SCOUTING FOR BOYS

'''Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship''' is the first book on the Scout Movement, published in 1908. It was written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell, its founder. It is based on his boyhood experiences, his experience with the Mafeking Cadet Corps during the Second Boer War at the Siege of Mafeking, and on his experimental camp on Brownsea Island, England. It is the fourth bestselling book of the 20th century.

Contents

History

Trivia

Editions

Contents

Part I. Scoutcraft

Part II. Tracking, Woodcraft

Part III. Camp life, Campaigning

Part IV. Endurance and chivalry

Part V. Saving life, and patriotism

Part VI. Notes for instructors, Scouting games, practices, and displays

Copyright Status

See also

References

External links

History

The book ''Scouting for Boys'' (1908) is Baden-Powell's rewrite of his earlier military books ''Reconnaissance and Scouting'' (1884) and ''Aids to Scouting for NCO's and Men'' (1899). These earlier books were military manuals used by the British Army to train its scouts. At Mafeking, Baden-Powell recruited and trained boys aged 12-15 as postmen, messengers, and later on to carry the wounded, to free up the men for the actual fighting. Upon his return to England, immediately following the Boer War, Baden-Powell learned that some British schools had been using his books to teach boys lessons on observation and deduction. He decided to revise his military publications into a book for boys. Several friends supported Baden-Powell in this idea, including Sir William Alexander Smith, founder of the Boys' Brigade, and Cyril Arthur Pearson, who owned several newspapers and printing presses.^[1] In 1906 and 1907 Baden-Powell spent a lot of his time writing ''Scouting for Boys'' and advancing his ideas about the Boy Scouts Scheme. These were tested in a camp on Brownsea Island in the summer of 1907, where Pearson's literary editor Percy Everett assisted.
''Scouting for Boys'' was first published in six fortnightly instalments of approximately 70 pages each, from January to March 1908. They were produced by Pearson's printer, Horace Cox. These six publications were a success, and as planned were issued in book form on 1 May 1908. ''Scouting for Boys'' has been translated into many languages. In 1948, the book was still selling 50 000 copies annually. Only in 1967 was a decline noted by the publisher, and in the last decades of the twentieth century, even by the Scout movement, the book came to be seen as a period curiosity. It is the fourth bestselling book of the 20th century.^[2]

Trivia

"Scouting for Boys" is mentioned in the Pink Floyd song "Welcome to the Machine," from the album Wish You Were Here."

Editions

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , Horace Cox (printer for C.A. Pearson), 1908,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, ,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1909,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1910,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1911,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1912,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1913,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1913,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1916,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1918,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1924,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1926,

★ Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1944,

★ Het verkennen voor jongens, , , , De Nederlandsche Padvinders, 1944,

★ Scouting for Boys in India, , , , General Headquarters of the Boy Scout Association in India, 1946,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , Boy Scouts of America for and on behalf of the Boy Scouts International Bureau, 1946,

★ Het verkennen voor jongens, , , , Nationale Padvindersraad, approx 1950,

★ Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys, , , , C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, 1957,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , The Boy Scouts Association, 1963,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , Boy Scouts of Canada, 1973,

★ Scouting brā'ē tiflān, , , , National Book Foundation, 1973,

★ Verkennen voor jeugd, , , , Scouting Nederland, 1977,

★ Scoutismo per ragazzi, , , , Ancora, 1978,

★ Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys, , , , Boy Scouts of America, 1982, ISBN 0-8395-3591-0

★ Skauttingu-kuttikalkku, , , , Bharat scouts and guides, 1982,

★ Pfadfinder: ein Handbuch der Erziehung, , , , Pfadfinder-Materialbüro, 1983,

★ Scouting for boys, , , , Scoutförl., 1983,

★ Partiopojan kirja, , , , Patiokirja, 1986,

★ Skauting dla chłopców : wychowanie dobrego obywatela metodą puszczańską, , , , Oficyna Przeglądu Powszechnego, 1990,

