Scouting

Scouting or the Scout Movement is a youth movement which became popularly established in the first decade of the 20th century.

It follows the Scout method of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. A widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing and encouraging equality, with neckerchief (known as a scarf in some countries) and (originally) a campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive insignia include the fleur-de-lis, as well as merit badges or patches. In many countries, girls-only organizations, whose members are often called Guides instead of Scouts, use a trefoil insignia instead of the fleur-de-lis.

The original program was for youths between the ages of 11 and 17. Other programs for youths who are too young to be in the main program and take the Scout Promise sometimes exist within an organization. Early examples are Wolf Cubs and Brownies. Programs can also exist for those who are older. Early examples are Rovers or Rangers. The actual names or even existence depend on organization and time period. Speciality programs, such as Sea Scouts, exist.

In 2019, over 55 million Scouts and Guides were in at least 155 countries. The Scout movement is a pluralist movement, not a unitary organization. Numerous local, national, and international Scout organizations have been formed. The largest international organizations are the World Organization of the Scout Movement and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts; some national organizations belong to both.

In the late 19th and beginning of the 20th century, popular interest in frontier and military scouts existed. Boys and girls read fictional and nonfictional stories about scouts and emulated these scouts in dress and activities and used self-help manuals. Some teachers and youth leaders instructed boys and girls in scout craft. Reconnaissance and Scouting (1884)^[1] and Aids to Scouting,^[2] books on military scout training written by Robert Baden-Powell, were among the sources used for instruction. Sales of Aids to Scouting were fueled by Baden-Powell's fame as hero of the Second Boer War.^[3]

Inspired by the interest in his books on scout training and urged by the Boys' Brigade founder, William A. Smith and leaders, some of whom had adopted Scout training, and by the publishers, C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, Baden-Powell began writing a book for boy readership.^[4] Baden-Powell was also motivated by his experience with the Mafeking Cadet Corp and the poor physical standards of recruits and their poor preparation for colonial wars. He studied other youth training schemes. In July 1906, Ernest Thompson Seton, a British-born Canadian raised naturalist, artist and writer living in the United States, sent Baden-Powell a copy of his 1902 book The Birchbark Roll of the Woodcraft Indians^[5] and they met in October 1906 and shared ideas about youth training, providing Baden-Powell with a scheme for delivery of scout training.^[6][7]

In August 1907, Baden-Powell led a week-long experimental Scout camp on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset England to test his ideas. Twenty-one boys from various social backgrounds, from boy's schools in the London area and a section of boys from the Poole, Parkstone, Hamworthy, Bournemouth and Winton Boys' Brigade units attended the camp.^[8] Following Seton's scheme, the boys organized themselves in small groups with an elected leader.^[9] The camp was accompanied by advertising and followed by an extensive promotional speaking tour arranged by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. to promote the forthcoming book.

In 1908, Baden-Powell's book, Scouting for Boys, was published in six fortnightly parts, followed in April by The Scout magazine. These omitted many military aspects of Aids to Scouting and transferred the techniques (mainly survival skills) to non-military heroes: backwoodsmen, explorers^[10] He also added innovative educational principles (the Scout method) by which he extended the attractive game to a personal mental education.^[7] and provided descriptions of the Scout method of outdoor activities aiming at developing character, citizenship training and Physical fitness among youth.^[11][12][13] Later in 1908, Scouting for Boys was published in book form and a revised edition was published in 1909 and was the basis for the 1910 Boy Scout Handbook of the Boy Scouts of America by Seton.^[14] The various editions of the book are now the fourth-bestselling title of all time.^[15] The original edition and magazine described a scheme which could be used by established organizations, particular the various Brigade Movement organizations.^[16][17] However, because of the popular image of scouts and desire for adventurous outdoor activities, boys and even some girls formed their own Scout patrols and troops, independent of any organization.

In 1909, a Scout Rally was held at Crystal Palace in London, which 11,000 Boy Scouts and even some Girl Scouts in uniform attended.

