Bandalag íslenskra skáta
Encyclopedia
Bandalag íslenskra skáta (BIS, Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout Association) is the national Scouting
and Guiding
organization of Iceland
. Scouting was founded in Iceland in 1912 and was among the earlier members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in 1924. Guiding in Iceland was founded in 1922 and among the founding members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
.
The organization serves 1,741 Scouts (as of 2011) and 2,002 Guides (as of 2003) in 35 troops.
Scouting was introduced in Iceland as early as 1911, when Ingvar Ólafsson, who had entered the Scout Movement in Denmark
, formed the first Boy Scout patrol. At that time Iceland was a part of the Danish Crown, enjoying Home Rule only since 1904. A growing feeling of nationalism
striving for independence for the country led many societies and movements to look for guidance and motives in other countries than Denmark. This is true for the Scout Movement as in 1912 the leaders of Icelandic Scouting turned to the English original and Scouting for Boys as their model for Icelandic Scouting.
The first council, Skátafelag Reykjavíkur (The Scout Society of Reykjavík) was established on November 2, 1912, and many of the members of the first Scout patrol became founding members of this new council, which operated in Reykjavík
. A new Scout group was formed on April 23, 1913 with members from the Reykjavík YMCA
. In 1916 a group was formed in Stykkishólmur
, 1917 in Akureyri
to be followed with groups in the principal towns of Hafnarfjörður
, Eyrarbakki
, Akranes
and Ísafjörður
.
Guiding commenced on July 7, 1922 as the YWCA established a group of Girl Guides.
A National Association was formed in 1925. The first Chief Scout was Axel W. Tulinius
, (1925–1938) followed by Dr. Helgi Tómasson (1938–1958), Jónas B. Jónsson (1958–1971), Páll Gíslason (1971–1981), Ágúst Þorsteinsson (1981–1988), Gunnar H. Eyjólfsson (1988–1993) and Ólafur Ásgeirsson (1993–2005). In 1981, Mr. Gislason 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. In 2005, Margrét Tómasdóttir became the first female Chief Scout.
As Iceland became an independent kingdom in personal union with Denmark in 1918, it was possible for Icelanders and Icelandic associations to join international organizations. One of the first associations of the new kingdom to do this, was the Boy Scout Association, which joined the World Movement in 1924. The Icelandic Girl Guides joined the WAGGGS in 1928. Icelandic Scouts have been present at all International Jamborees
since Ermelunden in 1924.
Scouting had a firm start in Iceland and grew fast during the thirties as in 1940 the number of Scouts and Guides was around 3,000, out of population of 130,000. In 1938 the Icelandic Scouts and Guides made history as the first joint councils of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides were formed in Keflavík
and Vestmannaeyjar.
In 1939 the Girl Guide Association was formed with Jakobína Magnúsdóttir as Chief Commissioner and HRH The Crown Princess Ingirid
as patron. And again the Icelandic Scouts and Guides made scout history when they formed the first joint association of Scouts and Guides in the world in 1944.
The Icelandic Scout and Guide Association is an active movement in Iceland tending to their own training and program needs. The first Scout handbook appeared in Icelandic in 1919 and easily adapting Baden-Powell
's ideas to the possibilities of this country. Scout Magazines have been published since 1919, the one run by the National Association, Skátablaðið, has been published since 1935.
In 1942 the association leased the farm Úlfljótsvatn
near Reykjavík, which has ever since been the center of training and camping activities. A new center at Hamrar near Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland has been built within the last decade.
Icelandic Scouts have been very active in international Scouting, working together with the Nordic countries
, effective in the preparation of the Nordjamb 1975 (World Scout Jamboree in Norway), and participating in annual program prepared by the Nordic Scout Council.
The Scout Motto is Ávallt viðbúinn, Always Prepared.
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....
and Guiding
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
organization of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Scouting was founded in Iceland in 1912 and was among the earlier 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 1924. Guiding in Iceland was founded in 1922 and among the founding members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
.
The organization serves 1,741 Scouts (as of 2011) and 2,002 Guides (as of 2003) in 35 troops.
History
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, formed the first Boy Scout patrol. At that time Iceland was a part of the Danish Crown, enjoying Home Rule only since 1904. A growing feeling of nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
striving for independence for the country led many societies and movements to look for guidance and motives in other countries than Denmark. This is true for the Scout Movement as in 1912 the leaders of Icelandic Scouting turned to the English original and Scouting for Boys as their model for Icelandic Scouting.
The first council, Skátafelag Reykjavíkur (The Scout Society of Reykjavík) was established on November 2, 1912, and many of the members of the first Scout patrol became founding members of this new council, which operated in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
. A new Scout group was formed on April 23, 1913 with members from the Reykjavík YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. In 1916 a group was formed in Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur
Stykkishólmur is a town and municipality situated in the western part of Iceland, to the north of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.With its 1,100 inhabitants, it is a center of services and commerce for the area. Most of the people make their living from fishing and tourism. A ferry called Baldur goes...
, 1917 in Akureyri
Akureyri
Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and fourth largest municipality ....
to be followed with groups in the principal towns of Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður is a port town and municipality located on the south-west coast of Iceland, about 10 km south of Reykjavík....
, Eyrarbakki
Eyrarbakki
Eyrarbakki is a fishing-town on the south-coast of Iceland with a population of about 570 people, not including inhabitants of the prison located there...
