Definition
Scouting is a voluntary, pedagogical and global movement, for people of all ages, open to the whole of society, without religious, social or racial discrimination, with particular emphasis on the outdoor/natural way of life, which aims to contribute to development of people –especially young people– mentally, socially, spiritually, physically through mutual education and interaction, with a clear distance and aversion to particracy and politics.
History
Scouting “owes” its existence to Lord Robert Stevenson Smyth Baden-Powell of Gilwell, a British army officer, who, during the defense of the small town of Mafeking (South Africa, war between English and Dutch settlers/Boers), managed to defend the town for 217 days without surrendering, using children in ancillary work (rebuilding fortifications, transporting and distributing ammunition, collecting and transporting the wounded).
It is clear that Powell applied the principles of manufacturing during the siege of the city, and in particular its permanent and utilitarian form!
How? By exploiting –for a good purpose here– and using children in massive manual work.
Mafeking’s defense made Powell a hero, making him the youngest general in the United Kingdom at the age of 43.
His military experience led him to write the books “Reconnaissance & Scouting” (1884) and “Aids to Scouting for NCOs and Men” (1899). “Reconnaissance & Scouting” became a success and many teachers used it in their teaching. After his demobilization, he was asked to adapt the book so that it would be suitable for younger ages (he rewrote it casually, calling it “Children’s Units”).
The next “step” was the implementation of his ideas, which took place at a camp on Brownsea Island (located in the south of England) from 1 to 9 August 1907, with the participation of 21 boys, who tried for the first time the scout (military in part and on substance) life and practice (climbing, evening fires, various camping techniques, swimming, lifeguarding, cooking, woodcarving, mountaineering, first aid, etc.).
The extremely positive results led him to lectures and at the same time to the completion of the new version of his book, which he named “Scouting for Boys” (1908). The success was huge and children from all over the British colonial empire formed Scout groups asking for his help. Thus, the original purpose of training and transferring ideas to existing organizations by Powell, finally created a large, productive and highly beneficial movement!
The basic training principles that Powell applied in his days are still used today by armies around the world to train their soldiers.
Characteristics of Scouting
Purpose / Mission
Scouting is a voluntary, non-profit, non-partisan, non-political pedagogical movement for all ages, open to all, without distinction of origin, faith or race, according to the Principles, Method and Purpose set by the Founder.
The purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the development of its Members so that they can fully utilize any of their abilities (mental, social, spiritual, physical, etc.), ie to deliver to society worthy, moral, useful, responsible and useful citizens.
Scouting’s mission is to contribute to the education of its Members, through a system of values based on Scouting Law and Scouting Promise, to help build a better world where people integrate as individuals and play a constructive, meaningful and beneficial role in society.
I swear/promise in my Scouting honor to perform my duty to God* and the Homeland*, to help every person in every circumstance and to keep the Scout Law.
* The oath/promise is adapted to each country depending on the prevailing religion and the respective state.
Law
The Scout:
- Loves, protects and respects himself, other people, all living beings, nature, the environment.
- Always tells the truth, is honest, pays attention to his words and actions and keeps his word.
- Is determined, has confidence and courage and takes responsibility for his actions.
- Is hardworking, constantly evolving and progressing with his skills.
- Is frugal and takes care of the good and correct distribution and use of time.
- Behaves with discretion and courtesy, is a friend to all and a brother to every Scout.
- Is optimistic, trustworthy, cheerful and fair, knows how to discipline and obey the Laws.
Stages
Cub Scout ⇔ Scout ⇔ Detector ⇔ Scout Network ⇔ Adult Member
General and special knowledge
The basic and special knowledge that the Scouts experience and learn during their apprenticeship include direct and personal involvement with nature (basic principle of Classical Hellenic Antiquity and later of the Enlightenment), camping, knots, orientation, first aid, various connections, natural science, ground physiology, etc.
