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Sample Reading From the Days of Brownsea Island
...Here's an example of some of the brief readings that are done before one of our classes. Usually read by one of our youth Staff members to the class before we begin:

MORE ON BROWNSEA ISLAND

THE QUESTION IS SOMETIMES ASKED, WHICH WAS THE FIRST TROOP? A NUMBER OF TROOPS HAVE CLAIMED TO HOLD THAT DISTINCTION, BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE ANY DEFINITE DECISION BECAUSE SOME TROOPS HAVE BEEN FORMED LONG BEFORE THERE WAS ANY PROPER SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION. THE HONOR OF BEING FIRST IS REALLY SHARED BY A NUMBER OF PIONEER SCOUTS WHO, BY THEIR ENTHUSIASM, MADE AN ORGANIZED MOVEMENT NECESSARY.

THE MAGAZINE, THE SCOUT, RAN COMPETITONS IN 1909 TO SELECT SCOUTS FOR B-P'S SECOND CAMP. THIS WAS HELD AT HUMSHAUGH IN NORTH-UMBER-LAND IN AUGUST OF THAT YEAR.

BADEN POWELL HAD HIMSELF TAKEN A HOLIDAY EARLIER IN THE YEAR IN SOUTH AMERICA, AND FOUND THAT SCOUTING HAD ALREADY REACHED THAT PART OF THE WORLD. AS A RESULT OF HIS VISIT, THE FIRST FOREIGN SCOUT ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED IN CHILE.


Something you may find interesting. Here's a copy of a Wood Badge Prayer which was used at the closing of a Scout's Own which we presented to the entire class & Staff. Hope you like it.

NE III 151 WOOD BADGE SCOUT'S OWN PRAYER


Dear Lord:

I am a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout and a Venturer.

Thank you for guiding us to Gilwell.

Help us to keep focus on our vision and on the 5 goals of our ticket
And, in doing so, inspire as many young people as possible as we have been inspired
By our Training.

As I have climbed your mountain, I have learned many great traditions
But as we look at our Guides, we ask ourselves:
Can we ever have the Sincerity of our Troop Guide
Can we ever have the Ageless Wisdom of the Instructor
Can we ever have the honest fortitude of the Quartermaster
Can we ever have the Fatherly Love of the Scoutmaster.

Grant my heart wings,
that I may soar with the true meaning and spirit of Scouting.
Grant me Charity,
that I may wear the caring smile of the Assistant Scoutmaster.
Grant me Strength,
that I may show the confident Leadership of the Senior Patrol Leader.

Grant me these, Lord, and I will carry this Learning to every
young man who looks up his mountain and to me his Guide.

AMEN