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Bryson-Powell Research Paper

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When Baden-Powell was commanding troops in the Boer war, he took action when he realized that his men were incapable of surviving in the harsh conditions of the war-wracked frontier. In India he discovered that the soldiers he was commanding did not have the knowledge of basic first aid. To aid his fellow men, Baden-Powell wrote a small handbook called Aids to Scouting, which emphasized resourcefulness, adaptability, and the qualities of leadership that the harsh frontier demanded (“History of Cub Scouting”). With the help of this small handbook, he and his fellow soldiers were able to withstand the Boer War. Upon his arrival to England, Robert Baden-Powell was astonished to discover that his little handbook had caught the interest of some …show more content…

He had been struggling through the fog when a young boy appeared to guide him to his destination. When they arrived, Boyce tried to tip the boy as a reward, but the helpful youth declined, explaining that he was a Scout and he could not accept payment for a Good Turn (“History of Cub Scouting”). Boyce was dumbstruck; he had never heard anything like this before in America, and somewhere in his mind an idea began to take root. His interest peaked, William Boyce “questioned the boy and learned more about Scouting” (“History of Cub Scouting”). William Boyce visited Baden-Powell as well to learn more about this Scouting program. After merely a few minutes of discussion, Boyce was thoroughly enraptured by the concept of Scouting and when he left England he brought home with him many books and a bright new idea (“History of Cub …show more content…

A study done by researchers from Tufts University reveals that “Scouting is scientifically proven to promote positive character development”(Cordaro). The helpful, forward thinking ideology of Boy Scouts has helped boys grow into optimistic and motivated young adults. Dr. Richard M. Lerner, the leader of the study at Tufts University, reports, “After three years, Scouts reported significant increases in cheerfulness, helpfulness, kindness, obedience, trustworthiness, and hopeful future expectations” (Tufts University). All of these traits, coincidentally, are the same traits that Baden-Powell promoted in the Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Scouting;s focus on a prosocial experience gives young people the chance to build a positive character that allow them the chance to embrace opportunity, overcome obstacles, and Be Prepared for life.

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