Full episode available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SilentGeneration 

Scouting is a grassroots, child-led movement that began in the early 1900’s after children discovered Robert Baden-Powell’s written accounts of his time working as a scout for the British Army. After learning of children’s interest in his work, Baden-Powell conducted an experimental scout camp at Brownsea Island in 1907 and subsequently published his seminal work Scouting for Boys in 1908. Dozens and hundreds of official scouting organizations followed, most of which still exist today. 

On this week’s episode the boys detail the history of various figures and organizations in the scouting movement. Amongst other things they discuss how arbitrary it was that the scouting movement was inspired by scouting, how scout badges and scouting uniforms create an archive of people’s childhoods, how Cub Scouts truthfully don’t create their own pinewood derby cars, and how the TTI industry and wilderness therapy are “dark scouting.” This is the first installment of a three part series that explores interconnected topics that deal with American culture and the outdoors. 

Links:

Scouting for Boys by Robert Baden-Powell

The Zoomer Question by Isaac Wilkes 

Remembering the Wandervogel by John Savage & Johnny Ryan

David Hahn, The ‘Radioactive Boy Scout’ Who Tried To Build A Nuclear Reactor In His Backyard

Joseph as a Cub Scout

Nanook of the North (1922)

Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of The Boy Scouts of America (2023)

Artwork:

Scouts with canoe - National Parks Gallery

Creative Commons CC0 License

Recorded on 9/9/2024