Press Releases

Scouts in every corner of the globe celebrate World Scout Scarf Day on August 1st. This World Day was established to commemorate the first scout camp, held on August 1, 1907, on Brownsea Island, England, by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouting. It was attended by boys from all walks of life, who all wore the same clothes, so that no one was different from the other.

Biden-Powell, at the 1937 Scout Jamboree, said that the scout uniform "covers differences between countries, races and religions". To celebrate World Scout Scarf Day, active and veteran scouts are invited to wear the Scout Scarf in public, as a symbol of the Scout Oath and the spirit of Scouting.

From 1907 until today, hundreds of millions of people, in every corner of the globe, wear the Scout Scarf around their necks, each giving the scout promise in their own language: a promise to constantly strive to improve as people. The Scout Scarf travels through time and space. It changes colors according to the traditions of each country, conveys the history of the people, but also the experiences from large scout events. Scout handkerchiefs are as different as humans. However, all scarfs are worn by scouts, who are equal to each other and have the common goal to make our world better.

Scouting started with an innovative idea 113 years ago. Thus, a framework of Informal Learning was created and, since then, it is adapted to the respective conditions and thus remaining contemporary in every era and generation. The role of this great experiential school today is to help children develop to the fullest extent possible their physical, spiritual, mental and social skills, as responsible citizens, members of the local, national and international community.

The Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and Non-Governmental Organizations shares the principles of the Scout Movement. Encouraging youth involvement in volunteering is our core policy, as it is a very important tool in the struggle against crime and dependencies, such as drugs and alcohol, contributing significantly to personal development and autonomy. On this occasion, we congratulate Cyprus Scout Corps for the essential work it performs in our country, recognizing that it is an integral part of Civil Society. We are confident that it will continue for many more years to be a pioneer in the field of volunteering and provision to children, young people and fellow human beings.

-----------------------

SS/II