Editing Scouting

{{Short description|Youth movement}}
{{about|the Scout Movement||Scout (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
| image   = WikiProject_Scouting_fleur-de-lis_dark.svg
| name    = Scout Movement
| country = 
| f-date  = 1907
| founder = [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden-Powell]]
}}

'''Scouting''' or the '''Scout Movement''', is a youth [[social movement|movement]] using the [[Scout method]], which became popularly established in the first decade of the twentieth century. It follows a scheme of [[informal education]] with an emphasis on practical [[outdoor activities]], including [[camping]], [[woodcraft]], [[aquatics]], [[hiking]], [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]] and [[sport]]s. A widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout [[uniform]], by intent [[Social hierarchies|hiding all differences of social standing]] and encouraging [[Social equality|equality]], with [[neckerchief]] and [[campaign hat]] or comparable [[Headgear|headwear]]. Distinctive [[insignia]] include the [[World Scout Emblem|fleur-de-lis]] as well as [[Scout badge|merit badges or patches]]. In some countries, [[Girl Guides]] organizations, using a [[trefoil]] insignia, exist for girls to carry-out scout training.

Other programs for children who are too young to be Scouts and take the [[Scout Promise]], such as [[Wolf Cubs]] or [[Cub Scouts|Cubs]] (launched in 1916), and for those who are too old to be Scouts, such as [[Rover Scouts|Rovers]] (launched in 1918), are sometimes associated with Scouts.

In 2007,{{update needed|date=May 2025}} there were over 38 million Scouts{{dubious|date=May 2025}} and Guides in 216 countries.{{CN|date=May 2025}} The Scout Movement is a pluralist movement, not a unitary organization. Numerous local, national and international Scout organizations have been formed. International organizations include: 
* [[Order of World Scouts]] (formed 1911)
* [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]] (WOSM, formed 1922)
* [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] (WAGGGS, formed 1928 - originally and still primarily for girls-only organizations)
* [[World Federation of Independent Scouts]]
* [[World Organization of Independent Scouts]]
* [[International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe]]
* [[Confederation of European Scouts]]

==History==
===Origins===
In the late nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, there was popular interest in frontier and military scouts. Boys and girls read fictional and non fictional stories about scouts and emulated these scouts in dress and activities and used self-help manuals. Some teachers and youth leaders instructed boys and girls in scoutcraft. ''Reconnaissance and Scouting'' (1884)<ref name="bp1884">{{cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell |title=Reconnaissance and scouting. A practical course of instruction, in twenty plain lessons, for officers, non-commissioned officers, and men |publisher=W. Clowes and Sons |date=1884 |location=London |oclc=9913678}}</ref> and ''Aids to Scouting'',<ref name="bp1899">{{cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell |title=Aids to scouting for N.-C.Os. & men |publisher=Gale & Polden |date=1899 |location=London |oclc=316520848}}</ref> books on military scout training written by [[Robert Baden-Powell]], were among the sources used for instruction. Sales of ''Aids to Scouting'' were fuelled by Baden-Powell's fame as hero of the [[Second Boer War]].<ref name="arrow">{{cite web |title=First Scouting Handbook |publisher=Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America |url=http://history.oa-bsa.org/node/3019 |access-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211023502/http://history.oa-bsa.org/node/3019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

(For Baden-Powell's background in [[woodcraft]] and scouting see [[Baden-Powell]])

Inspired by the interest in his books on scout training and urged by the [[Boys' Brigade]] founder, [[William Alexander Smith (Boys' Brigade)|William A. Smith]] and leaders, some of whom had adopted Scout training, and by the publishers, [[C. Arthur Pearson Ltd]], Baden-Powell began writing a book for boy readership.<ref name="BPJeal">{{cite book |last=Jeal |first=Tim |author-link=Tim Jeal |publisher=Yale University Press|year=1989 |title=Baden-Powell |pages=360–362, 371}}</ref> Baden-Powell was also motivated by his experience with the Mafeking Cadet Corp and the poor physical standards of recruits and their poor preparation for colonial wars. He studied other youth training schemes. In July 1906, [[Ernest Thompson Seton]], a British-born Canadian raised naturalist, artist and writer living in the United States, sent Baden-Powell a copy of his 1902 book ''The Birchbark Roll of the Woodcraft Indians''<ref name="birchbark">{{cite web |title=Woodcraft Indians |publisher=Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America |url=http://history.oa-bsa.org/node/3039 |access-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> and they met in October 1906 and shared ideas about youth training, providing Baden-Powell with a scheme for delivery of scout training.<ref name="SetonInfed">{{cite web |year=2002 |url=http://www.infed.org/thinkers/seton.htm |title=Ernest Thompson Seton and Woodcraft |publisher=InFed |access-date=December 7, 2006}}</ref><ref name="BPInfed">{{cite web |year=2002 |url=http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-bp.htm |title=Robert Baden-Powell as an Educational Innovator |publisher=InFed |access-date=December 7, 2006}}</ref>

[[File:Scout stone Brownsea.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Stone on [[Brownsea Island]] commemorating the [[Brownsea Island Scout camp|first experimental Scout camp]]]]
In August 1907, Baden-Powell led a week-long experimental [[Brownsea Island Scout camp|Scout camp]] on [[Brownsea Island]] in [[Poole Harbour]], Dorset England to test his ideas. Twenty-one boys from various social backgrounds, from boy's schools in the London area and a section of boys from the [[Poole]], [[Parkstone]], [[Hamworthy]], [[Bournemouth]] and [[Winton, Dorset|Winton]] Boys' Brigade units attended the camp.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Woolgar, Brian|author2=La Riviere, Sheila|year=2002|title=Why Brownsea? The Beginnings of Scouting |publisher=Brownsea Island Scout and Guide Management Committee}}</ref> Following Seton's scheme, the boys organized themselves in small groups with an elected leader.<ref>{{cite web |first=Johnny|last=Walker|url=http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/| title=Scouting Milestones&nbsp;– Brownsea Island|access-date=July 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614022349/http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref> The camp was accompanied by advertising and followed by an extensive promotional speaking tour arranged by [[C. Arthur Pearson Ltd.]] to promote the forthcoming book.

In 1908, Baden-Powell's book, ''[[Scouting for Boys]]'', was published in six fortnightly parts, followed in April by ''[[Scouting magazine (The Scout Association)#The Scout (1908–1966)|The Scout]]'' magazine.  These omitted many military aspects of ''Aids to Scouting'' and transferred the techniques (mainly [[survival skills]]) to non-military heroes: backwoodsmen, explorers<ref name="VoL">{{Cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |url=http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-varsity10-1.htm |title=Lessons from the Varsity of Life | chapter = 10 |year=1933 |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202185248/http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-varsity10-1.htm |archive-date= 2006-12-02|page=14  |url-status=dead}}</ref> He also added innovative educational principles (the [[Scout method]]) by which he extended the attractive game to a personal mental education.<ref name="BPInfed"/> and provided descriptions of the [[Scout method]] of outdoor activities aiming at [[Moral character|developing character]], [[Citizenship education (subject)|citizenship training]] and [[Physical fitness]] among youth.<ref name="bp1908">{{cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell |title=Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship |publisher=H. Cox |date=1908 |location=London
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qgFcKf69L6wC |isbn=978-0-486-45719-2}}</ref><ref name="founded">{{cite web |title=Scouting Founded |publisher=Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America |url=http://history.oa-bsa.org/node/3017 |access-date=September 29, 2014}}</ref><ref name="notestobook2004">{{Cite book| first = Elleke | last = Boehmer | title = Notes to 2004 edition of Scouting for Boys | year = 2004 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = [[Oxford]] }}</ref> Later in 1908, ''Scouting for Boys'' was published in book form and a revised edition was published in 1909 and was the basis for the 1910 ''Boy Scout Handbook'' of the [[Boy Scouts of America]] by Seton.<ref name="firstpub">{{cite web |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |year=1998 |url=http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-scouting-for-boys.htm |title=Baden-Powell, Scouting for Boys, 1908 |publisher=Pinetreeweb.com |access-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref> The various editions of the book are now the fourth-bestselling title of all time.<ref name="bestseller">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/ |title=The birth of an idea |work=The History of Scouting |publisher=The Scout Association |access-date=December 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218022145/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/ |archive-date=February 18, 2010 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The original edition and magazine described a scheme which could be used by established organizations, particular the various Brigade Movement organizations.<ref name="A Scouting timeline">{{cite web |url= http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/|title= The History of Scouting|access-date=August 18, 2007 |publisher= The Scout Association|date=2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818201813/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/|archive-date=August 18, 2007}}</ref><ref name="petersonsmith">{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Robert |date=Oct 2003 |url=http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0310/d-wwas.html |title=Another youth organization, the Boys' Brigade, was flourishing when the first official troops of the Boy Scouts of America appeared in 1910 |work=Scouting Magazine |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=May 22, 2006}}</ref> However, because of the popular image of scouts and desire for adventurous outdoor activities, boys and even some girls formed their own Scout patrols and troops, independent of any organization.

