“Baden-Powell Camp” at New Ipswich, N.H

New Ipswich Historical Society

“Baden-Powell Camp” at New Ipswich, N.H

A news clipping about the beginnings of the Boy-Scout movement in the United States.

“Baden-Powell Camp” at New Ipswich, N.H., Formed by the Rev. Charles R. Peacock with 25 Charter “Braves”, Follows Closely Idea of Great English Organization

If the Boy Scout movement, which has made tremendous strides in England, ever gets thoroughly under way in this country, there are 20 odd youngsters in the little town of New Ipswich, N. H., who may take unto themselves the credit of being charter member Boy Scouts. After the name of the founder of the British organization, the camp has been called-Baden-Powell Camp of Boy Scouts. The Rev. Charles Peacock, pastor of the Congregational Church of New Ipswich, is the camp's founder, sponsor and patron. He has taken Gen. Baden-Powell's idea almost literally, with such slight adaptations as he thinks different conditions in the United States demand.

Up there in New Ipswich the boys are already wearing the Khaki uniform of the Boy Scout and are receiving their preliminary instructions s in woodcraft, field craft and other phases of life in the open. Emphasis is placed on the physical and the informative, the moral being incidental. Every boy in the village, between the ages of 8 and 16, is eligible. The movement has aroused among the youngsters an enthusiasm which has had no counterpart in quiet New Ipswich for a very long time.

From pictorial presentation of the Boy Scout idea in the columns of list The Herald, a short time ago, the Rev. Mr. Peacock conceived the idea of organizing a camp of boy scouts in New Ipswich. It appeared to him, precisely as it has to numerous other persons who have read anything at all about the great interest in England over the boy scouts, that here was something which should make an instant appeal to American boys. He immediately saw its advantages, not from the military standpoint-which he ignores-but from that of health and profit to the boys in the study of nature at first hand.

So he called together a dozen or more youngsters and explained to app them the movement across the seas and asked them if they didn't think they would also like to become Boy Scouts, wear a khaki uniform and go prowling about the wooded hills and open stretches that make up New Ipswich and vicinity. There was a chorus of "Yes-es," and Baden-Powell camp was forthwith brought into being with 20-odd charter "braves."

There had previously been in New Ipswich, under the direction of Mr. Peabody, a little group of youngsters who called themselves the "Knights of King Arthur"-the "K. O. K. A.s.” This was formed last summer. It is quite simple in its idea, merely being an organization for the purpose of having little outings. The Knights were in the habit of meeting once a fortnight or so, having a powwow, s listening to stories and perhaps making plans for visits to numerous picturesque retreats in the hills of the town. A principal event of the summer of 1909 was a three days' camping outing in the woods, under the as supervision of Mr. Peacock.

"K. O. K. A.'s" have been made is the nucleus of the Baden-Powell - Camp of Boy Scouts of America. l. Harvey Pineo, Philip Thompson, Edward Hudson and others who figured in the pleasant little affairs of the "K. O. K. A.'s" are with the minister heart and soul in the Boy scheme, and, thanks to them, the idea has been carried the length and the of the village, until now the of list of "palefaces," as applicants are the called, has begun to grow apace. Without a doubt it will shortly include pretty nearly every youngster, between 8 and 15 years of age that lives in the town of New Ipswich.

The crowning appeal for members will be made tomorrow, when in their khaki uniforms and hats the Baden-Powel Camp of Boy Scouts will march with the Grand Army veterans, Sons of Veterans and other organizations in the annual Fourth of July parade. It is expected that they of will then number fully 30, and they will thus have the distinction of being the first company of Boy Scouts to appear in a public parade in this as country. They will be officered byone of their number, who will respond to the title "sentinel." The rank and file will be made up of "braves". That is, full-fledged Boy Scouts-and "palefaces," who are the initiates.

Although the "Boy Scout" movement has been under way in England for upward of two years, and has aroused no end of enthusiasm the length and breadth of the British Empire, it has not yet become well known on this side of the water. Russia, however, has begun to see its virtues and one of the public ministers of that country has recently outlined a scheme for widespread organization of the Czar's young subjects. In Germany and France there is also considerable "Boy Scout" talk. England's khaki clad youngsters number 200,000, and Gen. Baden-Powell has recently retired from the army to give his entire attention to the movement.

