Subject: [rec.scouting.*] Scouting Around the World Pt. 1 (FAQ 8) From: Bill Nelson Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Newsgroups: rec.scouting.misc,rec.answers,news.answers Followup-To: rec.scouting.misc Reply-To: nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu (BILL NELSON) Organization: U.S. Scouting Service Project (http://www.usscouts.scouter.com) Archive-name: scouting/worldwide/part1 Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-Modified: 1996/12/6 The FAQs are archived at: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/scouting/top.html *** New entries in this release: Please note this FAQ has not fully been updated for a long, long time. Please email me of any changes to this FAQ. *** About this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) file: If you have been in a scouting organization that hasn't been described in this FAQ, or if you would like to add something to an existing description, please do all of us the favour. Write it up, post it on rec.scouting and send a copy to me so that it can be included in future issues of this FAQ. This file is in digested format, like all FAQ files on this newsgroup. If you're using nn as newsreader, type 'G %" to split the digest into individual postings. In bn or rn, typing control-G should cause the reader to skip to the next posting within this file. There are ten FAQ files in the rec.scouting FAQ series. The FAQ files are posted in regular intervals (one file every three or four days) on rec.scouting, rec.answers and news.answers. They can also be retrieved through anonymous FTP from ftp.ethz.ch (path: ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/). As the FAQ files are updated regularly, make sure that you have the latest copy in your hands. The release date of this FAQ is indicated in the line starting with "Last-Modified:" at the top of this file. Files older than three months should be considered as outdated. *** COPYRIGHT NOTICE *** This file or parts of it may be freely used, printed and re-distributed as long as you enclose this paragraph and keep the references to the respective contributors and to the maintainer (listed below) intact. -- Bill Nelson nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: nelsonb@aztec.asu.edu (Bill Nelson) Subject: Scouts and Guides worldwide - the figures Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1996 09:58:26 GMT There are now (1996) more than 25 million Scouts, girls and boys, in 237 countries and territories. For more World of Scouting Movement (WOSM) population statistics see: http://scoutnet.ch/world/wosm/numbers.html More information on the WOSM and International Scouting events can be obtained at http://www.scout.org Information on the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and International Girl Scouting and Guiding can be obtained at http://www.wagggs.org ------------------------------ From: chick@hilbert.maths.utas.edu.au Subject: Scouting in Australia Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1992 05:55:18 GMT Here in Oz (alias Australia!) our Scouting system works as follows: _Section_ _Age Range_ _Oz Grade Range (approx.)_ Joey Scouts 6 - 8 Kindergarten/Preparatory-Grade 2 Cub Scouts 8 - 11 Grade 2 - Grade 5 Scouts 10.5 - 15 Grade 5 - Grade 9/10 Venturer Scouts 14.5 - 18 Grade 9 - Grade 11/12 Rover Scouts 18 - 26 Adult (University +) Joey Scouts is new for us - the children don't wear full uniform, just the scarf of their local group (all our sections are mixed boys/girls now ... if the leaders of the local troop/unit/group (Oz name) so decide, although males are still in the majority). All the other sections have been around for quite a while, and are fully uniformed. Adult leaders may obtain their "Warrant" (basic qualification for leadership) after they are 18. Most of the local groups will have a Cub Scout and a Scout section at the very least (depending on the size of the area), Venturer units are the next most likely, followed by Joey mobs (in Australia a joey is a baby kangaroo, and the collective noun for kangaroo is "mob") and then Rover crews. (This is roughly how it is in Tasmania, at any rate.) Some groups are big enough to support a couple of Cub packs, but this is about the only area in which doubling up occurs. A number of groups make up a district (there are 9 or 10 groups in our district), and a district is usually a (reasonably) well-defined geographical area. A few districts will make up a region, and in little ol' Tassie it takes three regions to fill the state. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 9 Apr 1995 19:44:15 +1000 From: georginaross To: dannys@iis.ee.ethz.ch Subject: Guiding in Australia Girl Guides Association of Australia [Note: Laws and Promises have been apppended at the end of this FAQ -- Danny] Gumnut Guides (6-7 years) Brownie Guides (7-11 years) Guides (10-15 years) Ranger Guides (14-18 years) Rangers (17-25 years) Junior Leaders (15-17 years) Leaders (18 and above) Lones Girls who have meetings by correspondence or "on air" by radio. Usually girls who don't live near a town or there is no guiding in there town. Extensions Girls who have a disability and for whom the guide program needs to be "extended" to fit them in. Gumnut Guide Motto : Gumnut Guides care and share. Guide Motto: Be prepared. Brownie Guide Motto: Lend a hand. A unit is the general name given to groups of girls with their leaders. A Brownie Guide Unit has girls grouped into sixes of up to six girls and has a maximum of 24 girls. A Guide Unit has girls grouped into patrols of up to six girls and has a maximum of 36 girls. Australia has a number of states and each state has a number of regions and each region has a number of divisions and each division has a number of districts and each district has a number of units. The district usually belongs to one guide hall. World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has five World Regions. Western Hemisphere Region Europe Region Africa Region Asia Pacific Region Arab Regional Group Australia is a member of the Asia Pacific Region. ------------------------------ From: rickcl@POGO.WV.TEK.com, rcraig@library.carleton.ca