A little bit of history about the Broken Bay Scout Group and the Scouting Movement…

Blackwall – The group originally began in 1968 and was known as the 2nd Woy Woy (St Davids). In 1977 when the Uniting Church took over, the group became known as 1st Broken Bay (Uniting Church) Group. In 1998 the 1st Broken Bay (Uniting Church) merged with 1st Ettalong, formed in 1933, and became Blackwall Scout Group.

Umina –  The group opened in 1966, it started in Umina Progress Hall with a Cub Pack and a Scout Troop. In 1969 the group opened their own hall in Carawa Street Umina with 3 Cub Packs, 2 Scout Troops, and 1 Senior Unit (now called Venturers). In 1972 a Rover Crew was formed. The Umina badge was designed by a young Scout that sadly passed away from cancer before he could Jamboree in Queensland.

Today’s Group – Broken Bay – In 2006 Blackwall, merged with Umina to become the present day Broken Bay Scout Group. We have a Joey Mob, a Cub Pack, a Scout Troop and a Venturer Unit. Our Broken Bay Scarf badge was designed by one of the Scouts in 2006. His designed used aspects of both Blackwall and Umina scarf badges.

Lord Baden-Powell

The Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell was born in England on the 22 February 1857. As a boy, he lived a busy and adventurous life. He spent much of his spare time in outdoor pursuits, hunting in the woods, and going on expeditions with his brothers. He developed his powers of observation and resourcefulness, and many other useful skills. His family was not wealthy, and his father died when he was a young boy.

He joined the army and was sent to India, where he served for many years. He trained the soldiers in “scouting,” and taught them how to fend for themselves. He set down his ideas in the book, “Aids to Scouting,” which was used as an army textbook for many years. After the siege of the South African town of Mafeking, Baden-Powell, who was in charge of the defending force, was welcomed home a hero. The leader of the Boys Brigade encouraged him to try to use “Scouting” with the local boys. He conducted an experimental camp in 1907 on Brownsea Island. He had them live in tents, cooked their own food, and they learned many valuable skills through games. Baden-Powell wrote of his experiences in a book he called “Scouting for Boys.” Published in January 1908 in fortnightly parts, it sold readily to the youth in England, who started to carry out “scouting” as they read the book. Lord Baden-Powell died on the 8th January 1941.

Scouting has survived the two World Wars, many social events and the many challenges in society, to become stronger than ever. It does this by placing the needs of young people first – in a program that can adapt to change. For each generation of Scouts, the challenge has remained the same: to make a better world and have some fun along the way.