In 1909, a Scout Rally was held at [[1909 Crystal Palace Scout Rally|Crystal Palace]] in London, which 11,000 Boy Scouts and even some Girl Scouts in uniform attended. 

Local and national Scout organizations were formed. In 1910, Baden-Powell formed [[The Scout Association|The Boy Scouts Association]]. The Boy Scouts Association's first census in 1910 claimed 100,000 registered Scouts.<ref name="A Scouting timeline"/>

Special interests and programs developed such as Scout bands, cyclist scouts, [[Sea Scouts]], [[Air Scouts]], [[Equestrian Scouting and Guiding|mounted Scouts]] and [[high adventure]].<ref name="SeaHist">{{cite web|url=http://www.seascout.org/about/history-uk.html|title=A Short History of Sea Scouting in the United Kingdom|last=Masini|first=Roy|year=2007|access-date=January 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819162139/http://www.seascout.org/about/history-uk.html|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AirHist">{{cite web|url=http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/|title=The Early History of Air Scouting|last=Walker|first=Colin "Johnny"|date=June 2007|publisher=Scouting Milestones|access-date=January 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614022231/http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref>

=== Girl Guides ===
[[File:Olave Baden-Powell.jpg|thumb|upright=0.50|Olave Baden-Powell, [[Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting|Girl Guide]]'s second head]]
Many girls took up being Girl Scouts and were part of the Scout Movement as soon as it began. Common Edwardian values of the time would not accept young boys and girls to "rough and tumble" together. Baden-Powell with the help of his sister, [[Agnes Baden-Powell]], formed a separate organization for girls in 1910, the [[Girlguiding|Girl Guides Association]], which was followed in other countries forming the [[Girl Guide and Girl Scout|Girl Guides]].<ref name="pinetreeweb">{{cite book|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418002246/http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-olave-11.htm|first=Olave |last=Baden-Powell |editor=Mary Drewery |author-link=Olave Baden-Powell |series=Window on My Heart|title = Chapter Eleven {{!}} The Girl Guides Years: 1916—1918 |date=1973 |url=http://pinetreeweb.com/bp-olave-10.htm  |archive-date=2007-04-18 |access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref> However, by the 1990s, two-thirds of the Scout organizations belonging to WOSM had become co-educational.<ref name="SRTW1990">{{cite book |year=1990 |title=Scouting 'round the World. Facts and Figures on the World Scout Movement |edition=11th |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement|isbn=978-2-88052-001-4}}</ref>

[[File:Cairn in Northumberland commemorating first official Scout camp.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Cairn remembering the 1908 Lookwide camp at [[Fourstones]] near [[Humshaugh]], the first proper Scout Camp<ref name="village">{{Cite web |title=Walk to Carr Edge and the Scout Memorial |url=http://www.fourstonesandnewbrough.co.uk/carr%20edge%20and%20the%20scout%20memorial.pdf |access-date=2008-11-20 |website=Village website (Fourstones & Newbrough)}}</ref>]]

===Original Scout Law===
{{Main|Scout Law}}

The scouts law is for boys, as follows;

*A Scout's honour is to be trusted – This means the scout will try as best as he can to do what he promised, or what is asked of him
*A Scout is loyal – to his king or queen, his leaders and his country.
*A Scout's duty is to be useful, and to help others
*A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout – Scouts help one another, regardless of the differences in status or social class.
*A Scout is courteous – He is polite and helpful to all, especially women, children and the elderly. He does not take anything for being helpful.
*A Scout is a friend to animals – He does not make them suffer or kill them without need to do so.
*A Scout obeys orders – Even the ones he does not like.
*A Scout smiles and whistles
*A Scout is thrifty – he avoids unnecessary spending of money.
*A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed (added later)

===Promise of 1908===
{{Main|Scout promise}}

''Scouting for boys'', introduced the Scout promise, as follows:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baden-Powell |first1=Robert |title=Scouting for Boys (Part I ed.) |date=1908 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=London: Oxford |isbn=978-0192805478 |pages=36–37 }}</ref>

"Before he becomes a scout, a boy must take the scout's oath, thus:

:'On my honour I promise that—
:#I will do my duty to God and the King.
:#I will do my best to help others, whatever it costs me.
:#I know the scout law, and will obey it.'
While taking this oath the scout will stand, holding his right hand raised level with his shoulder, palm to the front, thumb resting on the nail of the little finger and the other three fingers upright, pointing upwards:—

This is the scout's salute".

===Worldwide spread===
The Boy Scout Movement swiftly established itself throughout the [[British Empire]]. By 1908, Scouts were established in [[Scouting and Guiding in Gibraltar|Gibraltar]], [[Scout Association of Malta|Malta]], [[Scouting and Guiding in Canada|Canada]], [[Scouting and Guiding in Australia|Australia]], [[Scouting and Guiding in New Zealand|New Zealand]], [[British Malaya|Malaya]] (YMCA Experimental Troop in Penang) and [[Scouts South Africa|South Africa]]. In 1909 Chile was possibly the first country outside the British dominions to have a national Scout organization. By 1910, Argentina, Denmark, [[Grand Duchy of Finland|Finland]], France, [[German Empire|Germany]], [[Kingdom of Greece (Glücksburg)|Greece]], [[British Raj|India]], Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States had Boy Scouts.<ref name="bsahist97">{{cite web |last=Snowden |first=Jeff |year=1984 |url=http://www.troop97.net/bsahist1.htm |title=A Brief Background of Scouting in the United States 1910 to Today |publisher=Troop 97 |access-date=July 22, 2006}}</ref><ref name="scoutbase">{{cite web |url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/ |title=The History of Scouting |publisher=ScoutBaseUK |access-date=July 22, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818201813/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/ |archive-date=August 18, 2007  }}</ref>
[[File:Vazken Andréassian HoMenEtMen-Sgaoudagan doghantsk Konstantinobolis 1918.jpg|thumb|upright|left|First procession of Armenian scouts in Constantinople in 1918]]

===Associated programs for younger children===
Younger children, particularly younger siblings, too young to be Scouts and take the Scout Promise attended some Scout meetings and so programs for younger children were developed by some troops and organizations. Baden-Powell's [[The Scout Association|Boy Scouts Association]] launched its [[Wolf Cubs]] in 1916, which Baden-Powell wanted to be distinct from Scouts in name, uniform and identity to ensure they did not give Scouts a juvenile image. In the United States, attempts at Cub programs began as early as 1911 but formal recognition by the Boy Scouts of America was not made until 1930.<ref name="scoutbase"/><ref name="cubusahist">{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/hist-cshistory.html |title=The Evolution of Cubbing, A 90 Year Chronology |publisher=Cubbing through the Decades |access-date=July 22, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930174432/http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/hist-cshistory.html|archive-date=September 30, 2006}}</ref> Some Scout organizations have associated programs for even younger children and infants.

===Associated programs for older adolescents===
Some Scout organizations developed programs for those who had grown too old to be Scouts but wanted to remain associated with and support Scout Troops. Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts Association formed its [[Rover Scouts|Rovers]] in 1918 for young men and its Guild of Old Scouts. <ref name="roverworld">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/rovers.htm |title=Rover Scouts&nbsp;– Scouting For Men |publisher=Scouting Milestones |access-date=July 22, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614023143/http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/rovers.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:19370520 Tan 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Parade of scouts during [[Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day|national celebrations]] in Turkey in 1937]]

[[File:1st World Jamboree Cubs Grand Howl.jpg|thumb|At the [[1st World Scout Jamboree|First World Jamboree]] in August 1920, 500 Wolf Cubs perform a [[Grand Howl]] in the arena at Olympia, London]]

===Leader training===
Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts Association held [[Scoutmaster]] training camps in London and [[Yorkshire]] in 1910 and 1911. Leader training was delayed by [[World War I]]. The Boy Scouts Association acquired [[Gilwell Park]] near London in 1919 as an adult training site and Scout [[campsite]]<ref name="historyofficial">{{cite book |last=Rogers |first=Peter |title=Gilwell Park: A Brief History and Guided Tour |year=1998 |publisher=[[The Scout Association]] |location=London, England |pages=5–46}}</ref> and held its first [[Wood Badge]] training there in 1919.<ref name="wbfounding">{{cite web |last=Block |first=Nelson R. |year=1994 |url=http://www.woodbadge.org/founding.htm |title=The Founding of Wood Badge |publisher=Woodbadge.org |access-date=July 20, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060822100831/http://www.woodbadge.org/founding.htm |archive-date = August 22, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Wood Badge was copied in many other national scout organizations.  Baden-Powell also wrote ''[[Aids to Scoutmastership]]'' to help [[Leader (Scouting)|Scout leaders]].

