The Scouting Portal
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth social movement employing the Scout method. It is a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and encouraging equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.
In 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British Army held a Scouting encampment on Brownsea Island in England. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys (London, 1908), partly based on his earlier military books. The Scout Movement of both Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (renamed to Girl Scouts in some countries) was well established in the first decade of the twentieth century. Later, programs for younger children, such as Wolf Cubs (1916), now Cubs, and for older adolescents, such as Rovers (1918), were adopted by some Scout organizations. In 1910, Baden-Powell formed the Girl Guides, for girls in the United Kingdom which spread internationally as Girl Guides and includes age programs of (Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Ranger Guide).
In 2007, Scouting and Guiding together had over 38 million members in 216 countries. International umbrella organizations include: World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), for boys-only and co-educational organizations: World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), primarily for girls-only organizations but also accepting co-educational organizations, World Federation of Independent Scouts, World Organization of Independent Scouts, Order of World Scouts, International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe, and Confederation of European Scouts. (Full article...)
Selected article -
The World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS) is a non-governmental international Scouting organization with over 7 million members in 151 affiliated Scout organizations in 65 countries. WFIS was formed in Laubach, Germany, in 1996 by Lawrie Dring, a British Scouter with the independent Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA).
The World Federation of Independent Scouts is open to any Scouting association that is not affiliated with another international organization. WFIS requires that member associations "follow, and use, Baden-Powell's original program, traditions, uniforms, morals, ethics, and structure as laid out in Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys," amended only for "health, environmental, first-aid, and safety reasons." (Full article...)
Selected picture
-
Mafeking Cadets, one of the many inspirations of the Scouting Movement -
The 8th Indonesian National Rover Moot - Prambanan Temple-Yogyakarta July 8-17 2003 -
A happy Cub Scout holds a winning pine car -
A Czech Scout camp at 19th World Scout Jamboree 1999 -
Polish Boy Scouts fighting in the Warsaw Uprising -
Sioux: Ohiyesa, (pronounced Oh hee' yay suh), February 19, 1858 - January 8, 1939) was a Native American author, physician and reformer. He was active in politics and helped found the Boy Scouts of America. -
The Tooth of Time, a landmark at Philmont Scout Ranch -
Portuguese Girl Scouts at the 21st World Scout Jamboree, Jul 28, 2007, England -
This postage stamp was issued in 1978 to celebrate 50 years of Girl Guiding in the Faroe Isles. This year will mark their 80th anniversary. -
Boy Scouts take to the streets in New York City, 1917 -
First Gilwell Wood Badge in the Netherlands, July 1923 -
Yang Huimin (simplified Chinese: 杨惠敏; traditional Chinese: 楊惠敏) was a Chinese Girl Guide during the battle of Shanghai. -
Commemorative stone marking the site of the first Scout encampment at Brownsea Island, England, held Aug 1-9, 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell -
American Boy Scouts at summer camp in 2002. In the front row, the first three boys have made Eagle Scout and the 4th is one requirement away. -
-
British Guiana Scout leaders, April 1954 -
Rohwer Relocation Center, McGehee, Arkansas. A 5-day Boy Scout Camp on the bank of the Mississippi River was composed of nearly a hundred boys from the Rohwer Center, a few less form the Jerome Center, together with a small troop from the nearby town of Arkansas City. -
Cub Scouts of Hong Kong at Scout Rally having fun, Nov 2005 -
Scouts in Virginia, USA having fun, like Scouts from all over the world do outdoors -
Girl Scouts in the Central African Republic -
The first Scout encampment, Aug 1-9, 1907, Brownsea Island -
Sculpture erected in 1982 to commemorate the 1979 Jamboree at Perry Lakes Western Australia and 75 years of Scouts. -
Frederick Russell Burnham one of biggest influences on the founding of Scouting. -
Wood Badge beads and neckerchief. Wood Badge is the premier Boy Scout adult leader training course. A holder of the Wood Badge is a leader highly trained and dedicated Scout leader. -
Lovely sunrise at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico -
-
1996 World Rover Moot -
-
Preparing the pancakes before the arrival of the children for the evening dinner during the summer camp of the Dutch Student Rover crew Delftsche Zwervers for children in special education. Because pancakes are considered to be a feast meal for children, this is served on the last evening dinner of this camp. -
Memorial stone on Brownsea Island commemorating the first Scout encampment, Aug 1-9, 1907, Brownsea Island -
Lady Olave Baden-Powell, wife of Lord Baden-Powell and founder of Girl Guides/Scouts -
Boy Scouts of America uniform circa 1917-1918 -
Boy Scouts canoeing on the Blackwater River, Virginia -
-
Scouting friends from around the world at the 21st World Scout Jamboree, Aug 01, 2007, England -
Scouts camping at the hallowed ground of Scouting, Gilwell Park, England in the summer of 2006
Did you know
- ...that Bhumibol Adulyadej, the longest reigning king in Thai history, was awarded the Bronze Wolf in 2006?