Subject: Scouting in Canada Also-From: Patrick De Gagne, Peter Choi, Bill Hately Date: 29 Sep 93 23:55 [a more detailed description of Scouts Canada can be found on ftp.ethz.ch in the directory ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/worldwide/ ] Beavers 5-7 Well, Beavers are the youngest members of Scouting. They're being introduced to the movement thru games and fun. Their Moto is "Sharing Sharing Sharing". Adult members take care of all the work. Colony leaders are responsible for delivering the program including taking the youth members on camps. Parents are usually encouraged to participate in the program and are required at camp outings. Wolf Cubs 8-11 The Canadian Cub program is similar to Cubbing in the UK. (They are not subdivided as in the US. Cubs play games and perform activities that involve more instruction than what is offered in the Beaver program. The program, through its motto encourages youth to "do their best" and to be responsible for what they do and say. Members of the pack participate in choosing program activities through "Sixer Councils". The program is on the most part run by the Pack Leaders with some help from the youth. Cubs camp more often, in tents during Fall, Spring and Summer, but only in cabins during Winter and extreme cold weather at other times of the year. Scouts 11-14 Most of their activities are geared towards badge work, instruction and camps. They still play, but not much. Scouts camp quite often and almost always in tents or in shelter. As well, the Scouts are responsible with the duties of camp. Scouts participate in small group activites through which values of team work and the importance of each member is taught. Venturers 14-17 Venturers are young men and women who are challenged to democratically plan and run their own activities. The group is accountable to an Advisor who does just that...he advises. The Company is a group of typically 5-10 teens (co-ed), The size varies having an executive consisting of (but not all) President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and a Quartermaster. The Venturers Motto is "Challenge". Meetings vary in the operation from "executive meetings" similar to that of a board of directors to "social meetings" such as games or activities nights. They do all their planing themselves, they plan trips, camps, fund raisers, social events... The advisor is there to provide guidance and assistance and to ensure that Scouting and legal obligations are met. Rovers 18-26 The oldest youth members of Scouting (not counting leaders of course!). Their Moto is "Service". Individually or in small teams, Rovers pursue service activities contributing to personal development. Crews are provided guidance through an Advisor who assists and ensures that Scouting and legal obligations are met. Rovers participate in social camping activites called Moots. A moot is a gathering of their peers for camping, fun and friendship. In November of 1993, the National Council of Scouts Canada officially made Scouts Canada a fully co-ed organization. For years, Venturers and Rovers have been Co-ed and for the past three years,(since 1989), the other sections have been co-ed on an experimental basis. ------------------------------ From: rickc@POGO.WV.TEK.com Subject: Cub Scouting in Canada This is from "Scouting Try It!" published by Scouts Canada. It talks about all their levels of Scouting. I will just type the sections on Beavers and Wolf Cubs. The text in brackets are my notes. Their address for more information is: Scouts Canada National Council 1345 Baseline Rd PO Box 5151, Stn. F Ottawa, Ont CANADA K2C 3G7 Beavers (5-7 years) [From Stevie] "In my neighbourhood most activites are for older kids so when my best friend Ross told me about Beavers I ran home from school and asked Mom to sign me up right away. The first meeting was strange because all the other kids had vests and hats with tails on them. Now I don't think it's so strange, actualy it's really neat! We do tail slaps, make crafts, go on outings and best of all, Ross and I are in the same lodge." Wolf Cubs (8-10 years) [From Ryan] "When I was little my Dad would tell me stories about when he was young. His favourite story is about the time he went to a Cub camp and the Cubs in his six [den] thought they had tricked Akela [Cubmaster] into taking them on a late night hike to watch for UFO's. When they got to the lookout the other leaders were there with hot chocolate and cookies. All along Akela had planned it anyway. So when I went to my first Cub camp I wasn't surprised when our Akela woke us up at midnight. But I didn't expect to be introduced to the Scouts from our group [One unit from each age is in a group. This way the Scouts feed into the next old unit.] who were set up in the next valley ready to give us a great campfire and sing song. Cubbing is fun, I already have 2 stars." ------------------------------ From: "JIRI DANDA" Subject: Scouting in Czechia Let me introduce JUNK - the Association of the Boyscouts and Girl Guides in the Czech Republic. Our organization was founded by A.B.Svojs°k in 1911. JUN`AK was banned after the nazi occupation in 1940, after the communist coup in 1948 and after the Soviet occupation of our country in 1970. Scouts were persecuted, but all the time, scouting had been continued here, even illegally. Since 1989 we have existed legally again. At the moment we are members of IFOFSAG and WAGGGS (they accept our guides as a founder member) and we are not members of the WOSM yet (because of some bureaucratic problems, but we had been members as former Czechoslovak scouting, before the separation in 1993). We are the merged organization (one organization, one administration, but too different programs for boyscouts and girl guides, no coeducation). At the moment our organization has got approximately 70 000 members (our country has got 10 000 000 citizens). We are using these age ranks : (info about spelling: because I can't send the Czech alphabet through the Internet, instead of the "hacek", originally a small "v" above the letter, I have to use " ~ " before it, instead of the "carka", originally a small comma above the letters, I