Local and national Scout organizations were formed. In 1910, Baden-Powell formed The Boy Scouts Association. The Boy Scouts Association's first census in 1910 claimed 100,000 registered Scouts.^[16]

Special interests and programs developed such as Scout bands, cyclist scouts, Sea Scouts, Air Scouts, mounted Scouts and high adventure.^[18][19]

Many girls took up being Girl Scouts and were part of the Scout Movement as soon as it began. Common Edwardian values of the time would not accept young boys and girls to "rough and tumble" together. Baden-Powell with the help of his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell, formed a separate organization for girls in 1910, the Girl Guides Association, which was followed in other countries forming the Girl Guides.^[20] However, by the 1990s, two-thirds of the Scout organizations belonging to WOSM had become co-educational.^[21]

The scouts law is for boys, as follows;

• A Scout's honour is to be trusted – This means the scout will try as best as he can to do what he promised, or what is asked of him
• A Scout is loyal – to his king or queen, his leaders and his country.
• A Scout's duty is to be useful, and to help others
• A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout – Scouts help one another, regardless of the differences in status or social class.
• A Scout is courteous – He is polite and helpful to all, especially women, children and the elderly. He does not take anything for being helpful.
• A Scout is a friend to animals – He does not make them suffer or kill them without need to do so.
• A Scout obeys orders – Even the ones he does not like.
• A Scout smiles and whistles
• A Scout is thrifty – he avoids unnecessary spending of money.
• A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed (added later)

Scouting for boys, introduced the Scout promise, as follows:^[23]

Before he becomes a scout, a boy must take the scout's oath, thus:

"On my honour I promise that—

1. I will do my duty to God and the King.
2. I will do my best to help others, whatever it costs me.
3. I know the scout law, and will obey it."

While taking this oath the scout will stand, holding his right hand raised level with his shoulder, palm to the front, thumb resting on the nail of the little finger and the other three fingers upright, pointing upwards:—

This is the scout's salute.

The Boy Scout Movement swiftly established itself throughout the British Empire. By 1908, Scouts were established in Gibraltar, Malta, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaya (YMCA Experimental Troop in Penang) and South Africa. In 1909 Chile was possibly the first country outside the British dominions to have a national Scout organization. By 1910, Argentina, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States had Boy Scouts.^[24][25]

Younger children, particularly younger siblings, too young to be Scouts and take the Scout Promise attended some Scout meetings and so programs for younger children were developed by some troops and organizations. Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts Association launched its Wolf Cubs in 1916, which Baden-Powell wanted to be distinct from Scouts in name, uniform and identity to ensure they did not give Scouts a juvenile image. In the United States, attempts at Cub programs began as early as 1911 but formal recognition by the Boy Scouts of America was not made until 1930.^[25][26] Some Scout organizations have associated programs for even younger children and infants.

Some Scout organizations developed programs for those who had grown too old to be Scouts but wanted to remain associated with and support Scout Troops. Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts Association formed its Rovers in 1918 for young men and its Guild of Old Scouts.^[27]

La Asociación de Boy Scouts de Baden-Powell realizó campamentos de formación de jefes de tropa en Londres y Yorkshire en 1910 y 1911. La formación de líderes se retrasó debido a la Primera Guerra Mundial . La Asociación de Boy Scouts adquirió Gilwell Park cerca de Londres en 1919 como lugar de formación para adultos y campamento scout ^{[ 28 ]} y realizó allí su primer curso de Wood Badge en 1919. ^{[ 29 ]} El Wood Badge fue copiado en muchas otras organizaciones scout nacionales. Baden-Powell también escribió Aids to Scoutmastership para ayudar a los líderes scout .

