Robert Baden Powell (1857-1941), a Lieutenant General of the British Army, started the Scout Movement in 1907.
During the Second Boer War (1899-1900) in South Africa, the Mafeking Cadet Corps, a small band of youth helped the British Army in many ways. Inspired by the role played by these youth, Powell envisaged a movement aimed at enhancing their physical, mental and spiritual faculties to make positive contributions to society.
He shared his ideas with Ernest Thompson Seton, a British-born Canadian, who lived in United States of America.
Powell wrote a draft called ‘Boy Patrols’ in 1907 after a series of deliberations with Seton. Soon, he thought it fit to give a concrete shape to his ideas. He mobilised 21 boys of diverse social backgrounds and conducted a week-long camp in August 1907, on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England. This is reckoned as the first Scout Camp in the Scouting movement.
To carry out his mission further, he wrote a book ‘Scouting for Boys’, wherein he highlighted the basic principles of Scouting. 

Informal education
Informal education is the hallmark of the Scout method. Outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking, sports etc are an important part of the movement. Soon, it caught the imagination of boys everywhere and as the movement progressed Sea Scouts, Air Scouts and other specialised units were added to it.

The first Scout rally was held in 1910 at the Crystal Palace in London, which attracted about 10,000 boys and girls. It was the first time that girls participated in the movement, which paved the way for the formation of the ‘Girl Guides’, also called ‘Girl Scouts’. Agnes Baden-Powell, Powell’s sister, became the first President of this parallel movement for girls. These movements took strong roots not only in the colonies of Britain but also in Germany, France, India, Russia, Argentina and other countries.

In the Boys Scouts movement, there are three divisions— Cub Scouts (for boys aged between 8 to 11 years), Scouts (11-16) and Venture Scouts (16-29). The three categories of members in the Girl Scouts are Brownie Guides (for girls aged between 7 to 10 years), Guides (10-15) and Ranger Guides (14-20 years).

The operation of units of Boys and Girls Scouting Organisations is based on the ‘Scout Method.’ In the Scout Method, Scouts spend time together in small groups and share their experiences, activities, etc. Through these and other programmes, good citizenship and decision-making by young people are emphasised. Local centres called ‘Scout Dens’ conduct weekly meetings.

Presently, Scouting and Guiding together have over 38 million members in 216 countries. In India, Scouting and Guiding were introduced in 1909 and 1911 respectively. The combined membership of Scouts and Guides in our nation is 37 lakhs. The Scouting Organisation in India is called ‘Bharat Scouts and Guides’.

The year 2007 is being celebrated throughout the world as the centenary year of Scouting along with the 150th birth anniversary of Baden Powell. As the adage goes, Powell sowed a wind and he reaped a whirlwind.

The Law for the Scout/Guide
(i) A Scout/Guide is trustworthy.
(i) A Scout/Guide is loyal.
(iii) A Scout/Guide is a friend to all and a brother/sister to every other Scout/Guide.
(iv) A Scout/Guide is courteous
(v) A Scout/Guide is a friend to animals and loves nature.
(vi) A Scout/Guide is disciplined and helps protect public property.
(vii) A Scout/Guide is courageous.
(viii) A Scout/Guide is thrifty.
(ix) A Scout/Guide is pure in though, word and deed.