===Influences===
[[File:Calvin Coolidge receiving statue of Boy Scout outside the White House 1927.jpg|thumb|left|U.S. President [[Calvin Coolidge]] greeting 1500 Boy Scouts making an annual trip to the Capitol, 1927]]

Important elements of Scout training have their origins in Baden-Powell's experiences in education and military training. He was a 50-year-old retired army general when he wrote ''Scouting for boys'' and his writing inspired thousands of young people from all parts of society to get involved in activities that most had never contemplated. Comparable organizations in the English-speaking world are the Boys' Brigade and the non-militaristic [[Woodcraft Folk]]; however, they never matched the development and growth of the Scout Movement.<ref name="woodfolk">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.troop97.net/scout_like.htm| title=Scout-like Organizations |publisher=Troop 97 |access-date=December 5, 2006}}</ref>

At [[Charterhouse School|Charterhouse]], one of England's most famous [[Public school (United Kingdom)|public schools]], Baden-Powell had an interest in the outdoors.<ref name="west_bp1932">{{cite book |last1=West |first1=James E. |author-link=James E. West (Scouting) |last2=Lamb |first2=Peter O. |others=illustrated by Lord Baden-Powell |title=He-who-sees-in-the-dark; the Boys' Story of Frederick Burnham, the American Scout
 |publisher=Brewer, Warren and Putnam; Boy Scouts of America |location=New York |date=1932 |page=138}}</ref> Later, as a military officer, Baden-Powell was stationed in [[British India]] in the 1880s where he took an interest in [[reconnaissance|military scouting]] and 

In 1896, Baden-Powell was assigned to the [[Matabeleland]] region in [[Southern Rhodesia]] (now Zimbabwe) as Chief of Staff to Gen. [[Frederick Carrington]] during the [[Second Matabele War]]. In June 1896 he met here and began a lifelong friendship with [[Frederick Russell Burnham]], the American-born Chief of Scouts for the British Army in Africa.<ref name="scouting">{{cite book |last=Burnham |first=Frederick Russell |author-link=Frederick Russell Burnham |title=Scouting on Two Continents |publisher=Doubleday, Page & company |year=1926 |oclc=407686}}</ref><ref name="lott1981">{{cite book |last=Lott |first=Jack |editor-first=Craig |editor-last=Boddington |title=America&nbsp;– The Men and Their Guns That Made Her Great |publisher=Petersen Publishing Co. |year=1981 |page=90 |chapter=Chapter 8. The Making of a Hero: Burnham in the Tonto Basin |isbn=978-0-8227-3022-4}}</ref> This was a formative experience for Baden-Powell not only because he had the time of his life commanding reconnaissance missions into enemy territory, but because many of his later Boy Scout ideas originated here.<ref name="proctor">{{cite journal |first=Tammy M. |last=Proctor |date=July 2000 |title=A Separate Path: Scouting and Guiding in Interwar South Africa |journal=Comparative Studies in Society and History |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=605–631 |oclc= 1564563| issn=0010-4175|jstor=2696647 |doi=10.1017/S0010417500002954 |s2cid=146706169 }}</ref> During their joint scouting patrols into the [[Matobo Hills]], Burnham augmented Baden-Powell's [[woodcraft]] skills, inspiring him and sowing seeds for both the programme and for the code of honour later published in ''Scouting for Boys''.<ref name="1944jul_boyslife">{{cite journal |last=DeGroot |first=E.B. |journal=[[Boys' Life]] |title=Veteran Scout |publisher=[[Boy Scouts of America]] |date=July 1944 |pages=6–7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FDDyrmwdQKIC }}</ref><ref name="scoutingforboys">{{cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell |title=Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship |publisher=H. Cox |year=1908 |location=London |isbn=978-0-486-45719-2 |no-pp=true |page=xxiv}}</ref> Practised by [[frontiersmen]] of the [[American Old West]] and [[indigenous peoples of the Americas]], woodcraft was generally little known to the British Army but well known to the American scout Burnham.<ref name="scouting"/> These skills eventually formed the basis of what is now called ''[[scoutcraft]]'', the fundamentals of Scout training. Both men recognised that wars in Africa were changing markedly and the British Army needed to adapt; so during their joint scouting missions, Baden-Powell and Burnham discussed the concept of a broad training programme in woodcraft for young men, rich in exploration, [[tracking (hunting)|tracking]], [[fieldcraft]], and self-reliance.<ref name="vanwyk">{{cite book |last=van Wyk |first=Peter |year=2003 |url=http://www.burnhamkingofscouts.com/ |title=Burnham: King of Scouts |publisher=Trafford Publishing |isbn=978-1-4122-0028-8 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |archive-date=August 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802055520/http://www.burnhamkingofscouts.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> During this time in the Matobo Hills Baden-Powell first started to wear his signature [[campaign hat]]<ref>By a happy co-incidence, these hats were already called "[[Boss of the Plains]]" hats—or "B-P hats" for short</ref> like the one worn by Burnham, and acquired his [[kudu]] horn, the [[Northern Ndebele people|Ndebele]] war instrument he later used every morning at Brownsea Island to wake the first Boy Scouts and to call them together in training courses.<ref name="jeal">{{cite book |first=Tim |last=Jeal |author-link=Tim Jeal |title=Baden-Powell |publisher=Hutchinson |location=London |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-09-170670-8}}</ref><ref name="orans">{{cite web |last=Orans |first=Lewis P. |url=http://pinetreeweb.com/kudu.htm |title=The Kudu Horn and Scouting |publisher=PineTree Web |access-date=July 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name="forster">{{cite web | last =Forster | first = Reverend Dr. Michael | url = http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/sha/scouthistory.doc | title =The Origins of the Scout Movement| publisher =Netpages | access-date=October 2, 2007|format=DOC}}</ref>

Three years later, in [[South African Republic|South Africa]] during the [[Second Boer War]], Baden-Powell was [[Siege of Mafeking|besieged in the small town of Mafikeng (Mafeking)]] by a much larger Boer army.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishbattles.com/great-boer-war/mafeking.htm |title=The Siege of Mafeking |publisher=British Battles.com |access-date=July 11, 2006}}</ref> The [[Mafeking Cadet Corps]] was a group of youths that supported the troops by carrying messages, which freed the men for military duties and kept the boys occupied during the long siege. The Cadet Corps performed well, helping in the defence of the town (1899–1900) and were one of the many factors that inspired Baden-Powell to write ''Scouting for boys''.<ref name="cadet1">{{cite web |url=http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/|title=The Mafeking Cadets |work=Scouting Milestones |publisher=btinternet.co.uk |access-date=February 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614022041/http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com//cadets.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref><ref name="cadet2">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.org.za/seeds/cadets.html |title=The Mafeking Cadets |work=The African Seeds of Scouting |publisher=Scout Web South Africa |access-date=February 4, 2007 |archive-date=January 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102185503/http://www.scouting.org.za/seeds/cadets.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Webster|first=Linden Bradfield|title=Linden Bradfield Webster's Reminiscences of the Siege of Mafeking|journal= Military History Journal |volume=1|issue=7}}</ref> Each member received a badge that illustrated a combined [[compass]] point and [[spear]]head. The badge's logo was similar to the [[fleur-de-lis]] shaped arrowhead that later adopted by Scout.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com//fleur.htm |title=Scouting Milestones&nbsp;– The Evolution of The World Scout Badge|access-date=January 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614023925/http://scoutguidehistoricalsociety.com/|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref> The siege of Mafeking was the first time since his own childhood that Baden-Powell, a regular serving soldier, had come into the same orbit as "civilians"—women and children—and discovered for himself the usefulness of well-trained boys.

