The World Scout Foundation (WSF) is an international, non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its mission is to develop World Scouting through the provision of financial and other support through the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Scouting is a pastime for young people, typically organised in local units emphasising outdoor activities, self-discipline and civic engagement.
The WSF was founded in 1969 but was reorganised in its current form in 1977. The Honorary President is HM Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, who actively participates in the foundation's activities. The organisation is headed by the Chairman, HRH The Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and CEO, Mr Mark Knippenberg.
The WSF is permanently investing capital donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, governments and from members of the Scout Movement. Nearly all of the earned profit from investments is donated to the WOSM. The Foundation also seeks non-capital donations to support specific World Scouting projects, such as the Gifts of Peace project.[1]
The Fellowship provides a lifetime association with the Scout Movement and businesses, governments and Scouting leaders who share the same ideals. The World BP Fellowship recognises different levels of donation beginning at USD 10,000 and USD 1000 for Young Baden Powell Fellows.[citation needed]
Honours Programme
All gifts to the Foundation are counted towards achieving the six Circles of the Honours Programme. These include contributions to the World Baden-Powell Fellowship, the Royal Birthday Appeal, the Queen Silvia Fund and the Scout Donation Platform. Those who make a financial commitment to Scouting in their Last Will and Testament are also recognised in “The Founder’s Heritage”.[citation needed]
The Honours Programme recognises those who have attained higher levels of financial support to the World Scout Foundation.
The Benefactors' Circle honours those who have made gifts totalling US$25,000.
The International Circle honours those who have made gifts totalling US$50,000.
The Chairman's Circle honours those who have made gifts totalling US$100,000.
The Regal Circle honours those who have made gifts totalling US$1 million.
Recognition for the attainment of these Circles of Membership is given on a special occasion, usually by the Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation.[citation needed]
Queen Silvia Fund
The Queen Silvia Fund is an endowment that enables young disabled people worldwide to benefit through Scouting. It was created as a lasting gift to commemorate the 50th birthday celebration of Queen Silvia of Sweden. The fund's slogan is "There can be no task nobler than giving every child a better future."
The initial gifts of over US$100,000 came from members of the World Scout Foundation's Baden-Powell Fellowship. Since then, the endowment has grown to a quarter of million dollars, and the fund continuously solicits more donations. The queen personally approves each project grant.[citation needed]
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a programme of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and encouraging equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the largest international Scouting organization. WOSM has 173 members. These members are recognized national Scout organizations, which collectively have around 43 million participants. WOSM was established in 1922, and has its operational headquarters at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and its legal seat in Geneva, Switzerland. It is the counterpart of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Junák – český skaut, is the internationally recognized organization of Scouts and Guides of the Czech Republic. Founded in 1911, Junák – český skaut is the largest organisation of children and youth in the nation, with a membership of 73,315.
Scouts South Africa is the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) recognised Scout association in South Africa. Scouting began in the United Kingdom in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell and rapidly spread to South Africa, with the first Scout troops appearing in 1908. South Africa has contributed many traditions and symbols to World Scouting.
Scouting Ireland is one of the largest youth movements on the island of Ireland, a voluntary educational movement for young people with over 45,000 members, including over 11,000 adult volunteers early 2020. Of the 750,000 people between the ages of 6 and 18 in Ireland, over 6% are involved with the organisation. It was founded in 2004, following the amalgamation of two of the Scouting organisations on the island. It is the World Organization of the Scout Movement-recognised Scouting association in the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland it operates alongside The Scout Association of the UK and the Baden-Powell Scout Association.
Rover Scouts, Rovers, Rover Scouting or Rovering is a program associated with some Scouting organizations for adult men and women. A group of Rovers is called a 'Rover Crew'.
Pax Hill, near Bentley, Hampshire, England, was the family home of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout movement, and his wife, Olave, for over twenty years during the 20th century. It is located at the end of a half-mile drive, off the main A31 road.
The Association Nationale des Scouts d'Haïti is the national Scouting organisation of Haiti. Scouting in Haiti started in 1916 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 1932 and again in 1940. The coeducational association has 43,618 members.
Colonel John Skinner "Belge" Wilson (1888–1969) was a Scottish scouting luminary and friend and contemporary of General Baden-Powell, recruited by him to head the International Bureau, later to become the World Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Wilson was acting director from 1938 to 1939 following the death of Hubert S. Martin; he was elected in 1939 and remained in office until 1951. He then became Honorary President of WOSM for four years.
Scouts' Day or Guides' Day is a generic term for special days observed by members of the Scouting movement throughout the year. Some of these days have religious significance, while others may be a simple celebration of Scouting. Typically, it is a day when all members of Scouting will re-affirm the Scout Promise.
Scouting and Guiding in Italy consists of several associations and federations, including more than 225,000 male Scouts and female Guides.
Queen's Gate House, still commonly known by its previous name of Baden-Powell House, is a conference centre in South Kensington, London. It was built as a tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, and has served as the headquarters for The Scout Association, as a hostel providing modern and affordable lodging for Scouts, Guides, their families and the general public staying in London and as a conference and event venue.
The Scouting 2007 Centenary comprised celebrations around the world in which Scouts celebrated 100 years of the world Scout movement. The original celebrations were focused on the United Kingdom, such as the camp on Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting, and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Chelmsford, Essex.
Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method that has been practiced differently and given different interpretations in different parts of the world over the years.
Non-aligned Scouting organizations is a term used by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and their member national organizations to refer to Scouting organizations that are not affiliated with them. See List of non-aligned Scouting organizations.
There are various controversies and conflicts that involve the Scouting movement. Scouting has sometimes become entangled in social controversies such as in nationalist resistance movements in India. Scouting was introduced to Africa by British officials as an instrument of colonial authority but became a subversive challenge to the legitimacy of British imperialism as Scouting fostered solidarity amongst African Scouts. There are also controversies and challenges within the Scout Movement itself such as current efforts to turn Scouts Canada into a democratic organization.
The Scout and Guide movement in Malta is served by three organizations:
Betty St Clair Clay was the younger daughter of Olave Baden-Powell, the first Chief Guide and Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. She was the sister of Peter Baden-Powell; the aunt of Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell, and Michael Baden-Powell, 4th Baron Baden-Powell; the niece of Agnes Baden-Powell and Baden Baden-Powell; niece and goddaughter of Warington Baden-Powell; and granddaughter of the Rev. Prof. Baden Powell.
Foxlease is a training and activity centre of Girlguiding near Lyndhurst, Hampshire, UK. The Foxlease estate has been owned and managed by the Guides since 1922. The estate is 65 acres (260,000 m2) and the main house is known as The Princess Mary House, in honour of her marriage. Foxlease hosted the Guides' Third International Conference, the Sixth World Conference and also the first World Camp.
The World Friendship Fund is a major endowment fund of the Boy Scouts of America developed during the closing days of World War II, the answer of Scouting to the Marshall Plan, to rebuild Scouting in nations that had been wracked by war.
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