 Robert Baden @-@ Powell had become a national hero during the Boer War as a result of his successful defence of the town of Mafeking , which was under siege from October 1899 to May 1900 . The Mafeking Cadets , made up of local boys aged 12 to 15 , acted as messengers throughout the siege , and had impressed him with their resourcefulness and courage . Baden @-@ Powell had also published a number of popular books on military scouting , including Aids to Scouting for NCOs and men , published in 1899 . Though written for non @-@ commissioned officers , it became a best @-@ seller and was used by teachers and youth organisations . In the years after the war Baden @-@ Powell broached the idea of a new youth organisation with a number of people , including William Alexander Smith , founder of the Boys ' Brigade , with whom he discussed setting up a Boys Brigade Scouting achievement . To test his ideas while writing Scouting for Boys , Baden @-@ Powell conceived of an experimental camp , creating a program to take place on Brownsea Island during the summer of 1907 . He invited his lifelong friend , Major Kenneth McLaren , to attend the camp as an assistant . 