In the United Kingdom, the public, through newspapers, followed Baden-Powell's struggle to hold Mafeking, and when the siege was broken he had become a [[Folk hero|national hero]]. This rise to fame fuelled the sales of the small instruction book he had written in 1899 about military scout training and survival, ''Aids to scouting,''<ref name="bp1899">{{cite book |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell |title=Aids to scouting for N.-C.Os. & men |publisher=Gale & Polden |date=1899 |location=London |oclc=316520848}}</ref> that owed much to what he had learned from discussions with Burnham.<ref name="arrow"/>

On his return to England, Baden-Powell noticed that boys showed considerable interest in ''Aids to scouting'', which was unexpectedly used by teachers and youth organizations.<ref name="arrow"/> He was urged to rewrite this book for boys, especially during an inspection of the [[Boys' Brigade]] (of which he was vice president at the time), a large [[youth movement]] drilled with military precision. Baden-Powell thought this would not be attractive and suggested that the Boys' Brigade could grow much larger if scouting was included.<ref name="BPJeal">{{cite book |last=Jeal |first=Tim |author-link=Tim Jeal |publisher=Yale University Press|year=1989 |title=Baden-Powell |pages=360–362, 371}}</ref> He studied other schemes, parts of which he used in ''Scouting for boys''.

[[File:Members of Scouts Australia from several groups attending "Scouts Own" in camp.jpg|thumb|right|Australian Scouts attend [[Scouts' Own]], an informal, spiritual Scout ceremony]]
A wide variety of cultures have adopted Scout training. Scouts in the United States use images drawn from the U.S. [[frontier]] experience and [[Native Americans in the United States|American native peoples]] for their connection with nature and wilderness survival skills which can be used as part of the training program. By contrast, British Scouting makes use of imagery drawn from its wider colonial frontiers including Canada, the Indian subcontinent, Australia and Africa and writings such as [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s.<ref name="Kipling">{{cite web|url=http://www.authorama.com/jungle-book-1.html|title=The Jungle Book|last=Kipling|first=Rudyard|work=Mowgli's Brothers|publisher=Authorama|access-date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>

Frontier and military scouts inspired interest in playing and training as Scouts. Baden-Powell wrote his military training book, ''Aids to scouting'' because he saw the need for the improved training of British soldiers and army scouts, particularly in initiative, self-reliance, and observational skills. The book's popularity with young boys surprised him. He adapted the book as ''Scouting for boys''.''<ref name="surprise">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Johnny |year=2006 |url=http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/sfb.htm |title=''Scouting for Boys'' – the Influences, the Means, the Process and its Success |publisher=Scouting Milestones |access-date=December 5, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614024123/http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/sfb.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref>

"Duty to God" is a principle of the Scout Movement, though it is applied differently in various countries.<ref name="faqs">{{cite web |year=1998 |url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scouting/rec.scouting.issues/section-11.html |title=What was Baden-Powell's position on God and Religion in Scouting? |publisher=Faqs |access-date=December 3, 2006}}</ref><ref name="inquiry">{{cite web|last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |year=1912 |url=http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/religion.htm |title=Baden-Powell on Religion |publisher=Inquiry.net |access-date=December 3, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115192441/http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/religion.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2006 }}</ref> [[Scouting America]] takes a strong position, excluding [[atheism|atheists]].<ref name="duty">{{cite web|url=http://www.bsalegal.org/duty-to-god-cases-224.asp |work=BSA Legal Issues |title=Duty to God |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=December 3, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074048/http://www.bsalegal.org/duty-to-god-cases-224.asp |archive-date=May 9, 2008 }}</ref> [[The Scout Association]] in the United Kingdom permits variations to its Promise, in order to accommodate different religious obligations.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2005/1_5.htm#rule_1.1|title= Rule 1.1: Variations to the wording of the Promises|access-date= December 23, 2009|publisher= The Scout Association|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202131520/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2005/1_5.htm#rule_1.1|archive-date= December 2, 2008|df= mdy-all}}</ref> While for example in the predominantly atheist Czech Republic the Scout oath does not mention God altogether with the organization being strictly irreligious,<ref>Štogr, Josef, ed. Význam slibu: sborník. Praha: Libri prohibiti, 2011. 50 s. {{ISBN|978-80-904778-5-8}}</ref> in 2014, United Kingdom Scouts were given the choice of being able to make a variation of the Promise that replaced "duty to God" with "uphold our Scout values",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/10/09/uk_scouting_opens_the_doors_to_unbelievers/|title= Be prepared... to give heathens a badge: UK Scouts open doors to unbelievers|access-date=October 10, 2013 |first=Bill |last=Ray |website= The Register}}</ref> [[Scouts Canada]] defines Duty to God broadly in terms of "adherence to [[spirituality|spiritual]] principles" and leaves it to the individual member or leader whether they can follow a Scout Promise that includes Duty to God.<ref name="canadareligion">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://sunshine.scouts.ca/bpp/Section%205000.pdf |title=Standard Operating Procedures, Section 5000 – Scouts Canada's Programs |publisher=Scouts Canada |access-date=May 31, 2007 |archive-date=January 4, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104012402/http://sunshine.scouts.ca/bpp/Section%205000.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Worldwide, roughly one in three Scouts are Muslim.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9173946/New-uniforms-help-Muslim-girl-Scouts-to-be-better-prepared.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9173946/New-uniforms-help-Muslim-girl-Scouts-to-be-better-prepared.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New uniforms help Muslim girl Scouts to be better prepared |author=Hough, Andrew |date=March 30, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Scout Movement characteristics==
Scouts use the Scout method, which incorporates an informal educational system that emphasizes practical activities in the outdoors. Programs exist for Scouts ranging in age from 6 to 25 (though age limits vary slightly by country), and program specifics target Scouts in a manner appropriate to their age.<ref name="constitution">{{cite web |date=April 2000 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/library/institutional_documents/constitution_of_w_o_s_m_jan_2011/wosm_constitution_full_version_en_fr |title=Constitution of WOSM |format=PDF |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=November 30, 2012 |pages=2–15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601023012/http://scout.org/en/information_events/library/institutional_documents/constitution_of_w_o_s_m_jan_2011/wosm_constitution_full_version_en_fr |archive-date=June 1, 2013  }}</ref><ref name="goodturn">{{cite web|year=1998 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3899/34684/file/ScoutEducSyst_E.pdf |title=Scouting: An Educational System |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=July 10, 2006 |page=9 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316202248/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3899/34684/file/ScoutEducSyst_E.pdf |archive-date=March 16, 2007 }}</ref>

===Scout method===
{{Main|Scout method}}

The Scout method is the principal method by which Scout organizations and Scouts, operate their units. One description of the Scout Movement is: "a voluntary nonpolitical educational movement for young people open to all without distinction of origin, [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]] or [[religion|creed]], in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the Founder".<ref name="constitution"/> It is the goal of Scouting "to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities."<ref name="constitution"/>

Scout principles describe a code of behaviour for all members and characterize the Scout Movement. The Scout method is a progressive system designed to achieve these goals, comprising seven elements: [[Scout Law|law]] and [[Scout Promise|promise]], learning by doing, team system, symbolic framework, personal progression, nature, and adult support.<ref name="Educational System">{{cite web|year=1998 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3899/34684/file/ScoutEducSyst_E.pdf |title=Scouting: An Educational System |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=January 13, 2007 |page=19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316202248/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3899/34684/file/ScoutEducSyst_E.pdf |archive-date=March 16, 2007 }}</ref> While community service is a major element of both the WOSM and WAGGGS programs, WAGGGS includes it as an extra element of the Scout method: service in the community.<ref name="constitutionWAGGGS">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/1109/1/1ConstitutionbookletEnglish.pdf |title=Constitution Booklet |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |access-date=September 15, 2007 |page=Article 6b}}</ref>

The Scout Law and Promise embody the values of the Scout movement and bind all Scouts together. The emphasis on "learning by doing" provides experiences and hands-on orientation as a practical method of learning and building [[self-esteem|self-confidence]]. Small groups build unity, camaraderie, and a close-knit fraternal atmosphere. These experiences, along with an emphasis on trustworthiness and personal honor, help to develop [[personal responsibility|responsibility]], [[moral character|character]], [[self (psychology)|self-reliance]], self-confidence, reliability, and [[preparedness|readiness]]; which eventually lead to [[collaboration]] and [[leadership]]. A program with a variety of progressive and attractive activities expands a Scout's horizon and bonds the Scout even more to the group. Activities and games provide an enjoyable way to develop skills such as [[dexterity]]. In an outdoor setting, they also provide contact with the natural environment.<ref name="goodturn"/>