★ Cserkészet fiúknak: kézikönyv a jó állampolgár neveléséhez az erdőjárás révén, , , , M. Cserkészcsapatok Szövets, 1994,

★ Escutismo para rapazes, , , , Corpo Nacional de Escutas, 1995,

★ Pfadfinder, , , , Georgs-Verlag, 1996,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , The Scout Association, 1998, ISBN 0-85165-247-6

★ Bālakarigāgi skauting, , , , Navakarnataka, 2000,

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , Oxford University Press, 2004, ISBN 0-19-280547-9

★ Scouting for Boys (Singapore - Malaysia Edition), , , , Brownsea Singapore, 2004, ISBN 981-05-1831-5

★ Scouting for Boys (Singapore - Malaysia Edition), , , , Brownsea Singapore, 2004, ISBN 981-05-1830-7

★ Scouting for Boys, , , , Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 0-19-280246-1

Contents

All parts of the six installments in 1908 have the title ''Scouting for Boys'' in big capitals. With a listed price of '4d. net', it was affordable to many boys, many of whom would have been at work, as the school-leaving age was 14. Authorship is attributed: 'by B-P (Lieut. Gen. Baden Powell C.B.)' (sic).
Most chapters start with hints to instructors. All chapters have campfire yarns, appealing to boys, most contain sections with games and activities, and they close with recommendations for books to read.
The first edition contains some material which in today's culture would be considered racist and imperialistic (a good example being the play in which the Indian Mehtab Singh is humiliated in front of his White British colonial masters). This was edited out in later editions.

Part I. Scoutcraft

The first instalment contains pages 3 to 70. It provides the basic details of scouting.

1	Mafeking boy scouts, Scouts' work, "Kim", Books
2	Summary of scout's course of instruction, the Elsdon murder
3	Boy scouts' organization, the scout's oath, Scout's salute and secret sign, scout's uniform, scout's war songs, patrol signs
4	scout law, scouting games, scout's play Pocahontas

Part II. Tracking, Woodcraft

The second part covers pages 71 to 142. It contains chapter II on tracking and chapter III on woodcraft, each with three camp fire yarns.

5	Observation of "sign", Noticing sign, Details of people, Signs round a dead body, Details in the country, Using your eyes, Books to read on observation, hints to instructors, Games in observation
6	Spooring, Men's tracks, hints to spooring, hints to instructors, Tracking games, Books to read on spooring
7	Reading "sign" or deduction, Instances of deduction, Hints to instructors, Example of practice in deduction, Books to read
8	Stalking, How to hide yourself, How to teach stalking, Games in stalking, Books on stalking
9	Animals, Birds, Reptiles and fishes, Insects, Hints for instructor, Honours, Lion hunting, Books to read, Play
10	Plants, Trees, Hints for instructor, Games, Books to read, Play

Part III. Camp life, Campaigning

The third part covers pages 143 to 206. It contains chapter IV on camp life, and chapter V on campaigning.

11	Pioneering, Hut building, Felling trees, How to make bridges, Self measures, the scout is always a handy-man, Hints to instructors, Books to read
12	Camping, Comfort in camp, Camp fires-the right way of making them, Tidiness, Hints to instructors
13	Camp life, Cooking, Bread making, Cattle-driving and slaughtering, Cleanliness, Water, Hints to instructors, Camp games, Book to read
14	Life in the open, Exploration, Boat cruising, Watermanship, Mountaineering, Patrolling, Night work, Weather wisdom, Hints to instructors, Games, Books on life in the open
15	Pathfinding, Judging heights and distances, Finding the North, Hints to instructors, Games in pathfinding, Books to read
16	Information by signal, Signalling, Whistle and flag signals, Practices in signalling, Hints to instructors, Marks towards badges of honour in campaigning, Dispatch running, Display

Part IV. Endurance and chivalry

The fourth part covers pages 207 to 270. It contains chapter VI ''Endurance for scouts, or How to be strong'', and chapter VII ''Chivalry of the knights.''