used " ' " before it and instead of "krouzek", a small circle above the letter, I use " ` ") 6-11 years vl~cata/wolf cubs and sv~etlu~sky/fire flies (the name for our brownies was chosen by the book Brou~cci by Jan Karafi'at) 12-15 skauti/boyscouts and skautky/girl guides 15-18(25...) rove~ri/rovers and rangers 18-... oldskauti/oldscouts [The czech scout law and promises have been moved to the "law and promises" article at the end of this FAQ] As you can see, the Czech scouts promise is quite unusual. It's because of the historical background. In 1911, when our movement was founded, our state didn't exist yet. The area of the todays Czech Republic was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empeire. Czech people didn't like that absolutistic state at all (government tried to oppress them not to use the Czech language and to speak German, in the last years there was a strong police state etc.). The main supports for regime were the army, the police and the catholic church. These were the reasons, that in our promise wasn't the loayality to the king or to the supreme being expressed. ------------------------------ From: Niels.K.Jensen@imf.kvl.dk (Niels Kristian Jensen) Subject: Scouting in Denmark Date: 1 Jun 1995 [Note: this article has been summarized due to the space limitations in this FAQ. The history and details of the different scout associations have been removed. The complete article can be found on ftp.ethz.ch in the directory ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/worldwide/ or on the World Wide Web as URL: http://www.switch.ch/div/scouting/worldwide/denmark.html ] Scouting in Denmark From: nkj@kvl.dk (Niels Kristian Jensen), 1995. In Denmark we have several Scout associations; The Danish Guide and Scout Association (Det Danske Spejderkorps = DDS), YMCA Scouts (KFUM-spejderne), YWCA Scouts (KFUK-spejderne), The Baptist Scouts of Denmark (Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps = DBS), The Guide and Scout Association of Greenland (Det Grønlandske Spejderkorps = DGS) and The Scout Council of the Faroe Islands. There is one additional uniformed organization called FDF, but they insist on NOT being scouts (they originate from the British Boy's Brigade). Mixed or seperate ? The YWCA Scouts is for girls only, all other associations are open to boys and girls. Uniforms The uniform of DDS Scouts is dark blue supplemented by a scarf, coloured according to the groups choice. The uniform of YMCA scouts is green with a red scarf. The uniform of YWCA scouts is dark green with a yellow scarf. DBS uses a light blue uniform with a turquoise blue scarf. The uniform of the DGS is a dark blue anorak and chequed scarf. Number of members These numbers were collected in 1994, but they all stay quite stable. Both adult leaders and children are counted. DDS: 36000. YMCA: 33000. YWCA: 12000. DBS: 2000. DGS: 1500. Almost 2% of the population in Denmark are scouts. Religion in scouting DDS is the only Danish scout organization that does not require religion to be a part of scouting. The only requirement being that the scouts "Find their own faith and respect others'" (part of the Scout Law). All the other associations are based on Christianity. Age-divisions DDS uses the following age-division guidelines: 6- 8: Micro Scouts (Danish: Mikroer) 8-10: Mini Scouts (Danish: Minier) 10-12: Junior Scouts (Danish: Juniorer) 12-16: Scouts (Danish: Spejdere) 16-23: Senior Scouts (Danish: Seniorer) The other Scouting organizations have slightly different age divisions and generally use more inspiring names. In general the youngest scouts are around 6 and the oldest are above 20. Local organization system All Scouting organizations in Denmark are based on groups. A group is usually a combination of a unit from each of the age groups. It is normal to stay in the same group in all of your scouting life. Leaders ocationally move from group to group, but scouts seldom do. In DDS, the groups are organized in districts, that must consist of at least 600 scouts. The districts are combined in 7 so-called areas. Leaders and Ranks Leaders are from almost all age groups. It is not unusual that a unit have leaders of quite different age. Leaders are both old scouts and parents. It is not a tradition that parents follow their kids through the different age groups; instead they tend to stay in the same unit a number of years. There is no notion of ranks (like Star, Life, Eagle in the BSA) in any of the major scouting organizations in Denmark. A few groups implement something on their own, but the general emphasis is not on advancement. There are merit badges for mini scouts, junior scouts, and normal scouts, but in many places these are not very used. Typically, the cub scouts (mini AND junior scouts) rarely have more than 5 merit badges, of which one is the "knife award". These badges are often used to help the leaders and the scouts remember that safe use of some tools require training. History and Presentation of the DDS DDS was founded november 19th, 1909. The girls and guides formed the DPS (Danish: Dansk Pige Spejderkorps) october 10th, 1910. DDS was for boys and DPS for girls until they merged in 1973. This means that most local units now are coeducational. Every 5 years, DDS gathers in one big camp (Danish: Bl Sommer). The peak number of people in the camp was close to 23000 in 1994. The main object of work in DDS is to help children and young people develop into self-reliant persons, who can assume responsibility in their own environment and in the world around them. on wild life, camping and preservation of the environment, as well as international activities. Both YMCA and YWCA are confessional based on the Danish National Church, which is Lutheran Evangelical. History and Presentation of the YMCA YMCA was founded september 28th, 1910. A referendum was held in 1982 the result being that YMCA should be open equally for boys and girls, while YWCA should continue as an organization exclusively for girls. Now, some 40 percent of the members in YMCA are girls. The programme emphasizes the participation in a Chistian Scout community and stresses living in nature, democratic education and