1909 Crystal Palace Scout Rally
Encyclopedia
Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting
, organized the first rally for all Scouts
at the Crystal Palace
in London
on Saturday, 4 September, 1909, precursor to the later World Scout Jamboree
s. The gathering attracted 11,000 boys, and a number of girls dressed in uniform and calling themselves "Girl Scouts
". This was the first time Baden-Powell was able to discern how many girls were interested in Scouting, leading to the formal founding in 1910 of Girl Guides under his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell
. Girls had wanted to become part of the movement almost as soon as it began. A contingent of girls from Pinkneys Green
, Berkshire
spoke to Baden-Powell at the Rally and asked him to let girls be Scouts. Baden-Powell decided to create a similar program for them. In those days, for girls to camp and hike was not common, as this extract from the Scout newspaper shows: "If a girl is not allowed to run, or even hurry, to swim, ride a bike, or raise her arms above her head, how can she become a Scout?" Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell
introduced the Girl Guides, sometimes named Girl Scouts, a parallel movement for girls, in 1910. Agnes Baden-Powell became the first president of the Girl Guides when it was formed in 1910, at the request of the girls who attended the Crystal Palace Rally.
Attendees who later had an impact on Scouting and Guiding included Nesta G. Ashworth née Maude, later instrumental in the setup of Lone Guides
and Nella Levy
, a pioneer of Guiding in Australia.
To commemorate the event, Girlguiding UK
open a Centenary Maze
in Crystal Palace Park in September 2009.
The concept of Scouts' Own, a simple, nondenominational religious ceremony, was also introduced by H. Geoffrey Elwes
at this rally.
Members of the local Scout Troop, 2nd Croydon (1st Crystal Palace Patrol), formed part of the flag party for Princess Christian
, the member of the then Royal family in attendance. As a result, the Group, which is still in existence, has the right to call themselves Princess Christian's Own. The Group still meet near Crystal Palace Park and regularly use Crystal Palace park for Scouting activities.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
, organized the first rally for all Scouts
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
at the Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on Saturday, 4 September, 1909, precursor to the later World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
s. The gathering attracted 11,000 boys, and a number of girls dressed in uniform and calling themselves "Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts can refer to* Girl Scouts of the USA* Female members of a Scouting organization. There are thousands of national Scouting and Guiding organizations or federations; these are grouped into six international Scouting or Guiding associations with some non-aligned organizations:**...
". This was the first time Baden-Powell was able to discern how many girls were interested in Scouting, leading to the formal founding in 1910 of Girl Guides under his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell
Agnes Baden-Powell
Agnes Smyth Baden-Powell was the younger sister of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, and was most noted for her work in establishing the Girl Guide movement as a female counterpart to her older brother's Scouting Movement.-Early life:Agnes was the ninth of ten children, and the third...
. Girls had wanted to become part of the movement almost as soon as it began. A contingent of girls from Pinkneys Green
Pinkneys Green
Pinkneys Green is a village within the north-western bounds of the town of Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.-Location:Pinkneys Green is located at , just north-east of the A404 road and north-west of Highway. Stubbings is to the west and Bisham and Cookham Dean some way to the...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
spoke to Baden-Powell at the Rally and asked him to let girls be Scouts. Baden-Powell decided to create a similar program for them. In those days, for girls to camp and hike was not common, as this extract from the Scout newspaper shows: "If a girl is not allowed to run, or even hurry, to swim, ride a bike, or raise her arms above her head, how can she become a Scout?" Baden-Powell and his sister Agnes Baden-Powell
Agnes Baden-Powell
Agnes Smyth Baden-Powell was the younger sister of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, and was most noted for her work in establishing the Girl Guide movement as a female counterpart to her older brother's Scouting Movement.-Early life:Agnes was the ninth of ten children, and the third...
introduced the Girl Guides, sometimes named Girl Scouts, a parallel movement for girls, in 1910. Agnes Baden-Powell became the first president of the Girl Guides when it was formed in 1910, at the request of the girls who attended the Crystal Palace Rally.
Attendees who later had an impact on Scouting and Guiding included Nesta G. Ashworth née Maude, later instrumental in the setup of Lone Guides
Lone Guides
Lone Guides or Lones are those Girl Guides and Girl Scouts who do not attend group meetings for a variety of reasons. They are organised into groups that keep in touch, for example, by letter or email. Members carry out their organisation's normal programme on their own as much as they are able....
and Nella Levy
Nella Levy
Nella Levy, nicknamed the Lev, was a pioneer of Girl Guiding in Australia. She was the first Guider in New South Wales. She had "a firm belief in the principles of Guiding, was young, keen, a dynamic personality, had a great sense of humour and fun, but was also a disciplinarian".Nella Levy became...
, a pioneer of Guiding in Australia.
To commemorate the event, Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
open a Centenary Maze
Maze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
in Crystal Palace Park in September 2009.
The concept of Scouts' Own, a simple, nondenominational religious ceremony, was also introduced by H. Geoffrey Elwes
H. Geoffrey Elwes
"Uncle" H. Geoffrey Elwes was a prominent early member of the Scouting Movement and before that was involved in the Boys Brigade. Founder of the 1st Colchester troop, editor of the Headquarters Gazette from 1911 to 1922 and Scouter from 1923 to 1926. He had to use a wheelchair after 1922 but...
at this rally.
Members of the local Scout Troop, 2nd Croydon (1st Crystal Palace Patrol), formed part of the flag party for Princess Christian
Princess Helena of the United Kingdom
Princess Helena was a member of the British Royal Family, the third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert....
, the member of the then Royal family in attendance. As a result, the Group, which is still in existence, has the right to call themselves Princess Christian's Own. The Group still meet near Crystal Palace Park and regularly use Crystal Palace park for Scouting activities.