17	How to grow strong: A scout's endurance, Excercises and their object, The nose, Ears, Eyes, Teeth, Hints to instructors, Games to develop strength, Books to read
18	Health-giving habits: How to keep healthy, Keep yourself clean, Smoking, Drinking, Early rising, Smile, Practices, Books to read
19	Prevention of disease: Camp doctoring, Microbes and how to fight them, Food, Clothing, Practices, Games, Books to read
20	Chivalry of the knights: Chivalry to others, St. George, The knights' code, Unselfishness, Self-sacrifice, Kindness, Tips, Friendliness, Politeness, Courtesy to women, Practices, Hints to instructors, Games, Play, Books to read
21	Self-discipline: To instructors, Honour, Obedience and discipline, Courage, Good temper and cheeriness, Books to read, Practice in self-discipline, Games
22	Self-improvement:To instructors, Duty to God, Thrift, How to make money, How to get on, Practices in self-improvement, Information on professions, etc, Books to read, (in part V:) Sobriety, Practise observation, Fortitude, Notes to instructors,

Part V. Saving life, and patriotism

The fifth part covers pages 271 to 334. It contains chapter VIII ''Saving life, or how to deal with accidents'', and chapter IX ''Patriotism, or our duties as citizens.''

23	Be prepared for accidents: Hints to instructors, The knights of St. John, Life-saving medals, Practice for life saving
24	Accidents and how to deal with them: Panics, Rescue from fire, Directions, Rescue from drowning, Rescue from runaway horses, Miscellaneous accidents, Mad dog, Practices in life-saving, Books to read
25	Helping others: Rendering first aid, Snake bite, Grit in the eye, Suicides, How to carry a patient, How to practice, Games, Books to read
26	Our empire: Hints to instructors, Our empire, How our empire grew, how the empire must be held, Hints to instructors, Books to read, Display
27	Citizenship: Scout's duty as a citizen, Duties as citizen-soldier, Marksmanship, Helping police, Hints to instructors, Games, Books to read
28	United we stand, divided we fall: Hints to instructors, Our Navy and Army, Our flag, Our government, Our King, Books to read

Part VI. Notes for instructors, Scouting games, practices, and displays

The sixth part covers pages 335 to 398. It contains ''Notes to instructors'' and ''Scouting games, practices , and displays''

	Play the game: don't look on, The British Empire wants your help, Fall of the Roman Empire was due to bad citizenship, Bad citizenship is becoming apparent in this country to-day, Football, Our future citizens, Peace-scouting, Militarism, How to teach scouting, Authorities who might find the scheme useful, Hints to instructors, Be Prepared, Clubroom, The handbook, Course of instruction, Method of instruction, Imagination, Responsibility to juniors, Discipline, Religion, Continence, Hints to instructors, Forming character, Conclusion, Books on the subject
	Notes to instructors, Scoutcraft, Tracking, Woodcraft, Camp life, Books to read, Campaigning and pathfinding, Endurance and health, Chivalry, Saving life and first aid, Patriotism, Play the game!, The storming of Delhi, The maple leaf for ever, The song of Australia, God bless the Prince of Wales, God save the King, Sample programme of athletics sports, Non-scouting games, Basket ball, Books to read
	Suggestions for a display
	True scouting stories
	Corrections

Copyright Status

The British Scout Association owns the copyright to "Scouting for Boys" today. The book will enter the Public Domain in 2011 ^[3] , 70 years after the death of its author on 8th January 1941. Until then, it may only be reproduced after permission is granted from the Scout Association headquarters (other than for copyright exceptions in specific countries, such as fair use).

See also

Other notable books related to Scouting include:

★ Boy Scout Handbook

★ Baden-Powell (book)

References

1. Notes to 2004 edition, , Elleke, Boehmer, Oxford University Press, 2004,
2. Scouts uncool? Not in my book David Smith
3. http://www.scouts.org.uk/aboutus/pdfs/copyright.pdf

External links

★ ''Scouting for Boys''

★ ''Ian Hislop's Scouting for Boys''