INFO SCOUT

Empowering Young People as Global Citizens

Scouting promotes the growth and development of young people both as individuals and citizens through its programmes and initiatives. It is an educational movement committed to ensuring that each new generation of young people has the opportunity to realise their full potential as leaders in their community and the world.

Scouting’s non-formal educational approach aims to equip young people with the skills and competencies that enable these ideals. Through the Youth Programme, Scouting supports young people to become active citizens who are committed to being of service by being solutions-oriented and focused on creating positive change.

A Unique Educational Experience

As a non-formal educational Movement, Scouting continues to explore new ways that contribute to the development of young people. Scouting’s unique educational approach includes learning through fun activities, outdoor engagements, and meaningful experiences that challenge and encourage young people to gain confidence, courage, and enjoy their journey of growth within a structured system.

Scouting's learner-centred approach appreciates that each youth member is a unique individual who has the potential to develop in many and different ways. By taking into account various age groups, Scouting is specifically designed to stimulate the discovery and development of individuals at their own pace.

HomeScouting: The World's Leading Educational Youth Movement We are a global youth movement for change! Scouting prepares young people with the life and leadership skills to reach their full potential, and serve their communities by tackling the most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges facing our planet.

Scouting’s History

More than 500 million young people and adults have taken part in Scouting since its inception over a century ago. Each joined the Movement to be active citizens and create positive change in their communities.

Today, Scouting is the world's leading educational youth movement with over 57 million Scouts in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Through its unique combination of education, adventure and fun, Scouting continues to be an inspiration for young people to become active citizens who are engaged in creating a better and more sustainable world.

1907 - 1908

Early Beginnings

Scouting began as a programme for boys aged 11 to 18.
1907: The first experimental camp organised by Robert Baden-Powell with 20 boys at Brownsea Island, United Kingdom was a great success.
1908: Baden-Powell published “Scouting for Boys”, which was an immediate hit and has since sold over 100 million copies.

1909 - 1918

Expansion of the Scout Movement

1909: "Scouting for Boys" was translated into five languages. It produced a Movement that quickly adopted the name “The Boy Scouts”.
1909: A Scout rally in London attracted more than 11,000 Scouts.
1910: Baden-Powell started the Girl Guides under the leadership of his sister, Agnes.
1914: The Patrol System was established to ensure the stability of Scouting through World War I, as Patrol Leaders volunteered in place of adult leaders.
1916: Cub Scouts was started for boys under the age of 11, supported by the publication of the “Wolf Cub’s Handbook” and using Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” as a framework.
1918: Rover Scouts was formed for older boys and young adults.

1919 - 1922

Scouting’s World Events and Governance

1920: The first World Scout Conference (then known as the International Scout Conference) took place during the first World Scout Jamboree in London, United Kingdom, with 33 National Scout Organizations in attendance.
1920: The World Scout Bureau (then known as the Boy Scouts International Bureau) was established in London, United Kingdom.
1922: The 2nd World Scout Conference was held Paris, France, with 31 National Scout Organizations represented. Global membership stood at just over 1 million Scouts.
1922: The first World Scout Committee (then Boy Scouts International Committee) was elected.

1914 - 1945

The World Wars

Between the two world wars, Scouting continued to flourish, except in totalitarian regions where Scouting activities were banned. In occupied countries and in those with totalitarian regimes, Scouting continued in secret with Scouts playing important roles in the resistance and underground movements.
Scouts supported their countries through the world wars by feeding the hungry and helping the injured. In some places, Seas Scouts acted as coast guards.

1945 - 1980

The Evolution of Scouting

1947: World Organization of the Scout Movement was granted General Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO).
1960-1980: Many countries gained their independence, resulting in National Scout Organizations joining or rejoining as members of World Organization of the Scout Movement.
1980-2007: Scouting re-emerged in every country where it had existed before World War II and started across newly independent countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States following the Cold War.
Scouting in developing countries gradually evolved into a Youth Programme, which was designed by local Scout leaders to better meet the needs of their communities.
Scouts became more involved with social, economic, and environmental issues in their communities and countries.

2007

A Century of Scouting

The Scout Movement celebrated its 100th anniversary by returning to its roots in the United Kingdom for the 21st World Scout Jamboree.
On 1 August, millions of Scouts from around the world celebrated the Scout Movement and its growth from humble beginnings to becoming a global Movement with millions of members in nearly every country around the world.

2010 - 2020

Promoting Peace and Sustainability

Scouting continued to expand its membership - reaching even remote islands in the Pacific and Caribbean - while innovating and adapting its educational offerings to reflect the current needs and aspirations of young people.
2011: The Messengers of Peace initiative was created to promote peace building and support Scouting’s impact on local communities.
2018: Scouts for SDGs was launched with the aim of engaging the Scout Movement in making the world’s largest coordinated youth contribution to the SDGs.
2020: The Earth Tribe was launched as a global youth community for environmental action and to enable young people to tackle the impacts of climate change.

2020 - 2022

Global Pandemic

2020-2022: Scouts around the world showed the Movement's resilience by taking action to support their communities and adapting to global restrictions through virtual and at-home programmes.
2020: The Global Youth Mobilization was launched in an effort to support the development of young people in a post-pandemic world. It is as a partnership with the Big 6 Youth Organisations, which is comprised of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Association, World Young Women’s Christian Association, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.