Scouting is a youth movement that originated in England in the early 20th century, thanks to the vision of its founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a British army officer. Baden-Powell had extensive experience of survival in the wilderness, not least thanks to his experiences during the Boer War in South Africa. He quickly became convinced of the need to teach young people the skills needed to live independently in the wilderness.
In 1907, Baden-Powell organized a scout camp on Brownsea Island in southern England to test his idea. The camp was a resounding success and encouraged Baden-Powell to write a book entitled « Scouting for Boys »,wich became a bestseller and popularized the movement worldwide.
Scouting spread rapidly throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Over the years, Scouting has seen many milestones. In 1920, the first worldwide Jamboree took place in Olympia, England, bringing together over 8,000 Scouts from 34 different countries. This historic event was followed by numerous other World Jamborees, enabling young people from all over the world to meet and exchange ideas.
During la World war II, Scouting was banned in many countries occupied by Nazi Germany, as the authorities considered the movement a threat to their regime. Scouts, however, continued to meet in secret and resist the occupiers, helping to liberate their country.
After the war, Scouting became even more popular, with millions of members worldwide. In 1957, the first World Jamboree outside Europe took place in the Philippines, attracting over 12,000 Scouts from 85 different countries.
Today, scouting continues to be a dynamic and vibrant movement, with millions of members worldwide. For example, in 2019, Scouting in Belgium had around 180,000 members for a total population of around 11 million. This figure represents one of the highest penetration rates for scouting in the world.
Scouts and Guides learn practical skills and important values, while having fun and making friends. Scout camps, hike/raids and outdoor activities are highlights for young people, enabling them to discover nature and challenge themselves. Scouting has also evolved to adapt to the realities of the modern world, with activities focusing on sustainable development and global citizenship.
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