THE SWEDISH GUIDE AND SCOUT COUNCIL

In Sweden there are five scout associations, united in the Swedish Guide and Scout Council, and consisting of 150,000 scouts.

The five associations are Svenska Scoutforbundet (The Swedish Guide and Scout Association), SMU-Scout (The Guide and Scout of the Swedish Covenant Youth), KFUK-KFUMs Scoutforbund (The Swedish YWCA-YMCA Guide and Scout Association), Nykterhetsrrelsens Scoutf6rbund, The Temperance Guide and Scout Association), and Frjlsningsarm6ns Scoutf6rbund (The Salvation Army Guide and Scout Association). These associations have many camp sites that you can visit. Amongst in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, there are Reception Teams to receive and help you with contacts in the country. Contact The Swedish Guide and Scout Council before you come to Sweden.

Scouting in Sweden has a long history, Scouting for boys was started in 1908 by Emil Wingqvist. Another pioneer was a physical education teacher from Gothenburg, Eble Lieberath. He wanted to start some form Of Youth activity for his pupils and found Baden-Powell's book "Scouting for boys" whilst traveling. He later translated it into Swedish. Two years later activities were commenced for girls as well. In 1912 the first Boy Scout association was formed and in 1913 the first Girl Guide association

Popular movements such as The Temperance Movement and Revival Movements were a very important part of Swedish society in those days. They fought for better spiritual and social conditions for theirs members. They were people who had united to create something better in the current society. It was therefor, natural that these already existing youth movements such as the Temperance Movement, the YWCA and the YMCA took up scouting and guiding as part of their program, as well -as other scout associations being formed.

Between 1959-61 a merge of the girl and boy associations took place and five co-educational organizations were formed. These work today together through the Swedish Guide and Scout Council.

Founded 1916, 3000 members in 55 groups. Districts coincide with the divisions of the parent association. Camps and leadership training are held within the district. FA Scout are a branch of the local Salvation Army Young People's Corps. There is co-operation between the Swedish Salvation Army Guides and Scouts and the International Salvation Army guide and scout organization. The life saving Guards and Scouts.

The program is characterized by traditional scout activities with outdoor life, international awareness, and community involvement. But the aim also includes definite guidance towards making a personal decision to accept the Christian faith and life style.

The YMCA- Scout Association was founded in 1911 and the YWCA- Guide Association in. In 1960 they merged to form the Swedish YWCA-YMCA Guide and Scout Association. There are 18,000 members in 430 groups.

This association is one of three special associations within the Swedish YWCA-YMCA. Some of the Scout groups originate from local YWCA-YMCA groups. But many have other parent organizations. There are Baptist Scouts, Adventist Scouts, Blue-band Scouts, Methodist Scouts, Swedish Salvation Army Scouts, and Swedish Church Scouts, although most groups are independent and not in any way associated with the local YWCA-YMCA group or with any church.

The aim of all activities is to give the members various experiences, understanding and knowledge of outdoor life, with a consciousness of the environment, questions of faith and moral issues, a sense of international responsibility and involvement in public affairs.

Scouting began as an activity within the Swedish Temperance Movement in 1927. For decades it was run by two different associations, NTO's Guide and Scout Association and IOGT's Guide and Scout Association. In 1970 they merged and became NSF. The association works very closely with the non-political and non-religious temperance movement IOGT-NTO. NSF has 7000 members in 120 groups.

A fundamental principle of NSF, along with the Guide/Scout Law and promise, learning by doing, the patrol system, outdoor life and international, is personal temperance. Members over 12 years of age make a temperance pledge. This means they do not drink any beverage with more than 2.25 percentage of alcohol by volume. This percent is so low that one cannot become inebriated or dependent.

NSF also run Beaver Scouting (7yrs) as a trial activity.

Founded 1931, there are 35,000 in 545 groups. Districts coincide with the districts of the parent organization. Each district independently arranges camps, leadership training and other activities. The Guide and scout organization of the Swedish Covenant Youth are part of the activities within the youth work of the Swedish Covenant Church.

Founder in 1912, there are 82,000 members in 635 groups. The SSF is a non-political organization. The association is open to any child regardless of religion, color, creed.

There are about 150 Sea Scout troops along the coasts. Handicapped Scouting is also an important part of the scout program.

If you come to Sweden today in a scout uniform you will without a doubt be recognized. The Guide and Scout movement is known and respected throughout the country, and is active both in the countryside and the towns. Scouting and Guiding can be found in about 1000 places throughout the land

Here in Sweden you are never far from the woods, and lakes. Outdoor life is, part of the Swedish lifestyle both summer and winter. But also scouts are aware of the threat of environmental pollution. That's why an important part of our program is learning to care for the environment.

We are engaged in public life both within the country and internationally. Disabled young people take part in all our activities, and also go camping. Immigrants and refugees to Sweden also participate in our groups and activities. Since the beginning of the nineties the Swedish associations have had an active link work with the Guide and Scout Movement recently revived in Latvia.

Baden-Powell already spoke about the scout movement being an important instrument for spreading peace, a need that has not diminished since then. After celebrating Scouts Peace Day in Sweden during the last years, the idea has been adopted by the two world associations. On the third Tuesday in September all Scouts will gather under the slogan "Peace at least one day".

Through the Swedish Guide and Scout Council the five associations will co-operate to support a common objective. Some associations have strong ties with different groups in society, for example the evangelical churches and temperance movements. Consequently questions of Christian faith and drug addiction are dealt with in various ways. Question touching quality of life and spiritual dimensions are, however, important to all guide and scouts. Personal opinions can vary but the seven points in the guide and scout law sum up a lifestyle that everyone supports.

This information was obtained from the Swedish Guide and Scout Council.

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