Figure 1.--This was Troop C of the King Edward VII School in Sheffield during 1954-55. Note how well turned out the boys of this grammar school were. Naby troops did not give te same attention to wearing the uniform. Click on the image for an enlargement of this photograph.

One of the important issues concening Scouting was who would sponsor Scout troops. This was especially important at the beginning of the movement as the rask of organizing large numbers of new troops provided a challenge. It was one reason that Baden-Powell first worked with the Boys' Brigade. In America the YMCA played a key role in erly organizational efforts. This does not appear to have been the case in Britain. We do not at this time have details on troop sponsorship. We do know that churches were important sponsors. We have less information about schools. In America state schools often sponsored troops, we are not sure if this was the case in England, although we do note troops at private schools. Some grammar schools (academically selective secondary schools) sponsored Scout troops. We are less sure about secondary modern schools and later comprehenives. Presumably primary schools sponsored Cub and Brownie packs. We believe that many early Scout and Guide troops organized without local sponsors, in some cases sharing facilities. We believe that this has continued to current times. Hopefull our British readers will provide some insights on this. Who sponsored a Scout trop could have a considerable impact on the uniform. Troops sponsored by private schools, which often gve considerable attention to the school uniform, often also gave considerable attention to the Scout uniform as well. The ethos at grammar schools also was similar to that of the public (exclusive private) schools and also gave considerable attention to the uniform.

Sponsoring Organizations

One of the important issues concening Scouting was who would sponsor Scout troops. This was especially important at the beginning of the movement as the rask of organizing large numbers of new troops provided a challenge. The sponsoring organization of course had a significant imapct on the membership and activity. What group sponsored a Scout troop could have considerable impact on the uniform as well, especially the importance given to the uniform by each individual Troop.

Boys' Brigade

Baden-Powell first worked with the Boys' Brigade. His first idea was to make Scouting a part of the Boys' Brigade. Brigade leaders saw Scoting as an activity within the Brigade. Scouting soon pyrived much more popular than the Boys; Brigade and amny Troops joined the movement that had little interest in the Brigade's particualrly strong religious program. Some Scout Troops were actually sponsored by Boys' Brigade units in the early years of Scouting.

Church Lads' Brigade

Some early Scout Troops were also sponsored by Church Lads' Brigade units in the early years of Scouting.

Churches

We do not at this time have details on English Scout troop sponsorship. We do know that churches were important sponsors. The London Diocese played an especially imporant role in the ealy years of the movement. Churches were especially important and continue to be in American Scouting. We have less information on their current role in Britain. Given the fact that church membership and attendance is less strong in England than in America, churches appear to have been less important as spobnsors in England. In addition, there are social class considerations in England. Church membership and attendance tends to be stringest among the upper and middle class and weakest with the working class. Another factor in England was that many English churches already sonsored a Boys' Brgade unit.

Salvation Army

Some Salvation Army units sponsored Scout troops, but we have few details.

Schools

We have less information about school sponsoship. We know that anumber of Scout troops were sponsored by English schools. In America state schools often sponsored troops. This was especially true of elementary (primary schools) sponsoring Cub and Browine packs. We are not sure if this was the case in England, although we do note troops at private schools. Some grammar schools (academically selective secondary schools) also sponsored Scout troops. [HBU English readers ask why it is always necessary to explain school terms like "grammar school". The reason is that in America, primary schools are usually called grammar or elementary schools. Likewise public means a state school.] We are less sure about secondary modern schools and later comprehenives. A British reader, however, informs us that, "I've only ever encountered Scout troops in grammar schools and public schools. It is likely that the more working-class orientation of secondary moderns made Scout troops less likely there. By the 1960s when comprehensives began to be important, the image of Scouting was less appealing to many English teenagers, which may explain in part why there were few Scout troops organized at these schools. I'm not sure what happened to Scout troops at grammar schools that became comprehensives. Presumably primary schools sponsored Cub and Brownie packs, but we do not yet know this for sure. Troops sponsored by private schools, which often give considerable attention to the school uniform, often also gave considerable attention to the Scout uniform as well. The ethos at grammar schools also was similar to that of the public (exclusive private) schools and also gave considerable attention to the uniform.

YMCA

The YMCA in America played a key role in erly organizational efforts. Many early Scout troops were organized by local YMVA chapters. The Y appaears to have played a less important role in English Scouting. Even so, some Y chapters also sponsored Scout troops in England.

Independent Troops

We believe that many early Scout and Guide troops organized without local sponsors, in some cases sharing facilities. We believe that this has continued to current times. Hopefull our British readers will provide some insights on this.

American Scout Sponsorship

Two of the most important Scouting programs are in England and America. The patterns of sponsorship vary in the two countries, revealing some important differences between the movement in each country.