By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Robert Baden-Powell's scouting movement is 100 years old, but how has his advice to young people - written up a year after the first Scout camp - stood up over the years?
By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Robert Baden-Powell's scouting movement is 100 years old, but how has his advice to young people - written up a year after the first Scout camp - stood up over the years?
The 1908 edition of Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell is an extraordinary book that kicked off a movement that has changed the world. Much of it is practical advice not just on camping, survival and the outdoor life, but how to cope with urban emergencies and how to live as a moral upstanding boy in an increasingly immoral world. It seems almost as though no area of life is neglected in the book.
The 1908 edition of Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell is an extraordinary book that kicked off a movement that has changed the world. Much of it is practical advice not just on camping, survival and the outdoor life, but how to cope with urban emergencies and how to live as a moral upstanding boy in an increasingly immoral world. It seems almost as though no area of life is neglected in the book.
Over the years it has undergone many revisions, to make it more international; dropping references to Empire and the superiority of some nations; including advice and activities for girls, and reflecting other changes in thinking.
Over the years it has undergone many revisions, to make it more international; dropping references to Empire and the superiority of some nations; including advice and activities for girls, and reflecting other changes in thinking.
Girls are a key part of the scouting movement now
Girls are a key part of the scouting movement now
And while some of Baden-Powell's advice seems out of place in today's risk-averse society, much of it seems prescient.
And while some of Baden-Powell's advice seems out of place in today's risk-averse society, much of it seems prescient.
Today's equivalent of Scouting for Boys, the Scout Matrix, has concepts that are entirely new, such as how to create a webpage using HTML and surf the internet safely. But it retains the spirit of Baden-Powell's original work.
Today's equivalent of Scouting for Boys, the Scout Matrix, has concepts that are entirely new, such as how to create a webpage using HTML and surf the internet safely. But it retains the spirit of Baden-Powell's original work.
ANIMALS
ANIMALS
SCOUTING FOR BOYS 1908:A scout is friend to animals. He should save them as far as possible from pain and should not kill any animal unnecessarily, even if it is only a fly.
SCOUTING FOR BOYS 1908:A scout is friend to animals. He should save them as far as possible from pain and should not kill any animal unnecessarily, even if it is only a fly.
I have said the 'hunting' or 'going after big game is one of the best things in scouting'. I did not say shooting or killing the game was the best part; for as you get to study animals you get to like them more and more, and you will soon find that you don't want to kill them for the mere sake of killing.
I have said the 'hunting' or 'going after big game is one of the best things in scouting'. I did not say shooting or killing the game was the best part; for as you get to study animals you get to like them more and more, and you will soon find that you don't want to kill them for the mere sake of killing.
Baden-Powell famously led the defence of Mafeking
Baden-Powell famously led the defence of Mafeking
For a man who was the product of an age that wasn't shy about shooting animals for sport alone, Baden-Powell was remarkably far-sighted in his attitudes.
For a man who was the product of an age that wasn't shy about shooting animals for sport alone, Baden-Powell was remarkably far-sighted in his attitudes.
Indeed, the Scout Association likes to look at the original scout as a proto-environmentalist whose life was about getting close to nature and understanding its importance.
Indeed, the Scout Association likes to look at the original scout as a proto-environmentalist whose life was about getting close to nature and understanding its importance.
WATER SENSE
WATER SENSE
Plunge in boldly and look to the object you are trying to attain and don't bother about your own safety.
Plunge in boldly and look to the object you are trying to attain and don't bother about your own safety.
Baden-Powell was outraged by an episode in which a woman drowned in a pond at Hampstead while a crowd looked on. But his advice on emergency situations, and particularly the rescuing of the drowning, seem at odds with today's culture.
Baden-Powell was outraged by an episode in which a woman drowned in a pond at Hampstead while a crowd looked on. But his advice on emergency situations, and particularly the rescuing of the drowning, seem at odds with today's culture.
SCOUT FACTS 20 scouts at 1907 Brownsea Island campNow 28 million globally350,000 girls and boys and 100,000 volunteers in UK alone14% in UK are girlsOnly six countries have no scoutsThese are Cuba, Burma, Laos, China, North Korea and Andorra11 of 12 moon-walking astronauts were scouts
SCOUT FACTS 20 scouts at 1907 Brownsea Island campNow 28 million globally350,000 girls and boys and 100,000 volunteers in UK alone14% in UK are girlsOnly six countries have no scoutsThese are Cuba, Burma, Laos, China, North Korea and Andorra11 of 12 moon-walking astronauts were scouts
For the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), the emphasis is on avoiding jumping in and only even wading as a last resort.
For the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), the emphasis is on avoiding jumping in and only even wading as a last resort.
