Robert Baden-Powell

Robert Baden-Powell

The man Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, as known as B-P, was born on February 22, 1857, in London. He was the son of the Reverend Baden Powell. He was avid to learn: he played the piano and the violin; he was gifted for comedy and liked entertaining others. In Charterhouse, he started to explore the neighbouring woods. B-P passed an entrance examination to the army and was ranked second. In 1876, ss a young officer, he went to India with the army where he specialized in scouting, reconnaissance and map-making. Then, he went to the Balkans, to South Africa and to Malta. In South Africa, he defended Mafeking which was besieged for 217 days at the beginning of the Boer War. This siege appeared as a crucial test for BP’s methods of reconnaissance. In England, many were fascinated by his exploits.
When he returned in 1903, he had become a national hero. The small book which he had written for the soldiers, “Aids to Scouting”, was used by youth leaders and teachers in all the country to teach to children observation and life in the woods.

B-P rewrote “Aids to Scouting”, wanting to reach younger readers. In 1907, he organized an experimental camp on the Island of Brownsea in order to put his ideas into practice. He invited 22 boys; some came from private schools and others from every social class, to join his camp. The scouting movement was born.
“Scouting for boy” was published in 1908 in six volumes. Young people organized themselves in Scout patrols to try out his ideas and what was intended for already existing youth organizations became the handbook of a new world movement. In all parts of the country, boys gathered and formed troops of scouts.
Scouting spread quickly through all the British Empire and many other countries. In 1912, he married Olave Soames who supported her husband with enthusiasm and helped him until the end of his work. Lady Olave Baden-Powell was recognized as World Chief Guide.
At the 3rd World Jamboree, which took place in Arrowe Park, in Birkenhead (England), the Prince of Wales announced that B-P was going to be ennobled by the King - news which was accepted with ovation. B-P took the title of Lord Baden-Powell Gilwell, Gilwell being the name of the international centre of formation for the adult scouts he had created.
An untiring author, B-P wrote 32 books in total. He was honoured with the university degree of six universities and accepted 28 foreign orders and decorations, and 19 scout distinctions.
B-P died on January 8, 1941, when he was 83. He is buried in simplicity in Nyerri. On his grave one can read these few words: “Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the World”.

B-P wrote this farewell letter which ha to be publish after his death to all the scouts:
"Dear Scouts,
If you have ever seen the play "Peter Pan" you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly when the time came for him to die he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of good-bye.
Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear from me, so think it over. I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have as happy a life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one. But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. "Be Prepared" in this way, to live happy and to die happy- stick to your Scout Promise always when you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your friend,
Robert Baden-Powell"

The last letter of Baden Powell shows us what kind of man he was: a man who managed to give healthy values full of good sense to young people, by creating the scouting movement. He knew how to develop a new pedagogy, based on faith, sense of concrete, development of the character, sense of oneself and the gift of oneself which are still nowadays the pillars of scouting. He was incontestably the founder of a new movement which made its proof and which still knows great success. He is a man whom I admire a lot for what he has achieved: I am myself a scout and I fully agree with the pedagogy he founded almost a century ago. I personally believe the scouting movement can really teach us important values, and guide us throughout our lives.