Founder's Day

 

Today we look at something important - Founder's Day.

The day itself, 22 February, marks the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouts. It’s a birthday he shared with his wife, Olave, on the far right of this picture,  who was World Chief Guide, which is why the day is special for Guides too who call it Thinking Day.

As is traditional, Scouts  took part in the Annual Wreath Laying Service at the Baden-Powell Memorial at Westminster Abbey represented vy Welsh Explorers, alongside our Girlguiding friends reflecting on what he gave us when he set out the principals for scouting and started our movement.

It is  a day to renew your Promise, and think about how Scouting has and still does have the potential to change lives and society in general for the better in whar are trouibling times with conflicts and challenges not least that involving our planet.

Founders day edition

 Today is Founders Day where we reflect upon what Lord Baden-Powell (second left)  gave to the World with the concept of Scouting which he founded.

His vision has influenced countless generations of young people globally, providing opportunities for them to experience self-discovery through an array of activities and impact-driven initiatives.

This day is also deeply personal to each of us, as we recollect Scouting’s heritage, and memories of special moments in Scouting – our first Promise, new friendships, and the many activities filled with adventure and fun!

Over the years, Scouting has evolved significantly – it’s what it means to be a Movement. Scouting is dedicated to creating impactful and life-changing experiences for young people through the different programs offered.

Fun and games are often held for children while leaders talk about how scouting helps you move on in life.

Thank you B-P.

Founders Day reflections

Friday was a very important day for all in Scouting being the day we mark the birth of Robert Baden-Powell who founded Scouting in its differing forms and to whom we owe a good deal for pioneering a movement that raises the individual and contributes so much to society. 

Today I'm looking at a few quotes I feel are worth remembering.

Life is very much an adventure from our birth and adventure is very much a need of all of us as young boys and girls to adults too so much so that many put back much into scouting and the wider community through our work and community volunteering.

To me this this is very important because our world sadly is not perfect and if we waited for it to be so that would be a long time but one good deed at a time we can take it along in the right direction if we make every endeavour to leave it better than we found it.

The world of today is different from that Baden-Powell inhabited, people often suggest they know a persons capabilities and yet self improvement and making the most of your abilities whatever challenges we may face remain the best ways we can grow as people often surprising others.

The tendency to look very much at our own needs and desires rather than understand what we gain by helping and serving others is not new nor is at times an obsession with material things.

Human decency requires we look beyond ours own situation and instead focus on what we may do that would help others meeting their needs.

We have social and moral obligations to each other.

I am grateful for everything he has done and how it has helped me.

Founders Day

Today is Founder's Day, the day we mark the Birthday of Robert Baden-Powell who was born on February 22nd  1857 and who founded Scouting in the United Kingdom on January 24th 1908 with the publication of the first instalment of Scouting For Boys, the seminal text.

Here is a picture of B-P in Leicester, part of the East Midlands which I feel shows how he inspired and continues to inspire boys and girls to be their best selves, helping raise communities through informal practical learning while having fun.

I feel you can tell a Scout a mile off as he or she is the one does things without having to be asked and is prepared to give things a go even if it's something they're not familiar with.

You might do things like swimming, water sports, cycling, hiking and famously camping but you do so with friends, having fun together, playing games, learning to work as a team and taking on new challenges and for many a scout having weekly meetings, hanging out together.

For all he gave us, we give our thanks this day.