In July 1906 Robert Baden-Powell or 'B-P' as he was later known, the "Hero of Mafeking", discussed his ideas for a scouting movement for boys with C. Arthur Pearson, an influential publisher and philanthropist. Pearson introduced B-P to one of his editors, Percy Everett, an Elstree resident and instructed him to assist B-P.

An experimental camp was organised and run at Brownsea Island in Dorset during August 1907. Percy Everett assisted B-P in organising the events.  Only  a score or so of boys were invited to attend but one of them was Cedric Curteis, a pupil of Elstree School. 

The success of Brownsea Island Camp led to B-P writing articles and books about scouting and Percy Everett was, of course, the editor and B-Ps right hand man in bringing the works to press. 'Scouting for Boys',  first published in January 1908, became one of the most widely sold books of all time.

Scouting for Boys was initially published in installments, priced 4d. Boys all over the country eagerly purchased copies as they became available and their enthusiasm resulted in the formation of Scout Troops everywhere, in Britain at first, but later all over the world.

Between January and March 1908 six Elstree boys formed a group and plucked up the courage to approach Percy Everett and to ask him to form a Troop. He obligingly agreed and the 1st Elstree Scout Troop was formed.

Their first headquarters was a stable in Everett's house, Oaklands in Barnet Lane, Elstree.