Since the origins of the Scout Movement, Scouts have taken a Scout Promise to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribe to the Scout Law. The form of the promise and laws have varied slightly by country and over time, but must fulfil the requirements of the WOSM to qualify a National Scout Association for membership.<ref name="constitution"/>

The [[Scout Motto]], "Be Prepared", has been used in various languages by millions of Scouts since 1907. Less well-known is the [[Boy Scouts of America#Aims, methods, and ideals|Scout Slogan]], "Do a good turn daily".<ref name="BSA slogan">{{cite web|url=http://www.scouting.org/media/factsheets/02-503.aspx |title=What Is Boy Scouting? |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=January 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527102319/http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-503.aspx |archive-date=May 27, 2008 }}</ref>

===Activities===
[[File:Guides Łosiniec.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|[[Girl Guide and Girl Scout|Girl Guides]] in front of a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church in Poland]]

Common ways to implement the Scout method include having Scouts spending time together in small groups with shared experiences, [[ritual]]s, and activities, and emphasizing "good [[citizenship]]"<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mills|first1=Sarah|title="An Instruction in Good Citizenship": Scouting and the Historical Geographies of Citizenship Education|journal=Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers|date=2013|volume=38|issue=1|pages=120–134|doi=10.1111/j.1475-5661.2012.00500.x|s2cid=56197483 |url=https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/12149}}</ref> and decision-making by young people in an age-appropriate manner. Weekly meetings often take place in local centres known as Scout dens. Cultivating a love and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities is a key element. Primary activities include [[camping]], [[woodcraft]], [[List of water sports|aquatics]], [[hiking]], backpacking, and [[sport]]s.<ref name="vision">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.org/Legal/mission.aspx |title=Mission Statement and Vision Statement |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=October 10, 2006 |archive-date=March 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303193618/http://www.scouting.org/Legal/mission.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="mbcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.meritbadge.com/info/aims.htm |title=Boy Scout Aims and Methods |publisher=Meritbadge.com |access-date=October 27, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022015708/http://meritbadge.com/info/aims.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2006 }}</ref>

Camping is most often arranged at the unit level, such as one Scout troop, but there are periodic camps (known in the US as "[[camporee]]s") and "[[jamboree (Scouting)|jamborees]]". Camps occur a few times a year and may involve several groups from a local area or region camping together for a weekend. The events usually have a theme, such as [[Pioneering (Scout Movement)|pioneering]]. [[World Scout Moot]]s are gatherings, originally for [[Rover Scout]]s, but mainly focused on [[Scout Leader]]s. Jamborees are large national or international events held every four years, during which thousands of Scouts camp together for one or two weeks. Activities at these events will include games, Scoutcraft competitions, [[Scouting memorabilia collecting|badge, pin or patch trading]], aquatics, woodcarving, [[archery]] and activities related to the theme of the event.<ref name="2007act">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://eng.scouting2007.org/activities/  |title=2007 One World One Promise |work=World Centenary Activities |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=December 7, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061221141208/http://eng.scouting2007.org/activities/ |archive-date = December 21, 2006}}</ref>

[[File:Scout mem jamb 1979 1980 perry lakes gnangarra.jpg|thumb|Sculpture erected in 1982 to commemorate the 1979 Jamboree at [[Floreat, Western Australia|Perry Lakes]] [[Western Australia]] and 75 years of the Scout Movement]]
In some countries a highlight of the year for Scouts is spending at least a week in the summer engaging in an outdoor activity. This can be a camping, hiking, [[sailing]], or other trip with the unit, or a summer camp with broader participation (at the council, state, or provincial level). Scouts attending a summer camp work on [[Scout badge]]s, advancement, and perfecting Scoutcraft skills. Summer camps can operate specialty programs for older Scouts, such as sailing, backpacking, [[canoeing]] and [[whitewater]], [[caving]], and fishing.<ref name="pipsico">{{cite web|url=http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/pipsico/summercamp.html|title=Pipsico Scout Reservation|publisher=Tidewater Council|access-date=January 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211113959/http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/pipsico/summercamp.html|archive-date=February 11, 2009}}</ref><ref name="blueridge">{{cite web|url=http://www.bsa-brmc.org/camp.htm |title=Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation |publisher=Blue Ridge Mountains Council|access-date=January 17, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730083410/http://www.bsa-brmc.org/camp.htm| archive-date = July 30, 2008}}</ref>

Scout promote international harmony and peace.<ref name="peace">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/mission_vision/the_vision |title=The Vision for Scouting |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=July 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212195123/http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/mission_vision/the_vision |archive-date=February 12, 2007  }}</ref> Various initiatives are in train towards achieving this aim including the development of activities that benefit the wider community, challenge prejudice and encourage tolerance of diversity. Such programs include co-operation with non-Scout organisations including various NGOs, the United Nations and religious institutions as set out in ''The Marrakech Charter''.<ref name="marrakech">{{cite web |url=http://scout.org/index.php/en/about_scouting/partners/marrakech/introduction |title=Introduction to Partnerships in Scouting |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=July 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516035701/http://www.scout.org/index.php/en/about_scouting/partners/marrakech/introduction |archive-date=May 16, 2007  }}</ref>

===Uniforms and distinctive insignia===
{{anchor|Uniform|Uniforms|Insignia}}
{{Self-reference|Individual national or other emblems may be found at the individual country's Scout article.}}

[[File:Ideal Scout.png|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[R. Tait McKenzie]] sculpture ''Ideal Scout'' depicts a Scout in traditional uniform]]
The Scout uniform is a widely recognized characteristic. Baden-Powell said the uniform "hides all differences of social standing in a country and makes for equality; but, more important still, it covers differences of country and race and creed, and makes all feel that they are members with one another of the one great brotherhood".<ref name="uniform">{{cite web |last=Wade |first=E.K. |year=1957 |url=http://pinetreeweb.com/wade12.htm |title=27 Years With Baden-Powell |work=Why the Uniform?, ch 12 |publisher=Pinetree.web |access-date=July 24, 2006}}</ref> The original uniform, still widely recognized, consisted of a [[khaki]] button-up shirt, shorts, and a broad-brimmed [[campaign hat]]. Baden-Powell also wore shorts, because he believed that being dressed like a Scout helped to reduce the age-imposed distance between adult and youth. Uniform shirts are now frequently blue, orange, red or green and shorts are frequently replaced by long trousers all year or only under cold weather.

While designed for smartness and equality, the Scout uniform is also practical. Shirts traditionally have thick seams to make them ideal for use in makeshift stretchers—Scouts were trained to use them in this way with their staves, a traditional but deprecated item. The leather straps and toggles of the [[campaign hat]]s or Leaders' [[Wood Badge]]s could be used as emergency [[tourniquets]], or anywhere that string was needed in a hurry. [[Neckerchief]]s were chosen as they could easily be used as a sling or triangular bandage by a Scout in need. Scouts were encouraged to use their [[garters]] for [[shock cord]] where necessary.<ref name="uniform"/>

Distinctive insignia for all are Scout uniforms, recognized and worn the world over, include the Wood Badge and the World Membership Badge. Scouts use a [[Fleur-de-lis in Scouting|fleur-de-lis]] emblem while members of the [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] (WAGGGS) use a [[trefoil]].<ref name="fleurwosm">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/baden_powell/b_p_gallery/scout_emblem |title=World Scout Emblem |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=January 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207120057/http://scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/baden_powell/b_p_gallery/scout_emblem |archive-date=February 7, 2009  }}</ref><ref name="worldtrefoil">{{cite web |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/resources/photos/54 |title=The World Trefoil |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |access-date=December 7, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061231034510/http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/resources/photos/54 |archive-date = December 31, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[fylfot]] (now more commonly called a [[swastika]]) was used by the [[The Scout Association|Boy Scouts Association]] of the United Kingdom and others in early thanks badges from 1911.<ref name="swastika">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/badges.htm |work=Scouting milestones |title=The Fleur-de-lis and the Swastika|publisher=btinternet.co.uk |access-date=January 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614021806/http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/badges.htm|archive-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref> Lord Baden-Powell's 1922 design for the Medal of Merit added a swastika to the Scout Arrowhead to symbolize good luck for the recipient. In 1934, Scouters requested a change to the design because of the connection of the swastika with its more recent use by the [[Nazi Party|German National Socialist Workers (Nazi) Party]]. A new Medal of Merit was issued by the Boy Scouts Association in 1935.<ref name="swastika"/>

==Age groups and sections==
{{Main|Age groups in Scouting and Guiding}}
[[File:Cub Scouts of Hong Kong at Scout Rally.jpg|thumb|A group of Hong Kong [[Cub Scouts]]]]

