Grasshopper Scouts
Encyclopedia
Grasshopper Scouts Grasshopper Section, or simply Grasshopper, is a Scout
Section of The Scout Association of Hong Kong
in Hong Kong
for 6 to 8 year old boys and girls. Established in 1985, it is modeled after Beaver Scouts
in the United Kingdom
. It is the youngest section in Hong Kong Scouting and the second largest section after the Cub Scout Section.
Grasshopper Scout units are designated as "Rings". When a member reaches the age range of 7½, he can be promoted into Cub Scout
s.
A section member wears the World Membership Badge and is a formal member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
.
(天虹計劃). The reformation was based on the experience of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, the closest system to Hong Kong Scouting. Several tennents of the UK programme were adopted by the Hong Kong association, including extending the age of Scouting, adoption of female members, establishment of a section for six to eight year-olds (namely Grasshopper Scouts), and many others.
The establishment of the Grasshopper Scout programme came to reality in 1985. Twelve Scout Groups participated in the experimental programme. The adoption of female members began the next year in 1986. The programme proved successful and became the fifth Section in Hong Kong Scouting.
In 1987, the Hong Kong Scouting Association published the first programme guide for the section. A Para-balloon
(快樂傘) was selected as the symbol of the Section and a major tool in Grasshopper Scout meetings. The progressive training system, similar to other sections, was established at the same time.
Before 2001-01-12, the words Country and 國家 were Hong Kong and 香港 respectively.
The association suggests that when inducting new members, three to four new members should be inducted together. No member should be inducted individually.
s of different NGOs in Hong Kong. Some Scout Groups also establish independent sections.
A Ring is run by a Grasshopper Scout Leader with the help of Assistant Grasshopper Scout Leaders and Instructors
. It is part of a Scout Group that might have other sections like Cub Scout, Scout, Venture Scout
and Rover Scout. Generally, each ring meets once a week for an hour. As in all scouting programmes, Grasshopper Scouting is fun and a large part of training is done through games.
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....
Section of The Scout Association of Hong Kong
The Scout Association of Hong Kong
The Scout Association of Hong Kong is the overall Scouting organization in Hong Kong. After the first Scouting initiatives in 1909, the Hong Kong branch of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom was started in 1914 by registering the St. Joseph's College Scout Group, and was formally...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
for 6 to 8 year old boys and girls. Established in 1985, it is modeled after Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scouts
Beaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the youngest section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Beaver Scouts, known as a Colony, are run by...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is the youngest section in Hong Kong Scouting and the second largest section after the Cub Scout Section.
Grasshopper Scout units are designated as "Rings". When a member reaches the age range of 7½, he can be promoted into Cub Scout
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
s.
A section member wears the World Membership Badge and is a formal 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...
.
History
In a rapidly changing Hong Kong society, the Hong Kong Scouting Association reviewed current Scout programmes, and in 1982 began a reformation programme named Project RainbowProject Rainbow
Project Rainbow was the name given by the CIA to a research project aimed at reducing the radar cross section of the Lockheed U-2 to reduce the chance that it would be detected and tracked by Soviet radars during its overflights of the USSR.-Early Flights:...
(天虹計劃). The reformation was based on the experience of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, the closest system to Hong Kong Scouting. Several tennents of the UK programme were adopted by the Hong Kong association, including extending the age of Scouting, adoption of female members, establishment of a section for six to eight year-olds (namely Grasshopper Scouts), and many others.
The establishment of the Grasshopper Scout programme came to reality in 1985. Twelve Scout Groups participated in the experimental programme. The adoption of female members began the next year in 1986. The programme proved successful and became the fifth Section in Hong Kong Scouting.
In 1987, the Hong Kong Scouting Association published the first programme guide for the section. A Para-balloon
Para-balloon
Para-balloon is a tool used in games and a series of games around this tool. It has a parachute shape and is made of fragments of cloth in different colours. It is colourful and often attracts children.-Origin:...
(快樂傘) was selected as the symbol of the Section and a major tool in Grasshopper Scout meetings. The progressive training system, similar to other sections, was established at the same time.
The Promise
- I promise to be a Grasshopper Scout, to love God, to love people and to love my Country.
- In Chinese: 我願參加小童軍，愛神愛人愛國家
Before 2001-01-12, the words Country and 國家 were Hong Kong and 香港 respectively.
Ceremonies
Grasshopper Scout sections have no formal ceremonies. Every ceremony is simple, serious and short. The most important ceremony is the Induction Ceremony. Other common ceremonies conducted at the meetings include the following; a Welcome Ceremony, a Goodbye Ceremony, Presentation of Progressive Badges, Welcoming of Guests, Special events (such as an Anniversary Ceremony), Departure from the Grasshopper Scout Ring, and Promotion to the Cub Scout Pack. Because children between six and eight years of age cannot concentrate for extended periods of time, Grasshopper Scout ceremonies should not take longer than 5 minutes.The association suggests that when inducting new members, three to four new members should be inducted together. No member should be inducted individually.
Organisation
Most Grosshopper Rings are organised by primary schools and community centreCommunity centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
s of different NGOs in Hong Kong. Some Scout Groups also establish independent sections.
A Ring is run by a Grasshopper Scout Leader with the help of Assistant Grasshopper Scout Leaders and Instructors
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. It is part of a Scout Group that might have other sections like Cub Scout, Scout, Venture Scout
Venture Scout
Venture Scouting is a section of the Scout Movement, mostly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, for young people roughly in the 14 – 20 age range.-Australia:...
and Rover Scout. Generally, each ring meets once a week for an hour. As in all scouting programmes, Grasshopper Scouting is fun and a large part of training is done through games.
Badges
Four Progressive Badges are designated for the section programme to encourage members' active participation. They are square badges with 4 foot prints coloured red, brown, blue, and green progressively. The badges are awarded according to the number of hours that members have participated.Uniform
The official Grasshopper Scouting uniform consists of only a group scarf. However, most rings also design their own T-shirts for sake of uniformity. Badges of different kinds can be attached to the T-shirts.External links
See also
- Beaver ScoutsBeaver ScoutsBeaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the youngest section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Beaver Scouts, known as a Colony, are run by...
- Scouting Ireland Beaver ScoutsScouting Ireland Beaver ScoutsBeaver Scouts are the youngest age group in Scouting Ireland and are boys and girls aged between 6 and 8 years of age. The personal progressive scheme employed in Beavers is called the "paw print trail", with each member following the trail, collecting paw badges along the way...
- Beavers (Scouting)Beavers (Scouting)Beavers in Scouting is one name for the youngest section of Scouting with members younger than Cub Scouts and sometimes going to as young as five years of age. Other names are used in some countries...