international understanding. History and Presentation of the YWCA YWCA was founded 1919. YWCA is an organization exclusively for girls (see above). This kind of association has many advantages, as girls from an early age learn to accept responsibility for themselves and others, and gain the confidence and skills to do practical tasks as well as managerial and organisational work on a local as well as on a national level. The association is strongly committed to promote international fellowship and understanding among all their members. History and Presentation of the DBS The Danish Baptist Guide and Scout Association - offers guide and scout programmes in accordance with the international guide and scout promise and law. In practise, this is shown by a financial and other support given to the Baptist associations in Burundi and Rwanda (Africa). - is a religious association where all local groups can only exist in close co-operation with a local Baptist church. The Baptist Church is an evangelical free church practising adult baptism. It is not a necessity to be a Baptist to be a member of the association. History and Presentation of DGS The Guide and Scout Association of Greenland was founded in 1973 and is the only Guide and Scout Association in Greenland. Already in 1943, however, Scouting started in Greenland. The Association cooperates closely with the Danish associations and has international contacts to WAGGGS and WOSM. Among the many different activities the following are characteristic: beadwork, the preparation of fur, cleaning of fish. Particular emphasis is put on wild life in a sometimes quite rough environment. Here the Guides and Scouts learn how to survive on natural resources. Thence most activities take place out doors. Addresses in Denmark All the Danish scout offices accept mail written in English. DDS (Det Danske Spejderkorps) Lundsgade 6 DK-2100 København Ø Phone: (+45) 35 26 12 11 Fax: (+45) 35 26 12 20 YMCA (KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark) Gammel Vartov Vej 16 DK-2900 Hellerup Phone: (+45) 39 29 26 66 Fax: (+45) 39 29 16 24 E-mail: kfum.em@login.dknet.dk YWCA (KFUK-spejderne i Danmark) De grønne pigespejdere Rosenborggade 3 DK-1130 København K Phone: (+45) 33 12 95 38 Fax: (+45) 33 12 67 75 DBS (Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps) Gammel Gugvej 21 DK-9000 Aalborg Phone: (+45) 98 16 62 50 Fax: (+45) 98 11 68 50 DGS (The Guide and Scout association of Greenland) Nunaanni Spejderit Kattuffiat Box 799 3900 Nuuk Greenland Phone: (+299) 219 55 ------------------------------ From: snippala@toty.joensuu.fi (Satu Nippala) Subject: Scouting in Finland [Note: This article has been edited, leaving only the essential parts. The full article can be found on ftp.ethz.ch in the directory ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/worldwide/ -- Danny] GUIDING AND SCOUTING IN FINLAND Guiding and Scouting were established simultaneously in Finland in 1910. The two separate Unions were merged to form a single National Organization in 1972. The assosiation is called The Guides and Scouts of Finland (Suomen Partiolaiset - Finlands Scouter ry) and consists of 18 Member Districts, one of which is swedish- speaking (Finlands Svenska Scouter rf - The Swedish-speaking Guides and Scouts in Finland). The organization is affiliated to the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) as well as to the World Assosiation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The membership figure including all age-groups is around 80,000. The members belong to about 850 local troops of 20 to 300 members, which form the Districts (at 10 to 140 troops per district) . There are Guides and Scouts from the southernmost tip of the country to far beyond the Artic Circle. GUIDING / SCOUTING PROMOTES : *a positive attitude towards religion *loyalty to one's country *international understanding *the ideal of service *respect for the convictions of others *responsability for one's own life and the environment *involvement in social activities *a healthy way of life THE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH GUIDING AND SCOUTING WORKS : *Ideals and Promise *the Patrol System *a Program that advances by progressive stages *training for Leadership duties at different levels *teamwork *learning by doing *the use of creative imagination *games and activating projects *outdoor activities *activities with international and/or religional emphasis LEVELS (7)-10 years : Wolf Cubs ("Sudenpentu") Wolf cubs meet in packs of 10-20 kids. Some of the packs are mixed, the boys and girls sharing all activities at all stages. A Sudenpentu Leader is over 16, with a required training and experience background. The programme is sub-divided into five progressive stages: *Welcome *Pikkuhukka (pet name for a wolf cub) *Hukka (pet name of folk origin for a wolf) *Susi (wolf in finnish) *Transition stage The Finnish Sudenpentu-members participate in traditional Guiding and Scouting activities: outings, camps in the summer, crosscountry skiing and skating in the winter, games, excursions, day or weekend trips, competitions, handicrafts etc. The children also take part in various service projects. 10-14 years : Scouts ("Vartioik{inen") Translated, Vartioik{inen means "at Patrol age". The Programme for this age-group is diversified -- the way it is carried out depends on the interests of each patrol. Programme and Pins: The programme for the Vartioik{inen - level is divided into three progressive stages: the Third Class, the Second Class and finally the First Class. There is also a number of interest badges. The badges are made of metal. The third class badge is the symbol of Scout movement, the second one is simply with the text : Be Prepared and the First one is the Finnish lion - our states symbol on the scoutflower. The Patrol leader is called Vartionjohtaja, or VJ for short. Their programme is divided into five sectors: *Guide and Scout ideology, their ideal of service *outdoor and camping skills *knowledge of Guiding and Scouting and Society *nature and its conservation *handicrafts, skills over 15 years of age : Rangers & Rovers ("Vaeltaja") Vaeltaja operate in groups of varying sizes. Their leader is often of the same age as the eldest members in his or her group. The group plans its own programme. All Vaeltaja activities are based on developing a positive attitude towards service. Hobbies are also very important. The programme is based on six ideals: *knowledge of Guiding and Scouting and Society *service *outdoor activities, physical exercise *hobbies *nature and its conservation *Guide and Scout ideals The ideal of service can be realized e.g. by participating in voluntary rescue service teams. International activities are also an important aspect of Guiding and Scouting, especially at this level. SPECIAL SCOUT UNITS include Sea-, Handicap- ("Sisu") and Radio Guiding and Scouting units. SPECIAL PROGRAMMES include the promotion of international understanding and the Child and Youth Political Programme ("Nuopo"). ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 94 12:02:47 +0200 From: moyen@clipper.ens.fr (Jean-Francois Moyen) Subject: Scouting in France [Note: this is a very concise summary, due to the space limitations in this FAQ. A more detailed (100 lines) description and a history of scouting in France can be found on ftp.ethz.ch in the directory ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/worldwide/ . -- Ed.] France has several independent scouting organizations; I'll try to describe most of them : 1) Groups belonging to "scoutisme francais" : they are the only one belonging to WOSM. 1-1 Scouts de France : Catholic, boys and girls, 120'000 people. 5 ages : 6-8, 8-11, 12-15, 15-18, 18+. Units are not mixed. 1-2 Guides de France : girls only, 80000 people, equivalent to SdF. Both are thinking about a merging. 1-3 Eclaireurs de France : Mixed, laics. Approx. 10'000 people. Ages as in SdF. 1-4 Federation des Eclaireurs et Eclaireuses Unionistes de France. "Protestant origin, but open to everybody". 8'000 people. Ages : 8-12, mixed. 12-16, mainly co'ed. 16-18, mixed. 1-5 Eclaireurs Israelites de France. Jewish, 4'000 people, ages same as in FEEUF. 1-6 Scouts Musulmans de France. Muslims. 300 people. 2) Groups not belonging to "Scoutisme Francais", and thus recognized neither by the french government nor by the WOSM : 2-1 Scouts Unitaires de France : Catholics, boys only. Ages 8-12, 12-16 and 16-18. 50'000 people. Extreme traditionalists. 2-2 Federation des Scouts d'Europe : Catholic, boys and girls, not mixed. Ages as in SUF. 80'000 people. Axed toward religion, sometimes paramilitaristic tendencies. 2-3 Various integrists, catholics (Scouts St Georges) or protestants (Scouts de l'Evangile). Religiously integrist, pedagogically traditional. Maybe 2'000 people (?) 2-4 Various ecologist, "neutral", and so groups. Maybe 1'000 people. ------------------------------ From: kai@dpsg.sub.org (Kai Jendrian) Subject: Scouting in Germany - DPSG Date: 30 NOv 1993 16:37 +0100 its a little bit difficult to describe Scouting in Germany, as there is nothing like *the* Scouting here. In Germany there are about 40 different Scout-Organizations. Three of them belong to the WOSM, which are the BdP (Bund der Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder), VCP (Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder) and DPSG (Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft St. Georg). I belong to the DPSG and so I only want to describe the DPSG, as I'm not so well informed about scouting in the other organizations. Please excuse, if you read some German expressions. These are something like "german-scouting-specific", so there is no way to translate them to english (or too difficult for me :) *** T H E D P S G *** (Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg) 1.) History The DPSG was founded at 7th Oct. 1929. In 1931 the DPSG had 9.000 members. The DPSG worked on the ideals of BP. From 1933 - 1938 the DPSG had to fight against opression through the NS-Regime. Some of their members were killed in KZ. In 1938 the DPSG was forbidden by the government. But some scouts didn't join the HJ (Hitlerjugend) which adaptet the methods and outfit of scouting but had absolutely different goals! These scouts worked in the underground 'til 1945. In 1950 the WOSM made the RdP (Ring deutscher Pfad- finder, which today consists of BdP,VCP,DPSG)a member. Since this time the DPSG works active in scouting and now has about (I guess) 80.000 members and is the largest german Scouting organization. 2.) Structure Most of the action happens in a Stamm (to be compared to a troop I think). Here you see the structure of scouts in Germany: Scouts from 8 - 11 years are called the WOELFLINGE. Scouts from 11 - 13 years are called the JUNGPFADFINDER. Scouts from 13 - 16 years are called the PFADFINDER. Scouts from 16 - 21 years are called the ROVER. Scouts older then 18 can become LEADERS. Normally the groups meet once a week and do some camps in the year. 3.) Questions For official questions please contact: DPSG Bundesleitung, Martinstr. 2, 41472 Neuss, Germany Phone: +49-2131-46990, FAX: +49-2131-469999 For questions and corrections concerning this posting pleases contact me by electronic mail. This posting doesn't describe everything about the DPSG and is only the personal opinion of the writer and not an official description. I plan to write a more detailed description, which I'll post to rec.scouting and which will be available on ftp.ethz.ch (okay Danny ?). [Sure! Ed.] ------------------------------ From: Olaf Tuinder Subject: Scouting in the Netherlands (Holland) Date: Fri, 29 Apr 1994 11:43:27 +0200 (GMT+0200) [Note: This article has been summarized due to the space limitations in this FAQ. The full text (200 lines) can be found on ftp.ethz.ch in the directory ftp.ethz.ch:/rec.scouting/worldwide/Netherlands/. -- Ed.] Since 1973 there is one scouting-organisation called: 'Scouting Nederland'. Scouting Nederland has the objective: 'to promote the Scoutingprogramme in The Netherlands, based on the ideas of Lord Baden-Powell, .... '. The total membership figure (all ages) of 1992 is, according to the annual report: 114.845; i.e. 85.266 juniors and 29.579 adults. Scouting Nederland is a member of both WOSM and WAGGGS. Almost all troops and units in The