Brownsea Sunrise

Perhaps there is no better place to reflect on the movements birth than Brownsea Island. And whilst many will mark the occasion in their own way, there are special reasons to be at the birthplace for Scouting on August 1st.

Scouts all around the world will take the day to reflect on the past 100 years and look forward to the next. Every Scout will have the opportunity to renew their promise at the 8 am Sunrise Ceremony.

Of particular significance is Brownsea Island, the birth place of Scouting. On the 1st of August 1907, Baden Powell woke the experimental camp by blowing a Kudu horn.

The camp of 20 boys had been drawn from various backgrounds; all were taught new skills and a code of honour that we now know as our Scout Law.

300 lucky Scouts from over 100 countries are waiting to see the sunrise from Brownsea. Neil Commons explained the significance of Brownsea as a focus for the 100th Birthday celebrations and what the Scouts have been experiencing during their stay.

The Scouts will wake up with a Tai Chi session before forming a carnival procession to the original campsite for the Sunrise ceremony, which will be broadcast on the Community Channel and linked to the World Jamboree.

Peter Duncan, Chief Scout of the UK will blow the Kudu horn, 100 years to the minute that Robert Baden Powell did, to start the celebrations. Six people have been chosen to comment on their experiences at the camp and will shake hands to show solidarity for fellow Scouts and our heritage.Following the Sunrise ceremony the participants will return to the four sub camps to have breakfast and then later in the day they will return to Hylands Park and the World Scout Jamboree.

For all those that are involved, wherever we celebrate, the day is about reflection and focus on the changes that we as Scouts can bring to our communities, countries and the future. Neil feels that being at Brownsea is important “it was Scouting’s birthplace. Everything has its beginnings”, despite now being a world wide organisation with over 28 million members it is important to remember where it all began.

Scouting has brought all involved a peace and many friendships all of which are still relevant today.