Elementos importantes de la formación scout tienen su origen en las experiencias de Baden-Powell en educación y entrenamiento militar. Era un general retirado del ejército de 50 años cuando escribió «Escultismo para chicos» , y su obra inspiró a miles de jóvenes de todos los estratos sociales a participar en actividades que la mayoría jamás había contemplado. Organizaciones similares en el mundo angloparlante son la Brigada de Niños y la organización no militarista Woodcraft Folk ; sin embargo, nunca alcanzaron el desarrollo y crecimiento del Movimiento Scout. ^{[ 30 ]}

En Charterhouse , una de las escuelas públicas más famosas de Inglaterra , Baden-Powell tenía interés en las actividades al aire libre. ^{[ 31 ]} Más tarde, como oficial militar, Baden-Powell estuvo destinado en la India británica en la década de 1880, donde se interesó por el reconocimiento militar y en 1896, Baden-Powell fue asignado a la región de Matabeleland en Rodesia del Sur (ahora Zimbabue) como Jefe de Estado Mayor del general.

Frederick Carrington during the Second Matabele War. In June 1896 he met here and began a lifelong friendship with Frederick Russell Burnham, the American-born Chief of Scouts for the British Army in Africa.^[32][33] This was a formative experience for Baden-Powell not only because he had the time of his life commanding reconnaissance missions into enemy territory, but because many of his later Boy Scout ideas originated here.^[34] During their joint scouting patrols into the Matobo Hills, Burnham augmented Baden-Powell's woodcraft skills, inspiring him and sowing seeds for both the program and for the code of honor later published in Scouting for Boys.^[35][36] Practiced by frontiersmen of the American Old West and indigenous peoples of the Americas, woodcraft was generally little known to the British Army but well known to the American scout Burnham.^[32] These skills eventually formed the basis of what is now called scoutcraft, the fundamentals of Scout training. Both men recognized that wars in Africa were changing markedly and the British Army needed to adapt; so during their joint scouting missions, Baden-Powell and Burnham discussed the concept of a broad training program in woodcraft for young men, rich in exploration, tracking, fieldcraft, and self-reliance.^[37] During this time in the Matobo Hills Baden-Powell first started to wear his signature campaign hat^[38] like the one worn by Burnham, and acquired his kudu horn, the Ndebele war instrument he later used every morning at Brownsea Island to wake the first Boy Scouts and to call them together in training courses.^[39][40][41]

Tres años después, en Sudáfrica durante la Segunda Guerra Bóer , Baden-Powell fue asediado en la pequeña ciudad de Mafikeng (Mafeking) por un ejército bóer mucho mayor. ^{[ 42 ]} El Cuerpo de Cadetes de Mafeking era un grupo de jóvenes que apoyaba a las tropas llevando mensajes, lo que liberaba a los hombres para tareas militares y mantenía a los chicos ocupados durante el largo asedio. El Cuerpo de Cadetes se desempeñó bien, ayudando en la defensa de la ciudad (1899-1900) y fue uno de los muchos factores que inspiraron a Baden-Powell a escribir Scouting for boys . ^{[ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ]} Cada miembro recibió una insignia que ilustraba una punta de brújula y una punta de lanza combinadas . El logotipo de la insignia era similar a la punta de flecha en forma de flor de lis que más tarde adoptó Scout. ^{[ 46 ]} El asedio de Mafeking fue la primera vez desde su propia infancia que Baden-Powell, un soldado regular en servicio, entró en la misma órbita que los "civiles" —mujeres y niños— y descubrió por sí mismo la utilidad de los muchachos bien entrenados.

En el Reino Unido, el público, a través de los periódicos, siguió la lucha de Baden-Powell por mantener Mafeking, y cuando se rompió el asedio se había convertido en un héroe nacional . Este ascenso a la fama impulsó las ventas del pequeño manual de instrucciones que había escrito en 1899 sobre entrenamiento y supervivencia de exploradores militares, Aids to scouting, ^{[ 2 ]} que debía mucho a lo que había aprendido en sus conversaciones con Burnham. ^{[ 3 ]}

A su regreso a Inglaterra, Baden-Powell notó que los chicos mostraban un interés considerable en Ayudas para el escultismo , que inesperadamente era utilizado por maestros y organizaciones juveniles. ^{[ 3 ]} Se le instó a reescribir este libro para chicos, especialmente durante una inspección de la Brigada de Chicos (de la cual era vicepresidente en ese momento), un gran movimiento juvenil adiestrado con precisión militar. Baden-Powell pensó que esto no sería atractivo y sugirió que la Brigada de Chicos podría crecer mucho más si se incluía el escultismo. ^{[ 4 ]} Estudió otros planes, partes de los cuales utilizó en Escultismo para chicos .

