Oxford University Scout and Guide Group
Encyclopedia
The Oxford University Scout and Guide Group (OUSGG) is the oldest student Scout and Guide club in the United Kingdom
, being originally founded in 1919. When Rover Scouts
were part of Scouting in the UK, the Group included a Rover Crew, the 13th Oxford. The stated aim of the group is to enable members of the University of Oxford
to “maintain, acquire, or renew an interest in the Scout
and Guide Movements”.
Missing records make the exact tracking of various mergers and separations between the Rover, Scout, and Guide groups difficult, but the name Oxford University Scout and Guide Group was officially accepted when the group constitution was rewritten in 1962.
For 50 years the Group camped in the Easter vacation, and the late summer vacation, at the Ennerdale
Scout Camp of the Cumbria Scout Country.
The Group was responsible for organising the first two international Scout and Guide camps at Gilwell Park
in 1959 and 1961. These events are called Witans, named after the Anglo-Saxon
gathering of the wise called a Witan
.
. His "birthday" is celebrated at the meeting preceding Shrove Tuesday
. Erik's official costume is sub-fusc
, including a commoners' gown embroidered with the group name, and a mortarboard - though the latter has been lost.
informing members, ex-members and old members of upcoming events and activities, but also serves as a permanent record of the group’s history. A copy of each new issue is stored in the Bodleian Library
at the University of Oxford
.
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...
, being originally founded in 1919. When Rover Scouts
Rover Scouts
Rover Scouting is a service division of Scouting for young men, and in most countries, women. A group of Rovers, analogous to a Scout troop, is called a 'Crew.'...
were part of Scouting in the UK, the Group included a Rover Crew, the 13th Oxford. The stated aim of the group is to enable members of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
to “maintain, acquire, or renew an interest in the Scout
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 Guide Movements”.
History
The group was founded in 1919 under the name of "O.U.B.P. Scout Club", with the first formal meeting held on 24 November that year. Women were first admitted to OUSGG the following year. For a number of years, the group ran in parallel with Oxford University Rover Crew and Oxford University Girl Guide Club, until 1939, when these merged into the Scout group. In 1940 the O.U. Guide Club was reformed, though it turned out it had never officially disbanded.Missing records make the exact tracking of various mergers and separations between the Rover, Scout, and Guide groups difficult, but the name Oxford University Scout and Guide Group was officially accepted when the group constitution was rewritten in 1962.
For 50 years the Group camped in the Easter vacation, and the late summer vacation, at the Ennerdale
Ennerdale
Ennerdale may refer to:* Ennerdale, Gauteng, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa* Ennerdale Water, a lake in the Lake District in England**Ennerdale Bridge, a nearby settlement...
Scout Camp of the Cumbria Scout Country.
The Group was responsible for organising the first two international Scout and Guide camps at Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park is a camp site and activity centre for Scouting groups, as well as a training and conference centre for Scout Leaders. The 44 hectare site is in Sewardstonebury, Epping Forest, close to Chingford, London....
in 1959 and 1961. These events are called Witans, named after the Anglo-Saxon
History of Anglo-Saxon England
Anglo-Saxon England refers to the period of the history of that part of Britain, that became known as England, lasting from the end of Roman occupation and establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in the 5th century until the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror...
gathering of the wise called a Witan
Witenagemot
The Witenagemot , also known as the Witan was a political institution in Anglo-Saxon England which operated from before the 7th century until the 11th century.The Witenagemot was an assembly of the ruling class whose primary function was to advise the king and whose membership was...
.
Membership
Its membership mainly comprises members of the University of Oxford; however within certain limits other people may join. It is affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO). During the University’s term the group meets on Monday nights, with a lunchtime meeting (‘NnN’) held on Thursdays. During University vacations the group goes on trips, the most notable being “Winter Walking” held over the New Year.Mascot
The mascot of the group is Erik the Panda. Erik is a stuffed toy, given to the group in 1974, by a member formerly of St. Hugh's College. At this time his name was spelled Eric; this has changed over the years, and has even at times been spelled with a backwards kK
K is the eleventh letter of the English and basic modern Latin alphabet.-History and usage:In English, the letter K usually represents the voiceless velar plosive; this sound is also transcribed by in the International Phonetic Alphabet and X-SAMPA....
. His "birthday" is celebrated at the meeting preceding Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially in Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Germany, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.The...
. Erik's official costume is sub-fusc
Academic dress of the University of Oxford
The University of Oxford has a long tradition of academic dress, and a visitor to Oxford during term will see academic dress worn on a regular basis.- When academic dress is worn :...
, including a commoners' gown embroidered with the group name, and a mortarboard - though the latter has been lost.
Publication
PostScript is the thrice-termly publication of the Group. It is not only a newsletterNewsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
informing members, ex-members and old members of upcoming events and activities, but also serves as a permanent record of the group’s history. A copy of each new issue is stored in the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
See also
- Student Scout and Guide OrganisationStudent Scout and Guide OrganisationThe Student Scout and Guide Organisation exists to support Scouts, Guides, and people who have never been members of a Scout or Guide Association, who are students at Colleges and Universities in the United Kingdom and are interested in the aims, objectives, and methods of The Scout Association...
- Delftsche ZwerversDelftsche ZwerversThe Studentenstam De Delftsche Zwervers is a student society in Delft, the Netherlands. Dating from 1915, it is the world's oldest student Scouting group, first as a club for former Scouts, from 1920 as a Rover crew. They are housed in the Scout Centre "Kruithuis", the monumental gunpowder...
probably the oldest student Scout group in the world