Having become famous during the Siege of Mafeking, and seen how much the corps of boys contributed to the town's defences, Baden-Powell (BP) was keen to train and develop boys so that they would be able to help their country. 

The book was published in 6 instalments in 1908, each having the title Scouting for Boys in big capitals and with a different picture drawn by BP on the cover. With a listed price of '4d. net', it was affordable to many boys, many of whom would have been at work, as the school-leaving age was 14.

Queen Victoria died on the 22nd January 1901, BP's 44th birthday.  BP thus grew up with Victorian attitudes to the separation of boys and girls, hunting animals for sport, the developing world etc.  BP was an adventurous and progressive man of his time and some of his views would probably have developed considerably of he had grown up in today's environment.

Peace Scouts, Mafeking boys' corps, Scouts' work, "Kim"

Kim was an orphan in India who spoke both English and native languages. He was taught to observe using a game known as Kim's Game, as part of his training by the British Intelligence Services.

While on a train he noticed a man with cuts to the head and arm. He did not believe the explanation that the man had fallen from a cart. Kim spoke to him, including secret code words and identified that he was being hunted by enemies who would probably be waiting at the next station. Kim disguised him as a holy beggar and when he got off the train he "accidentally" stumbled into a policeman and spoke the code words. The policeman arrested him and took him to the police station where he could had over his information in safety.

Living in the open with camping and hiking. Learning Woodcraft, Chivalry, Endurance and using these skills intelligently.

The Elsdon murder - A shepherd boy, Robert Hindmarsh, was walking home when he saw a tramp sitting down eating. The boy noticed the tramp's appearance and the nail pattern of his boots. When he reached home he found that a neighbour had been murdered. Robert noticed the nail pattern in the foot prints on the ground outside the dead woman's cottage. Robert told the constable and led him 6 miles back on to the moor where the murderer was arrested.

Camp Fire Yarn No 4 - Scout Patrols

"The main object of the Patrol System is to give real responsibility to as many boys as possible. It leads each boy to see that he has some individual responsibility for the good of his Patrol."

Patrol Leader - sets an example with his enthusiasm, hard work and cheerfulness to make the Patrol a success.

Describes how Zulu boys become men by surviving on their own for a month with just a shield and spear to protect them from wild animals while they search for food.

A Scout does not rough it at camp, but finds ways to make himself comfortable.

Skills such as night work, finding the way, using a compass, finding North without a compass, pathfinding games.

The importance of being able to swim - how can you help save somebody who is drowning if you cannot swim?

Describes a boyhood boat expedition with his 2 older brothers - from London to Wales - up the river Thames, down the river Avon and up the river Wye.

Describes how letters were smuggled out of the Siege of Mafeking by writing them on very thin paper and rolling them into tiny balls that looked like stones. If the carrier saw the enemy approaching he would drop the stones, carefully observing where they fell. He could then be searched by the enemy before going back to collect the letters.

Signal fires, sound signals, Morse code, semaphore, whistle signals, hand signals.

A bridge collapsed throwing a father, mother and son into the river above the Niagara Falls. They managed to survive on ice floes that floated under a bridge where rescuers had lowered ropes, but they could not tie knots and fell to their deaths. If the rescuers had used knots such as the bowline to form loops at the end of the ropes, the family could have climbed into the loops and be pulled to safety.

Knots, lashings, hut building, sharpening and using axes, bridge building, estimating distances.

Camp Fire Yarn No 9 - Camping

Describes the importance of observing people, things and the countryside in minute detail. Gives examples of how finger prints proved an elderly gentleman had died from natural causes; also how the nephew of a murdered Russian banker was identified from tooth prints.

Observation games - Thimble Finding, Far and Near, Shop Window, Room Observation, Smugglers Over The Border, Old Spotty Face, Scout's Nose, Fugitives

Tips for stalking people and animals - choosing the background, slow motion, silent walking, keep down-wind, using disguise.

Trees and suitability for firewood, edible plants

Camp Fire Yarn No 20 - Chivalry To Others

Religion, thrift, how Scouts earn money, how to get on (kick the IM out of IMPOSSIBLE and you are left with POSSIBLE), memory, luck, choose a career

Camp Fire Yarn No 23 - Be Prepared For Accidents