In addition to Scouts, many Scout and Guide organizations have developed other programs for other age groups. These age divisions have varied over time as they adapt to the local culture and environment.<ref name="Educational Objectives">{{cite web |year=1994 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3590/32850/file/EduObj.pdf |title=Educational Objectives of the Scout Movement |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=January 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225123035/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3590/32850/file/EduObj.pdf |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |page=12}}</ref>

Scouts are youths between the ages of 11 and 17. In most Scout organizations, this age group composes the [[Boy Scout]], Girls Scouts or [[Girl Guide and Girl Scout|Guides]]. Some organizations developed other programs for those who had become too old to remain Scouts or were too young to be Scouts and take the Scout Promise (e.g. Cubs for ages 6 to 10). Many organizations split training of Scouts and Guides into "junior" and "senior" groups. The age ranges vary by organization.<ref name="bsasections">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.org/ |title=Boy Scouts of America, National Council |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=December 7, 2006}}</ref><ref name="britsections">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouts.org.uk/ |title=The Scout Association, Official UK Website |publisher=The Scout Association |access-date=December 7, 2006}}</ref><ref name="ggsections">{{cite web |url=http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/ |title=Girlguiding UK Home and welcome |publisher=Girl Guiding UK |access-date=December 7, 2006}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|+ Traditional age groups as they were between 1920 and 1940 in most organizations:
|-
!width="100"|Age range
!width="150"|Boys section
!width="150"|Girls section
|-
|8 to 10
|[[Cub Scout|Wolf Cubs]]
|[[Brownies (Scouting)|Brownie Guide]]
|-
|11 to 17
|[[Scout (Scouting)|Boy Scout]]
|[[Girl Guide and Girl Scout|Girl Guide or Girl Scout]]
|-
|18 and up
|[[Rover Scout]]
|[[Ranger (Girl Guide)|Ranger Guide]]
|}

The national programs for younger children include [[Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)|Lions]], Tigers, Wolfs, Bears, Webelos, Arrow of the Light Scouts, [[Cub Scout|Cubs]], [[Brownies (Scouting)|Brownies]], [[Membership levels of the Girl Scouts of the USA#Daisies|Daisies]], [[Rainbows (Girl Guides)|Rainbow Guides]], [[Beavers (Scouting)|Beavers]], [[Joey Scouts|Joeys]], [[Scouts Aotearoa|Keas]], and [[Girl Guides South Africa|Teddies]]. Programs for post-adolescents and young adults include [[Rover Scout|Rovers]] the [[Ranger (Girl Guide)|Rangers and Young Leaders]],<ref name="RangerGuides">{{cite web |year=2001 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A499269 |title=Girlguiding in the UK&nbsp;– The Senior Sections |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=December 3, 2006}}</ref> [[Rover Scout|Rovers]], [[Senior Scouts (Baden-Powell Scouts' Association)|Senior Scouts]], [[Venturer Scout]]s, [[Explorer Scouts (The Scout Association)|Explorer Scouts]], and the [[Scout Network]]. Many organizations also have a program for those with special needs, often known as [[Extension Scouting]]. The Scout Method has been adapted to specific programs such as [[Air Scout]]s, [[Sea Scout]]s, Mounted Scouts and Scout bands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=77|title=Soorten Scoutinggroepen |publisher=Scouting Nederland |access-date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>

Some Scout organizations use the local [[Scout Group]] structure which contain units operating programs for different ages.<ref name="The Green Island">{{cite web |year=2007 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3596/32878/file/The%20Green%20Island.pdf |first1=Dominique |last1=Bénard |first2=Jacqueline |last2=Collier Jespersen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930200902/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3596/32878/file/The%20Green%20Island.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=The Green Island |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=January 17, 2009 |page=210}}</ref>

==Adults and leadership==
[[File:Sir R. Baden - Powell LCCN2014719329cr2.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Robert Baden-Powell]]]]
Adults supporters, including former Scouts and Guides, can often join organizations such as the [[International Scout and Guide Fellowship]]. In the United States and the Philippines, university students might join the co-ed service [[fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] [[Alpha Phi Omega]]. In the United Kingdom, university students might join the [[Student Scout and Guide Organisation]] and, after graduation, the [[Scout and Guide Graduate Association]]. In some organizations, it is possible for adults to join support groups such as ScoutLink or a Trefoil Guild without being an adult leader.

Scout units are usually operated by adult volunteers, such as parents and carers, former Scouts, students, and community leaders, including teachers and religious leaders. [[Scout Leader]]ship positions are often divided into 'uniform' and 'lay' positions. Uniformed leaders have received formal training, such as the [[Wood Badge]], and have received a warrant for a rank within the organization. Lay members commonly hold part-time roles such as meeting helpers, committee members and advisors, though there are a small number of full-time lay professionals.<ref name="trooporg">{{cite web |date=April 2000 |url=http://scoutmaster.org/usscouts/boyscouts/bstroop.asp |title=Troop Organization |publisher=U.S. Scouting Service Project |access-date=July 26, 2006 |pages=2–15 }}</ref>

A unit has uniformed positions—such as the Scoutmaster and assistants—whose titles vary among countries. In some countries, units are supported by lay members, who range from acting as meeting helpers to being members of the unit's committee. In some Scout associations, the committee members may also wear uniforms and be registered Scout leaders.<ref name="commguide">{{cite book |year=1990 |title=BSA Troop Committee Guidebook |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |location=Irving, Texas |isbn=978-0-8395-6505-5}}</ref>

Above the unit are further uniformed positions, called Commissioners, at levels such as district, county, council or province, depending on the structure of the national organization. Commissioners work with lay teams and professionals. Training teams and related functions are often formed at these levels. In the UK and in other countries, the national Scout organization appoints the Chief Scout, the most senior uniformed member.<ref name="UKCouncil">{{cite web|url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_3.htm#part_1|title=The Council of the Scout Association|work=POR: Chapter 6: The Structure of the Headquarters of The Scout Association|access-date=January 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414015042/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_3.htm#part_1|archive-date=April 14, 2009}}</ref><ref name="UKCouncil2">{{cite web|url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_9.htm#part_1|title=The Chief Scout's Committee|work=POR: Chapter 6: The Structure of the Headquarters of The Scout Association|access-date=January 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414020445/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/6_9.htm#part_1|archive-date=April 14, 2009}}</ref><ref name="UKCouncil3">{{cite web|url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/badges/|title=Awards, Decorations and Recognition of Service|work=Badges|access-date=January 17, 2009|archive-date=August 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820110823/http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/badges/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Around the world==
[[File:Partioparaati 2012 Lounais-Suomi puhe.jpg|thumb|A parade of [[Finnish scouts]] in front of the [[Turku Cathedral]] on May 6, 2012]]
Following its origins in the United Kingdom, the Scout Movement spread around the world. Possibly the first national organization outside the British Empire was founded in Chile on May 21, 1909, after a visit by Baden Powell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scoutchile.blogspot.com/2007/11/short-history-of-scouts-in-chile.html |title=Short history about Chilean Scouting|publisher=Scout+Chile |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> In most countries, there is now at least one Scout organization.  International Scout organizations were formed. In 1911, the [[Order of World Scouts|World Scouts]] were formed. In 1922 the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]] was formed and organizes its [[World Scout Jamboree]] every four years.<ref name="worldjambo">{{cite web|year=2006 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/jamborees_history |title=World Scout Jamborees History |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=December 5, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525110938/http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/events/world_events/world_jamboree/jamborees_history |archive-date=May 25, 2007 }}</ref> In 1928 the [[World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts]] for female-only national Scout and Guide organizations and operates four international centres: [[Our Cabaña]] in Mexico, [[Our Chalet]] in Switzerland, [[Pax Lodge]] in the United Kingdom, and [[Sangam World Centre|Sangam]] in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wagggs.org/en/world/centres |title=World Centres |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |access-date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>