Netherlands are mixed boys and girls. All troops have a *name*, not just a number; even when there are several troops in the same city. The description of the Scouting sections below is based on troops that have their activities on 'land'. Holland also has many Sea-Scout troops near rivers and lakes and a few Air-Scout troops. _Section_ _Age_ Bevers (Beavers) 5-7. Welpen (Cub Scouts) 7-10. \ The age-group 7-10 Esta's 7-10. - } is often referred to as Kabouters (Brownies) 7-10. / the acronym: 'W.E.K.' Scouts 10-15. Explorers 14-17. Jongerentak (Rover Scouts) 17-23. BEVERS (Beavers), Age: 5-7. The Bevers play in a fantasy world: The World of Tall Do-All ('Lange Doener' in Dutch). Tall Do-All is one of the main characters in the Bever-programme, and he lives in a house called 'Hotsjietonia' on the rim of a village. Bevers wear a red sweater as uniform. WELPEN (Cub Scouts), Age: 7-10. The Welpen-programme is based on the Junglebook-stories. Uniform: green blouse. ESTA'S (No translation possible), Age: 7-10. The Esta's play in a fantasy world: 'The Land of Esta'. It is based on the book 'The Child With The Tall Hat' ("'t Kind Met De Hoge Hoed" in Dutch), which was especially written for Scouting by Simone Schell in 1991. The Idea behind the story is that you change your clothes to ....... (e.g. pirate, princess, wolf, wizard, or *anything* else) and then play that role. Uniform: green blouse. KABOUTERS (Brownies), Age: 7-10. The Kabouters play in a fantasy world: 'Bambilie'. Bambilie is a country with some villages and a number of vaguely described area's, which leave space for your own imagination. In each village lives a different community ('Volkje' in Dutch) with its own characteristics. Uniform: green blouse. SCOUTS, Age: 10-15. Scouts is the overall-name for members of the age 10-15. The Scout-programme has no specific central theme, but often the activities are integrated in some theme or project. More emphasis is laid on techniques, skills and knowledge. Uniform : khaki blouse. EXPLORERS, Age: 14-17. Explorers is the name for the age-group 14-17. A boy in an Explorer-unit is called 'Rowan' and a girl is called 'Sherpa'. The Explorers are considered to be able to plan and carry out the activities and projects on their own. They are supported by one or two adults. Uniform: brique (red) blouse. JONGERENTAK (Rover Scouts), Age: 17-23. The age-group 17-23 is called 'Jongerentak', which can be translated to 'Youth-branch'. A member of the Jongerentak is called a Pivo. A group of Pivo's is called a 'Stam'. They are, for their activities and projects, completely on their own, with no 'adult'-leader supervision. Basic uniform: brique (red) blouse. ------------------------------ From: dtchn@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Dih!-ty / Dicksen Tanzil) Subject: Scouting in Indonesia Date: 26 Mar 92 15:19:04 GMT The Scouting Movement of the Republic of Indonesia has a membership of about 15 million people (out of a population of 190 million) which is PROBABLY the largest in the world. It is open to both sex and is organized as follow: Siaga (Cub Scout/Brownie) ................ 6-10 yr old Penggalang (Boy/Girl Scout)............... 11-15 yr " Penegak (Venture Scout) .................. 16-.... (I forgot) Pandega (Rover Scout) .................... (Also forgot) Indonesia Scout groups is also open to all religions and, in fact, MAY NOT have any religious affiliation even though when it is sponsoured by a church or a mosque. My Scout Group is affiliated to a Church but not to Christianity..... ------------------------------ From: db14@hp825.bih.no (Vegard Engen) Subject: Scouting in Norway. Date: 26 Mar 92 13:03:44 GMT In Norway we have several scout-associations, NSF, YMCA and YWCA. However, they are cooperating well, I think (At least so in this town, Bergen). NSF (Norges SpeiderForbund = Norwegian Scout Association) is mixed boys and girls, they were two separate associations, but joined their forces in '78. YMCA (KFUM in Norwegian) is only men, as the name suggests, however I think they are closely linked with YWCA nowadays, and there may be exceptions, such as female scoutmasters. YWCA is the female counterpart. I will after this speak about NSF only, since that's the organisation I'm a member of. Most of it will apply for the other assications too, though, at least the major parts. NSF is divided into 4 age-groups: 6-7: Bever scouts (this one is fairly new, not so many have them yet). 8-10: Cub scouts. 11-16: Scouts (I really have no other name for them. :-)) 16+ : Rovers. The lower age for a scoutmaster is 17 years, however it is possible to become an assistant scoutmaster from the age of 16 years. Many scoutmasters are also rovers, and scoutmasters and rovers are often two names of the same group of scouts. There IS no official higher age for rovers, but the natural limit is somewhere around 22-23 years, when one often go away, get married or simply get other interests. In Norway we belive that scouting is outing, and try to do as much of our activities as possible in the nature. We have national camps every 4th year, and regional camp every 4th year, in such a way there will be two years between every major camp. In addition the groups have camps of their own, and there is also arranged national camps for rovers in particular, since they will often have other interests than younger scouts. A typical size for a national camp nowadays is 19.000 scouts, and the last regional camp in Bergen counted 650 scouts. This was with guests, though, there is always guest from other countries at our camps, and even at our last regional camp we had 150 foreign guests, some even from so far away as Spain. Last, a little tip for all those who leave their group for studies: towns, so those who want to continue with scouting when they leave town can join those groups. I know they have a lot of fun, and at least the one in Trondheim is a large resource when it comes to arranging national evenements. However, I guess Bjoern Arne can tell you more about that (arneberg@idt.unit.no). ------------------------------ From: matej.golob@uni-mb.si (Matej Golob) Subject: Scouting in Slovenia Date: Tue, 13 Jun 1995 13:36:44 +0100 (MET) [Matej has set up a collection of WWW pages describing scouting in Slovenia. The following text is taken from the programme page. The complete set of pages can be retrieved from HTTP://www.uni-mb.si/~uelulv28b/scoutse.html ] Programme for different age ranges (branches): Cub Scouts - boys and girls (age 7-11) By The Jungle Book everything happens in the framework of happy family and through a joyful game. However, we are not playing our imaginary world, but we live it. By playing, which is the basic element of our work, we try to attain the objects of the annual programme, of the individual's personal growth, resposibility, and serving. The youngest members have a special Promise and Law to suit their age. They practice in group of six, united in a Pack, which is led by Akela and the assistants (Baghira, Baloo, Kaja...) Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (age 11 - max. 16) The members carrying out their activities in Patrols (6 - 9 of the same sex) in the progressive process of education, which is divided into five upbringing stages, attain all the objects of the Scout education. The fundamental method of work consists in adopting the way of adveture and selfeducation - on the basis of democratic decisions made at the Troop Council - as one's own attitude towards aducation and life. The Troop Leader's role is to arrange the way out of the members initiatives, and partly out of their own, as companions, as older brothers. After having travelled over the first stage, boys and girls make the Scout Promise. After having passed the whole process, or at the age of 16, they may pass to the higher branch. Their education is based on small groups of the same sex, led by one of them, and founded upon adventure, ambientation, technical skills and life in the nature. Rovers and Rangers (age 16 - max. 21) The Branch is divided into two parts. During the first part, the Novitiate, young people in groups of boys and girls first ao all learn to live together. Now, they must live as young men and women. Special emphasis is laid od the community and on challenges, which can be of different kinds - from tramping to disputing. The second part is the life in Clan, which has just like branch Boy Scouts and Girl Guides - a vertical structure and two Leaders. If possible we try to provide for their own Spiritual Assistant. Three elements are amphasized: the process, community and serving. The man departure is being educated. At the age of 21 he will be able to make decisions of his own as a man or woman. For this purpose the following educational elements are used: simplicity, living together, respect for one another in mixed groups, and personal serving, which is voluntary, individual, unpaid work for benifit of others. At the end of this process each member writes a letter of departure commiting himself/herself to live either as Scout of Guide for certain period of time without help of community or as Leader in the Associatiion, or to work in humanitarian insitutions or in politics. As we are in stage of abnormal growth, special programme directions for particular groups are not catered for. As an association we are aware of the fact that we have to be open to all. This is our standpoint when accepting new members. We put no limits to anyone because he or she is different. Therefore in the groups there are persons who are different (disabled, unbelivers etc.). Our international relations are quite intense, yet we are mainly users, as we are trying togather as much experience of others, we try to integrate them into our Scouting. We intensively cooperate with AGESCI and also with other Scout Associations (Poland, Spain, Austira, Ireland...) Particular attention is paid to the training of new leaders in order to set up the operation of our Association - and of its every Branch - in the most accomplished possible way, and as much autenthically to our Founder's bases, to the age of our members, and to our environmental conditions as possible. We are among the members of MSS - Slovenia, which has been founded after democratic changes in 1991. We have assumed the responsibility of carrying out some tasks for the benifit of young people in Slovenia. We are included in the Civil Protection organization in case of disasters or other misfourtunes. We cooperate with the Church and with local communities that are just arising at present. The programme is always based on the analysis of our environment. Moreover, we try to answer the needs of our surroundings with our initiatives, programmes, and with our work. Thus our activities are closely connected with our life in concrete circumstances. In spite of all our initial difficulties, which we admit and are aware of, the activity of our Association echoes far and wide, and sometimes it resounds even more than wished. But we alwalys try to do our best in accordance with Scout slogan. ------------------------------ From: abw@mango.mef.ki.se (Anders Wennerberg) Subject: Scouting in Sweden Date: 7 Jan 1994 02:13:48 -0600 THE SWEDISH GUIDE AND SCOUT COUNCIL (Svenska Scoutr}det - SSR) This is a co-operative body for the Swedish Guide and Scout associations. Over the years it had developed co-operative bodies for boy- as well as girl scouting in Sweden, and after the merge to co-educational associations a joint committee was formed in 1968 origin from these two bodies - The Swedish Guide and Scout Union, with the working title The Swedish Guide and Scout Council. In 1982 the name was changed to be solely The Swedish Guide and Scout Council. SSR is a member of WAGGGS and WOSM. The Swedish Guide and Scout Council deal with most international matters as well as joint questions and projects concerning the five associations (~150000 members). All five associations have mixed boys and girls and they have their own leadership training within their own organisations, through the local troop, on a district level, on a regional level and on a national level. Trefoil/Gilwell courses are arranged every year. Leaders are from almost all age groups. It is usual that a group has leaders of quite different age. Leaders are both old scouts and parents. I believe there