The first Scout Troop was founded In Brussels, Capital City of Belgium, in 1909. Englishman Harold Parfitt founded the first Scout Troop for British boys, belonging to the British colony in that city. Belgians observing the troop's activities also took an interest in Scouting and soon Belgium Scouting began.

Boy Scouts of Belgium (BSB) was founded on December 23, 1910. The first all-Belgium troop was founded in Brussels. They used the British badges, rules and uniforms. This association was open to all boys.

As early as 1911 the B.S.B. founded a Girl Guide or Girl Scout troop but World War II and the German occupation hampered their development, so the founding of G.G.B. was not until December 17, 1919. Used British badges, rules and uniforms.

Belgium was again occupied by the Germans during World War II (1940-1944). Scouting was banned by the Nazi’s. Scouting resumed after the liberation in the spring of 1944. B.S.B. and G.G.B. merged into one organization in July 1945. Each section remained separate, that is, there were no mixed groups until well into the 1980's.

The Sea Scouts of Belgium (SSB), was founded in April 1914. SSB is an open movement concentrating on Sea Scouting only and founded along the North Sea Coast in the Dutch (Flemish) speaking part of Belgium only. SSB did not have any connection with BSB. They also used British badges, uniforms and rules.

S.S.S.G.B. SEA SCOUTS AND SEA GUIDES OF BELGIUM.S.S.B. merged with SEA GUIDES OF BELGIUM (founding date unknown).

S.S.B. and G.G.B- are split up in a Dutch and a French language movement. B.S.B./G.G.B. remains as a national overall body (federation) but the names of the two movements are:

(Federation of Guides and Scouts of Belgium.) French speaking, OPEN movement.

(Federation for Open Scouting.) Dutch speaking.

S.S.S.G.B. merges with F.O.S.

F.E.E. changes its name to SCOUTS ET GUIDES PLURALISTES DE BELGIGUE. As usual the Roman Catholic Church did not permit her boys and girls or adults to be members of an organization not being led by a 100% Roman Catholic leadership, Those (and their parents) nevertheless belonging to the above mentioned OPEN associations were constantly put under pressure.

S.P.P.B.- SCOUTS BADEN POWELL DE BELGIQUE/SCOUTS POWELL VAN BELGIE was founded. A Roman Catholic association for French and Flemish(Dutch)speaking Roman Catholic Scouts.

S.P.P.B. is changed into a cooperative society the overall body of V.V.K.S. VLAAMS VERBOND VAN KATHOLIEKE SCOUTS (Flemish Union of Catholic Scouts) (Dutch speaking) and F.S.C. FEDERATION DES SCOUTS CATHOLIQUE(Federation of Catholic Scouts) (French speaking).

V.V.K.S. and F.S.C. decide to go their separate ways. S.P.P.B. is disbanded though F.S.C. is still using the abbreviations in it's badges, etc. until this very day.

In most countries, like Germany, the Netherlands, etc. the Roman Catholic Church refused its girls permission to participate in Guiding. Surprisingly not so in Belgium, though they were not allowed to join the OPEN associations.

B.P.B.G.G.-BADEN POWELL BELGIAN GIRL GUIDES founded for Roman Catholic girls.

B.P.B.G.G. is split into: F.G.C.B.- FEDERATION DES GUIDES CATHOLIQUE DE BELQIQUE (Federation of Catholic Guides of Belgium) (French) and K.P.B.-KATHOLIEKE PADVINDSTERS VAN BELGIE (Catholic Girl Scouts of Belgium)(Flemish/Dutch)

K.M.G.B.- KATHOLIEKE MEISJES GIDSEN VAN BELGIE (Catholic Girl Guides of Belgium)(Flemish/Dutch) K.P.B. changed its name.

V.V.K.M- VLAAMS VERBOND VAN KATHOLIEKE MEISJES GIDSEN (Flemish Union of Catholic Girl Guides). K.M.G.B. changed its name once more.

V.V.K.S.M.=V.V.K.S. and V.V.K.M. merged into one mixed organization. VLAAMS VERBOND VAN KATHOLIEKE SCOUTS EN MEISJES GIOSEN (Flemish Union of Catholic Scouts and Girl Guides.)

FEDERATIE VOOR OPEN SCOUTISME

The FOS is a Scout Association whose members are Flemish or Dutch speaking boys and girls of all religions. The FOS is open to all.

Special emphasis is placed on the study and protection of nature.

FEDERATION DES ECLAIREUSES ET ECLAIREURS

Members of FEE are French speaking and open to all boys and girls of any religion, race or nationality.

The program emphasis is on respect for the individual personality and enrichment of each person's convictions through dialogue.

The movement is led by the young people themselves, with volunteer, democratically elected adults.The young people choose and carry out all activities together, with authority and administration being decentralized.

A very special section called, "Malgre tout" (Despite all) is devoted to Scouting for the handicapped.

Cooperation with other Scout Associations in other countries through twining programs has become part of the program for older Scouts. The Scouts are involved in many international camps and jamborees.

FEDERATION DES SCOUTS CATHOLIQUES

The FSC membership is French speaking and mostly Catholic. It's aim is to let young people determine their own program through education by action, participation in decision making and personal development in and through the group.

Emphasis is placed on voluntary and personal progress, team and community life, camping and living in nature, creativity and service.

The Scout Association helps other Scouts in developing countries and participated in international camps and jamborees.

Scout Motto :

VLAAMS VERBOND VAN KATHOLIEKE SCOUTS EN MEISJESGIDSEN

This association's membership consists of Flemish speaking (Dutch) Catholic Scouts.

The program emphasis is on teaching young people to become sensitive self-confident adults with constructive attitudes towards society in which they live. There is much stress on the development of responsibility, creativity, democratic ideals and good leadership qualities. The association aims to promote an awareness of nature, an acceptance of equality among people and a dedication to the improvement of society.

A deepening of social and Christian consciousness is an important factor in the association.

The Scout Association gives support to International Scouting by setting up activities in conjunction with other countries especially those in the developing world.

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This information was provided by Piet Kroonenberg of the Netherlands and from WOSM reports.

If you have additional information, please send it to me at:

Last updated on August 21, 1999