Diversas culturas han adoptado la formación scout. Los scouts en Estados Unidos utilizan imágenes de la experiencia de la frontera estadounidense y de los pueblos nativos americanos por su conexión con la naturaleza y las habilidades de supervivencia en la naturaleza, que pueden integrarse en el programa de formación. Por el contrario, el escultismo británico emplea imágenes de sus extensas fronteras coloniales, como Canadá, el subcontinente indio, Australia y África, así como de obras de autores como Rudyard Kipling . ^{[ 47 ]}

Los exploradores de la frontera y los militares inspiraron el interés por jugar y entrenar como scouts. Baden-Powell escribió su libro de entrenamiento militar, Ayudas para el escultismo, porque vio la necesidad de mejorar la formación de los soldados y exploradores del ejército británicos, especialmente en iniciativa, autosuficiencia y habilidades de observación. La popularidad del libro entre los jóvenes lo sorprendió. Lo adaptó como Escultismo para chicos . ^{[ 48 ]}

El "deber para con Dios" es un principio del Movimiento Scout, aunque se aplica de manera diferente en varios países. ^{[ 49 ] [ 50 ]} Scouting America adopta una postura firme, excluyendo a los ateos . ^{[ 51 ]} La Asociación Scout del Reino Unido permite variaciones en su Promesa para adaptarse a diferentes obligaciones religiosas. ^{[ 52 ]} Mientras que, por ejemplo, en la República Checa, predominantemente atea, el juramento Scout no menciona a Dios en absoluto, ya que la organización es estrictamente irreligiosa, ^{[ 53 ]} en 2014, los Scouts del Reino Unido tuvieron la opción de hacer una variación de la Promesa que reemplazaba "deber para con Dios" por "defender nuestros valores Scout". ^{[ 54 ]} Scouts Canadá define el Deber para con Dios de manera amplia en términos de "adherencia a los principios espirituales " y deja a criterio del miembro o líder individual si pueden seguir una Promesa Scout que incluya el Deber para con Dios. ^{[ 55 ]} En todo el mundo, aproximadamente uno de cada tres Scouts es musulmán. ^{[ 56 ]}

Los Scouts utilizan el método Scout, que incorpora un sistema educativo informal que enfatiza las actividades prácticas al aire libre. Existen programas para Scouts de entre 6 y 25 años (aunque los límites de edad varían ligeramente según el país), y las especificidades de los programas se adaptan a los Scouts de manera apropiada para su edad. ^{[ 57 ] [ 58 ]}

El método Scout es el principal método mediante el cual las organizaciones Scout y los Scouts operan sus unidades. Una descripción del Movimiento Scout es: "un movimiento educativo voluntario y apolítico para jóvenes, abierto a todos sin distinción de origen, raza o credo , de acuerdo con el propósito, los principios y el método concebidos por el Fundador". ^{[ 57 ]} El objetivo del escultismo es "contribuir al desarrollo de los jóvenes para que alcancen su máximo potencial físico, intelectual, social y espiritual como individuos, como ciudadanos responsables y como miembros de sus comunidades locales, nacionales e internacionales". ^{[ 57 ]}

