The Scout Association of Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
The Scout Association of Hong Kong is the overall Scouting
organization in Hong Kong
. After the first Scouting initiatives in 1909, the Hong Kong branch of The Scout Association
of the United Kingdom
was started in 1914 by registering the St. Joseph's College
Scout Group, and was formally established in July 1915. The Hong Kong branch became an autonomous association and the 111th member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
(WOSM) in 1977.
In 2008, the association had 95,877 uniform
ed members, with approximately 2700 Scout groups in the sections Grasshopper Scouts
, Cubs
, Scouts
, Venture
and Rover Scouts, making it the largest uniformed youth organisation in Hong Kong. The headquarters at the Hong Kong Scout Centre (香港童軍中心) in Tsim Sha Tsui
, Kowloon
host the administration, headed by the Hong Kong Chief Commissioner
(香港總監).
The association runs campsite
s, including Gilwell Campsite
(基維爾營地), Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) and Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), as well as hostel
s and Scout Activity Centres. It annually organises the traditional Scout Rally, providing Scout competitions and activities. For specific anniversaries, themed jamboree
s have been organised.
in the United Kingdom
. By 1911, British merchants and military personnel had started to organise Scout Groups in the city. At 6:00 a.m. on 16 April 1912 Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell
arrived in Hong Kong by HMS Lutzou. He was a guest in the Government House
and discussed with officials of the Hong Kong Government the establishment of a branch of The Boy Scout Association
of the United Kingdom
and the planning of a Boy Scout Movement in the city.
Enthusiasts and organisations, including Queen's College
and St. Joseph's College
established on 11 September 1913 the 1st Hong Kong Scout Troop of St. Joseph's College, for which Baden-Powell sent a letter of congratulation on 26 November 1913, which was published in the first issue of the Scout Gazette, the first Scout publication in Hong Kong. The group was registered with The Boy Scout Association on 1 May 1914. At the time, the Chief Scout was Major F.J. Bowen and the Scoutmaster was Mr Albert Edwards. Besides training in map reading and communication
, the troop also provided training in ambulance
by Dr Coleman. On 29 December 1914, the group was extended with a short-life Sea Scout Troop by Capt. P. Streafield, connected to HMS Triumph
of the Royal Navy
. The Troop also held the first Scout camp in Murray Barracks
. At the same time, Bowen was invited to Peak School
to educate pupils in Scouting and the school later established a Wolf Cub
Pack. The 2nd Hong Kong Scout Troop of St. Andrew's Church
was registered on 25 November 1914. Major Alexander Anderson McHardy
was appointed Colony Commissioner on 1 May 1914 and then-Governor of Hong Kong Francis Henry May
became Chief Scout of Hong Kong
. At the beginning all member Scouts were of European descent and not well-recognised by Chinese society. Membership was restricted to those of British nationality. Vice Admiral Robert Hamilton Anstruther
succeeded Major McHardy as Colony Commissioner in 1 May 1915. The Hong Kong branch of The Boy Scout Association was set up in July 1915, and responsible for Scout training and activities. At the end of September 1915, there were in total 155 members in the first census
.
, most leaders were called up for war service and Scouting in Hong Kong was at its ebb, but the 1st World Scout Jamboree
between 1920-07-30 and 1920-08-08 revived Hong Kong Scouting. Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Bowen returned to Hong Kong after the end of the war, and actively participated in the Movement. He became the Colony Commissioner in July 1920 and reorganised the Hong Kong Branch. At the end of 1920, membership was approximately 140 members.
The reorganised branch held its first Scout Rally at the Murray Parade Ground at Garden Road
(now Cheung Kong Center
) on 1921-01-08. In September 1921, the Reverend George Turner Waldegrave
succeeded Bowen, and the Scout Movement was firmly established in Hong Kong, though it was still small at 384 members. In the same year, Hong Kong Scouting expanded to Wolf Cub Section. Sea Scout
training had been started in May 1921 with the assistance of the staff of HMS Tamar
. Following its success, Waldegrave started the first Sea Scout Troop which he registered in October 1923. During his visit to Hong Kong on 1922-04-06, then-Prince of Wales
, who became Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
, presented his banner bearing his own coat of arms
to the Hong Kong Scouts as trophy for the winner of a Colony-wide scout competition. The first Prince of Wales Banner Competition (威爾斯太子錦標賽) was held in Happy Valley
on 1923-05-26. The banner stayed with the victorious troop for a year and the troop was honoured with the honorary title of Governor's Troop (督憲團).
Early Scouters were military officers, priests, teachers and older Scouts. Not every Scouter would apply for a Warrant, which would be required for the formal registration with the Headquarters in London
. It took several months to complete the whole application process through mail. Many Scouters stayed only for a short period and opted for serving without a Warrant.
In order to protect the Scouting activity and institute its constitution, the Hong Kong branch was incorporated
in the Boys Scouts Association Ordinance
, nr 22 of the Law
of Hong Kong on 1927-12-02. After amendments in 1939, 1950, 1975 and 1997, the ordinance has become chapter 1005 of the Law of Hong Kong. Waldegrave returned to England
in August 1934 and, in recognition of his work for the Hong Kong branch, he was awarded the civil membership of the Order of the British Empire
by His Majesty the King. A year or two prior to his retirement, the Chief Scout
Baden-Powell had awarded him the highest Scout award, the Bronze Wolf
. The Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch, grew to 682 members that year.
The Reverend Nelson Victor Halward
became Colony Commissioner on 1935-05-11 after the retirement of Waldegrave. Shortly before he took over the Commissionership, at the request of the Chinese Government in Guangdong
, Halward had spent weekends directing a training course for Scouters of the Boy Scouts of China
in Guangzhou
. The results of his efforts were a great improvement in the relations between the Boy Scouts Association and the Boy Scouts of China, and also between the Hong Kong branch and the Guangzhou section of the Boy Scouts of China. For this he also was awarded the Bronze Wolf. Numbers were still increasing yearly and in 1938 Halward appointed District Commissioners from either side of the harbour, viz., Quah Chow Cheung
and Chan, who amply justified their appointment and a large step in membership showed to approximately 1200 members in 1942.
