Robert Baden-Powell (B-P) started the Scout Movement in 1907. In the years since, it has grown to become the world’s largest and best known youth organisation. Occasionally, people have left to form their own version of Scouting. The existence of multiple organisations calling themselves Scouts has the potential to create some confusion, especially for those considering giving support to Scouting. This article is intended to help in such situations.
Baden-Powell’s original organisation continues to this day as the UK Scout Association (TSA). Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1912, its joint Presidents are HRH The Duke of Kent and HRH The Princess of Wales.
The Scout Association’s headquarters are at Gilwell Park in Epping Forest, outside London. Gilwell was purchased in 1919 to be the Scout’s training centre and is considered the “spiritual home” of Scouting worldwide. Baden-Powell chose the name Gilwell as the territorial designation for his peerage.
In keeping with Baden-Powell’s wish that Scouting be a dynamic Movement, The Scout Association has continually evolved to deliver its original purpose and values, but in a way that is contemporary, relevant and attractive to succeeding generations. As a result, it is growing in membership. The UK Scout Association currently has a membership of around 500,000 young people, aged 4-25, and over 160,000 adult leaders, trustees and supporters. It remains a values based uniformed youth organisation, delivering a structured programme with achievements recognised by progressive awards or badges. It has been fully co-educational since 1991.
Governed by an elected trustee board, The Scout Association is a registered charity. Its charity numbers are 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland). Its subordinate Counties / Areas, Districts and Groups each have their own trustees and, if they own property, are also registered charities in their own right.
The Scout Association has an excellent reputation, built over years of service to local communities and from its track record of developing generations of young people in all aspects of their lives. Its leaders have to comply with stringent screening and safeguarding requirements, and complete a thorough leadership training programme, which is accredited by the Institute of Leadership (IoL) (formerly the Institute of Leadership & management (ILM)).
In 1922 The Scout Association (then known as The Boy Scouts Association) was a founder member of what today is called the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM). This international body recognises 176 National Scout Organisations (NSOs) operating in 224 countries and territories. A key function of WOSM is to set international standards for Scouting and ensure they are met. Its total membership is currently over 57 million worldwide.
Members of Baden-Powell’s family, including every successor to his hereditary titles as a Peer and a Baronet, continue their active involvement in Scouting as members of WOSM recognised National Scout Organisations.
Members of WOSM and its NSOs can be recognised by the World Scout Badge they wear on their uniform.
At various points in Scouting’s history, some members have left The Scout Association, or other WOSM recognised NSOs, and formed their own bodies with the word “Scout” in their title. Some of these organisations have joined with others to form their own international bodies. These organisations are much smaller than The Scout Association and WOSM.
A feature of these organisations seems to be differences of opinion over policy or over changes to the Scout programme. They tend to preserve former practices, such as earlier age ranges, former uniforms and older badge systems. Their members are not permitted to wear the World Scout Badge, which is a protected symbol
I have no knowledge of the governance, finances, policies, risk management, safeguarding, safety or other practices in such organisations, so I cannot comment on them. I have no association with them, and I do not endorse or support their activities.
If a Freemasons’ Lodge, Province / District or Grand Lodge is considering supporting Scouting, it is worth asking, as part of their due diligence process, to which national and international Scout organisations the Scouts concerned belong, and to ask explicitly if they are part of WOSM. Based on the answer, the Freemasons can then make an informed decision. If in any doubt, I can check Scouts’ membership status through The Scout Association.
If you wish to make contact with local Scouting, the document, “The Scouts & Freemasonry: creating local connections”, will provide helpful information. If you want any further information, please contact me directly.