Los principios scout describen un código de conducta para todos los miembros y caracterizan al Movimiento Scout. El método scout es un sistema progresivo diseñado para alcanzar estos objetivos, que comprende siete elementos: ley y promesa , aprendizaje mediante la práctica, sistema de equipo, marco simbólico, progresión personal, naturaleza y apoyo de los adultos. ^{[ 59 ]} Si bien el servicio comunitario es un elemento importante tanto de los programas WOSM como de WAGGGS, WAGGGS lo incluye como un elemento adicional del método scout: servicio en la comunidad. ^{[ 60 ]}

La Ley y la Promesa Scout encarnan los valores del movimiento Scout y unen a todos los Scouts. El énfasis en "aprender haciendo" proporciona experiencias y orientación práctica como método efectivo de aprendizaje y desarrollo de la autoconfianza . Los grupos pequeños fomentan la unidad, la camaradería y un ambiente fraternal cercano. Estas experiencias, junto con el énfasis en la confiabilidad y el honor personal, ayudan a desarrollar la responsabilidad , el carácter , la autosuficiencia , la autoconfianza, la fiabilidad y la preparación ; lo que finalmente conduce a la colaboración y el liderazgo . Un programa con una variedad de actividades progresivas y atractivas amplía el horizonte del Scout y lo vincula aún más al grupo. Las actividades y los juegos ofrecen una forma divertida de desarrollar habilidades como la destreza . En un entorno al aire libre, también proporcionan contacto con el medio ambiente natural. ^{[ 58 ]}

Desde los orígenes del Movimiento Scout, los Scouts han hecho una Promesa Scout comprometiéndose a vivir de acuerdo con los ideales del movimiento y a adherirse a la Ley Scout. La forma de la promesa y las leyes han variado ligeramente según el país y a lo largo del tiempo, pero deben cumplir con los requisitos de la OMMS para que una Asociación Scout Nacional pueda ser miembro. ^{[ 57 ]}

The Scout Motto, "Be Prepared", has been used in various languages by millions of Scouts since 1907. Less well-known is the Scout Slogan, "Do a good turn daily".^[61]

Common ways to implement the Scout method include having Scouts spending time together in small groups with shared experiences, rituals, and activities, and emphasizing "good citizenship"^[62] and decision-making by young people in an age-appropriate manner. Weekly meetings often take place in local centres known as Scout dens. Cultivating a love and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities is a key element. Primary activities include camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports.^[63][64]

Camping is most often arranged at the unit level, such as one Scout troop, but there are periodic camps (known in the US as "camporees") and "jamborees". Camps occur a few times a year and may involve several groups from a local area or region camping together for a weekend. The events usually have a theme, such as pioneering. World Scout Moots are gatherings, originally for Rover Scouts, but mainly focused on Scout Leaders. Jamborees are large national or international events held every four years, during which thousands of Scouts camp together for one or two weeks. Activities at these events will include games, Scoutcraft competitions, badge, pin or patch trading, aquatics, woodcarving, archery and activities related to the theme of the event.^[65]

En algunos países, uno de los momentos más destacados del año para los Scouts es pasar al menos una semana en verano realizando actividades al aire libre. Esto puede ser acampar, hacer senderismo, navegar u otro viaje con la unidad, o un campamento de verano con mayor participación (a nivel de consejo, estado o provincia). Los Scouts que asisten a un campamento de verano trabajan en insignias Scout , progresan y perfeccionan sus habilidades Scout. Los campamentos de verano pueden ofrecer programas especializados para Scouts mayores, como vela, senderismo, piragüismo y rafting , espeleología y pesca. ^{[ 66 ] [ 67 ]}

El escultismo promueve la armonía y la paz internacionales. ^{[ 68 ]} Diversas iniciativas para lograr este objetivo incluyen el desarrollo de actividades que benefician a la comunidad en general, combaten los prejuicios y fomentan la tolerancia a la diversidad. Estos programas incluyen la cooperación con organizaciones no scout, como varias ONG, las Naciones Unidas e instituciones religiosas, tal como se establece en la Carta de Marrakech . ^{[ 69 ]}

