1857 in London (England). Baden-Powell is a compound name of Baden Powell's father and mother. Baden Powell's father is a pastor and professor at the University of Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in England. Baden Powell's mother was the daughter of Admiral William Smyth.

Through the famous battle of Mafeking in 1900, Baden Powell's army was surrounded by more than 8000 Boer troops, seemingly losing the battle. Thanks to Baden Powell's wise leadership, especially the help of the youth forces in spreading the message, Baden Powell held out for 217 days and eventually turned defeat into victory. Lord Baden - Powell becomes a hero, and is promoted to General.

Realizing the strong spirit and energy of young people through the battle of Mafeking, Baden Powell decided to establish a Scout organization, to gather and guide young people to become useful people for society. In 1907 Baden Powell and the first 22 Scouts met on Brown sea Island, England. In 1908, Baden Powell published the book "Scouting for Boys", with the main content of popularizing methods of self-training for teenagers.

In 1910, the Girl Scout movement was founded by Mrs. Agnes Baden Powell, sister of Baden Powell. In 1012, Baden Powell married Miss Olave St.Claire Soames - who coincidentally shares the same birthday on February 22 as Baden Powell - and Mrs. Olave Baden Powell and her husband's sister contributed much to the construction of the applications of Girl Scout. Since then, Scouting has become an educational movement that attracts young people to participate in activities. Crossing the British border, the Scouting movement quickly spread all over the world. Over the past hundred years, the Scouting movement has been maintained and developed strongly in many countries.

February 22 every year, is chosen as Scouts Founder's Day or "Baden Powell' Day" to celebrate the birth of the couple Baden Powell. On this day, Scouting units often hold a memorial ceremony for the founder of the world Scouting movement, and it is also an opportunity for Scouts to review together the Three Scout Promises they made when they joined into Movement.

Observing Scouts Founder's Day

On Scouts Founder's Day, you are encouraged to share your insights about the Scouting movement, or about Baden Powell, its founder. In addition, you are encouraged to take the time to review your Scouting promises upon joining. Share information with hashtag #ScoutsPowellDay.