The British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association

The British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association (BBS & BGS Association) is a traditional scouting organisation in the United Kingdom. It originated in 1908 as the Battersea Boy Scouts and was officially established as a national organisation on 24 May 1909.

History

The BBS emerged during a time of debate among youth movements in the Edwardian era, particularly over concerns about militarism. Groups like the Boys' Brigade were criticized for their military-style drills, leading to the creation of organizations focusing on alternative approaches to youth development. The Boys' Life Brigade, for instance, was formed as an alternative, and similarly, the Battersea Scout District seceded from Baden-Powell's organization due to perceptions of bureaucracy and militarism. The split was not directly with Baden-Powell, who was then engaged in his military career, but with his administrative team, particularly Archibald Kyle[2][4].

Major W.G. Whitby, a key figure in British scouting history, founded and served as the Chief Commissioner of the BBS. Colonel Frederick Charles Keyser acted as the first President of the organisation. From its inception, the BBS included both boy and girl scout sections as integral parts of the organisation. However, public criticism over the inclusion of girls led to the establishment of The British Girls' Nursing Corps[2].

Developments and Affiliations

In the early years, the BBS collaborated with Cassell and Company, publishers of the boy's newspaper Chums. This partnership allowed the BBS to merge with Chums Scout Patrols, formed by readers of the newspaper, and featured a weekly page from June 1909 until mid-1911[4].

The BBS also played a significant role in international scouting by initiating the first global scouting movement. In 1911, they helped form the Order of World Scouts, an early international scouting organisation. Additionally, in 1910, the BBS was involved in forming the National Peace Scouts in collaboration with other scouting groups[1][4].

Objectives and Activities

The BBS & BGS Association continues to offer traditional scouting activities with a focus on skills development and community service. Their programs are designed to foster principles of discipline, loyalty, and good citizenship, reflecting the broader goals of the scouting movement.

Structure and Governance

The organisation is led by a Chief Commissioner and a Grand Scout. Their structure includes various sections for different age groups, ensuring a comprehensive approach to youth development.

The organisation operates as a charity with a focus on maintaining traditional scouting values while engaging in contemporary community and environmental initiatives.

See Also

• Scouting in the United Kingdom
• Order of World Scouts
• The Scout Association

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Boy_Scouts_and_British_Girl_Scouts_Association [2] https://www.bbsandbgs.org.uk/history.php [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scout_Association [4] https://en.scoutwiki.org/British_Boy_Scouts_and_British_Girl_Scouts_Association [5] https://en.scoutwiki.org/British_Boy_Scouts