. There was a large influx of refugee
s pouring into Hong Kong. Troops of the Boy Scouts of China came to Hong Kong and have been incorporated into the Hong Kong Branch. Hong Kong Scouts were in the forefront of services and aids to war refugees. During World War II
, Scoutmasters and adult members performed civic duties in the Special Constabulary
, Police
and Volunteer Defence Corps.
On 8 December 1941, Japanese forces crossed the Sham Chun River
and the Battle of Hong Kong
began. The forces landed on Hong Kong Island on 1941-12-18 and incurred a heavy toll of death during the resistance at Wong Nai Chung Gap
. Many Hong Kong Scouts died in the resistance activities. Although heavily resisted, the whole territory of Hong Kong came in Japanese hands on 25 December 1941. Under Japanese rule
, all formal Scouting activities halted and many Scouts joined guerrilla units against the Japanese in the New Territories and adjacent prefectures in China. The Scouting headquarters was demolished during the war. Westerners were detained in a concentration camp in Stanley
. In the concentration camp, Scouting activities were conducted in the shadow. Scout Ronald Whitfield even completed proficiency badges in this period and became a King's Scout when he was back in Scotland.
After the war, Hong Kong was repossessed by British forces. For the reconstruction of Scouting, the Imperial Headquarters of The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom dispatched a five member Scout International Relief Service Team to revive the Hong Kong Scout Movement. A post-war St. George's Day Parade was held on 28 April 1946 at the Botanical Garden
with the participation of 672 scouts and leaders. The salute was taken by the General Officer Commanding
, Major General
Francis Wogan Festing. In the early 1950s, Hong Kong Scouting was first divided into districts.
A mixed unit of boys and girls Venture Scouts was set up in 1975. Formally from July 1978, girl members were accepted in the Venture Scout section, making the Hong Kong branch a co-educational organisation, much earlier than the Scout Association of the United Kingdom.
Commonwealth
Commissioner Sir Marc Noble visited Hong Kong on 17 March 1975. He suggested to The Scout Association of the United Kingdom that the Hong Kong branch could stand on its own and should become a full member of the WOSM. Hong Kong was accepted by the world organisation as its 111th full member on 1977-04-26 with its name formally changed to The Scout Association of Hong Kong.
held between 22 and 28 July 1971 at the Castle Peak
with the theme World Harmony. This jamboree was attended by more than 5,000 Scouts. Immediately following, the 2nd World Scout Public Relations Seminar, and the 5th Commonwealth Scout Conference were held in Hong Kong.
The British contingent to the 14th World Scout Jamboree
, led by Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell, included Scouts from Branches in Bermuda
, Hong Kong and Rhodesia.
Hong Kong also hosted the 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference with the theme Scouting for the 80's in 1978. It was attended by over 300 delegates and observers from nineteen countries. In 1980, the Administration Conference for Commissioners was held. The Scout Association of Hong Kong has organised activities to echo the International Youth Year
in 1985. For these achievements in community development, the association received the Award for An Outstanding Year-long International Youth Year Programme at the 30th World Scout Conference held in Munich
, Germany
in July 1985. The Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree was held at the Kohima Camp (now Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
) from 27 December 1986 till 1 January 1987 with the theme March On.
In the early 1990s, the Chief Commissioner Chau Cham-son brought the association into a new era by having planned and completed in 1994 the 25-story Hong Kong Scout Centre, providing the association with a meaningful foundation for its development to be financially self-sufficient. The year 1996 marked the 85th anniversary of the Scout Movement in Hong Kong. The Scout Association of Hong Kong made use of the opportunity to raise more than one million dollars to provide assistance to youth members to attend World Scout Jamboree
s. The 19th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference with the theme Scouting Beyond 2000 was successfully held in 1998 at the Hong Kong Scout Centre. This was the first Scout Conference held completely on Scout premises.
His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation
paid a private visit to Hong Kong for the 45th Baden-Powell World Fellowship Event hosted by the Scout Association of Hong Kong from 26 to 28 April 2002 at the Hong Kong Scout Centre. The event raised US$385,000 for the World Scout Foundation.
, the UK and the PRC had reached an agreement on the future of Hong Kong and embodied the agreement by signing the Sino-British Joint Declaration
. Under the framework of the declaration, Scouting is part of the way of life in Hong Kong, and can be preserved for fifty years. With Scouting being protected under this declaration, Hong Kong remains a full member of WOSM today.
Although no major change occurred in Hong Kong Scouting, adjustments were made before and after the sovereignty transfer including the withdrawal of the Gurkha district as the British forces together with Gurkha Brigades left Hong Kong, and the cessation of Scouting support by British Forces. Under PRC rule, the People's Liberation Army
entered in no such connection with the Association. One increasing trend is to practise the PRC anthem and teach the knowledge of the PRC flag, with the British anthem and flag emphasised only in historical context. In line with the sovereignty change, the Promises of Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Grasshopper Scouts were modified on 12 January 2001, and the phrase the territory or Hong Kong were replaced with my country. The Scout Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) were also changed accordingly.
Since the sovereignty change, the association encourages Scouts to participate in cultural exchange programmes in mainland China
. A Scout Jamboree for both Hong Kong Scouts and Young Pioneers of China
was held in Shenzhen
in 2004. Educational organisations in mainland China participated the Metropolitan Jamboree in December 2006 in Hong Kong. After the split of China in 1949, Chinese Scouting existed mainly in Taiwan
-based Republic of China
. The Scout Association of Hong Kong maintains good relationship with Scouts of China
. This good relationship continues even after the sovereignty transfer, albeit that political symbols such as the anthems and the flag of the People's Republic of China become sensitive in exchange activities.
, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Support) of Hong Kong was elected member of the World Scout Committee at the 36th World Scout Conference which was held in Greece
in July 2002. He is the second Hong Kong Scout leader to be elected to such leading position in World Scouting. In the 37th World Scout Conference held in Tunisia
in 2005, Hui was elected as the Chairman of the World Scout Committee for a term of three years.
In order to further develop the Scout Movement in Hong Kong and to heighten it output quality, the document Scout Association of Hong Kong, Into the 21st century was published in 1999. A series of development plans included strengthening of internal communication, improvement of management efficiency and effectiveness, support for frontline operational units, projection of good scout image and membership growth were introduced. In this same line, the Vision, Mission and Values (VMV) of the Scout Association of Hong Kong was launched in October 2000 to provide a clear direction for all members. The target set in 1991 to increase Scout membership to 83,000 members in ten years was achieved: membership was 89,925 at the end of 2002. The next target of membership growth was 100,000 members in 2004.
Pau Shiu-hung
was appointed Chief Commissioner by Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Scout of Hong Kong and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He commenced his official duties as Chief Commissioner on 2004-01-01.
priest Father Cunningham formed an Air Scout Troop in the 11th Kowloon Scout Group of Wah Yan College, Kowloon during the 5-year expansion plan of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. 11th Kowloon Scout Group (Wah Yan College, Kowloon) is a "School-ONLY Scout Group'(學校 / 非公開旅團) with Scout membership open only to students of this college in the Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong. As a result the number of Air Scouts were limited and there was only one Air Scout Unit in the territory from 1967 to 1972 without any expansion of the Air Scout numbers (as limited by the student size of this college). In 1972 the Group added an Venture Air Scout unit when the original 1967 Air Scouts reached the age of Venture Scouts at 16.
In the 1970s, increased organised air scout activities provided adult and teenage Scout members an opportunity to expand the Air Scout Movement. Apart from launching progressive training course series in Air Scouting at all levels, great emphasis was placed in the training of Air Scout Leaders and Air Scout Instructors so that they can start Air Scouting on their own. Air Activity Board were set up at Headquarters and Regional levels to coordinate all Air Scout Activities and the distribution of aviation resources and flying opportunities in the territory. After training, instructors and adult leaders were able to conduct Air Scout activities and establish new Air Scout Groups.
Air Scouting in Hong Kong is well organised under the Programme Branch of The Scout Association of Hong Kong with 18 Air Scout Units in 5 Regions of Scout Groups in Hong Kong. All the Air Scout Units are coordinated by a Headquarters Air Activity Board attended by Air Scout Commissioners of the Scout Regions. The Headquarters Air Activity Board reports to the policy-making Headquarters Air Activity Committee of aviation professionals.
In 2007, Air Scouting in Hong Kong made another milestone when the General Committee of the Hong Kong Aviation Club (HKAC) decided to expand their Young Eagles program and sponsored formation of an Air Scout Group. The new Air Scout Group officially registered with the Scout Association of Hong Kong as the 1661 Kowloon Group. With the direct sponsorship from the Aviation Club, this allows many flying members and instructors of the Club to provide guidance and training to the Air Scouts and convenient access to aircraft and flying facilities.
All members join the association voluntarily and it is open for all who are willing to follow the principle of the association, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law. Any race, creed
, class
and sex
is welcome. The only limit is the minimum age of five years. The association encourages members to be in touch with a religion in its religion policy. However, like the population of Hong Kong, vast majority of member Scouts do not have religious dominations.
The POR mentions that members are required to pay a membership subscription fee, which is in line with WOSM regulation. However, most members are not aware of this subscription because it is not collected directly from individuals or any Scout units, but through the selling of each individual World Membership Badge.
, and from 1997 onwards by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
. The Chief Scout is responsible for appointing the Hong Kong Chief Commissioner.
The Chief Commissioner (香港總監), usually abbreviated as CC, is the administrative head of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. The function was formerly known as Colony Commissioner. The first commissioner, Alexander Anderson McHardy, was appointed May 1, 1914 when the Hong Kong Branch was formally registered at the Scout Association. The Chief Commissioner from 1997 to 2004 is Hui Chiu-yin
from 2004 to 2007 is Pau Shiu Hung from 2007 to 2011 is Chan Kit Chu. The current Chief Commissioner is Cheung Chi Sun.
The President of the Association is Geoffrey Ma
.
Groups are basic units where member Scouts are educated. The POR recognises only two group categories, namely a Scout Group (公開旅) with unrestricted recruitment and a Sponsored Scout Group (團體旅), organised by a sponsor organisation, by which the recruitment might be restricted. In practice, the vast majority of Groups is organised by primary schools and secondary school
s in the category of Sponsored Scout Group. Alternatively, they are referred to as School Scout Groups (學校旅), the unrestricted groups as Open Scout Groups (公開旅), and the rest with otherwise restricted recruitment as Organisation Scout Group (團體旅). A group is led by a Group Scout Leader (旅長). The management of a group is organised around the Group Scouters Meeting (旅領袖會議), the Group Council (旅務委員會), and the Group Executive Committee (旅執行委員會). A group can operate any number of units in all sections. The association does not directly finance any group. Groups may gather funds from their sponsored organisation, individual donations, group membership fee, and the release of raffle
proceeds in annual Raffle Campaign.
The youth members of the Scout Association in Hong Kong are currently divided into five Scouting sections.
There are still groups specialising in Air Scouting and Sea Scouting, however no new groups have been allowed for such specialisation after 1 April 1987. Instead, any group can operate a Sea Scout Troop or Air Scout Troop in their Scout Section, and Venture Sea Scout Unit or Venture Air Scout Unit in their Venture Scout Section, providing the same level of progressive training in sea and air activities.