ROSPA 2007: "You should do everything possible to avoid having to enter the water because experience shows that often the would-be rescuer becomes a casualty. If you have to make a rescue attempt, think of your own safety first and never put yourself in danger. If the rescue is too dangerous, wait until the emergency services arrive. Remember this order: shout, reach, throw, wade."
ROSPA 2007: "You should do everything possible to avoid having to enter the water because experience shows that often the would-be rescuer becomes a casualty. If you have to make a rescue attempt, think of your own safety first and never put yourself in danger. If the rescue is too dangerous, wait until the emergency services arrive. Remember this order: shout, reach, throw, wade."
After shouting for help and sending someone to dial 999, throwing a lifebelt or reaching with a stick or branch is the next step.
After shouting for help and sending someone to dial 999, throwing a lifebelt or reaching with a stick or branch is the next step.
SELF-ABUSE
SELF-ABUSE
Perhaps the most notorious part of Scouting for Boys never actually made it into the published version. Baden-Powell's lengthy injunction against "self-abuse" and the "pleasant feeling in your private parts" was cut out after the publisher suggested it might not be the best idea.
Perhaps the most notorious part of Scouting for Boys never actually made it into the published version. Baden-Powell's lengthy injunction against "self-abuse" and the "pleasant feeling in your private parts" was cut out after the publisher suggested it might not be the best idea.
But Baden-Powell also wrote a section on "continence" for his notes for instructors which in more muted tones warned self-abuse "brings with it weakness of heart and head and if persisted in idiocy and lunacy".
But Baden-Powell also wrote a section on "continence" for his notes for instructors which in more muted tones warned self-abuse "brings with it weakness of heart and head and if persisted in idiocy and lunacy".
As well as dirty talk and magazines, Baden-Powell suggested problems could be caused by rich food and sleeping with too many blankets and advised cold showers and boxing as a possible cure.
As well as dirty talk and magazines, Baden-Powell suggested problems could be caused by rich food and sleeping with too many blankets and advised cold showers and boxing as a possible cure.
Extraordinarily this advice persisted at least until the 1960s.
Extraordinarily this advice persisted at least until the 1960s.
SMOKING
SMOKING
No boy ever began smoking because he liked it but because he thought it made him look like a grown-up man. As a matter of fact it generally makes him look a little ass.
No boy ever began smoking because he liked it but because he thought it made him look like a grown-up man. As a matter of fact it generally makes him look a little ass.
When a lad smokes before he is fully grown up it is almost sure to make his heart feeble, and the heart is the most important organ in a lad's body.
When a lad smokes before he is fully grown up it is almost sure to make his heart feeble, and the heart is the most important organ in a lad's body.
No-one was prepared for the popularity of scouting
No-one was prepared for the popularity of scouting
Although suspicions about the harmful effects of tobacco go all the way back to the 17th Century, in 1908 it was not received wisdom that smoking was bad for you.
Although suspicions about the harmful effects of tobacco go all the way back to the 17th Century, in 1908 it was not received wisdom that smoking was bad for you.
And the notion that smoking harms the heart coincides with much scientific research of the last three decades, such as a recent study that found people under 40 are five times more likely to have a heart attack if they smoke.
And the notion that smoking harms the heart coincides with much scientific research of the last three decades, such as a recent study that found people under 40 are five times more likely to have a heart attack if they smoke.
But for Baden-Powell's choice of vocabulary, this could be straight out of a government anti-smoking campaign today.
But for Baden-Powell's choice of vocabulary, this could be straight out of a government anti-smoking campaign today.
RUNAWAY HORSES
RUNAWAY HORSES
The way to stop a runaway horse is not to run out in front of it and wave your arms, as so many people do, but to try and race alongside it, catch hold of the shaft to keep yourself from falling, and seize the reins with the other hand.
The way to stop a runaway horse is not to run out in front of it and wave your arms, as so many people do, but to try and race alongside it, catch hold of the shaft to keep yourself from falling, and seize the reins with the other hand.
This advice seems to be for a carriage, but Baden-Powell was extremely concerned that boys should know about the 200 runaway horse incidents every year.
This advice seems to be for a carriage, but Baden-Powell was extremely concerned that boys should know about the 200 runaway horse incidents every year.
Today, the British Horse Society says standing in front of a horse and waving may work in some circumstances as may holding on to an animal from the side, but that there will be many circumstances where it is not wise to intervene.
Today, the British Horse Society says standing in front of a horse and waving may work in some circumstances as may holding on to an animal from the side, but that there will be many circumstances where it is not wise to intervene.
"It depends on how dangerous the horse is," says a spokeswoman. "If it is a stallion and it's prone to be vicious you don't want to get in its way."