Thus, so far as this country is concerned, the formation of a camp in New Ipswich bearing the appropriate name of "Baden-Powell Camp," is significant, for within five years, if the students of the English movement have surmised rightly, Boy Scout organizations will be pretty thoroughly distributed over the world. That is Gen. Baden-Powell's firm belief, and with him are pretty nearly all the leaders of the British army, and the statesmen, ministry and many other influential Britons.

The Rev. Mr. Peacock believes that the Boy Scout idea may very well rest its appeal on the opportunity it will afford boys to get into the woods and there acquire health and a knowledge of nature. He cares little about the opportunities for military training; in fact, dismisses that aspect of it from consideration, holding that it has particular significance So far as America is concerned. He speaks of "adaptation"-that there is much in the Boy Scout movement, which, in its relation to the study of nature and the life in the open, offers boundless opportunities for young America's moral, mental and physical development.

In organizing the boys of his town he has completely eliminated sectarian differences. All boys, whatever their faith, creed or nationality, are eligible to become "palefaces." It is merely necessary that they notify him that they wish to become members. Subsequently, when they have attained certain qualifications, they are put through a ceremony and made "braves."

Here is his own definition of the meaning and scopes of the Baden- Powell Camp for America: Boy Scouts of America:

"Name Baden-Powell Camp of Boy Scouts. 

"Object--Knowledge of woodcraft and nature studies. 

"Membership-All boys in the township of New Ipswich who are between the ages of 8 and 16 years. 

Qualifications-To become a "pale- face, application to the Rev. M. Peacock. To become a brave "paleface" must have at least $1 in the bank, an elementary 

This requirement concerning the bank deposit is an idea taken from Gen. Baden-Powell's organization. In England, or for that matter anywhere in the British Empire, a boy cannot become a full-fledged scout until he saved up at least a dollar. On the way it is hoped to inculcate a clause about tobacco goes without ex- planation. As for profanity, he believes very sensibly that no more rigorous obligation need be demanded that boys are boys and that an occasional strong utterance should not debar him from the privileges of presence in the Baden-Powell camp.

In joining the camp there is just enough ceremonial to impress upon the boys the meaning and scope of the organization, and this is all made as interesting as possible by a properly decorated cave and very secret rites which not more than four or five visitors at any one time may witness. The headquarters of Baden-Powell camp is located in a deserted lumber camp, about a mile from the town post office. A short distance away is a cave around which many local legends throw a considerable halo, and here "palefaces" are made "braves" and other matters of importance to the boys are transacted.

It is in the cave, for example, where the initiates are led to the “drum" and there hear the solemn obligation read. On such occasions either the Rev. Mr. Peacock or the "sentinel" presides and the scouts group about Indian fashion. These four stages of scout hood are then explained in detail:

Loyalty-Home. School. Country

Duty-At least $1 in the bank. Three acts for which no payment has s been received.

Promise-I will refrain from the use of tobacco in any form and from a profanity as a habit.

Employment-The study of nature. The duties of camp life. Backwoodsmanship.

Somebody who is well equipped to explain woodcraft is then called upon to say something. The present "Scribe," as the instructor is called, is Mr. H. R. Smith, a New York merchant, who spends his summers in New Ipswich. Mr. Smith is deeply interested in the organization of Boy Scouts in New Ipswich, believing that altogether too few boys of this country have any knowledge of woodcraft and outdoor nature in general. He has been a summer resident of New Ipswich for a number of years, knows all the boys person- ally, and takes keen pleasure in providing entertainment and instruction for them.

James Roger diary entries

14th July 1912

Thunderstorm began a bout 3:30 to 5:30 with fine rain; warm and muggy after. Mr. Lord preached on Glorying in the Lord. S.S. after. I did not wait for it. Vesper service at 4 p.m., a fair attendance but only 2 from Smithville. F.W. & wife; none from Smithville at morning service. Lord’s address from Romans 1-18. Susan Brown soloist. Mr. C. Perry played violin solo in morning service.