Scouting and Guiding in the Czech Republic
The Scout and Guide movement in the Czech Republic is served by
- Junák - Czech Scouting, member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and of the International Scout and Guide Fellowship, with its 64383 members[1] the largest educational movement for children and young people in the country
- Asociace Skautek a Skautů Evropy (ASSE), belonging to the Union Internationale des Guides et Scouts d'Europe
- Skaut-Ceský Scouting ABS (member of WFIS)
- Svaz Skautů a Skautek České Republiky (member of WFIS)
- YMCA-Skaut (nonaligned to a supranational organization)
- Klub Pathfinder, affiliated to Pathfinders International
- Serving the Czech community outside of the country is a combined Scouts-in-Exile organization, Czech and Slovak Scouts Abroad
Czech Scouting in exile
The Czechoslovak government-in-exile officially restored Junák and Czech and Slovak Scout groups were founded in exile, especially in the North of England and the South of Scotland, Rover Crews were founded in the Czechoslovak Armed Units in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.[2]:131
In 1948 Scouting was banned again in Czechoslovakia. Czech and Slovak refugees founded again Czech and Slovak Scout groups in exile. Junák-in-Exile was formed as a National Scout Organisation-in-Exile for Czechoslovak Scouting. From 1948 to 1950 they were members of the Displaced Persons Scout Division of the Boy Scouts International Bureau.[2]:145–146
After the end of Prague Spring in 1968 thousands of refugees left their homeland and many Scouts were among them.[2]:151 So the existing Junák units in many countries were enlarged and new Scout groups were founded in many countries.[2]:151The Czech and Slovak Scouts-in-Exile in Switzerland founded in cooperation with the Scouts of Switzerland new Junák units.[2]:151 Junák was also active in countries such as Austria, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.[2]:151
After the Rebirth of Scouting in Czechoslovakia the Exile movement were disbanded and its members became members of Junák or of the N.S.O.s of their countries of residence.[2]:156[2]:71
The Emblem shown on the left is the badge of Czech and Slovak Scouting Abroad, before 1989 this Emblem was in use with the text: Czech and Slovak Scouting Exile.[2]:151
International Scouting units in the Czech Republic
Polish Scouting
Harcerstwo Polskie w Republice Czeskiej (Polish Scouting in The Czech Republic - a Polish émigré Scout group)
US Scouting
There are USA Girl Scouts Overseas in Prague, serviced by way of USAGSO headquarters in New York City; as well as In addition, there are American Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, linked to the Horizon District of the Transatlantic Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which supports units in west-and-central Europe, the Near East and North Africa.
British Scouting Overseas - 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group
In May 2014, British Scouting Overseas established a Scout Group in Prague, 1st Prague (Czech Republic) Scout Group. The group is an English speaking international Scout Group, it provides Scouting to young people from many nationalities in Prague the capital city of The Czech Republic. In January 2020 it had 108 members. Sections in the group are Beavers Scouts (6 to 8 years), Cub Scouts (8 to 10.5 years), Scouts 10.5 to 14 years and Explorer Scouts (14 to 18 years). Its scarf colours are yellow, red, white and blue. https://praguescouts.cz
References
- "Junák - Czech Scouting 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). skaut.cz. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
- Kroonenberg, Piet J. (1998). The Undaunted- The Survival and Revival of Scouting in Central and Eastern Europe. Geneva: Oriole International Publications. ISBN 2-88052-003-7.
