Scouting has been active in displaced persons camps [1] [2] (DP camps) and in the lives of refugees since World War I. During and after World War II, until the early 1950s, Scouting and Guiding flourished in these camps. [3] These Scout and Girl Guide groups often provided postal delivery and other basic services in displaced persons camps. This working system was duplicated dozens of times around the world. In the present, Scouting and Guiding once again provide services and relief in camps throughout war-torn Africa. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Scouting in Armenia was founded in 1912, then later developed abroad among the refugees who had survived the genocide of 1915-1916 and among those that had fled the new communist occupation of their lands, at which point Scouting ceased to exist in Armenia. [8]
Children from the refugee camp Mitterndorf took part in Scout camps of the Österreichischer Pfadfinderbund. They were trained as helpers for youth-work in the camp. The head of the Knabenhort (after -school care center) was a Scoutmaster of the Österreichischer Pfadfinderbund from Trieste. [9]
Scouts worked in refugee reception centres and refugee camps. [10]
Scout worked in refugee camps. [11]
At that time Estonia was part of Tsarist Russia. Latvian and Lithuanian refugees founded Scout troops. [12]
Scouts and Guides cared for refugees of conflicts after World War I (i.e.Polish-Soviet War). [13]
Guide International Service sent at Christmas gift parcels to 180 Guides and Brownies in DP camps. [14]
From September 17 to 21, 1948 the DP Scouts of Tyrol and Vorarlberg held a Scout camp in Rinn, Tyrol. 265 persons, including 85 Girl Guides, took part. The service team members were displaced Rover Scouts. The camp leaders were the Traveling Commissioner for D.P. Scouts in Germany and Austria J. Monnet, three Ukrainian Scouters, one Hungarian Scouter and a Scouter of the DP-Scout group of Haiming.
There were three subcamps:
Groups:
Rover crews existed in German POW camps. [28] There existed for example secret Polish Rover Crews. [29] There were also Belgian Scout groups. [30]
"The Polish Rovers at Lubeck were by no means the only displaced persons who turned to Scouting as the solution to their troubles. The report of the American, Harry K. Eby, on Scouting in the displaced persons' camps of the United States Zone shows that by 1946 seven major nationalities had established Scout Committees and were doing their utmost to supervise the work of their groups throughout the zone and in places beyond it. The program which they drew up, consisting as it did of training courses, conferences, the collection of literature, the publishing of Scout magazines and the passing of tests for badges, was, he notes, comprehensive and of fine quality. At Camp Esslingen, for example, he discovered that 165 Latvian Scouters had drawn up a well-planned program for training Scoutmasters, Scouters and Commissioners, while at Augsburg the Ukrainian Scouts to the number of 728 had celebrated the thirty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Scouting in their country. Russian Scouts of the Greek Orthodox Church had built up "an extensive and long-standing organisation," and the Poles and White Ruthenians in the zone were equally active. These various organizations were fortunate enough to receive a supply of Scout literature from the World Friendship Fund which, among other books, sent several hundred copies of Aids to Scoutmastership. They were much appreciated..." [1]
"Scouting continues among the displaced persons in the French and British Zones in Germany, having followed the same lines as those which have proved so successful in the United States Zone. "Our best effort was quite unintentional," reports the British Governor of a colony of 15,000 Poles housed in eight villages close to Minden. "A few weeks ago I discovered a few Boy Scouts and arranged a meeting for them. We have now got 800 Scouts and about 400 Girl Guides, with a waiting list of as many again. They are as keen as mustard. When I went to a German clothing manufacturer and ordered a thousand Scout uniforms he thought I was mad but he made them."..." [1]
In the years after World War II, the DP Scouting movement provided a makeshift but quite effective camp postal system [49] using Scout postage stamps like the one illustrated.
