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| Sunday, 26 September 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Scouts Movement : All for one and one for all
The Association will, at the invitation of the Ministry, set up a model campsite at the BMICH grounds where the activities are taking place, Colombo District Commissioner, Scouts Association of Sri Lanka, Nanda Fernando told the Junior Observer. The campsite will depict the nature of scouting and how it helps boys in their future. He added that scout groups from different schools will organise their own activities such as visiting orphans' schools and helping them in various ways, as scouts and cubs have got used to doing over the years. The global Scout Movement was founded in England in 1907 by Lord Baden-Powell. The prime aim of the World Scout Movement is to develop the character of young adults by teaching them the value of discipline, self-reliance, cooperation, the satisfaction of helping others specially the needy irrespective of country, class or creed and the happiness which follows the observance of the Scout Laws. It helps to make every boy scout master of himself, a brother to his fellows and a good citizen of his motherland. The Movement got underway in Sri Lanka in 1912 when F. G. Stevens, a District Engineer in the Public Works Department at Matale started the country's first boy scouts group at Christ Church College. He started the first Colombo Troop in 1914 at Christ Church, Galle Face after he was transferred to Colombo. He went on to set up the Western Province Local Scout Association and other troops at the Young Men's Christian Association and in schools in Kandy and Galle such as Richmond, Mahinda, All Saints and Dharmaraja. The first All Ceylon Rally was held in 1917. The publication of the 'Ceylon Scout' was also started by Stevens. The Sri Lanka Scout Association works together with the World Scout Bureau. It has received a special place in almost every boys' school in the country. They meet at least once a year at zonal, district and provincial levels and once every four or five years at national or international level. The Sixth National Jamboree, the last to be held, was conducted in August 2002 in Balapitiya. Over 700 scouts from Sri Lanka as well as overseas participated in the event. It gave an opportunity for all scouts to come together irrespective of caste, class, creed or other differences and establish friendship and goodwill.
The Father of Scouting
After leaving school, he chose a military career and served in India, Afghanistan and South Africa. In South Africa's Boer War, Lord Baden-Powell, with 800 men, was able to hold out against 9000 Boer soldiers for 217 days. B.P.'s 'Messenger Cadets', as they were known, were trained in efficiency, obedience and smartness and performed many tasks, relieving soldiers. After this war, BP organised the South African Constabulary and designed their uniform which later became the basic boy scout uniform.He wrote the books 'Aids to Scouting' and 'Scouting for Boys', which were very popular. He was made a Knight in 1909 by King Edward VII in recognition of his work for boys. In 1912, Baden-Powell met and later married Olave Soames, who became Chief Guide. The International Conference of Scouting was formed in 1920 and BP was acclaimed as the Chief Scout of the World at the 1920 World Jamboree. At the 'Coming of Age' Jamboree in 1929, King George V made him a Baron after which he was known as Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell. He died on January 8, 1941 in Africa and is buried near Mount Kenya.
Scout Motto: Be Prepared The Scout Promise "On my honour I promise to do my best, To do my duty to my religion and country, To help other people at all times; To obey the Scout Law." The Cub Scout Promise "I promise to do my best; To do my duty to my religion and country To obey the Cub Scout Law; To do a good deed every day." Scout Law A Scout is trustworthy, A Scout is loyal, A Scout is friendly and considerate, A Scout is a brother to every other Scout, A Scout is courageous, A Scout is kind to animals, A Scout is cooperative, A Scout is cheerful, A Scout is thrifty, A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed. The Cub Scout Law The Cub Scout obeys Akela (Scout troop leader), The Cub Scout makes himself useful, The Cub Scout keeps trying to do better. |
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The Scouts Association of Sri Lanka will be associated this year with
the Universal Children's Day activities of the Media and Information
Ministry, which will take place from October 1 to 3. The event is expected
to be inaugurated by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Robert Steven Smith Baden-Powell or B.P. was born in London on February
22, 1857.He started enjoying an outdoors life after being admitted to
Charterhouse School, which was close to some woods.
