A promise renewed

Scouts and guides throughout the world will celebrate the “centenary sunrise” on 1st August and renew their promise one century precisely after the start of the first scout camp that Robert Baden-Powell organized on Brownsea Island on 1st August 1907. The centenary ceremonies will all be held at 8 in the morning: depending on the different time zones of the Earth, therefore, the whole earth will be punctuated with thousands of ceremonies, which will be held wherever there is a scout group. In addition a delegation of 40,000 scouts from 161 countries, including 32,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 will participate in the international jamboree promoted by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) at Hylands Park, near Chelmsford in Essex (England) from 27 July to 8 August. The slogan of the jamboree is “One World, One Promise”. There are over 38 million scouts in the world, both youth and adults, in 216 countries and territories. Only six nations are without them: Andorra, China, Cuba, North Korea, Laos and Burma. In 155 countries scout groups are recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, according to which Indonesia is the country with the largest number of scouts, over 8 million, followed by the USA (6 million). In the European area, WOSM recognises the scout associations in 40 nations, while the corresponding female organization WAGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) has a recognized presence in 38 countries. This year the scouting movement is celebrating its centenary and each diocese is preparing to celebrate this event.Since the camp organized by Baden Powell on Brownsea Island (off the south coast of England), in which twenty boys took part, scouting has enjoyed an extraordinary success, with the result that 38 million scouts and guides now form part of this global movement.In Europe too the movement’s presence is very much alive.In an age characterized by computers and video games, what has scouting got to offer?Scouting aims to develop in the minds of all young people such fundamental values as simplicity of life, love for nature, self-control, sense of responsibility, dedication to the service of others, and sense of brotherhood.Scouting also ensures a harmonious growth of the human person in his/her integrity. It fosters an admiration for nature “devoid of unhealthy imagination and sentimentalism”. Leisure activities and outside games also imply particular responsibilities and duties: they also represent the right complement of a vigorous activity in the school environment and in professional life.Scouting attributes to the service of God the predominant place it should occupy in the life of man. Seeking, finding and glorifying Jesus, He who reveals the Father to us and who leads us to Him through the Cross, constitutes the ultimate sense of the pedagogical method of scouting.The Eucharist too is at the centre of the scout’s life. With such an ideal is it any wonder that this movement has so profoundly helped countless European boys and girls to find their own place in society and to play important roles in it at the service of everyone? Given that scouting proposes to follow humbly the will of Jesus, is it any wonder that it has fostered the birth and growth of so many vocations to the religious life and to the priesthood? Through education in physical exertion, through the daily practice of generosity and spirit of sacrifice, the scout law that inculcates fair play and fidelity proposes to young people an inspiring message of self-giving and self-transcendence.Let us give thanks for this centenary so important for Europe too.