In 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, a General in the British Army, held the first Scout camp at Brownsea Island, Dorset.  Baden-Powell developed the movement - a programme of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities like camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking and sports.

The movement grew to encompass three age groups for boys: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Rover Scouts, and in 1910, Baden-Powell's sister Agnes formed Girl Guides with three age groups: Brownie Guides, Girl Guides, Girl Scouts and Ranger Guides. 

The first New Zealand Scout Troop was officially registered at Kaiapoi on 3 July 1908, following the arrival of Baden-Powell's book 'Scouting for Boys' in New Zealand.  In 1911, the first all-Maori Scout Troop was formed at Ohinemutu.  In 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel Cossgrove retired from school teaching to become a full-time paid organiser for New Zealand Scouts.

In 2007, there were over 38 million Scouts and Guides in 216 countries.