El uniforme Scout es una característica ampliamente reconocida. Baden-Powell afirmó que el uniforme «oculta todas las diferencias de posición social en un país y promueve la igualdad; pero, aún más importante, cubre las diferencias de país, raza y credo, y hace que todos se sientan parte de una gran hermandad». ^{[ 70 ]} El uniforme original, todavía ampliamente reconocido, consistía en una camisa caqui abotonada , pantalones cortos y un sombrero de campaña de ala ancha . Baden-Powell también usaba pantalones cortos, pues creía que vestirse como un Scout ayudaba a reducir la distancia impuesta por la edad entre adultos y jóvenes. Actualmente, las camisas del uniforme suelen ser azules, naranjas, rojas o verdes, y los pantalones cortos se reemplazan con frecuencia por pantalones largos durante todo el año o solo en climas fríos.

While designed for smartness and equality, the Scout uniform is also practical. Shirts traditionally have thick seams to make them ideal for use in makeshift stretchers—Scouts were trained to use them in this way with their staves, a traditional but deprecated item. The leather straps and toggles of the campaign hats or Leaders' Wood Badges could be used as emergency tourniquets, or anywhere that string was needed in a hurry. Neckerchiefs were chosen as they could easily be used as a sling or triangular bandage by a Scout in need. Scouts were encouraged to use their garters for shock cord where necessary.^[70]

Distinctive insignia for all are Scout uniforms, recognized and worn the world over, include the Wood Badge and the World Membership Badge. Scouts use a fleur-de-lis emblem while members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) use a trefoil.^[71][72]

The fylfot (now more commonly called a swastika) was used by the Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom and others in early thanks badges from 1911.^[73] Lord Baden-Powell's 1922 design for the Medal of Merit added a swastika to the Scout Arrowhead to symbolize good luck for the recipient. In 1934, Scouters requested a change to the design because of the connection of the swastika with its more recent use by the German National Socialist Workers (Nazi) Party. A new Medal of Merit was issued by the Boy Scouts Association in 1935.^[73]

In addition to Scouts, many Scout and Guide organizations have developed other programs for other age groups. These age divisions have varied over time as they adapt to the local culture and environment.^[74]

Scouts are youths between the ages of 11 and 17. In most Scout organizations, this age group composes the Boy Scout, Girls Scouts or Guides. Some organizations developed other programs for those who had become too old to remain Scouts or were too young to be Scouts and take the Scout Promise (e.g. Cubs for ages 6 to 10). Many organizations split training of Scouts and Guides into "junior" and "senior" groups. The age ranges vary by organization.^[75][76][77]

The national programs for younger children include Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, Arrow of the Light Scouts, Cubs, Brownies, Daisies, Rainbow Guides, Beavers, Joeys, Keas, and Teddies. Programs for post-adolescents and young adults include Rovers the Rangers and Young Leaders,^[78]Rovers, Senior Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Explorer Scouts, and the Scout Network. Many organizations also have a program for those with special needs, often known as Extension Scouting. The Scout Method has been adapted to specific programs such as Air Scouts, Sea Scouts, Mounted Scouts and Scout bands.^[79]

Some Scout organizations use the local Scout Group structure which contain units operating programs for different ages.^[80]

Adults supporters, including former Scouts and Guides, can often join organizations such as the International Scout and Guide Fellowship. In the United States and the Philippines, university students might join the co-ed service fraternityAlpha Phi Omega. In the United Kingdom, university students might join the Student Scout and Guide Organisation and, after graduation, the Scout and Guide Graduate Association. In some organizations, it is possible for adults to join support groups such as ScoutLink or a Trefoil Guild without being an adult leader.

