Page 5 - Scouting Life

Unfortunately, the First World War temporarily
destroyed much of this international feeling;
though former Scouts used much of their
training in the trenches on the Western Front.
However, in 1920, two years after the end of the
First World War, an international scouting
convention was held in Olympia, London where
Baden-Powell was declared Chief Scout.

He retired from the Scouting movement in 1937, in his last letter
to the Scouts, he wrote:

“I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you
to have a happy life too. I believe that God put us in this
jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not
come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your
career, nor by self-indulgence.”

Lord Baden-Powell

Powell saw the Scouts as a means to promote an all-
rounded education for young people – giving a sense
of purpose, duty, patriotism and ability to work
together. Powell often wrote thoughts on education
and the role of the Scouting Movement.

“The secret of sound education is to get each
pupil to learn for himself, instead of instructing
him by driving knowledge into him on a
stereotyped system.”

The Scouter (January 1912)