Sayings
The sayings that express encouragement and aim at the positive direction and the rise of the scout psychology are the following:
- Always willing! (this is the saying of the young Scouts/Cub Scouts, which states that all younger people should always be open and willing to help each other and in knowledge – and not just that)
- Be prepared! Να είσαι έτοιμος! (ἔσο ἑτοῖμος)
- Always forward! (positive direction prompt)
- “Always be excellent!” (αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν καὶ ὑπείροχον ἔμμεναι ἄλλων/always great to be seen and first of the braves, Homer, Iliad, Ζ, 208)
- Have a good hunt! (metaphorical expression, which indicates good continuity and success in the activity)
Dress – Badges – Symbols
Scout outfit is a widely recognized feature of Scouting. According to Powell in World Jamboree (1937), it hides all social differences in a country and promotes equality! The most important thing is that it mitigates and covers the differences between religions, races and countries, and creates the feeling in all members that they belong to a great brotherhood.
Scout Outfit consists of a usually khaki shirt, shorts and a wide-brimmed expedition hat. Powell wore shorts because he believed that being dressed as a scout helped close and bridge the generation gap and reduce the age gap between adults and youth. The color of the shirts is usually red, blue, orange or green, while shorts are often replaced by long pants all year round or when the ambient temperature is low.
While designed for intelligence and equality, the Scout outfit is also extremely practical! The shirts have double seams, to make them ideal for use in the construction of makeshift stretchers, in combination with boards (traditional though, but now outdated technique). The leather straps and toggles of the expedition hats, in combination with the wooden rods, could be used in emergency situations as hemostatic bandages. The neckerchiefs were chosen because they could easily be used as a harness or triangular bandage for the scout who needed it. Scouts also learn to use their garters, in case of emergency, as a lashing cord.
The badge, for all scout uniforms, is recognized and worn worldwide and includes the Wood Badge and the World Membership Badge.
Scouting has two internationally recognized symbols/badges:
- The trefoil, used by members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
- The fleur de lis, used by WOSM member organizations and most other Scouting organizations. The badge represents a lily blossom, on a purple background, surrounded by a rope, which symbolizes the universality of the Scout Movement. At the bottom it is tied with the knot of Hercules (cross knot), a symbol of world scout brotherhood and unity. The lily is designed the way it was used in the old compasses to point north.
The three parts represent:
- Duties to God, self and others.
- The cord represents the unity of Scout movement.
- The two stars represent the Law and the Promise.
Finally, swastika was used as an early symbol of the UK Scout Association. It was used for the first time in Scouting as a Thank You Badge (North American symbol of harmony, peace, balance and equality) in 1911.
Lord Powell, in designing the Medal of Value, added a swastika to the scout hat to symbolize good luck to the recipient. In 1934, the Scouts called for a change in design due to the connection of the swastika to its use by the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP). Thus, a new Medal of Value was issued by the Scout Association in 1935.
Scouting and society
Scouting is one of the healthiest organizations in human society, which it adorns with its presence and helps effectively with its actions!
Its non-political character, in the sense that it is not involved in the struggle for power, nor is it affiliated with any political party or organization, is a statutory requirement for all national organizations and has led to the rejection -by the World Scout Office- of Scout organizations which were politically manipulated (e.g. Greek at the time it became a member of EON). On the contrary, scouts are encouraged to play an essential role and to participate actively in the social becoming, in which they are active and live!
Scout participants come voluntarily and accept Scouting principles. Adults are usually old Scouts and are not paid! Scout organizations accept boys and girls, except in some countries, where only boys are allowed.
Recently, the Boy Scouts of America have been the focus of complaints in the United States, as they did not allow atheists and agnostics to participate. Also in the UK, The Scout Association has received complaints about its insistence on the use of a religious promise, which has led to the introduction of an alternative (January 2014) for those who do not want to mention one or any god in their promise.
Scouting is an active pocket of love, solidarity, selfless rivalry, knowledge, kindness, equality, learning, respect, support and health in the phobic society of party, economic and political hypocrisy we live in.
ATTENTION! All social groups and areas are fields/places that can offer the perfect coverage, “camouflage” or hide pathogenies (individual, social, personal, collective) and provide an alibi, or fields of development and application, for people with peculiarities and sick habits (e.g. abnormal, fraudulent, perverted, appointed bigoted party and political “drones”, homosexuals, pederasts, pedophiles, etc.).
✓ As parents you should control, be informed in detail and participate –if you want and if your objective and work reality allows it– in these activities and groups. In this way, you ensure, as far as possible, the most appropriate possible conditions for the smoother integration and development of your children in society and the activities that structure and shape them healthily.
