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Scouting was founded in 1907 by Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden Powell.(22nd Feb. 1857 - 1941) As a young student, B.P. was adventurous and creative in outdoor and observation skills. During his military career as an officer, he began to build upon his natural "outdoor and observation" skills.
The present day Scout Movement began accidentally as a result of an experimental camp for boys held in August 1907 on Brownsea Island, in Dorset, off the south coast of England. Encouraged to test his thoeries about their interests and capabilities, B-P gathered together 20 boys drawn from all segments of England. He was so satisfied with the results of the camp that, in 1908, he published "Scouting for Boys". His method and novel ideas of training boys to make full use of their leisure in meaningful pursuits through adventurous activities soon caught the imagination of boys who yearned to do something active yet purposeful. Scouting spread fast.
In succeeding years, Scouting spread to many other countries and B.P. designed other programmes for both younger and older boys. Girls also wanted to be scouts and with the help of his wife, Lady Baden-Powell (whom he married in 1912), he introduced similiar programmes for them, starting the Girl Guide Movement.
Scouting grew and grew and in 1920, Baden-Powell became World Chief Scout. Nine years later, he accepted peerage from King Edward VII and became Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, taking the name from Gilwell Park of England, a Scout Training Center. He died in Kenya, Africa, in 1941.
Every year, more than 16 million scouts and adult leaders, in more than 150 countries and territories world-wide, celebrate Founder's Day on 22nd February to remember B.P. the founder of the Scout Movement and Chief Scout of the World Scouting in Singapore was founded in 1910 by Mr. Frank Coopersands, a scouter from the United Kingdom. He set up the 1st ever scout troop in Singapore, the 1st Sands Troop. It consisted of 30 boys and was sponsored by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Scouting has evolved much during the past 87 years. From a mere troop of 30 boys to a multi-cultural nation of more than 10,000 boys and girls. And I must say, that it has improved tremendously over that period of time.
Sarimbun Scout Camp, a local scout campsite is a 20-acre triangular plot of land acquired from the Government of Singapore in 1964 on a 30 year lease. It is situated at the end of Jalan Bahtera, off the 30.5km Lim Chu Kang Road. It is about 2 km from the main road. It takes about a half-hour to walk leisurely along the narrow and yet tranquil country road to reach the campsite.
One side of the camp borders on the sited Sungei Melayu, a small river. Another side faces the beach of the Straits of Johor.A number of cage-net fish farming is now operating in the sea close to the campsite .Vegetable farms once dotted the vicinity of the campsite. Today, almost all the farmers have been resettled. Some unattended vegetable plots could still be found. Many fruit trees, left behind by farmers, bear fruit awaiting for the picking. The vicinity is most suitable for nature rambles
There are two other campsites beside Sarimbum Camp : Camp Christine (of the Singapore Girl Guides Association) and ECAC Camping Ground (of the Ministry of Education).
In 1985, Sarimbun Camp was developed at a cost of $1.7 million to better serve camping with a multi-purpose hall, modern washrooms, dormitories, a central kitchen and pondoks. In 1986, it was officially opened by Dr. Tay Eng Soon, the Senior Minister of State for Education and a Queen's Scout in his schooldays. Dr. Tay Eng Soon died 7 years later. All Singapore scouts mourned his death. He was a real respected and dedicated scouter.An obstacle pyramid has been named after him - Dr. Tay Eng Soon Team Challendge Pyramid (TCP).
Sarimbun Scout Camp is Singapore's second scout campsite. The first being Jurong Camp, which was established in 1953. I can't say much about this campsite because I haven't seen it. This was the same year that the Singapore Training Team was formed. The following year, 2 of our Training Team members were sent to Gilwell for training.
