The Spirit of Brownsea
Baden-Powell's Vision
(as captured in his last letter to Boy Scouts)
Dear Scouts:
If you have ever seen the play 'Peter Pan' you will remember how the pirate chief was always making his dying speech because he was afraid that possibly, when the time came for him to die, he might not have time to get it off his chest. It is much the same with me, and so, although I am not at this moment dying, I shall be doing so one of these days and I want to send you a parting word of goodbye.
Remember, it is the last time you will ever hear from me, so think it over. I have had a most happy life and I want each one of you to have a happy life too.
I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.
Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.
But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. 'Be Prepared' in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout Promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.
Your friend,
Baden-Powell
Our Mission
A lyric from the Brownsea 22 Camp Staff Song states our mission quite elegantly. "On we strive to keep it alive; the spirit of Brownsea." To the uninitiated, that statement may not sound like much. However, we feel that the original Brownsea Island Adventure as well as the program we run today represent the very essence of the Scouting movement. By keeping the program alive we can instill a love of Scouting in young people, perpetuate the vision of Baden-Powell, and maintain a thread of continuity between the original Brownsea Island Adventure at Poole Harbor, England in 1907 and our present day Brownsea 22 Camp at Chimayo, New Mexico. Stated differently: we aim to give Scouts roots so they can grow wings.
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What is Brownsea 22 Camp?
Brownsea 22 (Double-Two) is adapted from the All Out For Scouting program with full credit to William Hillcourt who put the program together. Brownsea 22 Scouts participate in an exciting week of camping to enjoy Scouting at its best.
Brownsea 22 takes its name from Baden-Powell's first Boy Scout Camp on Brownsea Island in 1907. It makes use of some traditions and many activities of the original Brownsea camp all while immersing Scouts in a rich and robust Scouting environment that includes use of the Patrol Method of Scouting, living in a model Scout Troop, as well as TONS of Scout skills and knowledge required for rank advancement through First Class.
The Brownsea 22 Adventure takes place over 7 days and 6 nights, is well-planned and executed, and is completely action oriented. It includes many FUN and SKILL games, campfires, troop and patrol meetings, Patrol Leader Council meetings, a nature hike, and an overnight piquet (A.K.A. bivouac or “camp away from camp”).
The Scouts start out on Day 1 playing games, learning skills, and competing with each other. Every effort is made to make the camp an enjoyable and memorable boy adventure. The entire Brownsea 22 Camp is planned and executed with the goal of inspiring each participant to make use of what they learn by taking their new skills and knowledge back to their home troop, bettering their own troop and patrol, and ultimately advancing to the rank of Eagle Scout.
The method used in training is right out of Baden-Powell's experience during the original Brownsea camp: "Scout training," he said, "is done through games, practices, and competitions, such as interests them (the Scouts)." A subject is introduced, whereupon the patrol immediately goes into action in activities involving the skills required.
Most of all, Scouts have FUN while they are learning. That is the essence of the Brownsea Spirit! And to top it off, all the fun activities and games are complemented by singing, singing, and more singing. In fact, there is a saying at Brownsea 22 that “if you are not having fun you are not singing loud enough.”
Brownsea 22 takes its name from Baden-Powell's first Boy Scout Camp on Brownsea Island in 1907. It makes use of some traditions and many activities of the original Brownsea camp all while immersing Scouts in a rich and robust Scouting environment that includes use of the Patrol Method of Scouting, living in a model Scout Troop, as well as TONS of Scout skills and knowledge required for rank advancement through First Class.
The Brownsea 22 Adventure takes place over 7 days and 6 nights, is well-planned and executed, and is completely action oriented. It includes many FUN and SKILL games, campfires, troop and patrol meetings, Patrol Leader Council meetings, a nature hike, and an overnight piquet (A.K.A. bivouac or “camp away from camp”).
The Scouts start out on Day 1 playing games, learning skills, and competing with each other. Every effort is made to make the camp an enjoyable and memorable boy adventure. The entire Brownsea 22 Camp is planned and executed with the goal of inspiring each participant to make use of what they learn by taking their new skills and knowledge back to their home troop, bettering their own troop and patrol, and ultimately advancing to the rank of Eagle Scout.
The method used in training is right out of Baden-Powell's experience during the original Brownsea camp: "Scout training," he said, "is done through games, practices, and competitions, such as interests them (the Scouts)." A subject is introduced, whereupon the patrol immediately goes into action in activities involving the skills required.
Most of all, Scouts have FUN while they are learning. That is the essence of the Brownsea Spirit! And to top it off, all the fun activities and games are complemented by singing, singing, and more singing. In fact, there is a saying at Brownsea 22 that “if you are not having fun you are not singing loud enough.”
Scouts are assigned equally to patrols of 6 to 8 Scouts. A staff of youth leaders (ages 14-17) serve as Senior Patrol Leaders and a corps of Troop Guides dedicated to serving each patrol of Scouts. Adult leaders fill the roles of Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters (Program), Assistant Scoutmasters (Patrols), and Quartermaster.
The Brownsea 22 troop is planned for 8-12 patrols that operate in 2 linked troops (male and female) per BSA Youth Protection guidelines. This number provides a good compliment of Scouts for effective participation in competitions, activities and camp routines. It makes possible the use of strong teams for certain games and buddy teams for others.
There are many opportunities for participants to practice leadership as they compete with other Scouts and learn Scoutcraft skills necessary for rank advancement through the rank of First Class. Participants select their own events in patrol challenges. They plan and conduct a "best ever" campfire and a "best ever" troop meeting.
As in the case of a good troop, the program has been planned in advance and leadership responsibilities have been assigned. At Brownsea 22 Camp it becomes the function of a daily Patrol Leaders' Council to discuss the program for the day and the methods for carrying it out. The Brownsea 22 Patrol Leaders assume leadership for most of the pre-planned activities during the week, especially on the last two days when the elected Senior Patrol leader and elected Permanent Patrol Leaders are running the troop.
The Brownsea 22 troop is planned for 8-12 patrols that operate in 2 linked troops (male and female) per BSA Youth Protection guidelines. This number provides a good compliment of Scouts for effective participation in competitions, activities and camp routines. It makes possible the use of strong teams for certain games and buddy teams for others.
There are many opportunities for participants to practice leadership as they compete with other Scouts and learn Scoutcraft skills necessary for rank advancement through the rank of First Class. Participants select their own events in patrol challenges. They plan and conduct a "best ever" campfire and a "best ever" troop meeting.
As in the case of a good troop, the program has been planned in advance and leadership responsibilities have been assigned. At Brownsea 22 Camp it becomes the function of a daily Patrol Leaders' Council to discuss the program for the day and the methods for carrying it out. The Brownsea 22 Patrol Leaders assume leadership for most of the pre-planned activities during the week, especially on the last two days when the elected Senior Patrol leader and elected Permanent Patrol Leaders are running the troop.