| Brownsea Island Scout Camp |
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| scout campsites in the united kingdom | |
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The Brownsea Island Scout camp was a boys camping event on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour , southern England , organised by Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell to test his ideas for the book '' Scouting For Boys ''. Twenty boys from different social backgrounds participated from 1 August to 8 August 1907 in activities around Camping , Observation , Woodcraft , Chivalry , Lifesaving and Patriotism . Recognised as the world's first Scout camp, the event is regarded as the real origin of the worldwide Scout Movement . Up to the early 1930s , camping by Boy Scout s continued on Brownsea Island. In 1963, a formal 50 acre Scout campsite was opened by Olave Baden-Powell , when the island became a Nature Conservation area owned by the National Trust . In 1973, a Scout Jamboree was held on the island with 600 Scouts. The worldwide Centenary Of Scouting will begin at the Brownsea Island Scout camp, celebrating 1 August 2007 , the 100th anniversary of the start of the first encampment. Activities by The Scout Association in the campsite include four Scout camps and a Sunrise Ceremony. BACKGROUND General Baden-Powell had become a national hero during the Anglo-Boer War as a result of his successful defence during the Siege Of Mafeking of 1899–1900.1 During the siege, the Mafeking Cadets , boys aged 12 to 15 who acted as messengers, had impressed him with their resourcefulness and courage. Baden-Powell had also published a number of popular books on military scouting, including ''Aids to Scouting for NCOs and men'', published in 1899, which became a bestseller and was used by teachers and youth organisations. In the years following the war, he began discussing the idea of a new youth organisation with a number of people, including William Alexander Smith , founder of the Boys' Brigade . To test his ideas while writing '' Scouting For Boys '', Baden-Powell conceived of an experimental camp, and organised it to take place on Brownsea Island during the summer of 1907.2 He invited his life-long friend, Major Kenneth McLaren , to attend the camp as his deputy. FIRST SCOUT ENCAMPMENT Site and camp organisation Brownsea Island covers 560 acres of woodland and open areas with two lakes. Baden-Powell had visited the site as a boy with his brothers. It perfectly suited his needs for the camp as it was isolated from the mainland and hence the press, but only a short ferry trip from the town of Poole, making the logistics easier.3 The owner, Charles van Raalte, was happy to offer him use of the site. Baden-Powell invited 21 boys from different social backgrounds to the camp, a revolutionary idea in class-conscious s and Sixpence for the others. The boys were arranged into four Patrol s: Wolves, Ravens, Bulls and Curlews.6 As this was the first Boy Scouting event, the boys did not have uniform shirts, but they did wear khaki s, tracking, and the National Flag , they were given another brass badge, a scroll with the words Be Prepared , to wear below the fleur-de-lis.7 Programme The camp began with a blast from a Kudu horn Baden-Powell had captured in the Matabele Campaign . He used the same kudu horn to open the Coming Of Age Jamboree 22 years later in 1929. Baden-Powell made full use of his personal fame as the hero of the Siege Of Mafeking . For many of the participants, the highlights of the camp were his campfire yarns of his African experiences, and the Zulu "Ingonyama" chant, meaning "he is a lion".8 Each patrol camped in an army Bell Tent . The day began at 6:00 a.m., with cocoa, exercises, flag break and prayers, followed by breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Then followed the morning exercise of the subject of the day, as well as bathing, if deemed necessary. After lunch there was a strict siesta (no talking allowed), followed by the afternoon activity based on the subject of the day. At 5:00 p.m. the day ended with games, supper, campfire yarns and prayers. Turning in for the night was compulsory for every patrol at 9:00 p.m., regardless of age. Each day was based on a different theme:9 The participants left by ferry on the 9th day, August 9 1907 . Baden-Powell considered the camp successful.10 The camp ended with a financial deficit of just over £24, with total expenditure of the camp at £55, two Shillings , and eight Pence . The deficit was cleared by Saxon Noble , whose two sons Marc and Humphrey had attended. Legacy and commemoration Following the successful camp, Baden-Powell went on an extensive speaking tour arranged by his publisher, Pearsons, to promote the forthcoming '' Scouting For Boys ''. It initially appeared as six fortnightly installments, beginning in January 1908, and later appeared in book form. Scouting began to spread throughout Great Britain and Ireland, then through the countries of the British Empire , and soon to the rest of the world. A reunion of the original campers was held in 1928 at the Chief Scout's home at Pax Hill in Hampshire . A commemorative stone by sculptor Don Potter was unveiled in 1967. It is located near the encampment area.11 In May 2000, twenty trees were planted, one for each boys who attended. During the planting ceremony, the Scout Chief Commissioner for England , along with representatives of the Scouts and the Guides, planted the trees on the seaward side of the original site. The trees were designed to act as a permanent memorial to the camp, as well as providing a series of future wind breaks against coastal winds. CAMPSITE HISTORY From 1927 to 2000 After the death of Van Raalte and his wife, Mrs. Mary Bonham-Christie bought the island at auction in 1927. In 1932, Bonham-Christie allowed 500 Scouts to camp there to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Scouting, but shortly afterwards she closed the island to the public and it became very overgrown. In 1934, some Sea Scouts were camping on the island when a fire broke out. Mrs. Bonham-Christie blamed the Sea Scouts, although the fire did not start where the Sea Scouts were camping. The fire engulfed most of the island, burning west to east. The eastern buildings were only saved by a subsequent change in wind direction. No one really knows who started the fire, but Scouts were not allowed to camp on the island again until after her death in 1961. Bonham-Christie left the island a significant tax debt to her grandson, who could not pay the taxes. Fearing the island would be bought by developers, interested citizens raised an endowment and the government allowed the National Trust to take control of the island using this endowment in 1962.121314 The island was reopened to the public in 1963 by camping.15 In 1973, a Jamboree was held on the island for 600 Scouts from seven nations, along with one of the original campers, aged 81. After 2000 The campsite is compartmentalised, with the memorial stone, shop, flags, destination signs, all in one area on the south-west corner of the island. Radiating off from this are many small camp zones, perhaps a dozen acres each, surrounded by trees and fences. The area set aside for camping now covers 50 acres and there is room for between 300 and 400 campers on the site. The Scout campsite and parts of the island have been cleared, and Scouts have been able to camp there since 1964. The Brownsea Island Scout and Guide Management Committee maintains the Scout campsite and operates a small trading post there.16 The camp is currently building a new visitor complex; the Baden-Powell Outdoor Centre. It contains a new camp reception, new washrooms and toilet facilities. It is due to be finished in August 2007. It is located adjacent to the current trading post of the camp. The centre will also host a small Scouting museum. Until August the camp shop and trading post is on temporary relocation in the National Trust visitor centre, opposite St. Mary's Church. The altar of St. Mary's Church (about 0.2 miles from the camp) is lined with two Scout flags. In 2007, to coincide with the Scouting centenary, two dozen new kneeling Cushion s were given to the church, decorated with Scout badges from around the world.17 It is often used for services during large camps. There is a memorial to Baden-Powell and his wife inside the Church. Brownsea Island is generally open to the public from March to October, via ferry from Poole. By exception, the island will be reserved for Scouts and Scouters on 1 August 2007 during the Sunrise Camp.18 The National Trust is operating a number of events throughout the summer months including guided tours, trails and activities in the visitor centre. CENTENARY OF SCOUTING See Also: Scouting 2007 Centenary Since March 2006, travel packages have been available for Scouts to camp on the island, while Scout and Guide groups can also book day activities. To celebrate one hundred years of Scouting, four camps are organised on the island by The Scout Association during July/August.1920
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