The Scout Association of Belize
Encyclopedia
The Scout Association of Belize, the national Scouting
organization of Belize
, was founded in 1911, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in 1987. The coeducational Scout Association of Belize has 3,041 members as of 2011, with some 27 Scout groups located in six districts.
was officially registered in 1917 with a census of eight Scouters, 113 Scouts and 59 Cubs, a total membership of 180. However, according to research undertaken by Hr. Leopold Flowers, former Executive Commissioner of the Belize Scout Association, and Mr. William Faux, presently Deputy Chief Commissioner, Scouting in Belize was started in 1910 when Mr. Henry Longsworth of St. John's Cathedral
established a troop there.
In 1915, Robin O. Phillips, an American Scout
about 17 years old is said to have invested 20 young men as Scouts. This took place at Robin's home, then situated at the corner of Wilson Street and Barrack Road. When these Scouts were considered well trained, Robin's father approached Governor William Hart-Bennett to seek assistance and support for the Scout Movement. Governor Bennett then selected Mr. George Grabbam, then manager of the Belize Estate and Produce Company Ltd. Mr. Grabham in turn appointed as Scoutmasters to assist him Mr. Phillip Ely, a Mr. Wexham and Mr. Paul Shephard Berry, then the superintendent of the Belize Wireless Station. The movement flourished for about three to four years, then died when Mr. Grabham left Belize.
Scouting was revived again in 1931 in the Belize City area, by Brother John Mark Jacoby, SJ, MBE, Professor of Mathematics at Saint John's College. Hundreds of boys, including many leading citizens, passed through the hands of 'Bra Jake', as he was affectionately known. For many years, Scouting revolved around activities held at the Holy Redeemer Scout room (the home of troops 1, 2 and 3) and at an annual summer camp at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
. In 1936 Scouting was introduced to the districts beginning with the Stann Creek District and eventually spreading to all the others. Since that time there has always been Scout activity in the country. The level of this activity has varied considerably over the years, depending largely on the extent of the movement's ability to attract and maintain committed voluntary leadership.
In the late 1950s the Association acquired from the Government 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of land in the Burrell Boom area. Later named Camp Oakley, this site has been the venue for many national camps, training seminars and other Scout programs. In 1971, with the help of a grant from the Baron Bliss Trust, a concrete building was erected at the camp.
Scouts from Belize have taken part in many international camps in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the United States
. In 1979, the Association embarked on a revitalization program which continues today.
The Scout Association of Belize exists by virtue of the Scout Association of Belize Act, 1987 passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of Belize and assented to by the Governor General of Belize on January 25, 1988. Prior to that date, on December 15, 1987, having complied with the requirements of the Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Scout Committee granted recognition to the Scout Association of Belize as a member organization and so registered the Association with the World Scout Bureau. On September 18, 1988 the InterAmerican Scout Committee certified The Scout Association of Belize as a member organization of the InterAmerican Conference.
Hilberto B. Riverol has been National Executive for the Scout Association of Belize for many years and is by all means one of the greatest pillars of the movement in Belize. As National Executive he has been the lead active force in the growth of the movement and been at the head of dramatic changes in the movement, brought about by exciting programs which have generated and unprecedented growth in membership, an example being the Scouting in Schools which garnered the support of the Ministry of Education in Belize.
The highest rank or medal for a Belize Scout Leader is the Silver Wolf. Those that have received the award include, Sir Colville Young GCMG, Governor General of Belize - Patron of Belize Scouts, Hilberto B. Riverol - National Scout Executive, Martha Sosa - Executive Secretary for the Scout Association.
The membership badge of The Scout Association of Belize incorporates the coat of arms of Belize
and the color scheme of the flag of Belize
.
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 Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
, was founded in 1911, 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...
in 1987. The coeducational Scout Association of Belize has 3,041 members as of 2011, with some 27 Scout groups located in six districts.
History
The oldest records found to date in England indicates that Scouting started in British Honduras in 1911 with two troops, 20 Scouts in total. The following year the numbers were one troop, three Scouters and 24 Scouts, a total of 27. The British Honduras Branch of The Scout AssociationThe 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...
was officially registered in 1917 with a census of eight Scouters, 113 Scouts and 59 Cubs, a total membership of 180. However, according to research undertaken by Hr. Leopold Flowers, former Executive Commissioner of the Belize Scout Association, and Mr. William Faux, presently Deputy Chief Commissioner, Scouting in Belize was started in 1910 when Mr. Henry Longsworth of St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral, or Cathedral of St. John, or other variations on the name, with or without the suffix 'the Evangelist, may refer to:In Antigua:*St. John's Cathedral, St. John'sIn Australia:*St John's Cathedral, Brisbane...
established a troop there.
