Founder’s Day celebrates Baden-Powell’s legendary life

Lord Robert Baden-Powell had a habit for sounding smart.

But really, what would you expect from the founder of the worldwide Scout movement, which now boasts 30 million Scouts in 161 countries?

Three of my favorite quotes from the Scouting legend speak for themselves:

  • “It is risky to order a boy not to do something; it immediately opens to him the adventure of doing it.”
  • “The open-air is the real objective of Scouting and the key to its success.”
  • “There’s nothing like ‘Being Prepared,’ is there? For what might seem possible, even if it may not seem probable.”

B-P’s words of wisdom have molded the Boy Scouts of America for more than 100 years, and that’s why we celebrate his life on Founder’s Day every Feb. 22.

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell was born Feb. 22, 1857, and until his death in 1941, he worked tirelessly to support the world Scout movement. Today, more than a century and a half since his birth, that indelible imprint has grown exponentially.

Take a moment today to celebrate this man’s amazing life. Here’s how:

Now tell me: How has Baden-Powell affected your life? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

BSA file photo above shows Baden-Powell (right) with William “Green Bar Bill” Hillcourt


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.