A special Extension Scouting
section was set up for the disabled
. It is not an independent section, but customises the programmes of the five sections for specific needs of disabled people.
(Scouter) from 18 to 65 years. They can serve in all five sections, or work for districts, regions, or branches in the headquarters. Adult Venture and Rover Scouts may be leaders of younger sections as part of their services.
All leaders except instructors are appointed by the association under the nomination of Group Scout Leaders, and receive a warrant after completing at least the intermediate stage of the Woodbadge Training Programme. Group leader and assistant group leaders are nominated by District Commissioners.
, Scout Promise
, and Scout Law
for each section are inherited from those of the Scout Association. They are officially provided in Chinese and English. At investiture it can be in a Scout's own language. The Motto is the same for all sections: Be Prepared (準備)
There were no permanent headquarters in the early days of Hong Kong Scouting. The office was housed temporarily in old government buildings. The Chief Commissioner George Turner Waldegrave, offered the Seamen's Institute
as a place for Scouting activities. After the second World War, the British forces donated a piece of land near the Peak Tram Terminal in Garden Road. Here a new headquarters was erected and named Morse Hut (摩士小屋) after the President Sir Arthur Morse
. Morse Hut was officially opened on 12 November 1949, and served as the headquarters until 1954. In this period, the headquarters of Wong Nai Chung District was also relocated to Morse Hut. Subsequently, Morse Hut was the headquarters of newly established Hong Kong Island Region from 1958 to 1978.
As the Hong Kong Scouting grew rapidly, after five years the Morse Hut was too small for the development. A new 3-story headquarter building in Yau Ma Tei
, Kowloon was erected at No. 9 Cox's Road with donations and assistance from Sir Arthur Morse and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as subsidies from Hong Kong Government. It was opened officially in 1954. The house was named Morse House (摩士大廈), and served as the headquarters until the June 1994, when the premises were returned to the Hong Kong Government for redevelopment. Morse House was handed back to the Government in July 1994, after completion of the new headquarters.
Since June 1994, the headquarters of the Scout association is in the Hong Kong Scout Centre (香港童軍中心). It is on Austin Road
, beside the Kowloon Park
and Victoria Towers
(港景峰) of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. The headquarters organisation is housed on the 8th to 11th floor of the building, including Scout shops, meeting rooms, and a Scout exhibition of the history of the Hong Kong Scout organisation on the 11th. Large part of the centre is B P International
(龍堡國際賓館), a commercial hotel. Its profit is financing the building cost of the centre and the future development of Scouting in Hong Kong. Scout Path (童軍徑) is a short road between the Hong Kong Scout Centre and Victoria Towers
. It became associated with Scouting in Hong Kong, probably on the suggestion of the Scout association. It connects the Austin Road and a terminal for Hong Kong-China cross-border buses under the Hong Kong Scout Centre.
training course was held in 1936. The site was returned to Hong Kong government in 1970 for urban development as the Chai Wan Park
.
The 1960s saw the further expansion of the Scout Movement in Hong Kong. A 200,000 square metres site at Fei Ngo Shan (Kowloon Peak
) was given by the government to the Scout association as a permanent campsite, which was named Gilwell Campsite
(基維爾營地). It is used for camping
and other Scouting activities. The site is located on the edge of Sai Kung District, five to ten minutes from Choi Hung. Nearby is the MacLehose Trail
with road access through an unnamed road that joins with Fei Ngo Shan Road
. The site is at an altitude of 430 m above sea level. Minutes walk from the site, campers can see stunning views over Kowloon, the Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Unlike other campsites managed by the Scout association, the Gilwell Campsite does not provide catering services. The site has only buildings for offices, lectures and activities. The campsite is 45 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop of route 91, 91M, 92, 96R of KMB at Clear Water Bay Road
near Anderson Road.
Another site located at Tsuen Wan
west was also given by the government to develop a campsite named Ha Fa Shan Campsite. The site was returned to the government in December 1977 because of the unresolved problem in transportation and water source.
In the 1972, Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) was granted to the Scout association in exchange for the Chai Wan Campsite. The site hosts a sea activities centre, officially opened in September of that year. It is located in Tai Tam Harbour
at Tai Tam Tuk on the south shore of the Hong Kong Island
. At the back of the site is a small hill, separating it from Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Along the shore is a path leading to the dam of the reservoir, with a re-sited indigenous village of Tai Tam Tuk. Mangrove
s gather at the muddy beach of the mouth rivers. The sites facilitates both a stay at the hostel
and campingsite for training and leisure. While Scouts have priority to use the site, it is also open for public use. Sports on offer include games of rope, rock climbing, archery
, pioneering, canoeing
, orienteering
. The campsite is reachable by public buses passing through Tai Tam Road
near Tai Tam Reservoir Road. They are available in Shau Kei Wan Station and Chai Wan Station of the MTR.
Another piece of land in Tung Tsz
, Tai Po
in the New Territories
, was also granted to the Scout association, and was developed into the Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), formally opened for Scouts on 1975-03-09. Sea activities can be done in the nearby Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre in Tai Mei Tuk
, Tai Po, with bungalow
s for accommodation.
Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre (大尾督水上活動中心) is situated next to the Plover Cove Reservoir
in Tai Mei Tuk for day camping and water sports training. Shatin Scout Centre (沙田童軍中心) is in Tsok Pok Hang, near Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin
, providing Scouts a place for wild camping. Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre (白沙灣譚華正水上活動中心) is in Pak Sha Wan of Sai Kung. It is a venue for Residential Camp, Outdoor Camping and Sea Activities Training.
The Scout Rally is a gathering of Hong Kong Scouts in which they are given awards and compete in drills. Occurring once every year, Scouts from all over Hong Kong gather, usually in the Hong Kong Stadium
, for the event. There are award ceremonies for honourable awards, such as the Golden Bauhenia Award for the Cub Scout Section, the Chief Scout's Award for the Scout Section, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Scout Award for the Venture Scout Section, and the Baden Powell (BP) Award for the Rover Scout Section, as well as distinctive awards for Scout Leaders and Commissioners.
