How Aussie Scouts Keep Their Founder's Secret to Happiness Alive
By Simon Doble
Robert Baden-Powell statute in Poole, UK - Lex McKee, CC-BY-NC
There are many good reasons for why the Scouts are such a respected organisation. Across languages and cultures when you say “Scout”, it means something, their merits are almost universally recognised. I think it is in great part thanks to the values Robert Baden-Powell instilled in that organisation.
Sitting at the foot of Mount Kenya days before his death, he wrote a letter in which he laid out his recipe for living a happy life.
Many core principles of a good scout can be found in this short message: modesty, good health, positive outlook… He warns scouts against the pitfalls of chasing money, success or self-indulgence, all core values that guide me and my organisations.
But the most important principle of them all, the real way of achieving happiness in life is as simple and powerful as they come: by giving out happiness to other people.
“Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”
— Robert Baden-Powell, First Chief Scout
It's one of those lessons we all wish we learned sooner in life, all those years wasted chasing promises that turned out to be hollow. That's why it's so wonderful to see that the Scouts are keeping their founders' words alive and showing children and young adults the way by giving back.
It makes me so excited that Scout units across Australia can now take meaningful action on energy poverty through hands-on STEM learning with SolarBuddy.
Solar STEM Volunteering for Scouts Who Dream Bigger
During these workshops, Scouts will assemble solar lamps that go directly to their peers across the world. Kids who have nothing or close to nothing can now study in the evening and sleep a little safer, knowing they have a buddy there. Light that brings them safety and a friend who cared to help.
This is different way of giving back, these communities are thousands of kilometres away, but such as the nature of energy poverty, environmental destruction or sustainable development. These are systemic and deeply global issues that require an updated response.
That's why it's so exciting that Scouts, who have made a name for themselves by helping others, are encouraged to tackle global challenges with the same vigour.
As part of the hands-on solar workshops, Scouts will not only learn about energy poverty and practice basic STEM skills, but they'll also have the chance to experience what it feels like to be a global citizen.
I was appalled by myself when I understood the realities millions of people live in, cooking on indoor fires, trekking long miles to charge a phone at a diesel generator. I saw these realities before but didn't know what energy poverty was or how many fell through the cracks.
My hope is that for at least in a few young minds we can help flip the script. By showing them a way to give back with STEM, they can maximise the impact of Baden-Powell's legacy.
Are you a scout leader or are interested in supporting your local unit with hands-on STEM learning to combat energy poverty?
Visit this link for more info: https://scouts.com.au/blog/2026/06/25/solarbuddy-create-a-brighter-world-through-stem/
Or send a message to: youth.program.support@scouts.com.au
"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart”
– Jonathan Swift