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SCOUTING IN FINLAND

SUOMEN PARTIOLAISET/FINLANDS SCOUTER R.Y

GUIDES AND SCOUTS OF FINLAND

The Guides and Scouts of Finland has about 88,000 members. 11% of the 7-10 year olds and 13% of the 10-14 year old Finns are members of the organization. The Girl Scouts represent 56% of the total. There are about 900 Scout troops.

The Guides and Scouts of Finland merged in 1972, forming the largest youth organization in the country. This present organization is one of the few in the world where all scouts, boys and girls, belong to the same merged organization. This includes both Finnish and Swedish speaking sections. About 40% of all Scout units are co-educational.

Scouting first came to Finland in 1909 and the official founding is in 1910. Finland has been one of the founding members of the World Organization (WOSM) in 1922.

Scouting is one of the most popular hobbies in Finland. To live with nature, act according to its conditions and protecting and honoring it, is one of the cornerstones of Finnish Scouting. Another important objective is to learn social abilities. Finnish Scouts and Guides learn how to become knowledgeable and active citizens, at ease with foreign countries and cultures.

In this country of thousands of lakes and abundance of green forests, hikes and camps are a vital part of Scouting. Outdoor activities really put the knowledge and skills of the Scouts to the test. Winter camps and skiing tours in the midst of the snow is a thrilling experience.

All groups plan and execute their own programs and emphasize a special interests. Community involvement and service to help members become active, responsible members of society are stressed in the program.

Sea Scouts carry out many kinds of activities related to sailing and undergo an extensive training program in seamanship, with an emphasis on safety. They have large on-the-water gatherings every year and a Sea Scout camp every 4 years.

The Finnish Scouts have close international ties with Scouts in other countries, particularly Scandanavian countries. They have also expanded its international connections to Russia through youth exchanges between the 2 countries. Scouts in Finland are actively involved in development projects in Africa and have raised funds for the immunization program for Nepal.

There are 38,132 registered Scouts in Finland as of 1998.

Program Sections:

 Sudenpennut/Cub Scouts-ages 7 to 10

 Vartioikaiser/Guides and Scouts-ages 10 to 14

 Vaeltajat/Venture Scouts-ages 14 to 20

All age groups are represented in the troops and they have many common activities, like camps and hikes. Most troops are open to both boys and girls. In Finland, young people are given responsibility for troop leadership.

Scout Motto:

Ole Valmis ……….Be Prepared

Scout Promise:

Tahdon rakastaa Jumalaa ja, lahimmaistani isanmaatani ja ihmiskuntaa toteuttaen elamassani partio ihanteita.

I will love my God and my Neighbour, my native country and mankind by fulfilling the Guide and Scout ideals in my life.

Scout Ideals:

Partio ihanteena on:

 kehittaa itseaan ihmisena

 kunnioittaa toista ihmista

 auttaa ja palvella muita

 tuntea vastuunsa ja velvollisuutensa

 rakastaa ja suojella luontoa

 olla uskollinen ja luotettava

 rakentaa ystavyytta yli rajojen

 etsia elaman totuutta

Ideals of a Guide and Scout:

to develop her/himself as a human being

 to respect other human beings

to help and serve others

to recognize her/his responsibility and duties

to love and promote nature

 to be faithful and reliable

 to build friendship across borders

 to seek the truth in life

THIS INFORMATION WAS REPRINTED FROM SEVERAL FINNISH SCOUT PAGES WITH PERMISSION AND FROM INFORMATION PROVIDED BY JUHANI FRONT.

Please send additional information to me at:

N2zgu_g@pipeline.com

Last updated on October 11, 1999