In the 1940s, the Scout Rally was merged with the former St. George's Day Parade. As the Scouts attendance increased significantly and the space in Hong Kong declined, owning to rapid urbanisation in past decades, traditions are simplified and only selected Scouts are allowed to actively participate in the drill and activities in the rally and others remain spectators.
While the Scout Rally is the major Scouting gathering for all Hong Kong Scouts, individual regions organise their own events such as Island Scout Day of Hong Kong Island Region, and Fun Day of New Territories Region.
in Hong Kong are held for specific anniversaries. According to a display in Metropolitan Jamboree in 2006, the early jamborees were held in Chai Wan
, Hong Kong around the late 1930s.
After World War II, the 1st Colony Jamborette (香港童子軍大露營) was held in Kam Chien Village in the New Territories from 19 to 22 October 1957. There were 1361 Scouts attending the jamboree, celebrating the 50 year anniversary of World Scouting and 100 year birthday of the founder. The next jamboree, the Hong Kong Golden Jubilee Jamborette (香港金禧大露營), was held between 27 December 1961 and 2 January 1962, celebrating the Golden jubilee
(50 year anniversary) of Hong Kong Scouting with theme One World (天下一家). At Kowloon Tsai
, now named Morse Park
, the Jamboree hosted 2732 Scouts in the challenging winter with heavy rain.
For the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the branch held the Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (鑽禧大露營) for 5000 Scouts, applying the theme World Harmony (大同) from 23 to 29 July 1971 in present-day Tai Hing Estate
in Castle Peak
. The event was originally planned to be held 22 to 28 July 1971 but shifted to one day later because of the typhoon attack to Hong Kong. The jamboree was seriously affected by the bad weather. The campsite was flooded and facilities were damaged. Campers had to retreat to San Fat Estate
in Tuen Mun
for shelter overnight.The Hong Kong Post Office issued a set of three stamps for the jamboree on 23 July.
In 1986, in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (香港鑽禧大露營) was held in Kohima Camp
, present-day Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
, in Tai Po Tsai
from 27 December 1986 to 1 January 1987 with theme March On (邁進). It was the first jamboree held after the Scout Association of Hong Kong became a full member of WOSM. The association invited Scouts from thirteen other Scout organisations around the world, and eight other local uniformed youth groups to the jamboree. Members of the Guangzhou Youth Federation (廣州市青年聯合會) from Guangzhou, People's Republic of China also joined the jamboree. The number of attendants reached 5143. On 30 December 1986, the Enjoy Yourself Tonight TVB television programme launched a programme to introduce the jamboree and Scouting to the residents in Hong Kong. The jamboree also was featured because of breaking two Guinness World Records
: 3000 Cub Scouts joined the Egg Hunt
and found 72,731 hidden eggs throughout the campsite and ended in an arrangement of the 75th logo. The failed knotting competition was retried later in the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree.
During the Millennium
changeover, the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree (跨世紀大露營) was held in Wan Tsai
from 28 December 1999 to 2 January 2000 with the theme Live the Natural Way (邁向新紀元，同享大自然), fourteen years after the previous jamboree. There were 3350 participants in the jamboree. The Chief Scout
Tung Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
, joined the open ceremony on 30 December. To complete the failed knotting competition of the previous jamboree, the Chief Scout began the first reef knot
s and the rest of the campers tied 4500 reef knots in 5 minutes, chaining in 6858 metres long.
Two years later, in 2001, the association held the 90th Anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting Jamboree (香港童軍90週年紀念大露營) again in Wan Tsai from 23 to 26 December 2001. Do My Best (竭盡所能) was the theme this time. Local Scouts, with nine other overseas Scout contingents, tolled 3500 participants in the jamboree.
In celebrating the 95th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting in 2006 and the 100th anniversary of World Scouting, the Metropolitan Jamboree (大都會露營) was held in proposed West Kowloon Cultural District
site near Tsim Sha Tsui
in urban Hong Kong from 27 December 2006 to 1 January 2007. Near the Victoria Harbour
, it was the first time a jamboree was hosted in urban Hong Kong. Under the theme Gifts for Peace (和平獻禮), there were 4225 participants with 600 from mainland China
, Republic of China (Taiwan) and overseas. Many outreaching activities visiting various parts and public facilities in Hong Kong. Other NGOs, like Hong Kong Red Cross
and Oxfam
were invited introducing their works to Scouts through stall games. Herman Hui
, the chairman of World Scout Committee joined the countdown to 2007 jointly held by the association and Radio Television Hong Kong
. The campsite suffered from strong gusts, damaging a main gate of pioneering damaged and hurting one participant and one worker. During the summer, coinciding with the international events, the Join-in-Centenary Jamboree (慶祝童軍百週年同步大露營) in Hong Kong was held on High Island Reservoir
on Sai Kung Peninsula
, south-west of Sai Kung from 2007-07-29 to 2008-08-02.
. The Chief Commissioner, together with an honourable guest, presides over the mess night.
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 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. After the first Scouting initiatives in 1909, the Hong Kong branch of The Scout Association
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...
of 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...
was started in 1914 by registering the St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College is the oldest Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District...
Scout Group, and was formally established in July 1915. The Hong Kong branch became an autonomous association and the 111th 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...
(WOSM) in 1977.
In 2008, the association had 95,877 uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
ed members, with approximately 2700 Scout groups in the sections Grasshopper Scouts
Grasshopper Scouts
Grasshopper Scouts , Grasshopper Section, or simply Grasshopper, is a Scout Section of The Scout Association of Hong Kong in Hong Kong for 6 to 8 year old boys and girls. Established in 1985, it is modeled after Beaver Scouts in the United Kingdom...
