Soma Hellinon Proskopon
Encyclopedia
Scouts of Greece or Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Σώμα Ελληνων Προσκόπων, ΣΕΠ) is the national Scouting
association of Greece
. Scouting in Greece started in 1910 and was among the charter members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in 1922. The association has 18,482 members (as of 2011). The majority of members belong to the Christian Orthodox Church. However, boys and girls of all religions and ethnic groups, residents of Greece, are welcome to become members.
During the 1908 Summer Olympics
, in London
, Athanasios Lefkaditis, a young physical education teacher, observed with interest the British Scouts
' service and activities at the Games. He met with Robert Baden-Powell and shortly after, introduced Scouting in Greece in 1910. Ever since, Scouts of Greece has been active in social welfare and relief activities during natural disasters such as great fires and earthquakes.
principles that children can more easily acquire skills through experience than through structured training. The young people plan their own progressive development by choosing from a great variety of programs and activities according to their needs and interests.
.
The ancient Greek moto Αιέν Αριστεύειν (Een Aristevin), Forever Excelling in Greek
, found in Homer's
Iliad
, is also used as a National Scout Motto.
να εκτελώ το καθήκον μου στο Θεό και την Πατρίδα
να βοηθώ κάθε άνθρωπο σε κάθε περίσταση και
να τηρώ το Νόμο του Προσκόπου.
I promise upon my honour
to perform my duty towards God and my Country
to help any person at any occasion
and uphold the Scout Law.
, the myth
ic bird
symbolizing rebirth
, allegory to the creation of the modern Greek nation.
from 1949 until 1951, and Demetrios Alexatos
served on the Committee from 1957 to 1963. In 1963, Alexatos was awarded the Bronze Wolf
, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting. Other Scouts Association of Greece recipients include Demetrios A. Macrides in 1967, Leonidas J. Skyrianidis in 1974, Christos Lygeros and Costas Tsantilis in 2005.
, Canada
, Egypt
, Saudi Arabia
, South Africa
and the United Kingdom
. These groups form a special region within Scouts of Greece's structures.
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....
association of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Scouting in Greece started in 1910 and was among the charter members 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...
in 1922. The association has 18,482 members (as of 2011). The majority of members belong to the Christian Orthodox Church. However, boys and girls of all religions and ethnic groups, residents of Greece, are welcome to become members.
During the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Athanasios Lefkaditis, a young physical education teacher, observed with interest the British Scouts
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
' service and activities at the Games. He met with Robert Baden-Powell and shortly after, introduced Scouting in Greece in 1910. Ever since, Scouts of Greece has been active in social welfare and relief activities during natural disasters such as great fires and earthquakes.
Program
The Scouts of Greece program is based on the Scout methodScout method
The Scout method is the informal educational system used by Scouting. The aim of Scouting is character training with the goal of helping participants become independent and helpful,and thereby become "healthy, happy, helpful citizens"....
principles that children can more easily acquire skills through experience than through structured training. The young people plan their own progressive development by choosing from a great variety of programs and activities according to their needs and interests.
Scout Motto
The Scout Motto (Προσκοπικό Ρητό) is Έσo Έτοιμος (Eso Etimos), Be Prepared in GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
.
The ancient Greek moto Αιέν Αριστεύειν (Een Aristevin), Forever Excelling in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
, found in Homer's
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
, is also used as a National Scout Motto.
Scout Promise (Υπόσχεση του Προσκόπου)
Υπόσχομαι στην τιμή μουνα εκτελώ το καθήκον μου στο Θεό και την Πατρίδα
να βοηθώ κάθε άνθρωπο σε κάθε περίσταση και
να τηρώ το Νόμο του Προσκόπου.
I promise upon my honour
to perform my duty towards God and my Country
to help any person at any occasion
and uphold the Scout Law.
Scout Law (Νόμος του Προσκόπου)
- Ο Πρόσκοπος λέει την αλήθεια και κρατά το λόγο του.
A Scout speaks the truth and keeps his word. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι δίκαιος, άξιος να τον εμπιστεύονται, ξέρει να πειθαρχεί και να τηρεί τους Νόμους.
A Scout is just, trustworthy, knows how to discipline and uphold the Laws. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι χρήσιμος στην οικογένειά του και την κοινωνία.
A Scout is useful to his family and society. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι φίλος κι ευγενής προς όλους κι αδελφός με κάθε Πρόσκοπο.
A Scout is friendly and polite towards everyone and a brother to each Scout. - Ο Πρόσκοπος σέβεται τον εαυτό του και τους άλλους, προσέχει τα λόγια και τις πράξεις του.
A Scout respects himself and others, minds his words and actions. - Ο Πρόσκοπος αγαπά τη φύση και προστατεύει το περιβάλλον.
A Scout loves nature and protects the environment. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι εύθυμος και αισιόδοξος.
A Scout is cheerful and optimistic. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι οικονόμος και φροντίζει για την καλή χρήση του χρόνου.
A Scout is provident and takes care to make good use of time. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι εργατικός και προοδεύει με τις ικανότητές του.
A Scout is hard-working and progresses with his own abilities. - Ο Πρόσκοπος είναι αποφασιστικός, έχει θάρρος και αυτοπεποίθηση κι αναλαμβάνει την ευθύνη των πράξεών του.
A Scout is decisive, courageous and confident and takes responsibility of his actions.
Emblem
The Scout emblem incorporates a phoenixPhoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
, the myth
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
ic bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
symbolizing rebirth
Reincarnation
Reincarnation best describes the concept where the soul or spirit, after the death of the body, is believed to return to live in a new human body, or, in some traditions, either as a human being, animal or plant...
, allegory to the creation of the modern Greek nation.
Distinguished members
A. E. Benakis was a member of the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout MovementWorld 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...
from 1949 until 1951, and Demetrios Alexatos
Demetrios Alexatos
Demetrios "Rann" Alexatos ) served as International Commissioner and later National Commissioner of Soma Hellinon Proskopon, and on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1957 to 1963....
served on the Committee from 1957 to 1963. In 1963, Alexatos was awarded the Bronze Wolf
Bronze Wolf
The Bronze Wolf Award is bestowed by the World Scout Committee to acknowledge "outstanding service by an individual to the World Scout Movement"...
, the only distinction 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...
, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting. Other Scouts Association of Greece recipients include Demetrios A. Macrides in 1967, Leonidas J. Skyrianidis in 1974, Christos Lygeros and Costas Tsantilis in 2005.
Greek Scouting abroad
Scouts of Greece is also active in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and 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...
. These groups form a special region within Scouts of Greece's structures.
External links
- Scouts of Greece Homepage
- http://www.pinetreeweb.com/left4-7.htm