Scouting as we know it began in 1907 when Baden-Powell took 21 young boys on an experimental camp to Brownsea Island, Dorset. He decided to organise this camp because of the large numbers of boys taking an avid interest in his military training manual - 'Aids to Scouting'.

In 1908 B-P wrote 'Scouting for Boys', a version of 'Aids to Scouting' more suited to teenagers, and it was published in six fortnightly editions. Also in 1908 organised Boy Scout Patrols were formed throughout the British Empire and the first official Scout Camp took place at Humshaugh, Northumberland.

The Scouts have a Law, Promise and Motto which are:

The Law

1. A Scouts' honour is to be trusted.

2. A Scout is loyal to The Queen, His Country, His Scouters, His Parents, His Employers and to those under Him.

3. A Scouts' duty is to be useful and help others.

4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what Country, Class or Creed the other may belong.

5. A Scout is courteous.

6. A Scout is a friend to animals.

7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol Leader, or Scout Master without question.

8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.

9. A Scout is thrifty

10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

The Promise

On My Honour I promise,
That I will do my best,
To do My Duty to God and The Queen,
To help other people at all times, and obey The Scout Law.

The Motto

'Be Prepared'

The B-P Scouts follow much the same Training Scheme as laid down by Baden - Powell many years ago:

* Tenderfoot
* Second Class
* First Class
* Scout Cord

The Scouts also have the opportunity to gain the following proficiency badges

(click for details):

Accident Prevention | Air Apprentice | Air Glider | Air Spotter | Aircraft Modeller

Angler | Athlete | Backwoodsman | Bandsman

Basket maker | Bellringer | Bookbinder | Camper | Canoeist | Child Carer |Collector

Conservationist | Cook (Camp) | Cook (Home) | Coxswain | Crime Prevention

Cyclist | Designer | Entertainer | Explorer | Fire Prevention | First Aid | Friendship

Gardener | Guide | Homemaker | Host | Information Technology | Jobman

Joiner | Leather Worker | Lifesaver | Linguist | Marksman | Master-at-Arms

Metal Worker | Music Maker | Needleworker | Oarsman | Observer | Orienteer

Overseas Friendship | Photographer | Pioneer | Piper | Printer | Reader

Rider | Rope Spinner | Scribe | Signaller | Smallholder | Speaker | Sportsman

Starman | Swimmer | Tracker | Weatherman | Wirelessman | Woodcraftsmen

Scout Citizenship Award | Beaver Instructor Badge | Wolf Cub Instructor Badge