A Ukrainian Scout Jamboree took place in Mittenwald from July 5 to 7, 1947. [39] The same design exists for Ukrainian / Scouts Congress / Aschaffenburg / 26. - 29. III. 1948 [33]
There were Polish Scout troops in refugee camps during World War II. [50]
In Liechtenstein Scouts helped refugees by collecting donations and food for the refugees. [51] Rover Scouts and Ranger Guides served in refugee camps. [52]
In 1960 the Norfolk International Jamboree, held at Sennowe Park near Fakenham, drew media attention due to the presence of fifty "European refugees." [53]
German Catholic Scout groups existed in prisoner of war camps in the United Kingdom and France. [54] [55]
In POW Camp 273 at Debach Airfield (near Ipswich) existed a German Catholic Scout group from 1946 to 1948. This were the same Scouts as in Fort Devens. [56]
Scout groups including Germans and Austrians existed in several Prisoner of war camps of the western Allies. [57] [58]
In refugee camps in Vichy France for Belgian refugees were active Scout groups. [30]
In an internment camp for Germans on the Isle of Man a Scout group was active. [58]
The Polish Scout Headquarters moved first to Paris in 1939 and then to London. [59] There were Polish Scout groups in Great Britain during World War II [60] and afterwards. There were not only Polish, but also French, Czechoslovakian, Yugoslavian and others. They had strong ties to their Governments in Exile. [61]
There were Estonian Scouts and Guide groups founded in reception camps in 1944. [62]
Albanian Scouts and Guides worked in refugee camps. Italian Scouts and Guides helped in the construction of refugee camps and worked in refugee camps, too. Polish Guides and Scout sent gift parcels to children in refugee camps (Peacepacks). [63] Austrian Scouts and Guides started a Fundraising campaign and financed two days in the Austrian refugee camp. The campaign had the name "Mein Taschengeld für den Kosovo" (My pocket money for the Kosovo). [64]
German Catholic Scout groups existed in prisoner of war camps in the United States. [54] [55]
Examples include: A German Catholic Scout group existed from 1945 to 1946 in the POW camp Fort Devens. Founded by former members of the DPSG, encouraged by the priest Eberhard Droste. The Scouters were Meinrad Much and a German comrade. Much had been a Scout in the DPSG between 1933 and 1936. There were 20 Scouts, aged between 18 and 22. This group was part of the Catholic camp parish. Another group was the Kolpingfamilie. Together with the Lutheran camp parish and the Kolpingfamilie the Scouts collected money to help Germany and consigned 10,000 dollars to the Caritas. An important day for the Scouts was their Confirmation. It was celebrated by the Archbishop of Boston. [56]
Boy Scouts of America units were at all ten War Relocation Authority (WRA) Japanese American internment centers during World War II. [65] Girl Scouts of the USA units were also at most of these camps. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were also at many of the camps not run by the WRA. Internees at the Granada War Relocation Center set up a separate Amache District for Scouts at the camp, after the camp's unofficial name Camp Amache. Camp leaders, internees themselves, set up the system. [66] On December 6, 1942, one of the pro-Japanese internees at Manzanar started rushing towards the flagpole to tear down the American flag. A group of Japanese American Boy Scouts, surrounded the flagpole and armed themselves with stones the size of baseballs, refusing to allow the flag to be taken down. [65]
Between 1944 and 1946 there was an international Boy Scout troop in Oswego, N.Y whose members were young Jewish refugees from Europe. It was Troop 28 of the Boy Scouts of America and its Scoutmaster was Harold D. Clark. There were also a Cub Scout pack and a Girl Scout troop located there. [67]
Rover Crews also existed in Japanese POW camps. [68]
In 1939 the United Rovers were founded by the Austrian Scouter Fredy Mittler in Shanghai. This group consisted of Austrian and German émigrés. It was affiliated with The Boy Scout Association. At the end of World War II there were 120 members. [69]
Refugees from Poland during World War II founded Scout groups. [70] [71]
Refugees from Poland during World War II founded Scout troops, Guide companies, Cub and Brownie packs. [71]
Refugees from Poland during World War II had Scouting activities such as summer camps organized by Polish Scouters. [1] There were also Scout troops and Guide companies. This groups were part of Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego. They were under the jurisdiction of Z.H.P. National Committee in London. [72]
There were Scout groups in refugee camps for Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War (1960–1975), who received support from the UNHCR. [73]
In Siberian POW Camps existed secret Polish Rover Crews. [29]
After the 1948 war the Modern scouts of Palestine were formed.