, Cubs
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
, Scouts
Boy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
, Venture
Venture Scout
Venture Scouting is a section of the Scout Movement, mostly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, for young people roughly in the 14 – 20 age range.-Australia:...
and Rover Scouts, making it the largest uniformed youth organisation in Hong Kong. The headquarters at the Hong Kong Scout Centre (香港童軍中心) in Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
, Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
host the administration, headed by the Hong Kong Chief Commissioner
Hong Kong Chief Commissioner
Chief Commissioner , usually abbreviated as CC, is an administrative head of The Scout Association of Hong Kong appointed by Hong Kong Chief Scout. It was formerly known as Colony Commissioner...
(香港總監).
The association runs campsite
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
s, including Gilwell Campsite
Gilwell Campsite
Gilwell Campsite a major campsite run by The Scout Association of Hong Kong for wild camping and other Scouting activities on Kowloon Peak of New Kowloon, Hong Kong. The campsite is near MacLehose Trail with road access through an unnamed road that joins with Fei Ngo Shan Road. Its altitude is...
(基維爾營地), Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) and Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), as well as hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
s and Scout Activity Centres. It annually organises the traditional Scout Rally, providing Scout competitions and activities. For specific anniversaries, themed jamboree
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...
s have been organised.
Founding of Hong Kong Scouting movement
Scout activities were first brought to Hong Kong in 1909, only two years after the beginning of the Scout movementScouting
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....
in 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...
. By 1911, British merchants and military personnel had started to organise Scout Groups in the city. At 6:00 a.m. on 16 April 1912 Lieutenant-General 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....
arrived in Hong Kong by HMS Lutzou. He was a guest in the Government House
Government House, Hong Kong
Government House , located on Government Hill in the Central District of Hong Kong Island, is the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong...
and discussed with officials of the Hong Kong Government the establishment of a branch of The Boy Scout Association
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...
of 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...
and the planning of a Boy Scout Movement in the city.
Enthusiasts and organisations, including Queen's College
Queen's College, Hong Kong
Queen's College , initially named The Government Central School in 1862, later renamed as Victoria College in 1889, is a sixth form college for boys with a secondary school attached. It was the first public secondary school founded in Hong Kong by the British colonial government...
and St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College is the oldest Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District...
established on 11 September 1913 the 1st Hong Kong Scout Troop of St. Joseph's College, for which Baden-Powell sent a letter of congratulation on 26 November 1913, which was published in the first issue of the Scout Gazette, the first Scout publication in Hong Kong. The group was registered with The Boy Scout Association on 1 May 1914. At the time, the Chief Scout was Major F.J. Bowen and the Scoutmaster was Mr Albert Edwards. Besides training in map reading and communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
, the troop also provided training in ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
by Dr Coleman. On 29 December 1914, the group was extended with a short-life Sea Scout Troop by Capt. P. Streafield, connected to HMS Triumph
HMS Triumph (1903)
HMS Triumph was a Swiftsure class pre-dreadnought battleship of the Royal Navy.-Technical characteristics:HMS Triumph was ordered by Chile as Libertad, laid down by Vickers at Barrow-in-Furness on 26 February 1902, and launched on 12 January 1903...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The Troop also held the first Scout camp in Murray Barracks
Murray Barracks
Murray Barracks was a barracks for British Army in Admiralty of Central in Hong Kong. It was named after Sir George Murray, the Master-General of the Ordnance at the time of construction.-Location:...
. At the same time, Bowen was invited to Peak School
Peak School
Peak School is a school on Plunketts road in Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The school opened in 1994, and teaches students from Year One to Year Six....
to educate pupils in Scouting and the school later established a Wolf Cub
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
Pack. The 2nd Hong Kong Scout Troop of St. Andrew's Church
St. Andrew's Church (Kowloon)
St. Andrew's Church is located on 138 Nathan Road, Kowloon. It is a church of the Anglican Province of Hong Kong and in the Diocese of Western Kowloon. It is the oldest Protestant church in Kowloon. The church provides many services on Sundays...
was registered on 25 November 1914. Major Alexander Anderson McHardy
Alexander Anderson McHardy
Major-General Alexander Anderson McHardy DSO is the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Burness McHardy and Elsie Norrie Anderson. He was married to Lilian Amy McHardy in 1904....
was appointed Colony Commissioner on 1 May 1914 and then-Governor of Hong Kong Francis Henry May
Francis Henry May
Sir Francis Henry May, GCMG was a British colonial administrator who became Governor of Hong Kong.-Early life and education:...
became Chief Scout of Hong Kong
Chief Scout of Hong Kong
The Chief Scout of Hong Kong or Hong Kong Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association of Hong Kong, in 1914–1997 designated by the Governor of Hong Kong, and from 1997 onwards, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong...
. At the beginning all member Scouts were of European descent and not well-recognised by Chinese society. Membership was restricted to those of British nationality. Vice Admiral Robert Hamilton Anstruther
Robert Hamilton Anstruther
Admiral Robert Hamilton Anstruther was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Robert Anstruther of Balcaskie, 5th Bt. and Louisa Maria Chowne Marshall. He married Edith Flora Peel on 6 January 1890. Their son, Colonel Philip Noel Anstruther, was born on 2 September 1891.He was Senior Naval Officer of...
succeeded Major McHardy as Colony Commissioner in 1 May 1915. The Hong Kong branch of The Boy Scout Association was set up in July 1915, and responsible for Scout training and activities. At the end of September 1915, there were in total 155 members in the first census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
.
Growth and development
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, most leaders were called up for war service and Scouting in Hong Kong was at its ebb, but the 1st World Scout Jamboree
1st World Scout Jamboree
The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held from July 30, 1920 to August 8, 1920 and was hosted by the United Kingdom at Kensington Olympia in London...
between 1920-07-30 and 1920-08-08 revived Hong Kong Scouting. Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Bowen returned to Hong Kong after the end of the war, and actively participated in the Movement. He became the Colony Commissioner in July 1920 and reorganised the Hong Kong Branch. At the end of 1920, membership was approximately 140 members.