"It depends on how dangerous the horse is," says a spokeswoman. "If it is a stallion and it's prone to be vicious you don't want to get in its way."
RAIL RESCUE
RAIL RESCUE
Lie flat and make him lie flat too between the rails, and let the train go over us both
Lie flat and make him lie flat too between the rails, and let the train go over us both
Baden-Powell's description of what might pass through your head in the event of someone falling on the tracks was prompted by the general reading in the newspapers of this very event happening at Finsbury Park station, when an Albert Hardwick rescued a woman who was about to be run over by a train.
Baden-Powell's description of what might pass through your head in the event of someone falling on the tracks was prompted by the general reading in the newspapers of this very event happening at Finsbury Park station, when an Albert Hardwick rescued a woman who was about to be run over by a train.
These days, Network Rail is far from keen on anyone doing the same.
These days, Network Rail is far from keen on anyone doing the same.
Baden-Powell admired Edward VIII
Baden-Powell admired Edward VIII
"The train and tracks are live [electrically]. We wouldn't advise anyone to go anywhere near them. The advice would be to raise the alarm with station staff."
"The train and tracks are live [electrically]. We wouldn't advise anyone to go anywhere near them. The advice would be to raise the alarm with station staff."
One key consideration is that while Tube trains have a well beneath the tracks that one might lie in, most of the nation's railways do not.
One key consideration is that while Tube trains have a well beneath the tracks that one might lie in, most of the nation's railways do not.
But Baden-Powell would no doubt have been pleased with the actions of Wesley Autrey, a 50-year-old construction worker who jumped on to the track on the New York Subway in January this year to save a man having a seizure, holding him down and allowing the train to roll overhead. And he would not have been surprised to find Mr Autrey was a former Navy sailor.
But Baden-Powell would no doubt have been pleased with the actions of Wesley Autrey, a 50-year-old construction worker who jumped on to the track on the New York Subway in January this year to save a man having a seizure, holding him down and allowing the train to roll overhead. And he would not have been surprised to find Mr Autrey was a former Navy sailor.
ALCOHOL
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is now shown to be quite useless as a health giving drink and it is mere poison when a man takes too much.
Alcohol is now shown to be quite useless as a health giving drink and it is mere poison when a man takes too much.
It is often difficult to avoid taking strong drinks when you meet friends who want to treat you... But it is a stupid fashion when, in order to prove that you are friends, you have to drink with each other.
It is often difficult to avoid taking strong drinks when you meet friends who want to treat you... But it is a stupid fashion when, in order to prove that you are friends, you have to drink with each other.
Baden-Powell could see the alcopop-fuelled future and was straight onto the role of peer pressure in excessive drinking.
Baden-Powell could see the alcopop-fuelled future and was straight onto the role of peer pressure in excessive drinking.
Today's Scout Matrix is more compromising in its tone, warning against excessive drinking but advising in rather Edwardian tone that the occasional drink may be OK.
Today's Scout Matrix is more compromising in its tone, warning against excessive drinking but advising in rather Edwardian tone that the occasional drink may be OK.
Baden-Powell has been accused of jingoism but scouting had an international flavour
Baden-Powell has been accused of jingoism but scouting had an international flavour
SCOUT MATRIX 2007: "Some parents allow their children to drink alcohol in small quantities at home. A single glass of wine with Sunday dinner perhaps or a glass of beer or cider after a hot afternoon's gardening. This is unlikely to have any adverse effect."
SCOUT MATRIX 2007: "Some parents allow their children to drink alcohol in small quantities at home. A single glass of wine with Sunday dinner perhaps or a glass of beer or cider after a hot afternoon's gardening. This is unlikely to have any adverse effect."
It offers advice on solvent abuse and drugs, not issues for the young people of Baden-Powell's day, but its metaphor for abuse sounds almost as poetic as the master scout himself.
It offers advice on solvent abuse and drugs, not issues for the young people of Baden-Powell's day, but its metaphor for abuse sounds almost as poetic as the master scout himself.
"Even the smoothest running machine will grind to a halt if you pour sand into its works and the same is true of the human body."
"Even the smoothest running machine will grind to a halt if you pour sand into its works and the same is true of the human body."
MAD DOGS
MAD DOGS
Scouting for Boys tells readers faced by a mad dog to hold a stick of a handkerchief in front of them in order to distract the animal while they attempt to subdue it.
Scouting for Boys tells readers faced by a mad dog to hold a stick of a handkerchief in front of them in order to distract the animal while they attempt to subdue it.
You may thus get a chance of landing him a kick under the jaw.
You may thus get a chance of landing him a kick under the jaw.
In the light of a number of recent maulings, Rospa has just finished drawing up advice on how to deal with an aggressive dog.
In the light of a number of recent maulings, Rospa has just finished drawing up advice on how to deal with an aggressive dog.