Scout units are usually operated by adult volunteers, such as parents and carers, former Scouts, students, and community leaders, including teachers and religious leaders. Scout Leadership positions are often divided into 'uniform' and 'lay' positions. Uniformed leaders have received formal training, such as the Wood Badge, and have received a warrant for a rank within the organization. Lay members commonly hold part-time roles such as meeting helpers, committee members and advisors, though there are a small number of full-time lay professionals.^[81]

A unit has uniformed positions—such as the Scoutmaster and assistants—whose titles vary among countries. In some countries, units are supported by lay members, who range from acting as meeting helpers to being members of the unit's committee. In some Scout associations, the committee members may also wear uniforms and be registered Scout leaders.^[82]

Above the unit are further uniformed positions, called Commissioners, at levels such as district, county, council or province, depending on the structure of the national organization. Commissioners work with lay teams and professionals. Training teams and related functions are often formed at these levels. In the UK and in other countries, the national Scout organization appoints the Chief Scout, the most senior uniformed member.^[83][84][85]

Following its origins in the United Kingdom, the Scout Movement spread around the world. Possibly the first national organization outside the British Empire was founded in Chile on May 21, 1909, after a visit by Baden Powell.^[86] In most countries, there is now at least one Scout organization. International Scout organizations were formed. In 1911, the World Scouts were formed. In 1922 the World Organization of the Scout Movement was formed and organizes its World Scout Jamboree every four years.^[87] In 1928 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts for female-only national Scout and Guide organizations and operates four international centres: Our Cabaña in Mexico, Our Chalet in Switzerland, Pax Lodge in the United Kingdom, and Sangam in India.^[88]

There have been different approaches to co-education in the Scout Movement. Some countries have maintained separate organizations for boys and girls,^[89] In other countries, especially within Europe, Scout and Guide organizations have merged and there is a single organization for boys and girls.^[90][91] The United States–based Boy Scouts of America permitted girls to join in early 2018.^[92] In others, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, the national Scout association has opted to admit both boys and girls, but is only a member of the WOSM, while the national Guide association has remained as a separate movement and member of the WAGGGS. In some countries like Greece, Slovenia and Spain there are separate associations for Scouts, that are members of WOSM, and for Guides, that are members of WAGGGS, both admitting boys and girls.^[93]

The Scout Association in the United Kingdom has been co-educational at all levels since 1991, and this was optional for groups until the year 2000 when new sections were required to accept girls. The Scout Association transitioned all Scout groups and sections across the UK to become co-educational by January 2007, the year of the Scout Movement's centenary.^[94] The traditionalistBaden-Powell Scouts' Association has been co-educational since its formation in 1970.

In the United States, the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs of the BSA were for boys only until 2018; it has changed its policies and is now inviting girls to join, as local packs organize all-girl dens (same uniform, same book, same activities). For youths age 14 and older, Venturing has been co-educational since the 1930s. The Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is an independent organization founded in 1912 for girls and young women only. Adult leadership positions in the BSA and GSUSA are open to both men and women.^[95][96]

In 2006, of the 155 WOSM member National Scout Organizations (representing 155 countries), 122 belonged only to WOSM, and 34 belonged to both WOSM and WAGGGS. Of the 122 which belonged only to WOSM, 95 were open to boys and girls in some or all program sections, and 20 were only for boys. All 34 that belonged to both WOSM and WAGGGS were open to boys and girls.^[97]

WAGGGS had 144 Member Organizations in 2007 and 110 of them belonged only to WAGGGS. Of these 110, 17 were coeducational and 93 admitted only girls.^{[98][99][100]}

As of 2019, there are over 46 million registered Scouts^[101] and as of 2020 9 million registered Guides^[102] around the world, from 216 countries and territories.

The Scout Movement is a pluralist movement, not a unitary or hierarchical organization. Before the establishment of national Scout organizations, the Scout training and the Scout Movement were the purview of the world's youth and before the formation of international Scout organizations, several national Scout organizations had already formed in many countries.^[105][106]

Alternative organization have formed since the origins of the Scout Movement. Many early organizations were formed on religious, gender, ethnic or language lines or differed on the influence of militarism or pacifism. More recently formed alternate organizations often differ on social, political and/or organizational issues. Some believe that other Scout organizations have moved away from original intents and want to return to earlier, simpler, traditional methods.^[107][108] Others do not want to follow all Scout principles or those of particular international organizations and their national member organizations but still desire to participate in Scout activities.^[109]

