The Origins of the Scouting Movement

It was never Baden-Powell's intention that Scouting should be an 'organization'. He visualized a movement with Scout Patrols in other organizations such as the Boys Brigade and the YMCA. He did not see the need, at that point, for a book of 'rules' (P.O.R. - Policy Organization and Rules - the 'bible' of UK Scout Administration came much later). As in his army days, B-P hoped to lead by example rather than using the rigor of the Rank system and, in this, he was hugely successful. There are many recorded instances of near 'hero worship' amongst his Junior officers and men. In civilian life and in a voluntary organization, 'orders' would not in any case achieve the desired effect. B-P's magnetic personality was the cement that bound the fledgling organization together, not a rulebook. By 1907, B-P envisaged his Scoutmasters and 'local secretaries' as almost free agents working "in communication, not bondage".

The Problem

However, the need for some sort of central structure and consistent message could not be denied. The first two camps at Brownsea and Humshaugh were not designed purely for the benefit of the 58 Boys involved. At Humshaugh particularly, B-P commissioned a series of postcards and magic lantern slides to act as training aids for Scoutmasters. A good example was being provided, but it did not have to be followed!

Scouting was expanding at a tremendous rate, mainly from the bottom up. It's creator, a half-pay General with very little money of his own, could not possibly afford the sort of administration structure it required. The early years of The Headquarters Gazette are full of examples of the need for firm Leadership. Some Scoutmasters were wearing the most outrageous self-aggrandizing 'Uniforms' - including spurs! Some were accepting Boys as young as s even or eight, others would not allow entry until 13. The Scoutmasters themselves were constantly seeking clarification. It was clear that the Movement could not progress without a clear set of rules and some form of training for Scoutmasters.

The Solution

After the Humshaugh Camp on September 28th, 1908, B-P circulated a letter in which he encouraged the formation of local Committees to be run by a Secretary. Support would be forthcoming from one of the Adult Leaders at Humshaugh, Eric Walker, who had been appointed as 'Traveling Inspector'. Under the heading 'Scoutmasters', the duties of the Local Committees were fully outlined, including: "To have in their hands the appointment of Scoutmasters and bestowal of badges and rewards". B-P wrote:

"In the first place it seems desirable that Scoutmasters should pass some sort of test that will guarantee their being fit and proper men to teach the lads. With this in view I have drawn up a short syllabus of desirable qualifications". The Tests for Scoutmasters were attached to the letter:

  • A general knowledge of the handbook Scouting for Boys, especially the Scout Laws
  • A full appreciation of the moral aim underlying the practical instruction all through the scheme of Scouting
  • Personal character and standing such as will ensure his having a good moral influence over Boys Age not less than 18
  • Ability to provide some sort of clubroom for Scout Meetings
Warrant Certificate

There would be three ways by which "a gentleman can pass his tests for Scoutmaster". These were through the 'Traveling Inspector', or three Members of a Local Committee, or two qualified Scoutmasters. All existing Scoutmasters had to do though, was to write to Baden-Powell and give a report of their work, and B-P would "award certificates as Scoutmasters". These must surely have been the first Warrant Certificates.

The image shown here is of an early Warrant Card from the author's collection. Unfortunately it is undated, but it was purchased framed and was backed with a fragment of a newspaper dated 1912, so the Warrant must have been issued at some time before that date. It is quite likely to very early indeed. As can be seen from the illustration, the heading 'Boy Scout' has the follow-up words 'Baden-Powell's' in brackets on the next line.

The Scout magazine began a series of pages of interest to Scoutmasters on April 10th, 1909. These developed in July 1909 into a fully-fledged separate publication in its own right. This was not under the control of The Scout's publisher Pearson. The arch-publicist knew his job and ensured that The Scout contained enough of the 'Penny Dreadful' material of the day to make it exciting for Boys, but this did not always go down well with B-P. The 'blood and guts' content did not make this a proper vehicle for Adult training and a publication directly under the control of the Scout Association was essential.

Part of the rationale of the new publication was to publicize the new policy of 'decentralization', which was perhaps an admission that Scouting had grown so large that there was no way it could be run from one central office and, for the first time, clear guidelines from the 'central office' were being given on what was and what was not acceptable.

An interesting example from one of the first issues was B-P's contention that Scouts do not beg.