The reorganised branch held its first Scout Rally at the Murray Parade Ground at Garden Road
Garden Road, Hong Kong
Garden Road is a major road on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, connecting the Central and Mid-levels areas.At its lower end, Garden Road forms a grade-separated intersection with Queensway. For most of its length, Garden Road carries traffic only in the downhill direction. Uphill traffic is carried...
(now Cheung Kong Center
Cheung Kong Center
Cheung Kong Center is a skyscraper in Central, Hong Kong designed by Cesar Pelli. It is 62 storeys tall with height of and a gross floor area of . When completed in 1999, it was the third-tallest building in the city. It sits on the combined sites of the former Hong Kong Hilton, which was...
) on 1921-01-08. In September 1921, the Reverend George Turner Waldegrave
George Turner Waldegrave
The Reverend George Turner Waldegrave MBE was the son of Reverend Samuel Edmund Waldegrave and Alice Millett....
succeeded Bowen, and the Scout Movement was firmly established in Hong Kong, though it was still small at 384 members. In the same year, Hong Kong Scouting expanded to Wolf Cub Section. Sea Scout
Sea Scout
Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Depending on the country and the available water these activities are on lakes, rivers or sea in small or large ships. Sea Scouting...
training had been started in May 1921 with the assistance of the staff of HMS Tamar
HMS Tamar (shore station)
HMS Tamar was the name for the Royal Navy's base in Hong Kong from 1897 to 1997. It took its name from HMS Tamar a ship that was used as the base until replaced by buildings ashore.-19th Century:...
. Following its success, Waldegrave started the first Sea Scout Troop which he registered in October 1923. During his visit to Hong Kong on 1922-04-06, then-Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
, who became Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
, presented his banner bearing his own coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
to the Hong Kong Scouts as trophy for the winner of a Colony-wide scout competition. The first Prince of Wales Banner Competition (威爾斯太子錦標賽) was held in Happy Valley
Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Happy Valley is a mostly residential suburb of Hong Kong, located in the northern part of Hong Kong Island. Administratively, it is part of Wan Chai District....
on 1923-05-26. The banner stayed with the victorious troop for a year and the troop was honoured with the honorary title of Governor's Troop (督憲團).
Early Scouters were military officers, priests, teachers and older Scouts. Not every Scouter would apply for a Warrant, which would be required for the formal registration with the Headquarters 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...
. It took several months to complete the whole application process through mail. Many Scouters stayed only for a short period and opted for serving without a Warrant.
In order to protect the Scouting activity and institute its constitution, the Hong Kong branch was incorporated
Incorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
in the Boys Scouts Association Ordinance
Local ordinance
A local ordinance is a law usually found in a municipal code.-United States:In the United States, these laws are enforced locally in addition to state law and federal law.-Japan:...
, nr 22 of the Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
of Hong Kong on 1927-12-02. After amendments in 1939, 1950, 1975 and 1997, the ordinance has become chapter 1005 of the Law of Hong Kong. Waldegrave returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in August 1934 and, in recognition of his work for the Hong Kong branch, he was awarded the civil membership of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
by His Majesty the King. A year or two prior to his retirement, the Chief Scout
Chief Scout (United Kingdom)
The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association. The post originated with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, as Chief Scout. He was designated Chief Scout of the World in 1920 at the first World Scout Jamboree in Olympia, London...
Baden-Powell had awarded him the highest Scout award, 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 Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch, grew to 682 members that year.
The Reverend Nelson Victor Halward
Nelson Victor Halward
The Right Reverend Bishop Nelson Victor Halward , M. C., M. A. was the Colony Commissioner of the Boy Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch from 1934 to 1950....
became Colony Commissioner on 1935-05-11 after the retirement of Waldegrave. Shortly before he took over the Commissionership, at the request of the Chinese Government in Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, Halward had spent weekends directing a training course for Scouters of the Boy Scouts of China
Scouting in Mainland China
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China by the Communist Party in 1949, Scouting has officially been banned, while the Young Pioneers of China and the Communist Youth League have become the dominant youth organization in mainland China for younger and older youth, respectively...
in Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
. The results of his efforts were a great improvement in the relations between the Boy Scouts Association and the Boy Scouts of China, and also between the Hong Kong branch and the Guangzhou section of the Boy Scouts of China. For this he also was awarded the Bronze Wolf. Numbers were still increasing yearly and in 1938 Halward appointed District Commissioners from either side of the harbour, viz., Quah Chow Cheung
Quah Chow Cheung
Quah Chow-cheung was the Colony Commissioner of The Scout Association of Hong Kong from 1950 to 1953, succeeding Nelson Victor Halward. He was the first Chinese Colony Commissioner in Hong Kong Scouting...
and Chan, who amply justified their appointment and a large step in membership showed to approximately 1200 members in 1942.
World War II
After 1937, China was at war with the Japanese armyImperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. There was a large influx of refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s pouring into Hong Kong. Troops of the Boy Scouts of China came to Hong Kong and have been incorporated into the Hong Kong Branch. Hong Kong Scouts were in the forefront of services and aids to war refugees. During 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...
, Scoutmasters and adult members performed civic duties in the Special Constabulary
Special Constabulary
The Special Constabulary is the part-time volunteer section of a statutory police force in the United Kingdom or some Crown dependencies. Its officers are known as Special Constables or informally as Specials.Every United Kingdom territorial police force has a special constabulary except the...
, Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and Volunteer Defence Corps.
