Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrala Organizacija
Encyclopedia
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija, (Latvian Scout and Guide Central Organisation), the primary national Scouting
and Guiding
organization of Latvia
is a member of both the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
and the World Organization of the Scout Movement
. The coeducational Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija serves 759 members as of 2011 (466 Scouts and 293 Guides).
and other Scouts from Tartu
, Estonia
, followed by several other Scout troops in the Riga
area. The official founding of Scouting in Latvia is counted to be 1917.
The Latvian Scout Organization Latvijas Skautu Organizācija was established in 1921, and Latvia was a founding member of the World Organization, from 1922 to 1940.
Guiding was started in Latvia in 1921 under the Latvian Youth Organizations. In early 1922 Latvijas Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija was set up, and Girl Guiding was permitted to operate as an independent organization. Latvia enjoyed a visit from Olave Baden-Powell
, World Chief Guide, in 1933 and had a very active Guiding movement until it was banned in 1940.
In 1940, after the Soviet occupation of Latvia, a special officer was appointed by the communists to abolish Scouting. Scouting continued unofficially and underground, operating without uniforms and in the forests to avoid detection. In 1941, the Communists killed the Latvian Scout founder and President, General
Kārlis Goppers
(1876–1941). The former Scout Commissioner for Latvia, Valdemārs Klētnieks, fled to the United States as a refugee after World War II
.
With the fall of communism, Scouting reemerged, and in 1989, the first Latvian Scout and Guide camp was organized. In 1990, Latvian Scouts held their fifth National Jamboree, "Renewal" and invited several other countries to participate.
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija (the Latvian Scout and Guide Central Organization, LSGCO) rejoined the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 1993, as well as the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
. There were 452 registered Scouts (as of 2008) and 984 registered Guides (as of 2003).
In 2000 and 2001 Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija and Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs
worked together on the WAGGGS project „Food & Nutrition“ and Latvian Scouts and Guides took part in the Austrian National Jamboree in 2001.
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija is the largest youth organization in Latvia. LSGCO's goal is to develop physical, mental, moral and social skills in Latvian youth and to develop a loyalty to Latvia. The main purpose is to recognize the needs and wants of Latvian youth and to encourage self development.
The Scout and Guide Motto is Esi Modrs, translating as Be Watchful in Latvian, the response to which is (masculine) Arvien Modrs!, and (feminine), Arvien Modra!, Always Watchful! The Little Fire Motto is Centīšos!, I will try. The Latvian noun for a single Scout is Skauts.
, which embody the idea of the inclusion of historical districts (Vidzeme
, Latgale
and combined Courland
-Semigalia
(Kurzeme-Zemgale) into the united Latvia.
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 Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
is a member of both 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...
and 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...
. The coeducational Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija serves 759 members as of 2011 (466 Scouts and 293 Guides).
History
The Latvian Scouting program is based on the principles and methods created by Robert Baden-Powell, later forbidden by the Soviet government in 1940. The first Scout troop in Latvia was established on April 17, 1917 under tsarist Russia, by Arvīds BredermanisArvids Bredermanis
Arvīds Brēdermanis was an official of the foreign service of Latvia between the World Wars, and was also a founder of the Latvian Scouting movement.- Early years :...
and other Scouts from Tartu
Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, followed by several other Scout troops in the Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
area. The official founding of Scouting in Latvia is counted to be 1917.
The Latvian Scout Organization Latvijas Skautu Organizācija was established in 1921, and Latvia was a founding member of the World Organization, from 1922 to 1940.
Guiding was started in Latvia in 1921 under the Latvian Youth Organizations. In early 1922 Latvijas Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija was set up, and Girl Guiding was permitted to operate as an independent organization. Latvia enjoyed a visit from Olave Baden-Powell
Olave Baden-Powell
Olave St Clair Baden-Powell, Baroness Baden-Powell, GBE was born Olave St Clair Soames in Chesterfield, England...
, World Chief Guide, in 1933 and had a very active Guiding movement until it was banned in 1940.
In 1940, after the Soviet occupation of Latvia, a special officer was appointed by the communists to abolish Scouting. Scouting continued unofficially and underground, operating without uniforms and in the forests to avoid detection. In 1941, the Communists killed the Latvian Scout founder and President, General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Kārlis Goppers
Karlis Goppers
General Kārlis Goppers was a Latvian military officer and the founder and President of Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija...