- ...that Olave Baden-Powell is one of only two people who were awarded a gold-colored Silver Fish award?
- ...that the Internationale Musische Werkstatt (International Creative Workshop, IMWe) is run by the Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder (VCP)?
- ...that Piet J. Kroonenberg took part in the events of A Bridge Too Far?
- ...that Edgar Cunningham was one of the first African-American Eagle Scout?
Related portals
WikiProjects
Selected biography -
William Hillcourt (August 6, 1900 – November 9, 1992), known within the Scouting movement as "Green Bar Bill", was an influential leader in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization from 1927 to 1992. Hillcourt was a prolific writer and teacher in the areas of woodcraft, troop and patrol structure, and training; his written works include three editions of the BSA's official Boy Scout Handbook, with over 12.6 million copies printed, other Scouting-related books and numerous magazine articles. Hillcourt developed and promoted the American adaptation of the Wood Badge adult Scout leader training program.
Hillcourt was Danish but moved to the United States as a young adult. From his start in Danish Scouting in 1910 until his death in 1992, he was continuously active in Scouting. He traveled all over the world teaching and training both Scouts and Scouters, earning many of Scouting's highest honors. His legacy and influence can still be seen today in the BSA program and in Scouting training manuals and methods for both youth and adults. (Full article...)
Selected anniversaries - February
Scout Sunday
- annual – This is often the first Sunday of the month, but could be any Sunday in February; it varies by unit and locale. Scouts go to their places of worship in uniform and help with the service. Commonly referred to as "Scout Sunday".
8th
- 1910 – The Boy Scouts of America is formed in Washington, DC.
22nd
- 1857 – Birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, "BP", the founder of Scouting. February is Scouting's anniversary month, all over the world.
- 1889 – Birthday of Olave Baden-Powell, wife of "BP", World Chief Guide; BP and Olave shared a birthday!
