Centenary of Scouting 2007

In 2007, Scouting celebrates its worldwide Centenary. This is an opportunity to promote the values, benefits and achievements of Scouting to the world, and also for the millions of Scouts around the world to make a real difference to the lives of others through their Centenary activities.

Scouting was founded by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 when he took 20 boys from a variety of backgrounds to a camp on Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset. Here he taught them about exploring, camping, tracking, boating and many of the things Scouts do today. Following the success of this camp, Baden-Powell started to publish "Scouting for Boys" in fortnightly parts.

Boys around the UK read "Scouting for Boys" and started to form Scout patrols, out of this came the Scout movement. Scouting quickly spread around the world. Today more than 28 million young people in 216 countries and territories around the world, of every faith, culture and gender, are Scouts.

Throughout the centenary year, various events and activities have been planned at national and local level. The Royal Mint will be producing a 50p coin which will carry a special Scout design and in July, the Royal Mail will be issuing five special stamps

The single theme for all events and activities for the Centenary of Scouting is:

2007: One World One Promise

Some other events and activities taking place throughout the year:-

In March, Comic Relief day is an opportunity for everyone in scouting to get involved and have fun. May is Centenary Camps month with Lanark District planning a camp with lots of adventure activities for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts at Broomlee Centre near West Linton.

The 21st World Scout Jamboree will be held in July and on the 1st of August. Scouting Sunrise will see 28 million Scouts around the world celebrate peace, friendship and renew their Scout Promise at 8:00 am. Locally, the suggested venue for Lanark District Scouts is Tinto Hill. Also, 1st Carluke (St John's) and 3rd Carluke (Kirkton) Scout Groups are talking about building a Gala Day float.

1st Carluke Scout Group has almost 100 years of continuous Scouting. If you would like to be part of this special year why not come along to one of the section nights. At present we have vacancies in Beavers for boys and girls aged 6-8 years and at Scout level for children aged 10 years upwards. Alternatively, if you are a former member of the group and would like to put something back into Scouting then come along and join us.

At the end of 2007 we look forward to 1st Carluke (St John's) centenary and a second century of Scouting in Carluke.

Carol Grant