"In Africa alone the Z.H.P.National Committee in London catered for some 4000 children in 51 Guide companies, 27 Scout troops and 61 Cub Scout and Brownie packs." [72]
Refugees from Poland during World War II founded Scout groups in Northern Rhodesia. [1] They worked together with the British Scouts there. For example: "At Lusaka there were soon 88 Polish Scouts and 102 Guides and brownies." [1]
Jewish displaced persons during World War II had a Scout troop. [1]
Estonian Scouts have been present at every World Scout Jamboree and Rover Moot, although after World War II, they were compelled to arrive and participate in these events with contingents of other countries. The only exceptions were the World Jamboree at Moisson in 1947 in which 36 Estonian DP-Scouts from Germany took part under the Estonian colors; and the Jubilee Jamboree at Sutton Park, England, in 1957, where it was possible for Estonian Scouts to fly their own flag in the camp allotted to the Council of Scout Associations in Exile. Hungarian Scouts have been present at the World Jamborees in 1947, 1951, 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1963. In 1951 the Hungarian Scouts were members of the Austrian and German contingents. In 1957 40 Hungarian Scouts were members of the Austrian contingent. [20] [74] The Hungarians were also represented in the camp allotted to Council of Scout Associations in Exile at the JIM in 1957. The Association of Armenian Scouts have been present at many international Scouting events, including World Jamborees and Rover Moots.
In 1947 Latvian DP-Scouts from Germany took part in the 6th World Scout Jamboree at Moisson under the Latvian colors. Ukrainian DP-Scouts from Germany also took part in the 6th World Jamboree. [39] In the Jamboree map printed in the Jamboree newspaper of 6 August 1947 there is a Contingent of "Displaced Persons" listed. [75]
In the 7th World Jamboree in 1951 Scouts-in-Exile and DP-Scouts from Hungary, Latvia and Lithuania participated as part of the German contingent. [76] Russian Scouts-in-Exile also attended as a separate group. [77] Scouts-in-Exile from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary stayed at Subcamp 4 "Niederösterreich". [78] A Displaced Persons Troop stayed at Subcamp 6 "Steiermark.". [79]
At the 9th World Scout Jamboree the Council of Scout Associations in Exile, ZHP-in exile and the Association of Armenian Scouts were represented. The Council of Scout Associations in Exile camped at Subcamp Copenhangen and included Scouts-in-exile from Hungary, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine. [80]
From July 24 to 28, 1948 2,500 Scouts from Germany, [81] DP-Scouts from Germany and Scouts from other countries gathered together. The Bund Deutscher Pfadfinder Bayern organized the event. [57]
The International Scouter Association was founded during a Scout conference in March 1947 in Mittenwald. The founders were German and Scouts-in-exile. The seat was in Munich. [57]
At the 11th International Conference in Chateau de Rosny in France the resolution 14/47 was drafted and approved. So the D.P.Scout Division came into existence. D.P.Scout Division of the Boy Scouts International Bureau was active in Austria, Northern Italy and West Germany. The DP Scouts were registered as Scouts by the International Bureau, but had no right to vote in the International Conference. So from 1947 to 1950 DP Scouts were not Non-aligned Scouting organizations. [82] [83] Leader of the Division was Jean R.Monnet, a British leader who had been involved in Scouts' International Relief Service. The office of the Division was in Frankfurt am Main. [84] Since the resolution 14/47 was drafted it was clear that no "National Movements on Foreign Soil" would be registered by the Boy Scouts International Bureau. Scouts-in-Exile outside the camps should join the National Scout organisation of their country of residence. [85] After the German and Austrian Scouts became registered as members of Boy Scouts International Bureau in 1950 and 1946 the Scouts in displaced persons camps should join the National Scout organisation of this countries. So the D.P.Scout Division of the Boy Scouts International Bureau was closed down as of June 30, 1950. [86]
The World Association Training scheme was a Guiding activity after World War II. Mona Burgin was the leader of the first team briefed to find and support Guides living in displaced persons' camps. After the team's first tour of duty, General Sir Evelyn Fanshawe, at that time in charge of the U.N. relief operation in the then British Zone of Germany, "remarked that, in his opinion, Scouting and Guiding were the most rehabilitative factors at work in the camps at that time." [87] Elizabeth Hartley followed Burgin as leader of the team.
The Scouts' International Relief Service was active in refugee and displaced persons' camps in Northwest Europe, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Greece, Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Hong Kong. [1]
"The GIS was one of the approved organisations to provide teams to work with displaced persons and refugees under the umbrella of the British Red Cross, the British Army and the United Nations relief and rehabilitation administration. From 1945 teams of women were formed to undertake medical, catering and canteen duties, establishing feeding schemes in camps; providing hospital equipment, medical supplies and disease control, as well as food and general relief supplies, saving thousands of lives. In 1947 repatriation and emigration schemes were established. 1951 brought the inauguration of education, adoption and parcels schemes. The service was disbanded in 1952 with any remaining funds being distributed to further assist displaced persons.". [88] [89]
Scouting and Guiding maintain work for and with displaced persons today, as with the work of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Today there are Scout groups in Palestine Refugee camps. [95] [96] [97] [98] [99]
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the largest international scout organization and was established in 1922. It has 176 members. These members are national scout organizations that founded WOSM or have subsequently been recognised by WOSM, which collectively have around 43 million participants. Its operational headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while it is legally based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija is the primary national Scouting and Guiding organisation of Latvia and a member of both the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The organization had 759 members as of 2011. Scouting activities began in Latvia in 1917 when the area was still part of the Russian Empire. After independence in 1918, the national organization was established and Scouting thrived in Latvia in the 1920s-1930s. Upon the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940, Scouting was suppressed and not re-established until 1990, when Latvia regained its independence.
Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs is the largest Scouting and Guiding organization in Austria and the only one approved by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The association claims more than 300 troops with more than 85,000 Scouts nationwide. WOSM and WAGGGS give quite smaller membership values for the PPÖ: 27,274 members in WOSM and 10,508 members in WAGGGS.
Estonian Scout Association is the primary national Scouting organization of Estonia, became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1996. The coeducational Eesti Skautide Ühing has 1,337 members as of 2011.
Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the primary national Scouting organization of Hungary, was founded in 1912, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922 and again after the rebirth of Scouting in the country in 1990. The coeducational Magyar Cserkészszövetség had 12,937 members in 2021.
Scouting and Guiding in mainland China was reported as banned with the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) by the Communist Party since 1949. Instead, the Young Pioneers of China and the Communist Youth League, led by the Communist Party, have become the dominant youth organization in mainland China for younger and older youth, respectively. However, China now has multiple and originally separate Scouting activities within its borders. In 2004, the Scout Club of Hainan (海南童子军俱乐部), borrowing heavily from Scouting in terms of emblems, uniforms and activities, was founded in Hainan Province; it is, however, not affiliated with worldwide Scouting. An attempt to organize a nationwide Scouting organization in Wuhan was ended by the government in 2004. The Scout Association of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国童军总会), founded in 2008 serves Venture Scouts in both genders as well as Rover Scouts. The Rover Explorer Service Association operate groups in China.
The Association of Belarusian Guides is the Belarusian member organization of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), with a membership of 1,274 Girl Guides.
The Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine, commonly called Ukrainian Plast or simply Plast, is the largest Scouting organization in Ukraine.
The Scout movement in Belarus consisted of 1200 members when it joined the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 2010. There are at least five nationwide associations as well as some regional associations. In addition, there were at one time Scouts-in-Exile in metropolitan areas of the United States, and there are presently international Scout units in Belarus.
The Boy Scouts of the United Nations existed from 1945 through perhaps the early 1980s as the Scouting association serving the families of diplomats and staff of the United Nations, active in both Geneva and at Parkway Village in New York. The organization sponsored groups in India, Lebanon and Cyprus and had ties to the International Boy Scouts of the Canal Zone.
Külföldi Magyar Cserkészszövetség is a Scouts-in-Exile organization created for youth of Hungarian descent. Scouting makes it possible for young men and women to learn more about their Hungarian heritage, language and culture. The organization is dedicated to carrying out its obligations at four levels: God, their adopted countries, their fellow man and the Hungarian nation. The Boy Scout and Girl Scout units meet in conjunction with Hungarian weekend schools, which in many instances they also operate.
Colonel Oleg Ivanovich Pantyukhov was the founder of Russian Scouting.
The Organization of Russian Young Pathfinders or ORYuR, is one of the two large Russian Scouting in Exile movements. This organization has historically drawn the conservative side of the spectrum of Russians in exile.
The National Organization of Russian Scouts is one of the two large Russian Scouting in Exile movements. This organization has historically drawn the liberal side of the spectrum of Russians in exile. In 2009 NORS celebrated the centenary Jubilee of Russian Scouting.
The Scout and Guide movement in the Czech Republic is served by
The Scout and Guide movement in Slovakia is served by
The Scout and Guide movement in Armenia is served by
The Südtiroler Pfadfinderschaft, abbreviated as SP, is the Catholic Scouting association of the German minority of the Italian province of South Tyrol. The association is coeducational and has 600 members in seven troops. It is affiliated to the Associazione Guide e Scouts Cattolici Italiani (AGESCI), is strongly connected to Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs and Slovenian Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association Scouting organizations, and maintains some contact with the Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg. The association owns two campsites in the province.
The International Scouter Association was founded during a Scout conference in March 1947 in Mittenwald. The founders were German Scouts and Scouts-in-exile. The seat was in Munich.