I am sure there were scouts among our young readers who celebrated this significant day. February 22, 2025 marked a special day in history—the 169th birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement! Born on February 22, 1857, in London, England, Lord Baden-Powell is remembered for his dedication, kindness, and vision that transformed the lives of millions of young people around the world.
Who was Lord Baden-Powell?
Lord Baden-Powell was a soldier, but he gained fame for an even greater achievement—establishing the worldwide Scouting Movement. Scouting is focused on helping young people learn valuable life skills, become responsible citizens, and form lasting friendships. Lord Baden-Powell believed that by teaching young people to be helpful, brave, and kind, they would grow up to contribute positively to the world.
What is Scouting?
Scouts participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and games, while also learning important skills like first aid, cooking, and teamwork. Scouts are taught valuable principles, including respect for others, responsibility, and the importance of helping those in need.
The Movement began in 1907 when Lord Baden-Powell organised a camp for a group of boys on Brownsea Island in England. The camp was a great success, inspiring him to write a book titled ‘Scouting for Boys’, which helped spread the ideas of Scouting around the world. Today, Scouting exists in over 200 countries, with millions of Scouts enjoying the activities and values that Lord Baden-Powell established over a century ago.
Why do we celebrate his birthday?
We celebrate Lord Baden-Powell’s birthday to honour the inspiration he provided to countless boys who became Scouts and embraced lives of adventure, kindness and community service. On his birthday, Scouts around the globe engage in various activities to commemorate his legacy. Some Scouts celebrate by wearing their uniforms and performing acts of kindness to help others—just as Lord Baden-Powell would have wanted.
The Scout promise
One of the most important aspects of Scouting is the Scout promise. It’s a commitment that Scouts make to strive to live by the values of Scouting. The promise goes like this: “I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law.” By making this promise, Scouts dedicate themselves to helping others, being responsible and always giving their best effort.
How was the day celebrated in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka the day was celebrated in many ways. In celebration of Lord Baden Powell’s Day and also in keeping with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative of the Government, the Sri Lanka Scout Association had a Community Engagement Project on Saturday, February 22, 2025 across 60 railway stations in the island including the Fort Railway Station.
This project also included cleaning bus stands and creating displays and message boards across the island. The scouts of the Uva Province set out an awareness program at the Nine Arches Bridge between the Ella and Demodara railway stations, while scouts of some districts carried out beach clean ups, throughout the country.
A Lasting Legacy
Lord Baden-Powell passed away in 1941, but his ideas and the Scouting Movement continue to inspire children and adults around the world. His birthday serves as a reminder to reflect on the positive impact Scouting has, such as teaching kindness, teamwork, and leadership; all while having fun and enjoying the great outdoors. So, the next time you see a Scout, remember that their journey began with Lord Baden-Powell’s vision to make the world a better place.
Happy 169th birthday, Lord Baden-Powell! Thank you for creating a more adventurous and caring environment for children everywhere.
