Centenary celebration of the Colombo District Scouts

The Colombo District branch of the Sri Lanka Scout Association will celebrate 100 years of Scouting in Colombo this year. Scouting has a rich history commencing in 1814 and producing great leaders to society. The centenary will be celebrated with several events organised in Colombo.

A ‘Scout Centenary Walk’ was organised by the Centenary Walk Committee under the leadership of District Commissioner Riza Azoor recently.

The Walk to celebrate the Centenary Year coincides with Founders Day which falls on February 22 each year. Lord Robert Stevenson Smyth Baden Powell known as Baden Powell of Gilwell, created this Movement in 1907 and over 40 million Scouts around the world are in the scout movement.

The Colombo District Scout Centenary Walk 2014 commenced from Galle Face Green and culminated at the Open Air Theatre at the Vihara Maha Devi Park. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the event. Deputy Chief Commissioner Shiraz Salih, C. Batuwangala, former Chief Commissioner, Leslie Rupasinghe, President of the Scout Council, Brigadier J P A Jayawardena, President of the Colombo Association, the District Commissioner Riza Azoor, Organising Commissioner Anura Pannipitiya and a host of Commissioners from the National Headquarters and Assistant District Commissioners participated in the walk.

Cub Scouts and Scouts numbering nearly over 4000 participated in the Centenary Walk Founders Day.

The Walk was a colourful event where scouts wore their scout uniforms and scarves of their troop colour, scout tee shirts carrying their flags and accompanied by either the eastern, western band or papare band. Some of them carried posters and placards with meaningful messages. There were decorated double decker buses and classic cars, scouts with fancy hair and also stilt walkers who added to the glamour of the event. It was a memorable event for cub scouts, scouts, Rovers and leaders of Colombo scout troops, which might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Centenary year the Scouts of the Colombo District are eager to participate in the upcoming Colombo Centenary Scout Jamboree 2014 to be held from August1 to 7, 2014 at Dummalasuriya, Madampe which will be held under the leadership of International Commissioner Janaprith Fernando.

A scout tries to live by the promise ‘Be prepared’ and as Lord Baden Powell’s said in his final message “Try and leave this world a little better than you found it”.

Compiled by Ruzaik Farook

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting is open to all girls and young women whatever their religion, ethnic group or background. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts accept the promise and the law based on spiritual values, personal development and commitment to helping others.

We develop:

- self-confidence, self-esteem
- sound values
- ability to cope with change
- appreciation of others
- leadership skills
- healthy lifestyles
- international understanding
- Commitment and skills in service to other

These outcomes are developed through the unique educational approach practised by Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. It is value based, non-formal education operating in a intergenerational, global, multi-cultural environment, Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting is about meeting new friends, developing an understanding of teamwork and a sense of adventure as well as

absorbing the importance of taking part in a wider community and reaching out to make a difference; both locally and globally.

The Girl Guide and Girl Scout experience

The Girl Guide and Girl Scout experience is full of activities and opportunities for everyone. You can:

- Challenge yourself physically and mentally
- Get involved in your community through volunteering and community action projects

- Meet friends from all around the world and just next door
- Travel and learn about new cultures
- Advocate on issues you care about, influencing decision-makers
- Learn and practise leadership
- Have fun by learning in a non-formal setting, with songs, games,

Crafts and activities

- Be yourself in a safe and creative environment

- Pass on your knowledge by volunteering to be a Guide or Scout leader Fundamental Principles -An Ideal and a Spirit

The original promise and law

The original promise and law were developed at the beginning of the Movement’s history. The promise and law continues to evolve as member organisations modernise Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in their countries.

Original Promise

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best:

1. To do my duty to God and the King (Or God and my country);
2. To help other people at all times;
3. To obey the Guide Law

Original Law

1. A Guide’s honour is to be trusted.
2. A Guide is loyal.
3. A Guide’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Guide is a friend to all and a sister to every other guide.
5. A Guide is courteous.
6. A Guide is a friend to animals.

7. A Guide obeys orders.
8. A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties.
9. A Guide is thrifty.
10. A Guide is pure in thought, in word and in deed

The ideal and spirit are clearly expressed in the Promise and Law -

Fundamental Principles of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting

To be a member of WAGGGS, each national Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisation must adhere to the fundamental principles expressed within the promise and law.

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting: A proven method commitment through the promise and law Baden-Powell established four signposts to start his Girl Guides and Scouts on their road through life: character, handicrafts, health and service. He wanted to ensure the movement encourage the development of the whole person by encompassing spiritual, moral, physical, mental, social,intellectual and emotional aspects.

Progressive self-development

Through membership of the movement, each Girl Guide and Girl Scout takes part in a system of progressive self-development. Girl Guiding and Gir Scouting is free from the constraints imposed by formal education.

The non-formal education methodology practised in the movement points the way to different avenues of exploration, and the Girl Guide and Girl Scout chooses her route and proceeds with her chosen activities at her own pace, exercising self-motivation and freedom of choice. In this way, the Girl Guide and Girl Scout progresses individually, as well as learning to interact successfully as part of a group, developing her own imagination and creativity.

Learning by doing

Learning by doing is a key phrase in Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. Through membership of the movement, each Girl Guide and Girl Scout enjoys a variety of stimulating activities and challenges which encourage the individual to contribute to the best of her ability to ensure the success of her group’s activities.The Brownie’s good turn, and the service projects undertaken by older girls and leaders, allow them to find an immediate practical application for their Promise and Law.

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting does not place the young in a classroom situation. Instead, it encourages them to go out into the world and make a positive contribution towards its future.As well as community action, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world are advocating on issues they care about to build a better world. Their advocacy projects are influencing decision-makers to change policy, laws and behaviour.

Teamwork through the patrol system

Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting encourages teamwork through the Patrol System founded by Baden-Powell. He defined the patrol as “a small natural group of six to eight under the leadership of one of them where each individual has an indispensable part to play”.

The patrol system encourages the formation of friendships, self-expression, and the development of joint and individual responsibility. The movement has a vital role to play in a divided world by instilling a spirit of cooperation in the young, a key to a more peaceful world. It also provides an important early example of democracy in action and develops leadership skills and opportunities to practise these in multi-cultural and intergenerational environments.

Service in the community

The movement does not place its members in a world apart, but strives to increase their involvement in their own community. Our mission is to enable girls and young women to develop their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.Applying the philosophy of learning by doing, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts serve their local national and global communities.

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