Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua
Encyclopedia
The Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua (ASN, roughly Scout Association of Nicaragua) is the national Scouting
organization of Nicaragua
. Scouting in Nicaragua started in 1917 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
(WOSM) in 1946. The coeducational association has 1,509 members (as of 2011).
and Aubry Campbell Ingram
, a boy who had read an article on the Boy Scouts of America
. On his inquiries, Reverend Harrison wrote to the BSA headquarters asking for more information. In addition to information, Reverend Harrison received the authorization to start a Boy Scout troop, the Moravian Uno, which was affiliated to the BSA.
In the following years the movement spread through the country; its groups formed a loosely connected network. The first group on the Pacific Coast
was founded in 1929 in Granada, Nicaragua
by Vital Miranda Whitford with the help of Father Almanza, a Catholic priest. The Roman Catholic Church
and especially the Jesuits
gave vital support to the arising Scout Movement.
In 1942, the Nicaraguan Scout groups formed the Federación Nacional de Boy Scouts de Nicaragua, which was recognized by the government in the same year. The federation became a member of the WOSM in 1946.
In the 1950s, the federation changed its name to Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua.
Training leaders has been one of the Nicaraguan Scouts priorities. Scouts have been active for the good of their society more than in many other countries. They gather used books to sponsor and equip small schools. They worked in Managua to relieve suffering when the great earthquake of 1972
struck and Hurricane Fifi wrecked Honduras. Nicaraguan Scouts also assisted during Hurricane Mitch
of 1998, which left thousands dead and many more homeless. They assisted in disaster relief. They were mobilized in the mountainous areas to help with the search for survivors and remove the tons of dirt by hand from the remote highways so that relief and supplies could be brought in. The Scouts were recognized by the government and other world relief organizations for their assistance in the disaster relief, even though many of the Scouts themselves were victims of the hurricane.
During the Sandinista period the ASN could not maintain normal Scout activities, due to the civil war in the country.
Nicaragua was three times host of the Camporee Scout Centroamericano:
The Scout motto is Siempre listos, Always prepared.
The Scout emblem incorporates elements of the coat of arms of Nicaragua
.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
organization of Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. Scouting in Nicaragua started in 1917 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
(WOSM) in 1946. The coeducational association has 1,509 members (as of 2011).
History
The first Nicaraguan Scout group developed in Bluefields, Nicaragua; its founders were Reverend Joseph A. HarrisonJoseph A. Harrison
Reverend Joseph Alexander Harrison was a Moravian pastor. He was born in San Juan de Nicaragua to Cornelius and Margaret Harrison.-Personal life:...
and Aubry Campbell Ingram
Aubry Campbell Ingram
Aubry Campbell Ingram was a native of Nicaragua, considered to have been the founder of the Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua.-Scouting:...
, a boy who had read an article on the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. On his inquiries, Reverend Harrison wrote to the BSA headquarters asking for more information. In addition to information, Reverend Harrison received the authorization to start a Boy Scout troop, the Moravian Uno, which was affiliated to the BSA.
In the following years the movement spread through the country; its groups formed a loosely connected network. The first group on the Pacific Coast
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
was founded in 1929 in Granada, Nicaragua
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
by Vital Miranda Whitford with the help of Father Almanza, a Catholic priest. The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and especially the Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
gave vital support to the arising Scout Movement.
In 1942, the Nicaraguan Scout groups formed the Federación Nacional de Boy Scouts de Nicaragua, which was recognized by the government in the same year. The federation became a member of the WOSM in 1946.
In the 1950s, the federation changed its name to Asociación de Scouts de Nicaragua.
Training leaders has been one of the Nicaraguan Scouts priorities. Scouts have been active for the good of their society more than in many other countries. They gather used books to sponsor and equip small schools. They worked in Managua to relieve suffering when the great earthquake of 1972
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
The 1972 Nicaragua earthquake was an earthquake that occurred at 12:29 a.m. local time on Saturday, December 23, 1972 near Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. It had a magnitude of 6.2 and occurred at a depth of about 5 kilometers beneath the centre of the city. Within an hour after the main...
struck and Hurricane Fifi wrecked Honduras. Nicaraguan Scouts also assisted during Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch
Hurricane Mitch was the most powerful hurricane and the most destructive of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph . The storm was the thirteenth tropical storm, ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the season. Along with Hurricane Georges, Mitch...
of 1998, which left thousands dead and many more homeless. They assisted in disaster relief. They were mobilized in the mountainous areas to help with the search for survivors and remove the tons of dirt by hand from the remote highways so that relief and supplies could be brought in. The Scouts were recognized by the government and other world relief organizations for their assistance in the disaster relief, even though many of the Scouts themselves were victims of the hurricane.
During the Sandinista period the ASN could not maintain normal Scout activities, due to the civil war in the country.
Nicaragua was three times host of the Camporee Scout Centroamericano:
- 1952, I Camporee Scout Centroamericano in Punta Chiltepe
- 1965, VII Camporee Scout Centroamericano in El Coyotepe near MasayaMasayaMasaya, culturally known as the City of Flowers, is the capital city of Masaya department. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast from Managua. The town of Masaya is situated just East of Masaya Volcano , an active volcano from which the city takes its name...
- 2004, XX Camporee Scout Centroamericano in El Coyotepe near Masaya
Program and ideals
The association has four sections:- Lobatos (Cub Scouts)
- ScoutsBoy ScoutA Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
- Caminantes (Senior Scouts)
- RoversRover ScoutsRover Scouting is a service division of Scouting for young men, and in most countries, women. A group of Rovers, analogous to a Scout troop, is called a 'Crew.'...
The Scout motto is Siempre listos, Always prepared.
The Scout emblem incorporates elements of the coat of arms of Nicaragua
Coat of arms of Nicaragua
The Nicaraguan coat of arms was first adopted on 21 August 1823 as the coat of arms of Central America, but underwent several changes during the course of history, until the last version was introduced in 1971.- Meaning :...
.