Scouting, Volume 55, Number 2, February 1967 Page: 11
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and from working-class families were invited. This was
to be a testing, and a cross-section of all types of hoys
was needed.
Letter of invitation
Baden-Powell carefully outlined the plan in a letter
to parents. He explained the purpose of the camp, listed
the equipment the boys would need, and the arrival and
departure times. B-P did not leave things to chance; he
planned carefully.
The boys' day in camp started each morning at 6.
They were awakened by the eerie notes from a koodoo
horn that the general had picked up in one of his African
campaigns.
Tracking, stalking, and observation—in which B-P was
an expert—were taught by him. A Coast Guard officer
gave instruction in first aid and firemanship. A simulated
whale hunt from two boats, and other water games, added
to the fun and adventure. Activities were carried on by
the four patrols—Wolves. Curlews, Bulls, and Ravens.
Wide games often occupied the afternoons. The high
spot of the day for many was the campfire where B-P
often told stories from his own experiences.
B-P in action
"I can see him still as he stands in the flickering
light of the fire." P. W. Everett wrote in his book.
Baden-Powell, "an alert figure, full of the joy of life,
now grave, now gay, answering all manner of questions,
imitating the call of birds, showing how to stalk a wild
animal, flashing out a little story, dancing and singing
around the fire, pointing a moral, not in actual words.
but in such elusive and yet convincing way that every-
one present, man or boy, was ready to follow him
wherever he might lead."
The boys maintained night patrol. B-P wanted them
to get used to night conditions, and he often tried to
get through their picket. He enjoyed being a boy, too.
Interpatrol contests in leaf gathering, explaining tracks,
following trails, finding hidden messages, and other tests
of ingenuity and resourcefulness were frequently used.
Numerous camp experiences stirred the boys' imagina-
tions, motivating them to Be Prepared.
Patrols at work
The patrol was the unit of operation for work or
play. Patrol camps were some distance from each other,
and patrol pride was emphasized at every turn. The
patrol leader was the key. He was given full responsi-
bility and held accountable for the conduct of the mem-
bers of his patrol. "The organization of dividing the boys
into patrols of five, with a senior boy in each as a
patrol leader was the secret of our success," Baden-
Powell repeated after the camp.
Ideas were tested
The experiment was a complete success. The founder's
ideas were no longer mere theories. They had been field
tested with real boys. Youngsters from a wide variety
of backgrounds had lived together for more than a week,
happily and constructively. They had learned. They had
caught attitudes. They had responded. And Brownsea
Island became historic as the site of the world's first
Scout camp. £J
11
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 55, Number 2, February 1967, periodical, February 1967; New Brunswick, New Jersey. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth331778/m1/13/?rotate=270: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.