PENNED in by an 8000-strong Boer army at the turn of the last century, an outnumbered garrison of tenacious British soldiers held out for 217 desperate days before reinforcements finally came to their rescue and beat back the advancing Africans.

The achievement was largely due to Robert Baden-Powell, a young colonel who duped the incessant Boers into thinking the British had laid a minefield and set up barbed wire around their position, which in fact they hadn’t.

But the ingenious colonel knew the Brits’ success would have been impossible without the cadet corps; boys below fighting age who performed all manner of daring tasks while Baden-Powell and his men repelled the onslaught.

The young soldiers would become the inspiration for Baden-Powell’s book, Scouting for Boys, the second best selling book of all time and the seed from which the Scouting Association we know today would shoot forth and blossom around the world.

But what became of Baden-Powell’s dream? Could the youth of today have the back-bone to act so effectively in the face for hardship? And can 21st century Scouting unite people from all corners of society as its founder hoped it could?

For Kent Scout leader Andy Trill, the answer is undoubtedly yes.

However, the assistant county commissioner says Scouting’s 100th birthday is no time for complacency; the celebrations must be twinned with a determination to improve and evolve.

He said: "The activities we offer are available to everyone. While we’ve become more and more inclusive, we’re still striving to reach all areas of society."

The Scout leader believes the allure of adventure and the outdoors remains the association’s trump card; the key that can unlock the door to a vast new membership.

"For young people it’s all about adventure, fun and excitement," enthused Mr Trill. "Many young people are looking for something different or to compliment their free time activities; and for those looking to get back outdoors Scouting has a lot to offer."

After 100 years then, the future of Scouting remains bright; and the Scouts of Kent are determined to let everyone know this with an entire year of celebrations.

From the youngest, aged six, to oldest, the Scouts will be pulling together to make 2007 a year to remember.