Origin of Girl Guiding

The Founder of Scouts and Guides

 
Lord Robert Baden-Powell   Lady Olave Baden-Powell

 

Early Twentieth Century

The Founder of the Boy Scouts & Girl Guide / Girl Scout Movements was Robert Baden-Powell, First Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, OM, known universally as B-P.

 

1908

The Boy Scout Movement was officially founded in 1908.

 

1909

A Boy Scout rally was held at Crystal Palace in London, and Baden-Powell was taken aback when a number of girls attended, proclaiming themselves to be girl Scouts. Baden-Powell invited his sister, Agnes, as the girls' leader and chose the name Girl Guides after the famous corps of guides in India who were "distinguished for their general handiness & resourcefulness under difficulties, and their keenness & courage".

 

1910

Baden-Powell felt that the Movement for girls should be run by women, so in 1910 he asked his elderly sister Agnes to undertake the work of adapting his book of Scouting for Boys, for use with girls. This year the Guiding Movement was formally founded, with the establishment of the Girl Guides Association.

In 1910, Baden-Powell, now Sir Robert Baden-Powell, retired from his army career and devoted himself to Scouting and to the beginning of Guiding. He attended camps, rallies and jamborees all over the world, and it was during a world tour in 1912 that he met Olave Soames, his future wife. After a brief courtship, the couple were engaged and married that same year. 

 

1919

Olave Baden-Powell accompanied her husband on visits and tours, and soon became actively involved in the Guide and Scout Movement. In 1919, she formed the International Council to provide this essential link. The first International Conference was held in England in 1920.
 

1924

The first World Camp, combined with the Third International Conference, took place at Foxlease in the United Kingdom.

 

1928

In the Fifth International Conference in Hungary, Conference delegates from 26 countries finally decided that the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts should be established, with a World Bureau as its secretariat.

 

1930

Olave Baden-Powell was elected World Chief Guide. 

Last Update Date: 2023-07-26