B-P's Blog - Camping and Hiking

During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I’ll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you’ll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas. SPRING is here, though to-day, with a bitter east wind blowing, you might not know it! Now is the time for overhauling your camp gear, for planning where and when you are going to give the boys their heart’s desire in a jolly and healthy camp life. But above all it is the time when, through having his boys directly under him for days on end in camp, the Scout-master has his real opportunity for studying each boy’s individual mind and temperament, and for drawing out– expanding– educating– the good that he finds therein.

I am anxious about this Summer.

I am hoping to see a big development in camping.

There has, in the past, been too little of regular and frequent camping, and too much indifferent amateur camping.

There has been a very promising improvement this last year or two and I am hoping, now that the large proportion of Scoutmasters know their job, and that Commissioners have taken to visiting all camps in their districts, that camping reports this season will show a big step forward in what is after all the method of training which distinguishes us from all other Movements. For Rover Scouts here comes their opportunity– if only they plan their holiday aright beforehand. My goodness! How I wish I were a Rover again, and able to go on a hike with a good pal or two of the same way of thinking– and with the same length of stride!

There should be an object for your hike, but not too over-strict a time-table. The object of course depends on the tastes of the hiker; he may be out to render service as a Brenter, or he may want to improve his mind or develop his tastes while developing his health.

Great Britain offers such wonderful hikes, whether the Rover be an artist, or keen on cathedrals or castles, or Roman remains. May , 1932.