28th
- 2008 – First World Scout Winter Games
General images
-
A kudu horn (from Wood Badge) -
MacLaren Tartan (from Wood Badge) -
King Dinuzulu, wearing what is possibly the necklace from which the original Wood Badge beads came (from Wood Badge) -
Santa and Scouts in Snow (1913), one of many Boys' Life covers (from Scouting in popular culture) -
Princess Mary and Girl Guides, 1922 (from Girl Guides) -
Smokey Bear with members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Fire Girls celebrating the 50th anniversary of their founding in 1910 (from Scouting in popular culture) -
Gilwell Leiderscursus, The Netherlands July 9–21, 1923 (from Wood Badge)
-
Wood Badge with three beads (training staff) and Gilwell scarf and woggle (from Wood Badge) -
First Wood Badge training at Gilwell Park (from Wood Badge) -
Eerste Nederlandsche Meisjes Gezellen Vereeniging (First Dutch Girls Companions Society), 1911, first Dutch Girl Guides (from Girl Guides) -
Scouts doing a good deed (from Scout method) -
Singing Girl Guides in Germany, 2007 (from Girl Guides) -
-
Australian Scouting stamp (from Scouting in popular culture) -
British Scouts in Detroit, July 1942 (from Scout method) -
Baden-Powell (from Scout method) -
A Finnish Gilwell Woggle (from Wood Badge) -
Four American Wood Badgers with insignia (from Wood Badge)
Scouting by region
World Organization of the Scout Movement:
- Africa Scout Region
- Arab Scout Region
- Asia-Pacific Scout Region
- Eurasian Scout Region
- European Scout Region
- Interamerican Scout Region
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts:
Topics
| Scouting and Guiding in Africa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign states |
|  |
| Dependencies and other territories |
| |
Italics indicate an unrecognised or partially recognised country. | ||
| Scouting and Guiding in Asia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign states |
|  |
| Dependencies and other territories |
| |
Italics indicates an unrecognised or partially recognised country. 1 Also included within another continent. | ||
| Scouting and Guiding in North America | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign states |  | |
| Dependencies and other territories | ||
| Scouting and Guiding in Oceania | |
|---|---|
| Sovereign states | |
| Dependencies and other territories | |
| Scouting and Guiding in South America | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sovereign states |  | |
| Dependencies |
French Guiana (France) | |
1Territories also in or commonly considered to be part of North America and/or Central America. 2 Territories also in or commonly considered to be in Antarctica. | ||
Scouting lists
- Age groups in Scouting and Guiding
- List of highest awards in Scouting
- List of notable Eagle Scouts
- List of famous Scouts
- List of Order of the Arrow national events
- List of Scouting memorials
- List of Scouting museums
- List of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts members
- List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members
- Merit badge (Boy Scouts of America)
Subcategories
Recognized content
Featured articles
Former featured articles
Baden-Powell House- Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
- Boy Scouts of America membership controversies
- Brownsea Island Scout camp
- Frederick Russell Burnham
- Eagle Scout
- Gerald Ford
- Gilwell Park
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- History of merit badges (Boy Scouts of America)
- L. Ron Hubbard
- Mackinac Island
- Witold Pilecki
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Terry Sanford
- Scout Association of Hong Kong