In 1915, Robin O. Phillips, an American Scout
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...
about 17 years old is said to have invested 20 young men as Scouts. This took place at Robin's home, then situated at the corner of Wilson Street and Barrack Road. When these Scouts were considered well trained, Robin's father approached Governor William Hart-Bennett to seek assistance and support for the Scout Movement. Governor Bennett then selected Mr. George Grabbam, then manager of the Belize Estate and Produce Company Ltd. Mr. Grabham in turn appointed as Scoutmasters to assist him Mr. Phillip Ely, a Mr. Wexham and Mr. Paul Shephard Berry, then the superintendent of the Belize Wireless Station. The movement flourished for about three to four years, then died when Mr. Grabham left Belize.
Scouting was revived again in 1931 in the Belize City area, by Brother John Mark Jacoby, SJ, MBE, Professor of Mathematics at Saint John's College. Hundreds of boys, including many leading citizens, passed through the hands of 'Bra Jake', as he was affectionately known. For many years, Scouting revolved around activities held at the Holy Redeemer Scout room (the home of troops 1, 2 and 3) and at an annual summer camp at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye, pronounced "am-BER-gris", is the largest island of Belize located northeast of the country in the Caribbean Sea. Though administered as part of the Belize District, the closest point on the mainland is part of the Corozal District....
. In 1936 Scouting was introduced to the districts beginning with the Stann Creek District and eventually spreading to all the others. Since that time there has always been Scout activity in the country. The level of this activity has varied considerably over the years, depending largely on the extent of the movement's ability to attract and maintain committed voluntary leadership.
In the late 1950s the Association acquired from the Government 100 acre (0.404686 km²) of land in the Burrell Boom area. Later named Camp Oakley, this site has been the venue for many national camps, training seminars and other Scout programs. In 1971, with the help of a grant from the Baron Bliss Trust, a concrete building was erected at the camp.
Scouts from Belize have taken part in many international camps in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1979, the Association embarked on a revitalization program which continues today.
The Scout Association of Belize exists by virtue of the Scout Association of Belize Act, 1987 passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of Belize and assented to by the Governor General of Belize on January 25, 1988. Prior to that date, on December 15, 1987, having complied with the requirements of the Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, the World Scout Committee granted recognition to the Scout Association of Belize as a member organization and so registered the Association with the World Scout Bureau. On September 18, 1988 the InterAmerican Scout Committee certified The Scout Association of Belize as a member organization of the InterAmerican Conference.
Hilberto B. Riverol has been National Executive for the Scout Association of Belize for many years and is by all means one of the greatest pillars of the movement in Belize. As National Executive he has been the lead active force in the growth of the movement and been at the head of dramatic changes in the movement, brought about by exciting programs which have generated and unprecedented growth in membership, an example being the Scouting in Schools which garnered the support of the Ministry of Education in Belize.
Awards and recognitions
The Highest Rank or Medal for a Belize Scout to achieve is the Queen's Scout Award. This achievement recognizes the hard work, dedication, sacrifice, knowledge and understanding of the Scouting ideals and principles. The award has had few recipients over the years making the circle of awardees only seven so far in its 99 year history: Marlon McNab (1st Holy Redeemer Scout Unit), Khendis Ellis (1st. Orange Walk Scout Group), Edguin Castellanos,(1st.Orange Walk Scout Group) Victoria Burgos, Nicholas Ruiz,Sean Usey, Lisette Ordonez (9th Belize St. Ignatius Scout Group) Victoria Burgos was the first female Scout in Belize to receive this highest award.The highest rank or medal for a Belize Scout Leader is the Silver Wolf. Those that have received the award include, Sir Colville Young GCMG, Governor General of Belize - Patron of Belize Scouts, Hilberto B. Riverol - National Scout Executive, Martha Sosa - Executive Secretary for the Scout Association.
The membership badge of The Scout Association of Belize incorporates the coat of arms of Belize
Coat of arms of Belize
The Coat of Arms of Belize was adopted upon independence, and is only slightly different from the coat of arms used when Belize was a British colony....
and the color scheme of the flag of Belize
Flag of Belize
The flag of Belize is a continued version of the earlier flag of British Honduras .British Honduras obtained a coat of arms on January 28, 1907, which formed the basis of the badge used on British ensigns. The coat of arms recalls the logging industry that first led to British settlement there...
.