“Scouting for Boys” is set for 'sale' of
the century!
So a headline read from the national Scout Association ScoutBaseuk
website. Originally written by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 in
Fortnightly parts and the very reading of it by the young people in that first
decade of the 1900’s created almost overnight a new Organisation of Boy Scouts
before adults had barely caught the speed of it. It was intended to help
existing youth organisations with additional ideas, but youngsters were caught
by the sheer breadth of it’s pages and so Scout Troops began all over the U.K.
in those first couple of years. ‘The rest is history’ as they say, and
“Scouting for Boys has been published in many languages of the world – including
Spanish “Escultismo para muchachos” and into Welsh. Your Ross &
Sutherland website Editor received a copy of the latest Edition (birthday gift)
and it is well recommended to everyone.
The ScoutBase Site report continued……….
Scouting for Boys is one of the world's all time bestsellers - and a new
edition based on the original 1908 work is set to hit the bookshelves on March
11th, 2004
To mark this special event, a commemorative plaque will be presented to
Wimbledon Windmill Museum on 6 March at 12 noon, just yards from where
Baden-Powell wrote parts of the original manuscript. Among those attending will
be the Chief Scout George Purdy CBE and the Founder's grandson, the present Lord
Baden-Powell.
Translated into more than 50 languages, B-P's revolutionary work, offering
advice to young people taking their first steps into the outdoors, became the
publishing sensation of its day, staking its claim as one of the most popular
books ever behind the Bible and the Koran. An immediate success when first
published, the book continues to fascinate today, though it is no longer
targeted at young people.
TV survival expert Ray Mears is just one former Scout who values Scouting for
Boys. 'It's great news that it's being republished,' says Ray. 'It's a book we
recommend to clients taking survival courses as it contains hundreds of
practical tips still useful today. In some parts, it's certainly a book of its
time, but much of B-P's rough guide to the outdoors still stands us in good
stead.'
Its legacy is extraordinary. Worldwide, the Movement now boasts nearly 28
million members in 216 countries. The original Scout Motto 'Be prepared' was
recently rated in MORI research as the most recognised of five national and
international organisations' slogans. But while it has remained true to its
values and principles, Scouting has continued to adapt and evolve over the last
100 years.
Scouting offers young people - now girls as well as boys - adventure,
friendship and the chance to change the world for the better. Globally, Scouts
are taking a leading role in peace, health and environmental projects, including
HIV prevention and education in Africa. The Movement's unique role in providing
vital team-working and communication skills to young people is recognised by
potential and existing employers.
Funds raised from the sale of the book, published by Oxford University Press
will be put towards Scouting's 2007 centenary celebrations, enabling Scouts
around the world to get a slice of the action at the 2007 World Scout Jamboree;
and towards developing local community projects to make a difference
globally, |