1907 Brownsea Island Scout Camp

Today marks the 109th anniversary of the first organized scout camp.  On August 1st, 1907, Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell gathered 20 boys from all different social backgrounds and tested his ideas for the book Scouting for Boys at Brownsea Island, England.  The activities were centered around camping, observation, woodcraft, chivalry, lifesaving, and patriotism. The boys were arranged into the following patrols; Wolves, Ravens, Bulls, and Curlews. As this was the first Boy Scout event, the boys did not have uniforms. Instead, they wore khaki scarves and were presented with bras fleur-de-lis badges. Marking the beginning of the use of the scout emblem.  The boys also wore a coloured knot on their shoulder indicating their patrol: Green (Bulls), Blue (Wolves), Yellow (Curlews), and Red (Ravens). The patrol leader carried a staff with a flag depicting the patrol's animal. After passing tests on knots, tracking, and the national flag, they were given another brass badge, the scroll with the words Be Prepared, to wear below the fleur-de-lis.

This location has since been a place of camping for scouts. In 1963, a formal 50-acre Scout campsite was open and in 1973, a Scout Jamboree was held with 600 scouts in attendance.