New to Scouting - Massanutten District

"Scouting is a game, with a purpose."

-Lord Robert Baden-Powell

Lord Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement in England in 1907. Baden-Powell was an officer in the British Army serving in India and Africa, becoming a hero during the Boer War. Baden-Powell firmly believed that by training a boy in leadership and character, that boy would make a better soldier and a better citizen. When Baden-Powell retired from active duty he invited a group of boys to attend the first Boy Scout Camp at Brownsea Island. The camp was such a success that he then wrote the first handbook, "Scouting for Boys," which became an instant best seller.

Scouting came to America because of a good deed performed by a Scout in England. One day in 1909, William Boyce, an American businessman visiting London became lost in the heavy fog. Suddenly a Scout appeared and offered to guide Mr. Boyce to his destination. Along the way, the Scout told him about the Boy Scout program. The Scout declined to take any money for his kindness, telling Boyce that a Scout is not allowed to accept money for helping other people, and then disappeared back into the fog. That is always remembered as "The Unknown Scout."

William Boyce was so impressed with the young man that he visited with Lord Baden-Powell and decided to bring Scouting to America. Boyce combined with two others interested in bringing values to young men, William Seton and Daniel Beard to found the Boy Scouts of America on February 8th, 1910. Two hundred million boys, who have been members of the BSA, owe the Unknown Scout a debt of gratitude for that "Good Turn".

From its conception through today Scouting has had three basic aims:

Citizenship, Character Development and Fitness

For more information on what Scouting can offer you, click one of the links below.