is a majority of non-parents. It is not a tradition that parents follow their kids through the different age groups; instead they tend to stay in the same age group a number of years. There is no notion of ranks (like Star, Life, Eagle as in the BSA) in any of the scouting associations. There are however merit badges. The scout uniform differs in the five associations. Usually half uniform is worn - shirt and scarf. The Gilwell scarf is the same for the five associations and is worn over the collar. Amongst other things, in Stockholm, G|teborg (Gothenburg) and Malm| there are Reception Teams to receive and help you with contacts into the country. Contact The Swedish Guide and Scout Council before you come to Sweden. (Some facts of Sweden - almost 9 million people in Sweden, the biggest towns are Stockholm - capital of Sweden, G|teborg (Gothenburg) and Malm|, Sweden is measuring 1574 km (977 miles) from max. south-north, 499 km (310 miles) max. east-west and the total surface area is 449964 km^2 (173731 sq.miles), from south to north by road ~2100 km (~1305 miles). Sweden is a country with an extensive coastline, a very nice archipelago, woods, countryside, mountains and alp scenery.) The council also represents Swedish guiding and scouting in the world associations and other members countries as well as other organizations, authorities and keeping in contact with the public. Postal address: Visiting address: Svenska Scoutr}det Igeldammsgatan 22 P.O. Box 49005 Stockholm S-100 28 Stockholm Telephone: + 46 (0)8 650 35 35 Sweden Telefax: + 46 (0)8 653 07 43 THE SALVATION ARMY GUIDE AND SCOUT ASSOCIATION (Fr{lsningsarmens Scoutf|rbund - FA) Founded 1916, 3000 members in 55 groups. FA Scout is a branch of the local Salvation Army Young People's Corps. The program is characterized by traditional scout activities with outdoor life, international awareness and community involvement. But the aim also includes definite guidance towards making a personal decision to accept the Christian faith and life style. There are four sections of activities, both boys and girls take part in all four. The shirt is medium blue with a red scarf that is worn underneath the collar. Minior scout (7-9 yrs) Junior scout (10-11 yrs) Patrol scout (12-14 yrs) Senior scout (15-20 yrs) Troop leaders must be 18 years of age. THE SWEDISH YWCA-YMCA GUIDE AND SCOUT ASSOCIATION (KFUK-KFUMs Scoutf|rbund) The YMCA-Scout Association was founded 1911 and the YWCA-Guide Association in 1921. In 1960 they merged to form The Swedish YWCA-YMCA Guide And Scout Association. 18000 members in 430 groups. Some of the scout groups originate from local YWCA-YMCA groups. But many have other parents organizations. There are Baptist scouts, Adventist scouts, Blue-band scouts, Methodist scouts, Swedish Salvation Army scouts, although most groups are independent and not in any way associated with the local YWCA- YMCA group or with any church. The aim of all activities is to give the members various experiences, understanding and knowledge of outdoor life, with consciousness of the environment, questions of faith and moral issues, a sense of international responsibility and involvement in public affairs. There are five sections of scouting, both boys and girls take part in all five. The shirt is medium blue with a white (or the group's colour) scarf that is worn underneath the collar. Beaver scouts (5-7 yrs) Minior scouts (8-9 yrs) Junior scouts (10-11 yrs) Patrol scouts (12-15 yrs) Rover scouts (16- yrs) THE TEMPERANCE GUIDE AND SCOUT ASSOCIATION (Nykterhetsr|relsens Scoutf|rbund - NSF) Scouting began as an activity within the Swedish Temperance Movement in 1927. Four decades it was run by two different associations, NTO's Guide and Scout Association and IOGT's Guide and Scout Association. In 1970 they were united and became NSF. 7000 members in 120 groups. A fundamental principle of NSF, along with the Guide/Scout law and promise, learning by doing, the patrol system, outdoor life and international, is personal temperance. Members over 12 years of age make a temperance pledge. This means they do not drink any beverage with more than 2.25 % of alcohol by volume. There are four sections of scouting, both boys and girls take part in all four. The shirt is medium blue with a dark-blue scarf that is worn underneath the collar. Beaver scouts (7 yrs) as a trial activity Minior scouts (8-9 yrs) Junior scouts (10-11 yrs) Patrol scouts (12-15 yrs) Senior scouts (16- yrs) THE GUIDE AND SCOUT ORGANISATION OF THE SWEDISH COVENANT YOUTH (Svenska Missionsf|rbundets Ungdom-scout - SMU-scout) Founded 1931, 35000 members in 545 groups. The Guide and Scout Organisation of The Swedish Covenant Youth is part of the activities within youth work of the Swedish Covenant Church. The program is characterized by traditional scout activities with outdoor life, questions of faith and moral issues, learning by doing, the patrol system, international awareness and responsibility, community involvement and guidance towards a personal Christian faith and life style. There are four sections of scouting, both boys and girls take part in all four. The shirt is green with a brick-red scarf that is worn over the collar. Nying scout don't wear full uniform, just a yellow scarf. Nying scout (7-9 yrs) Scout (10-12 yrs) Teenage (13-15 yrs) Senior scouts (16-18 yrs) After 18 years of age you become leader. There is 1 sea scout troop. THE SWEDISH GUIDE AND SCOUT ASSOCIATION (Svenska Scoutf|rbundet - SSF) Founded 1912, 82000 members in 635 groups. The Swedish Guide And Scout Association is a non-political organization, which runs scout activities for children, young people and adults, from 7 years of age and upwards. There are five sections of scouting, both boys and girls take part in all five. The shirt is medium blue with a white (or the group's colour) scarf that is worn underneath the collar. Beaver scouts (7 yrs) Minior scouts (8-9 yrs) Junior scouts (10-11 yrs) Patrol scouts (12-14 yrs) Senior scouts (15-18 yrs) Members over 18 years old are leaders and can also form a rover scout unit. There are about 150 sea scout troops along our coasts. ------------------------------ End of FAQ 8 Part 1