===Co-educational===
[[File:1996-Rover Moot-Fahnengruß.jpg|thumb|left|Scouts and Guides from several different countries meet at [[World Scout Moot]] in Sweden, 1996]]
There have been different approaches to co-education in the Scout Movement. Some countries have maintained separate organizations for boys and girls,<ref name="bsagirls">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/girls-top.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030908140040/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/girls-top.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 8, 2003 |title=BSA and Girls in Scouting |publisher=BSA Discrimination.org |access-date=December 4, 2006}}</ref> In other countries, especially within Europe, Scout and Guide organizations have merged and there is a single organization for boys and girls.<ref name="canadagirls">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gender_policy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030920190555/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gender_policy.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 20, 2003 |title=Scouts Canada Policy on Girls |publisher=BSA Discrimination.org |access-date=December 4, 2006}}</ref><ref name="germanygirls">{{cite web |year=2005 |url=http://n2zgu.50megs.com/GER.htm |title=Scouting in Germany |publisher=50megs.com |access-date=December 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090716105313/http://n2zgu.50megs.com/GER.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2009  }}</ref> The United States–based [[Boy Scouts of America]] permitted girls to join in early 2018.<ref name="newusafamilybsapolicy">{{cite web |year=2018 |url=https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FAQ-Family-Program-061218-FINAL.pdf |title=Family Scouting Questions and Answers |access-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002020325/https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FAQ-Family-Program-061218-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> In others, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, the national Scout association has opted to admit both boys and girls, but is only a member of the WOSM, while the national Guide association has remained as a separate movement and member of the WAGGGS. In some countries like Greece, Slovenia and Spain there are separate associations for Scouts, that are members of WOSM, and for Guides, that are members of WAGGGS, both admitting boys and girls.<ref name="WorldGuides">{{cite book|title=Trefoil Round the World|url=https://archive.org/details/trefoilroundworl00worl|url-access=registration|publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau|location=London, England|year=2002|edition=11|isbn=978-0-900827-75-4}}</ref>
[[File:Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia Scouts 8th Indonesian National Rover Moot 2003.jpg|thumb|[[Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia|Indonesian Scouts]] at the 8th Indonesian National Rover Moot, 8–17 July 2003 in [[Prambanan Temple]], [[Special Region of Yogyakarta|Yogyakarta]]]]
The Scout Association in the United Kingdom has been co-educational at all levels since 1991, and this was optional for groups until the year 2000 when new sections were required to accept girls. The Scout Association transitioned all Scout groups and sections across the UK to become co-educational by January 2007, the year of the Scout Movement's centenary.<ref name="cesan">{{cite web |date=Oct 2005 |url=http://www.edinburgh-scout.org.uk/cesan/cesan-2005-10.pdf |title=CESAN |work=City of Edinburgh Scout Association Newsletter |publisher=City of Edinburgh Scout Association |access-date=December 7, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070621194643/http://www.edinburgh-scout.org.uk/cesan/cesan-2005-10.pdf |archive-date = June 21, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Traditional Scouting|traditionalist]] [[Baden-Powell Scouts' Association]] has been co-educational since its formation in 1970.

In the United States, the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs of the BSA were for boys only until 2018; it has changed its policies and is now inviting girls to join, as local packs organize all-girl dens (same uniform, same book, same activities). For youths age 14 and older, [[Venturing]] has been co-educational since the 1930s. The [[Girl Scouts of the USA]] (GSUSA) is an independent organization founded in 1912 for girls and young women only. Adult leadership positions in the BSA and GSUSA are open to both men and women.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scouting for All Ages|url=http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/Boys/scouting.aspx|publisher=Boy Scouts of America|access-date=January 17, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125110700/http://scouting.org/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/Boys/scouting.aspx|archive-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=For Adults&nbsp;– Volunteering |publisher=Girl Scouts of the USA |year=2008 |url=http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/volunteering/ |access-date=January 17, 2009 |archive-date=August 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807074733/http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/volunteering/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2006, of the 155 WOSM member National Scout Organizations (representing 155 countries), 122 belonged only to WOSM, and 34 belonged to both WOSM and WAGGGS. Of the 122 which belonged only to WOSM, 95 were open to boys and girls in some or all program sections, and 20 were only for boys. All 34 that belonged to both WOSM and WAGGGS were open to boys and girls.<ref name="scoutorgs">{{cite web|date=Sep 2006 |url=http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/countries/national_scout_organisations |title=National Scout Organisations |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=February 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202171158/http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/countries/national_scout_organisations |archive-date=February 2, 2007 }}</ref>

WAGGGS had 144 Member Organizations in 2007 and 110 of them belonged only to WAGGGS. Of these 110, 17 were coeducational and 93 admitted only girls.<ref name="ssr">{{cite web |url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scouting/worldwide/part1/section-15.html |title=Scouting in Sweden |work=Scouting Around the World |publisher=rec.scouting |access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref><ref name="t97coed">{{cite web |date=Nov 2006 |url=http://www.troop97.net/intscout.htm |title=International Scouting Organizations |publisher=Troop 97 |access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref><ref name="wagggsboyproof">{{cite web |url=http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/world/organisations?mo=10 |title=Argentina |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts|access-date=September 15, 2007}}</ref>

===Membership===
As of 2019, there are over 46 million registered Scouts<ref name="WOSM_Census_2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.scout.org/WOSM-census|title=WOSM Membership Census|website=World scouting|publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement|access-date=November 28, 2021}}</ref> and  as of 2020 9 million registered Guides<ref name="memberwagggs">{{cite web |year=2021 |url=https://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/membership-fee-policy-2022-2023/ |title=Membership Fee Policy 2022-2023 |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts |access-date=November 28, 2021}}</ref> around the world, from 216 countries and territories.

{|class="wikitable sortable"  
|+ Top 20 countries with Scouts and Guides, sorted by total male and female membership of all organisations.<ref group="n.b.">Full tables on [[List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members]] and [[List of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts members]].</ref><ref name="SRTW1990"/><ref>{{cite book |year=1979 |title=Scouting 'round the World. Le scoutisme à travers le monde |edition=11th |publisher=World Scout Bureau |isbn=978-2-88052-001-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |year=1997 |title=Trefoil Round the World |url=https://archive.org/details/trefoilroundworl00worl |url-access=registration |edition=11th |publisher=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau |isbn=978-0-900827-75-4}}</ref>
|-
!Country
!Membership <ref name="WOSM_Census_2019"/><ref name="memberwagggs"/>
!Population<br />participation
!Scouting<br />introduced
!Guiding<br />introduced
|-
|Indonesia ||align="right" |24,760,000{{pad|50px}} ||9.2% ||1912 ||1912
|-
|India ||align="right" |5,930,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.4% ||1909 ||1911
|-
|United States ||align="right" |4,910,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.8% ||1910 ||1912
|-
|Philippines ||align="right" |3,340,000{{pad|50px}} ||3.2% ||1910 ||1918
|-
|[[Kenya]]|| align="right" |2,400,000{{pad|50px}} ||4.2% ||1910 ||1920
|- 
|[[Bangladesh]]|| align="right" |2,090,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.3% ||1914 ||1928
|-
|[[Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] ||align="right" |940,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.8% ||1907 ||1909
|- 
|Nigeria ||align="right" |870,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.4% ||1915 ||1919
|-
|Pakistan ||align="right" |830,000{{pad|50px}}||0.4% ||1909 ||1911
|-
|Thailand ||align="right" |810,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.2% ||1911 ||1957
|-
|Tanzania ||align="right" |630,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.0% ||1917 || 1928
|-
|Uganda ||align="right" |570,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.3% ||1915 ||1914
|-
|Malawi ||align="right" |430,000{{pad|50px}} ||2.2% ||1931 ||1924
|-
|Malaysia||align="right" |400,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.2% || 1908||1916
|-
|Turkey ||align="right" |290,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.4% ||1909 ||
|-
|Germany<ref group="n.b.">Including 90,000 non-aligned Scouts and Guides, see [[Scouting in Germany]]</ref>||align="right" |250,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.3% ||1910 ||1912
|-
|Italy<ref group="n.b.">Including 30,000 non-aligned Scouts and Guides, see [[Scouting in Italy]]</ref> ||align="right" |230,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.4% ||1910 ||1912
|-
|Canada ||align="right" |220,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.5% ||1908 ||1910
|-
|France<ref group="n.b.">Including 60,000 non-aligned Scouts and Guides, see [[Scouting in France]]</ref> ||align="right" |210,000{{pad|50px}} ||0.3% ||1910 ||1911
|- 
|Belgium<ref group="n.b.">Including 5,000 non-aligned Scouts and Guides, see [[Scouting in Belgium]]</ref> ||align="right" |170,000{{pad|50px}} ||1.5% ||1911 ||1915
|}
<div style="width:60%;">{{Reflist|group="n.b."}}</div>

