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Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (1857- 1941)  born in London, England is considered the founder of Scouting.  Others who played a role in the beginnings of scouting were: 
Earnest Thompson Seton (1860 - 1946) wildlife artist in Canada invited boys to camp on his property gathered together boys who were perpetuating mischief, where they learned camp skills, hiking, and studied trees and wildlife.
Daniel Carter Beard (1850 - 1941) was born in Ohio but raised in the forests of Kentucky.  He formed "The Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone" to educate young men the value of forests and natural resources.
William Dickson Boyce (1858 - 1929), a newspaper and magazine publisher from Chicago, Illinois, became lost in a London area forest in 1909 was guid  ed by a young boy who, as a scout, refused to take a "tip" for doing a good turn.  Impressed by his unknown scout, Boyde returned to the United States and on February 8, 1910 founded the Boy Scouts of America.
James E. West (1876 - 1948) was born in Washington, D.C. and orphaned by the age of 6.  After staying in a hospital for almost 2 years, being diagnosed with a tubercular hip.  He was pronounced an incurable cripple and sent back to the orphanage.  After studying for his law degree and being admitted to the  Washington bar in 1901 was appointed an assistant attorney in the Department of the Interior where he focusted on programs to help the youth.  At the age of 36 he was asked by the Executive Board of the newly formed Boy Scouts of America to be head the movement, which position he held for 32 as Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America.

By 1913 Scouts were enrolled in all 48 states.  "Scouting", the official magazine for Scouters, was started.   Boy Scout Week was first observed.
In 1915 the merit badge program was initiated with a total of 57 badges.  The Order of the Arrow was was founded.
Congress granted Federal Charter on June 15, 1916, giving special protection to the name and insignia and limited membership to American citizens. 
On June 3 of the same year an act of Congress authorized a Scout uniform similar to that of the Army, Navy, or Marine uniforms.  The Constitution and Bylaws were adopted as well.

East side of Denison High School
Persons in Photograph:  Ben Burgett (Scout Master),  Pierre Burnside,John Boldrick, Tommy Flinn, Don Freeman,
Trewitt McCleaner, Troy McCr----, James McDown, Leo Seabold, Harry Walker, Paul Wells, Charles Wingo
 (Courtesy of Frontier Village)



In 1923 the international left handclasp was adopted as a formal way of greeting other Scouts of both genders. The handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart (left) offered as a token of friendship.  Most commonly the handshake if made firmly, without interlocking fingers and is usually made only when both parties are in uniform.  "Various sources have attributed the origin of the handshake as an ancient sign of bravery and respect, to Lord Baden-Powell's encounter after battle with Prempeh I,....all centering on African warriors using the left hand to hold their shields and to lower it and shake the left hand of the person was to show they trusted each other."
Eighty-nine merit badges were available to the Scouts.

Sources:
The History of Scouting, viewed December 14, 2021,  https://historyofscouting.com/history/history-1920.htm
"Scout Handshake." Wikipedia. viewed December 14, 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_handshake
   


Boy Scouts History
Elaine Nall Bay
©2021

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