, Akranes
Akranes
Akranes is a port town and municipality located on the west coast of Iceland.It is the ninth most populous town in Iceland after Mosfellsbær and Árborg with a population of 6,623 people...
and Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður is a town in the north west of Iceland, seat of Ísafjarðarbær municipality.The town draws its name from the fjord and the fjord was given its name simultaneously to the island...
.
Guiding commenced on July 7, 1922 as the YWCA established a group of Girl Guides.
A National Association was formed in 1925. The first Chief Scout was Axel W. Tulinius
Axel W. Tulinius
Axel V. Tulinius was the first Chief Scout of Bandalag íslenskra skáta from 1925 until 1938.-References:...
, (1925–1938) followed by Dr. Helgi Tómasson (1938–1958), Jónas B. Jónsson (1958–1971), Páll Gíslason (1971–1981), Ágúst Þorsteinsson (1981–1988), Gunnar H. Eyjólfsson (1988–1993) and Ólafur Ásgeirsson (1993–2005). In 1981, Mr. Gislason was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee
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...
for exceptional services to world Scouting. In 2005, Margrét Tómasdóttir became the first female Chief Scout.
As Iceland became an independent kingdom in personal union with Denmark in 1918, it was possible for Icelanders and Icelandic associations to join international organizations. One of the first associations of the new kingdom to do this, was the Boy Scout Association, which joined the World Movement in 1924. The Icelandic Girl Guides joined the WAGGGS in 1928. Icelandic Scouts have been present at all International Jamborees
Jamboree (Scouting)
In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level.The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom...
since Ermelunden in 1924.
Scouting had a firm start in Iceland and grew fast during the thirties as in 1940 the number of Scouts and Guides was around 3,000, out of population of 130,000. In 1938 the Icelandic Scouts and Guides made history as the first joint councils of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides were formed in Keflavík
Keflavík
Keflavík is a town in the Reykjanes region in southwest Iceland. In 2009 its population was of 8,169.In 1995 it merged with Njarðvík and Hafnir to form a municipality called Reykjanesbær with a population of 13,971 .- History :...
and Vestmannaeyjar.
In 1939 the Girl Guide Association was formed with Jakobína Magnúsdóttir as Chief Commissioner and HRH The Crown Princess Ingirid
Ingrid of Sweden
Ingrid of Sweden was a Swedish princess and the queen consort of King Frederick IX of Denmark.-Background:...
as patron. And again the Icelandic Scouts and Guides made scout history when they formed the first joint association of Scouts and Guides in the world in 1944.
The Icelandic Scout and Guide Association is an active movement in Iceland tending to their own training and program needs. The first Scout handbook appeared in Icelandic in 1919 and easily adapting Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
's ideas to the possibilities of this country. Scout Magazines have been published since 1919, the one run by the National Association, Skátablaðið, has been published since 1935.
In 1942 the association leased the farm Úlfljótsvatn
Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center
Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center is the national Scout center of Bandalag íslenskra skáta, the Icelandic Scout and Guides Association.It is situated by Lake Úlfljótsvatn, which lies just south of Lake Þingvallavatn. It is located approximately 70 km east of ReykjavíkVarious events take place there, such...
near Reykjavík, which has ever since been the center of training and camping activities. A new center at Hamrar near Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland has been built within the last decade.
Icelandic Scouts have been very active in international Scouting, working together with the Nordic countries
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
, effective in the preparation of the Nordjamb 1975 (World Scout Jamboree in Norway), and participating in annual program prepared by the Nordic Scout Council.
Jamborees
National Jamborees have been an integral part of Icelandic Scouting starting in 1925. At first, they were held every four years and now they are normally triennial. Recent ones are:| Year | Location | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center is the national Scout center of Bandalag íslenskra skáta, the Icelandic Scout and Guides Association.It is situated by Lake Úlfljótsvatn, which lies just south of Lake Þingvallavatn. It is located approximately 70 km east of ReykjavíkVarious events take place there, such... |
On a Viking Trail |
| 1999 | Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center | Sing your own song |
| 2002 | Hamrar, Akureyri Akureyri Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and fourth largest municipality .... |
Elves and trolls |
| 2005 | Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center | Earth's Energy |
| 2008 | Hamrar, Akureyri | On a Viking Trail |
| 2012 | Úlfljótsvatn Scout Center | Centennial of Scouting in Iceland |
Program sections
- Drekaskátar (i.e. Dragon Scouts) - ages 7 to 9
- Fálkaskátar (i.e. Falcon Scouts) - ages 10 to 12
- Dróttskátar -(i.e. King's Court Scouts) ages 13 to 15
- Rekkaskátar (i.e. Ranger Scouts) - ages 16 to 18
- Róverskátar (i.e. Rover Scouts) - ages 19 to 22
- Rescue Teams - ages 17 and up
The Scout Motto is Ávallt viðbúinn, Always Prepared.
International Scouting units in Iceland
- In addition, there were American Boy Scouts in KeflavíkKeflavíkKeflavík is a town in the Reykjanes region in southwest Iceland. In 2009 its population was of 8,169.In 1995 it merged with Njarðvík and Hafnir to form a municipality called Reykjanesbær with a population of 13,971 .- History :...
, linked to the Direct ServiceAmerican Scouting overseasThere have been American Scouts overseas since almost the inception of the movement, often for similar reasons as the present day. Within the Boy Scouts of America, these expatriate Scouts are now served by two overseas Councils and the Direct Service program...
branch of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of AmericaThe 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...
, which supports units around the world.