- Scouting
Main page featured articles
- Buzz Aldrin (2020-01-20)
- Neil Armstrong (2019-07-21)
- Baden-Powell House (2020-02-08)
- Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (2007-08-01)
- Boy Scouts of America membership controversies (2009-09-26)
- William D. Boyce (2009-06-16)
- Brownsea Island Scout camp (2020-08-01)
- Frederick Russell Burnham (2012-02-09)
- Roger B. Chaffee (2020-02-15)
- Charles Duke (2021-10-03)
- Eagle Scout (2006-11-14)
- Elizabeth II (2012-06-02)
- Gerald Ford (2006-05-06)
- Gilwell Park (2007-05-04)
- Girl Scouts of the USA (2007-10-29)
- E. Urner Goodman (2008-03-28)
- William Hanna (2010-07-14)
- William Hillcourt (2010-08-06)
- History of merit badges (Boy Scouts of America) (2006-02-22)
- Lou Henry Hoover (2024-03-29)
- L. Ron Hubbard (2011-03-13)
- Jim Lovell (2023-03-25)
- Mackinac Island (2010-05-20)
- Witold Pilecki (2005-01-24)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (2006-10-13)
- Terry Sanford (2010-08-08)
- David Scott (2022-06-06)
- Scout Association of Hong Kong (2010-12-13)
- Scouting (2007-02-06)
- Wood Badge (2007-09-18)
Good articles
The Adventures of Totor- Henry Allingham
- William Anders
- David Archuleta
- Béla H. Bánáthy
- Bill Bradley
- Stephen Breyer
- Frederick Russell Burnham
- Gene Cernan
- George Thomas Coker
- Gordon Cooper
- Merian C. Cooper
- Early life of David Lynch
- Arthur Rose Eldred
- Hergé
- James Jabara
- The Jungle Book
- William H. Keeler
- Thomas S. Monson
- North-West Mounted Police
- Order of the Arrow
- Ross Perot
- Witold Pilecki
- Frederick Reines
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Terry Sanford
- Wally Schirra
- Raymond P. Shafer
- Wood Badge (Boy Scouts of America)
Former good articles
Featured lists
Main page featured lists
- List of Eagle Scouts (2012-08-20)
- List of Boy Scout calendar illustrations (2021-02-08)
Featured pictures
-
Buzz Aldrin -
Elizabeth II greets NASA GSFC employees, May 8, 2007 edit -
Guion Bluford -
Gumdrop Meets Spider - GPN-2000-001100 -
Maresuke Nogi, 近世名士写真 其1 - Photo only -
Philip de László - Princess Elizabeth of York - 1933 -
Roger B. Chaffee at a console in the Mission Control Center, Houston, during the Gemini-Titan 3 flight
Picture of the day pictures
-
Buzz Aldrin (2022-07-21)
-
Elizabeth II greets NASA GSFC employees, May 8, 2007 edit (2007-12-30)
-
Guion Bluford (2019-11-22)
-
Gumdrop Meets Spider - GPN-2000-001100 (2025-03-03)
-
Maresuke Nogi, 近世名士写真 其1 - Photo only (2020-09-13)
-
Roger B. Chaffee at a console in the Mission Control Center, Houston, during the Gemini-Titan 3 flight (2021-03-23)
Did you know? articles
1st World Scout Jamboree (2006-09-16)- 3rd World Scout Jamboree (2006-09-22)
- 50-Miler Award (2006-03-23)
- Irena Adamowicz (2008-08-27)
- Buzz Aldrin (2018-12-23)
- William Anders (2022-10-01)
- Béla H. Bánáthy (2008-09-24)
- Harry Brinkley Bass (2006-09-30)
- Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home (2008-05-08)
- Ion Biberi (2023-10-29)
- Black Cap Mountain (2020-06-02)
- Boy Rangers of America (2008-01-04)
- Brownsea Island Scout camp (2006-07-12)
- Russell Adam Burnham (2007-10-16)
- Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp (2012-06-03)
- Camp Pico Blanco (2009-11-20)
- Campfire ash ceremony (2020-08-11)
- Carlton Colville Scouts Memorial (2024-11-11)
- Roger B. Chaffee (2019-07-17)
- Anne Hyde Choate (2007-04-26)
- George Thomas Coker (2006-01-10)
- Gordon Cooper (2019-03-09)
- Merian C. Cooper (2016-12-08)
- Cornwell Scout Badge (2014-02-16)
- Charles Duke (2020-01-09)
- Duty to God Award (2008-08-22)
- Early life of David Lynch (2012-09-25)
- Arthur Rose Eldred (2006-01-19)