(1876–1941). The former Scout Commissioner for Latvia, Valdemārs Klētnieks, fled to the United States as a refugee after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
With the fall of communism, Scouting reemerged, and in 1989, the first Latvian Scout and Guide camp was organized. In 1990, Latvian Scouts held their fifth National Jamboree, "Renewal" and invited several other countries to participate.
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija (the Latvian Scout and Guide Central Organization, LSGCO) rejoined the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) in 1993, as well as 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...
. There were 452 registered Scouts (as of 2008) and 984 registered Guides (as of 2003).
In 2000 and 2001 Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija and Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs
Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs
Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs is the largest Scouting and Guiding organization in Austria and the only one approved by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the World Organization of the Scout Movement . The association claims more than 300 troops with more than...
worked together on the WAGGGS project „Food & Nutrition“ and Latvian Scouts and Guides took part in the Austrian National Jamboree in 2001.
Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija is the largest youth organization in Latvia. LSGCO's goal is to develop physical, mental, moral and social skills in Latvian youth and to develop a loyalty to Latvia. The main purpose is to recognize the needs and wants of Latvian youth and to encourage self development.
Ideals and principles
The organization is based on the following principles:- Duty to God-encourage the fulfillment of their religion.
- Duty to others-to help other people, your nation and country
- Develop friendship and cooperation among all nations.
- Duty to oneself-being responsible for ones development.
The Scout and Guide Motto is Esi Modrs, translating as Be Watchful in Latvian, the response to which is (masculine) Arvien Modrs!, and (feminine), Arvien Modra!, Always Watchful! The Little Fire Motto is Centīšos!, I will try. The Latvian noun for a single Scout is Skauts.
Guide Oath (Gaidu solijums)
- Ar goda vārdu solos visiem spēkiem
- censties: būt uzticīga Dievam un
- Latvijai, palīdzēt tuvākajiem katrā
- brīdi, pildīt gaidu likumus.
- On my honor, I will do my best; to do my duty to God and Latvia, to help other people as all times and to obey the Scout/Guide Law.
Scout Law
- A Scout is trustworthy
- A Scout is loyal to fatherland
- A Scout is self-denying and helpful
- A Scout is friendly and tolerant
- A Scout is courteous
- A Scout is a friend to nature
- A Scout is obedient
- A Scout is alert in hardships
- A Scout is active and thrifty
- A Scout is clean in thoughts, words and deeds
Program sections
- Mazskauts-Cub Scouts/Guntiņa "Little Fire" or Brownies-7 to 11
- Skauts or Scouts/Gaida or Guides-12 to 16
- Lielgaida or Rovers/Rangers-over 16
Gaidu likumi (Guide Law)
- Gaida ir patiesa
- Gaida ir uzticīga Tēvijai
- Gaida ir pašaizliedzīga un palīdzīga
- Gaida ir draudzīga un iecietīga
- Gaida ir pieklājīga
- Gaida ir dabas draudzene
- Gaida ir paklausīga
- Gaida ir moža grūtībās
- Gaida ir darbīga un taupīga
- Gaida ir tīra domās, vārdos un darbos.
Little Fire Promise
- Censties gribu guntiņa
- Paklausīga, laba būt,
- Lai mirdz mans tikumiņš
- Kā mirdz spoža uguntiņa
Emblem
The membership badge of Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrālā Organizācija Scout emblem incorporates three stars of the coat of arms of LatviaCoat of arms of Latvia
The Latvian national coat of arms was formed after the proclamation of an independent Republic of Latvia on November 18, 1918, and was officially adopted on June 16, 1921. It was especially created for its independent statehood...
, which embody the idea of the inclusion of historical districts (Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
, Latgale
Latgale
Latgale is one of the four historical and cultural regions of Latvia recognised in the Constitution of the Latvian Republic. It is the easternmost region north of the Daugava River...
and combined Courland
Courland
Courland is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. The regions of Semigallia and Selonia are sometimes considered as part of Courland.- Geography and climate :...
-Semigalia
Semigalia
Zemgale, also known under Latinized names Semigalia or Semigallia is a historical region of Latvia, sometimes also including a part of Lithuania. It lies in the middle of the southern part of the Republic of Latvia, and borders historical regions of Selonia, Samogitia, Courland and Livland. The...
(Kurzeme-Zemgale) into the united Latvia.
Further reading
- World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau (2002), Trefoil Round the World. Eleventh Edition 1997. ISBN 0-900827-75-0