By VANN SOMETH

The Cambodian Scout Movement was created in 1934 was named "ANKAR KHAMARAK KAYARITH". It was under the direction of Prince Monireth Sisowath and other leaders such as, Tem Im and Pok Thiem. It marked the first era of AKK, which spread over several provinces and numbered more than 1,000 members. In 1956, the movement was transformed into the "Scout of the Queen".

In 1956 there were 500 active Scouts and Guides in Phnom Penh and some 700 Scouts in the provinces of the Kingdom of Cambodia. After then, the transformation of the AKK into the "Royal Socialist Khmer Youth". In 1957, under the direction of Prince Norodom Sihanouk as president of the state ruled organization and controlled by the Royal government. The 2,000 members of AKK and the leaders were permitted by the government to carry on promotional activities. Cambodian Scouting was represented by Scouts and Scout leaders at the World Jamboree in 1955 in Canada and in 1959 in the Philippines. Prince Norodom Yuvannath, the son of N.Sihanouk, was among the Cambodian Scouts who attended the World Jamboree in the Philippines.

Soon after, the Prince announced the dissolution of the Cambodian Boy Scout Association. Its members were subsequently integrated into the JSRK; a government sponsored national socialistic youth movement.

In 1972, the Cambodian Scouts were confined to the capital and were re-established for a short period with 10 groups. Three years later in 1975, the movement was banned by the communist regime.

After the 1993 election that was supported by the United Nations Organization, Mr. Beart Gruninger, a Swiss Scout leader was commissioned by the World Scout Bureau to coordinate with Cambodian leaders for the possible rebirth of Scouting in the Kingdom.

In 1994, two visits were made by the Asia-Pacific Region to access the development of the Scout movement. Scouting is under the Department of Youth and Sports. They’re about 1,000 young people who are in the Scouting program.

In April 1996, the first Basic Unit Leaders Training Course was held in the capital, assisted by the National Scout Organization of Thailand and the Regional office.

The Scout Organization of Cambodia is working towards meeting the requirements of membership in the World Scout Organization.

Scout Motto :

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY VANN SOMETH, DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEPARTMENT, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, IN CHARGE OF THE CAMBODIA SCOUT MOVEMENT.

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