Concept in Definition ABC

The term comes from English scouting, which means to explore. This name refers to a movement youth with international projection, the Scout movement. The founder of the same was the British military Robert Baden-Powell. After finishing his race In the army he dedicated himself to disseminating the values ​​of military life, since he understood that these could be useful for young people to lead a healthy life and to withdraw from the delinquency.

In 1907 the first Scout camp was organized on Brownsea Island, with the participation of 20 young people from different social classes.

The basic principles of this movement are outlined in the manual "Scouting for Boys"

Robert Baden-Powell published this work in 1908. Regarding its content, it is inspired by three different sources: his own experiences as a soldier in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), some treatises on instruction that were used by the British Army and a novel Adventures of the writer Rudyard Kipling, "The book of the virgin lands ".

In the book appear the fundamental elements of the Scout movement. Thus, it is affirmed that the activities in the camp help young people lead a healthy life and adopt responsible habits.

Throughout the different chapters all kinds of activities are explained: tracking techniques, setting up bonfires, preparing food in nature, etc. The young people who participate in these camps are organized in patrols and in them cooperation, self-discipline and I respect to the neighbor.

This manual has been translated into more than thirty languages. On the other hand, the activities and values ​​of Scouting have been maintained over time.

Fun facts

In the world there are almost 30 million young people integrated in the Scout movement. However, in some countries Scouting is not allowed (for example, Burma and North Korea)

- The motto of the scouts is "always ready", which was inspired by one of the laws of the Knights of the Round Table.

- The term scouting was introduced in the dictionary of the RAE in 1928.

- Among the famous people who have belonged to the Scout movement we can highlight the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, King Baudouin l of Belgium, Hergé (the creator of Tintin), Jacques Chirac, Benedict XVl, Alejandro Sanz, Kate Moss or the Queen Sofia.

- The scarf folded in the shape of a triangle and tied with a ring is one of the most characteristic symbols of the Scout uniform (the scarf It means that the Scout commits himself to doing a good deed throughout the day and, in order not to forget his objective, this badge is placed on the neck).

Photo Fotolia: Popova Olga