- Elizabeth II (2006-04-02)
- Fadjar Harapan (2011-01-05)
- Ferenc Farkas de Kisbarnak (2008-12-27)
- Tom Foley (2004-06-24)
- Gilwell Oak (2018-03-04)
- Ging Gang Goolie (2006-11-24)
- Girl Scout National Center West (2010-10-12)
- Grey Ranks (2005-01-27)
- Growth of a Leader (2015-01-28)
- Józef Haller (2008-01-26)
- William G. Higgs (2010-08-29)
- Historic Trails Award (2010-07-10)
- Josephine Groves Holloway (2019-08-04)
- Lou Henry Hoover (2023-01-23)
- James G. Howes (2010-06-22)
- Humshaugh (2007-02-02)
- Nicolae Iorga (2011-05-23)
- Ivančena (2024-05-14)
- John Work House and Mill Site (2006-09-05)
- Eva Julius (2022-06-25)
- Valdemārs Klētnieks (2020-09-16)
- Koshare Indian Museum and Dancers (2009-12-08)
- Len Lanzi (2020-09-20)
- Wilbert E. Longfellow (2022-07-05)
- Jim Lovell (2021-10-20)
- Mafeking Cadet Corps (2006-05-12)
- Sanford N. McDonnell (2006-03-21)
- Ellie Morrison (2019-11-29)
- Mounted Boy Scout Troop 290 (2012-04-24)
- 2010 National Scout Jamboree (2010-08-20)
- Nkwenkwe Nkomo (2008-10-14)
- Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy (2009-05-29)
- Owasippe Scout Reservation (2006-02-02)
- Oleg Pantyukhov (2006-12-13)
- Margrethe Parm (2022-07-30)
- Sir Arthur Pearson, 1st Baronet (2005-12-12)
- Ross Perot (2020-05-13)
- Robert W. Peterson (writer) (2008-06-11)
- Witold Pilecki (2022-03-04)
- Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (2004-08-06)
- Catherine Pollard (Scouting) (2010-07-12)
- Quartermaster Award (Boy Scouts of America) (2009-06-27)
- Oluf Reed-Olsen (2010-04-04)
- Frederick Reines (2015-03-19)
- Religion in Scouting (2006-12-04)
- Resica Falls Scout Reservation (2006-08-17)
- Edward L. Rowan (2010-07-19)
- Carl Rungius (2008-08-18)
- Izabela Sadoveanu-Evan (2011-05-25)
- Terry Sanford (2022-06-20)
- Faisal bin Abdullah Al Saud (born 1950) (2012-05-23)
- Wally Schirra (2018-10-03)
- David Scott (2019-07-21)
- Scout councils (Boy Scouts of America) (2013-03-16)
- Scouter's Key Award (2010-09-10)
- Scouter's Training Award (2010-09-07)
- Scouting in displaced persons camps (2007-11-07)
- Scouting/USA (2018-03-06)
- Scouting and Guiding in Saskatchewan (2009-03-28)
- The Scoutmaster (2014-06-15)
- Scouts' Day (2006-10-10)
- Silver Fish Award (2006-09-30)
- Silver Knapsack Trail (2010-11-02)
- Bolton Smith (2022-05-28)
- Squirrel Scouts (The Scout Association) (2021-10-04)
- Statue of Liberty (Seattle) (2018-11-08)
- Strengthen the Arm of Liberty (2008-11-11)
- Sturmtrupp-Pfadfinder (2008-01-10)
- Unami Lodge (2007-05-29)
- Valley Forge Pilgrimage (2006-10-30)
- William Verbeck (2020-01-10)
- Vermejo Park Ranch (2008-02-19)
- Frank H. Wadsworth (2022-07-07)
- We, Too, Have a Job to Do (2016-01-04)
- Ye Htoon (2006-12-15)
In the News articles
Henry Allingham (2009-04-01)- William Anders (2024-06-10)
- Neil Armstrong (2012-08-25)
- Stephen Bechtel Jr. (2021-03-17)
- Gene Cernan (2017-01-18)
- Elizabeth II (2015-09-09)
- Tom Foley (2013-10-18)
- Juan Carlos I (2014-06-03)
- William H. Keeler (2017-03-26)
- Little Sioux Scout Ranch (2008-06-12)
- David Lynch (2025-01-16)
- Charles McGee (pilot) (2022-01-17)
- Thomas S. Monson (2018-01-03)
- Ross Perot (2019-07-11)
- Debbie Reynolds (2016-12-29)
Associated Wikimedia
The following Wikimedia Foundation sister projects provide more on this subject:
-
Commons
Free media repository -
Wikibooks
Free textbooks and manuals -
Wikidata
Free knowledge base -
Wikinews
Free-content news -
Wikiquote
Collection of quotations -
Wikisource
Free-content library -
Wikiversity
Free learning tools -
Wiktionary
Dictionary and thesaurus
You must be logged in to post a comment.