In 2008, there were at least 539 independent Scout organizations around the world,^[99] Only 367 of them were members of WOSM or WAGGGS. About half of the remaining 172 Scout organizations are only local or national oriented. About 90 other national or regional Scout organizations have created other international Scout organizations:^[99]

• Order of World Scouts, the first international Scout organisation, founded in 1911.
• International Union of Guides and Scouts of Europe, an independent faith-based Scout organization founded in 1956.
• Confederation of European Scouts, established in 1978.
• World Federation of Independent Scouts, formed in Laubach, Germany, in 1996.
• World Organization of Independent Scouts, mostly South-American, founded in 2010.

Some Scout-like organizations are also served by international organizations, many with religious elements, for example:

• Pathfinders – A youth organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, formed in 1950.
• Royal Rangers – A youth organization of the Assemblies of God, formed in 1962.

After the origins of the Scout in the early 1900s, some nations' programs have taken part in social movements such as the nationalist resistance movements in India. Although Scouts was sometimes introduced in Africa by imperial officials as a way to strengthen their rule, the Scout principles helped to challenge the legitimacy of imperialism. Likewise, African Scouts used the Scout Law's principle that a Scout is a brother to all other Scouts to collectively claim full citizenship.^[110][111]

In the United Kingdom, The Scout Association had been criticised for its insistence on the use of a religious promise,^[112] leading the organization to introduce an alternative in January 2014 for those not wanting to mention a god in their promise. This change made the organisation entirely non-discriminatory on the grounds of race, gender, sexuality, and religion (or lack thereof).^[113]

The Boy Scouts of America was the focus of criticism in the United States for not allowing the open participation of homosexuals until removing the prohibition in 2013.^[114]

Communist states such as the Soviet Union in 1920 and nazist regimes like Nazi Germany in 1934 often either absorbed the Scout movement into government-controlled organizations or banned Scouting entirely.^[115]

The Scout Movement has been a facet of culture during most of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in many countries; numerous films and artwork focus on the subject.^[116] Movie critic Roger Ebert mentioned the scene in which the young Boy Scout, Indiana Jones, discovers the Cross of Coronado in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as "when he discovers his life mission".^[117]

The works of painters Ernest Stafford Carlos, Norman Rockwell, Pierre Joubert and Joseph Csatari and the 1966 film Follow Me, Boys! are prime examples of this ethos. Scout are often portrayed in a humorous manner, as in the 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills, the 2005 film Down and Derby, and the film Scout Camp.^[118] In 1980, Scottish singer and songwriter Gerry Rafferty recorded I was a Boy Scout as part of his Snakes and Ladders album.^[119]

• Pioneer movement
• Lookwide Camp

• Nagy, László (1985). 250 Million Scouts. The World Scout Foundation and Dartnell Publishers. ISBN 9780850131536.
• Rosenthal, Michael (1986). The Character Factory: Baden-Powell and the Origins of the Boy Scout Movement. Collins. ISBN 978-0-00217-604-0.
• Organización Mundial del Movimiento Scout (1990). El escultismo en todo el mundo. Datos y cifras sobre el Movimiento Scout Mundial . Servicio de Relaciones Públicas y Comunicaciones, Oficina Scout Mundial. ISBN 2-88052-001-0.
• Block, Nelson R.; Proctor, Tammy M. (2009). Fronteras del escultismo: La juventud y el primer siglo del movimiento scout . Cambridge, Reino Unido: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4438-0450-9.
• Asociación Mundial de Guías y Scouts, Oficina Mundial (1997). Trefoil Round the World (11.ª ed.). Asociación Mundial de Guías y Scouts. ISBN 0-900827-75-0.

• Hitos en el escultismo mundial
• Scoutwiki – wiki internacional del escultismo
• Las páginas del escultismo: todo tipo de datos sobre el escultismo.