The Scouts are divided into troops, which include about 30,000-40,000 Jewish members (3000 of them in religious troops), and 6500 members in Christian-Arab, Muslim Arab and Christian Druze troops.

Israeli Scouts are very different from some other Scouts. First , and most importantly, in the Israeli Scouts, boys and girls are together - no Boy Scouts/ Girl Scouts.

Because Israeli Scouts start at age 10, and end at about 18, they are like Boy Scouts in the USA, and so I will refer to them as troops. In the Israeli Scouts, "patrols" are divided according to age groups, so all

5th graders (for example), in a troop, make a patrol. Israeli patrols have counselors from 10th/11th grade.

The Israeli Scouts are divided into 6 subgroups:

1) Catholic Scout Association in Israel has a membership of 3,000 Scouts. There are 17 groups located in areas that are predominately Catholic, mainly the north and Galilee. Their activities are based on Baden-Powell’s educational methods.

2) Arab School Scouts Association in Israel has 250 troops with 13,000 members and leaders, which operate within the framework of the educational Arab Schools. All Scout activities take place in the schools where Scouts study and their leaders are teachers. The Scout Association is involved in various community services projects.

3) Druze Scout Association in Israel has 60 troops with a membership of 5,000 located in the Druze community. It functions within the schools. The leaders are qualified teachers in the student’s schools. Activities include regular ongoing activities as well as community service.

4) Hebrew Scout Association in Israel has 45,000 members spread all over the country. They are divided into 8 regions. Their program of activities include training, community service and supporting young people. The Sea Scout program has water sports and included sailing to other countries.

5) Orthodox Scouts in Israel has 2,000 members in 11 tribes in areas where there is a large concentration of members of the Greek Orthodox community. Their activities are based on Baden-Powell’s educational methods. Scouts take an active part in community life.

6) Israel Arab Scouts has 2,000 members in 10 tribes. Activities are based on Baden-Powell’s Scouting methods with the troop as the educational unit. The Scouts play an important role in the Moslem community, especially during religious holidays.

These 6 Scout Associations have formed the Israel Boy and Girl Scout Federation which, is the umbrella organization of all the Scout Associations within the country.

The Federation represents about 70,000 Scouts.

The Federation is a non-partisan organization. It is the only youth movement in the country not affiliated with any political body, therefore, not supported by any such body.

The aims of the Federation are based on the spirit of the founder, Baden-Powell. The values of international Scouting are an important aspect of the Federation activities. Strengthening education for social values and co-existence and fostering tolerance between Arabs, Jews and Christians is a major goal.