In August 1909, Spittal Boy Scouts Troop camped at Oxford near Scremerston. The camp was led by Robert Cooper Clements. The boys spent three days there. Visitors were able to come in the evening and watch the camp games.

The Spittal Council School Scouts under the leadership of Robert was very active. In July 1910, Mr Dixon presented them with some field glasses and Mr Borthwick, the headmaster wrote in his logbook: “Delicate boys are becoming robust; manners, alertness and general tone have much improved and the training of boy scouts is truly educational when properly conducted. I cannot speak too highly of the work Mr Clements is doing for boys in the Borough and in our own school. He has gained the esteem and affection of all the boys”

In July 1911 Robert accompanied some of the boys to a Scout Rally at Windsor and in September 1911, they were inspected in Berwick by Baden Powell.