The original camp was at Brownsea Island
The original camp was at Brownsea Island
ROSPA 2007: "Allow the dog to come up to you and sniff you. It is very unlikely that the dog will bite you. Stand with your arms by your sides, fingers curled inwards. Keep your head down, and your eyes looking down too.
ROSPA 2007: "Allow the dog to come up to you and sniff you. It is very unlikely that the dog will bite you. Stand with your arms by your sides, fingers curled inwards. Keep your head down, and your eyes looking down too.
"Stand in the 'at ease' position, feet slightly apart to give you stability, but preventing the dog from going through your legs. If you are knocked over by a dog, curl up in a ball, face down."
"Stand in the 'at ease' position, feet slightly apart to give you stability, but preventing the dog from going through your legs. If you are knocked over by a dog, curl up in a ball, face down."
In other words, kicking it is not the only plan. Although it must be said that both Rospa and Baden-Powell do not advise running away.
In other words, kicking it is not the only plan. Although it must be said that both Rospa and Baden-Powell do not advise running away.
ICE AND FIRE
ICE AND FIRE
If a person falls through ice and is unable to get out again because of the edges breaking , throw him a rope, and tell him not to struggle. This may give him confidence until you can get a long ladder or pole which will enable him to crawl out, or will allow you to crawl out to catch hold of him.
If a person falls through ice and is unable to get out again because of the edges breaking , throw him a rope, and tell him not to struggle. This may give him confidence until you can get a long ladder or pole which will enable him to crawl out, or will allow you to crawl out to catch hold of him.
Rospa does not concur with the latter part of this advice.
Rospa does not concur with the latter part of this advice.
ROSPA 2007: "Call for assistance from the emergency services. Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself. Instruct the casualty to keep still to maintain heat and energy. Try to find something that will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole, branch or item of clothing."
ROSPA 2007: "Call for assistance from the emergency services. Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself. Instruct the casualty to keep still to maintain heat and energy. Try to find something that will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole, branch or item of clothing."
But Baden-Powell's advice on a fire - raise the alarm, contact the fire brigade and wait at a safe distance - could be right out of a fire safety leaflet from today.
But Baden-Powell's advice on a fire - raise the alarm, contact the fire brigade and wait at a safe distance - could be right out of a fire safety leaflet from today.
OTHER CURIOSITIES
OTHER CURIOSITIES
On sleeping in the cold:
On sleeping in the cold:
A boy who is accustomed to sleep with his window shut will probably suffer, like many a tenderfoot has done, by catching cold and rheumatism when he first tries sleeping out. The thing is always to sleep with your windows open, summer and winter, and you will never catch cold... A soft bed and too many blankets make a boy dream bad dreams, which weakens him.
A boy who is accustomed to sleep with his window shut will probably suffer, like many a tenderfoot has done, by catching cold and rheumatism when he first tries sleeping out. The thing is always to sleep with your windows open, summer and winter, and you will never catch cold... A soft bed and too many blankets make a boy dream bad dreams, which weakens him.
Personality test?
On the physiognomy of the face:
On the physiognomy of the face:
The shape of the face gives a good guide to the man's character. Perhaps you can tell the character of these gentlemen?
The shape of the face gives a good guide to the man's character. Perhaps you can tell the character of these gentlemen?
On the character of bees:
On the character of bees:
They are a quite a model community for they respect their Queen and kill their unemployed.
They are a quite a model community for they respect their Queen and kill their unemployed.
This was changed in later editions to "those who won't work".
This was changed in later editions to "those who won't work".
Send us your comments using the form below.
Send us your comments using the form below.
I find it very interesting to see the different advice on conduct in dangerous situations. I must say, regardless of current official advice, Baden-Powell's is the more appealing. The point he was making is one that we have lost these days - risk to self is worth it for the chance to save another. This selflessness has been eroded away gradually by the idea that only the 'proper' persons should attempt dangerous rescues. The point was that the scouting boys were trained to carry them out - making them entirely 'proper' rescuers. I would still try to help rather than wait. But then, my son will be positively encouraged to climb trees and so on when he's old enough. Risk is a GOOD thing. Jez Lawrence, leeds, uk
My own experiences in Scouting did more to shape my character, ethics and personal standards than any other part of my life. My daughter is now a 'Brownie' and I can see that todays scouting can still give young people great experience and preparation for future life.Mike, Cardiff
Fascinating. You should take a look at the Brownie handbook from the early '70s. Useful info on how to stack a tray, how to bathe a baby. Not a squeak about fixing a flat bike-tyre or anything actually useful to a typical 8-year-old. All how to become a useful breeder. I hope the modern Brownies are given more credit.Sandy, Derby, UK