===Nonaligned and Scout-like organizations===
{{Main|Non-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisations}}
[[File:Harcerki Związek Harcerstwa Rzeczypospolitej-Confédération Européenne de Scoutisme.jpg|thumb|right|Girl Guides from the Polish [[Scouting Association of the Republic (Poland)|ZHR]], an associate member of the [[Confederation of European Scouts|CES]]]]
The Scout Movement is a pluralist movement, not a unitary or hierarchical organization. Before the establishment of national Scout organizations, the Scout training and the Scout Movement were the purview of the world's youth and before the formation of international Scout organizations, several national Scout organizations had already formed in many countries.<ref name="chums">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/sha/chums.htm |title=CHUMS |publisher=The Scout History Society |access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref><ref name="The Italian Boy Scouts">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/worldscouts/ital.htm |title=The Italian Boy Scouts (The Ragazzi Esploratori Italiani). |publisher=The Scout History Society |access-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref>

Alternative organization have formed since the origins of the Scout Movement.  Many early organizations were formed on religious, gender, ethnic or language lines or differed on the influence of militarism or pacifism. More recently formed alternate organizations often differ on social, political and/or organizational issues. Some believe that other Scout organizations have moved away from original intents and want to return to earlier, simpler, [[traditional scouting|traditional]] methods.<ref name="trad">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.inquiry.net/traditional/index.htm |title=Traditional Scouting |publisher=American Traditional Scouting |access-date=December 4, 2006}}</ref><ref name="bpscouts">{{cite web |year=2006 |url=http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/ |title=The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association |publisher=The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association |access-date=December 4, 2006}}</ref> Others do not want to follow all Scout principles or those of particular international organizations and their national member organizations but still desire to participate in Scout activities.<ref name="HJ">{{cite web|url=http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=3029|title=Hitlerjugend: An In-Depth History: HJ Organizational structure |last=Vercamer|first=Arvo L.|date=October 3, 2003|work=Youth Organizations|publisher=Axis History|access-date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>

In 2008, there were at least 539 independent Scout organizations around the world,<ref name="t97coed"/> Only 367 of them were members of WOSM or WAGGGS. About half of the remaining 172 Scout organizations are only local or national oriented. About 90 other national or regional Scout organizations have created other international Scout organizations:<ref name="t97coed"/>
* [[Order of World Scouts]], the first international Scout organisation, founded in 1911.
* [[International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe]], an independent faith-based Scout organization founded in 1956.
* [[Confederation of European Scouts]], established in 1978.
* [[World Federation of Independent Scouts]], formed in Laubach, Germany, in 1996.
* [[World Organization of Independent Scouts]], mostly South-American, founded in 2010.

Some Scout-like organizations are also served by international organizations, many with religious elements, for example:
* [[Pathfinders (Seventh-day Adventist)|Pathfinders]] – A youth organization of the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]], formed in 1950.
* [[Royal Rangers]] – A youth organization of the [[Assemblies of God]], formed in 1962.

==Influence on society==
After the origins of the Scout in the early 1900s, some nations' programs have taken part in social movements such as the nationalist [[Indian independence movement|resistance movements in India]]. Although Scouts was sometimes introduced in Africa by imperial officials as a way to strengthen their rule, the Scout principles helped to challenge the legitimacy of [[imperialism]]. Likewise, African Scouts used the Scout Law's principle that a Scout is a brother to all other Scouts to collectively claim full citizenship.<ref name="movement">{{cite web |last=Foster |first=Rev. Michael |year=2001 |url=http://www.netpages.free-online.co.uk/sha/crisis.htm |title=The Growing Crisis in the Scout Movement |work=Scout History |publisher=Scout History Association |access-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref><ref name="britimperialism">{{cite web |last=Parsons |first=Timothy |url=http://www.ohioswallow.com/book/0821415956 |title=Race, Resistance, and the Boy Scout Movement in British Colonial Africa |publisher=Ohio University Press and Swallow Press |access-date=December 25, 2006}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{Main|Scouting controversy and conflict}}

In the United Kingdom, [[The Scout Association]] had been criticised for its insistence on the use of a religious promise,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/feb/04/scoutingwithoutgod|title= Scouting Without God|access-date=December 23, 2009 |work= The Guardian | location=London | first=Terry | last=Sanderson | date=February 4, 2008}}</ref> leading the organization to introduce an alternative in January 2014 for those not wanting to mention a god in their promise. This change made the organisation entirely non-discriminatory on the grounds of race, gender, sexuality, and religion (or lack thereof).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24434510 |title=Scouts announce alternative promise for atheists |last1=Burns |first1=Judith |date=October 8, 2013 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News |access-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref>

The [[Boy Scouts of America]] was the focus of criticism in the United States for not allowing the open participation of homosexuals until removing the prohibition in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gays-top.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031203122956/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/gays-top.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 3, 2003|work=BSA Discrimination|title=BSA and Homosexuality|access-date=February 6, 2006}}</ref>

[[Communist state]]s such as the [[Soviet Union]] in 1920 and fascist regimes like [[Nazi Germany]] in 1934 often either absorbed the Scout movement into government-controlled organizations, or [[Scouting controversy and conflict#Bans on Scouting by authoritarian regimes|banned Scouting entirely]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Block | first = Nelson | year = 2009 | title = Scouting Frontiers: Youth and the Scout Movement's First Century | pages = 215–216 | isbn = 978-1-4438-0450-9}}</ref>

==In film and the arts==
{{Main|Scouting in popular culture}}

The Scout Movement has been a facet of culture during most of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in many countries; numerous films and artwork focus on the subject.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Dubill|first=Andy|year=2005|title=Scouts on the Silver Screen|journal=International Scouting Collectors Association Journal |volume=5|issue=2|pages=28–31}}</ref> Movie critic Roger Ebert mentioned the scene in which the young Boy Scout, [[Indiana Jones (character)|Indiana Jones]], discovers the Cross of Coronado in the movie ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'', as "when he discovers his life mission".<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|title=Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade |date=May 24, 1989|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19890524/REVIEWS/905240301/1023|access-date=November 30, 2012}}</ref>

The works of painters [[Ernest Stafford Carlos]], [[Norman Rockwell]], [[Pierre Joubert (illustrator)|Pierre Joubert]] and [[Joseph Csatari]] and the 1966 film ''[[Follow Me, Boys!]]'' are prime examples of this ethos. Scout are often portrayed in a humorous manner, as in the 1989 film ''[[Troop Beverly Hills]]'', the 2005 film ''[[Down and Derby]]'', and the film ''{{ill|Scout Camp (film)|lt=Scout Camp|qid=Q126370056}}''.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1288505|title=Scout Camp|work=IMDB}}</ref> In 1980, [[Scottish people|Scottish]] singer and songwriter [[Gerry Rafferty]] recorded ''I was a Boy Scout'' as part of his ''Snakes and Ladders'' album.<ref name="I was">{{cite web |year=1980 |url=http://www.thelyricarchive.com/song/781952-105849/I-Was-a-Boy-Scout |title=Gerry Rafferty&nbsp;– I was a Boy Scout |work=Song lyrics |access-date=December 8, 2006}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Scouting}}
* [[Pioneer movement]]
* [[Lookwide Camp]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Nagy |first=László |author-link=László Nagy (Scouting) |title=250 Million Scouts |publisher=The World Scout Foundation and Dartnell Publishers |year=1985| isbn=9780850131536}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rosenthal |first=Michael |title=The Character Factory: Baden-Powell and the Origins of the Boy Scout Movement |publisher=Collins |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-00217-604-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=World Organization of the Scout Movement |title=Scouting 'round the World. Facts and Figures on the World Scout Movement |year=1990 |isbn=2-88052-001-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Block |first=Nelson R. |title=Scouting Frontiers: Youth and the Scout Movement's First Century |last2=Proctor |first2=Tammy M. |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-4438-0450-9 |location=Cambridge, UK}}
* {{Cite book |last=World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau |title=Trefoil Round the World |year=1997 |isbn=0-900827-75-0 |edition=11th}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Scouting}}
<!--- These links should pertain to the Scout Movement as a world-wide movement. Links for specific countries or organizations belong in that article. --->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130530142922/http://www.scout.org/en/about_scouting/facts_figures/history/milestones_of_world_scouting Milestones in World Scouting]
* [http://www.scoutwiki.org Scoutwiki – international wiki for Scouting]
* [http://www.thescoutingpages.org.uk The Scouting Pages – All sorts of Scout Facts]

{{Scouting|movement}}
{{Scout continent|Africa}}
{{Scout continent|Asia}}
{{Scout continent|Europe}}
{{Scout continent|North America}}
{{Scout continent|Oceania}}
{{Scout continent|South America}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Scouting| ]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1907]]
[[Category:1907 establishments in the United Kingdom]]