On 8 December 1941, Japanese forces crossed the Sham Chun River
Sham Chun River
Sham Chun River serves as the natural border between Hong Kong and Mainland China, together with the Sha Tau Kok River....
and the Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
began. The forces landed on Hong Kong Island on 1941-12-18 and incurred a heavy toll of death during the resistance at Wong Nai Chung Gap
Wong Nai Chung Gap
Wong Nai Chung Gap is a geographic gap in the middle of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. The gap is between Mount Nicholson and Jardine's Lookout behind Wong Nai Chung. Five roads meet at the Gap Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Repulse Bay Road, Deep Water Bay Road and Black's Link...
. Many Hong Kong Scouts died in the resistance activities. Although heavily resisted, the whole territory of Hong Kong came in Japanese hands on 25 December 1941. Under Japanese rule
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted...
, all formal Scouting activities halted and many Scouts joined guerrilla units against the Japanese in the New Territories and adjacent prefectures in China. The Scouting headquarters was demolished during the war. Westerners were detained in a concentration camp in Stanley
Stanley, Hong Kong
Stanley is a town and a tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It located on a peninsula on the southeastern part of Hong Kong Island. It is east of Repulse Bay and west of Shek O, adjacent to Chung Hom Kok...
. In the concentration camp, Scouting activities were conducted in the shadow. Scout Ronald Whitfield even completed proficiency badges in this period and became a King's Scout when he was back in Scotland.
After the war, Hong Kong was repossessed by British forces. For the reconstruction of Scouting, the Imperial Headquarters of The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom dispatched a five member Scout International Relief Service Team to revive the Hong Kong Scout Movement. A post-war St. George's Day Parade was held on 28 April 1946 at the Botanical Garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
with the participation of 672 scouts and leaders. The salute was taken by the General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
, Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Francis Wogan Festing. In the early 1950s, Hong Kong Scouting was first divided into districts.
Changes to name and system
In 1967, in line with the name change of The Boy Scouts Association, the name The Boy Scouts Association, Hong Kong Branch was changed to The Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch. In 1969, also sections were renamed, e.g., Wolf Cub to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts to Scouts (age changed to 11–16) and Senior Scouts to Venture Scouts (age changed to 16–20).A mixed unit of boys and girls Venture Scouts was set up in 1975. Formally from July 1978, girl members were accepted in the Venture Scout section, making the Hong Kong branch a co-educational organisation, much earlier than the Scout Association of the United Kingdom.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
Commissioner Sir Marc Noble visited Hong Kong on 17 March 1975. He suggested to The Scout Association of the United Kingdom that the Hong Kong branch could stand on its own and should become a full member of the WOSM. Hong Kong was accepted by the world organisation as its 111th full member on 1977-04-26 with its name formally changed to The Scout Association of Hong Kong.
International activities up to 2000
The 60th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting was celebrated by the Diamond Jubilee jamboreeJamboree (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...
held between 22 and 28 July 1971 at the Castle Peak
Castle Peak, Hong Kong
Castle Peak or Pui To Shan is a 583 m high peak in the western New Territories of Hong Kong.In contrast to its Chinese name, which means green hill, Castle Peak is notorious for its severe loss of vegetation and weathering of its Granite surface.The area to the west of the hill was also named...
with the theme World Harmony. This jamboree was attended by more than 5,000 Scouts. Immediately following, the 2nd World Scout Public Relations Seminar, and the 5th Commonwealth Scout Conference were held in Hong Kong.
The British contingent to the 14th World Scout Jamboree
14th World Scout Jamboree
The 14th World Scout Jamboree was held July 29 to August 7, 1975 and was hosted by Norway at Lillehammer, on the shore of Lake Mjøsa.King Olav V and Harald V of Norway, who then was crown prince, opened "Nordjamb '75", as it became popularly known, in the presence of 17,259 Scouts from 94 countries...
, led by Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell, included Scouts from Branches in Bermuda
The Scout Association of Bermuda
The Bermuda Scout Association operates as a branch of the United Kingdom Scout Association, due to Bermuda's status as a British Overseas Territory. The Bermudian Scout Oath and Law, as well as other Scouting requirements, closely follow that of the United Kingdom.Although the program activities...
, Hong Kong and Rhodesia.
Hong Kong also hosted the 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference with the theme Scouting for the 80's in 1978. It was attended by over 300 delegates and observers from nineteen countries. In 1980, the Administration Conference for Commissioners was held. The Scout Association of Hong Kong has organised activities to echo the International Youth Year
International Youth Year
The year 1985 was proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Youth Year, or IYY. It was held to focus attention on issues of concern to and relating to youth. The proclamation was signed on January 1, 1985 by United Nations Secretary General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.-Events:Throughout the...
in 1985. For these achievements in community development, the association received the Award for An Outstanding Year-long International Youth Year Programme at the 30th World Scout Conference held in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in July 1985. The Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree was held at the Kohima Camp (now Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST...
) from 27 December 1986 till 1 January 1987 with the theme March On.
In the early 1990s, the Chief Commissioner Chau Cham-son brought the association into a new era by having planned and completed in 1994 the 25-story Hong Kong Scout Centre, providing the association with a meaningful foundation for its development to be financially self-sufficient. The year 1996 marked the 85th anniversary of the Scout Movement in Hong Kong. The Scout Association of Hong Kong made use of the opportunity to raise more than one million dollars to provide assistance to youth members to attend World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
s. The 19th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference with the theme Scouting Beyond 2000 was successfully held in 1998 at the Hong Kong Scout Centre. This was the first Scout Conference held completely on Scout premises.
His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation
World Scout Foundation
The World Scout Foundation, WSF, is an international non-profit institution based in Geneva, Switzerland funded in 1969, but reorganized in the current form in 1977. The stated mission of the organization is to develop World Scouting by the provision of financial and other support to help develop...
paid a private visit to Hong Kong for the 45th Baden-Powell World Fellowship Event hosted by the Scout Association of Hong Kong from 26 to 28 April 2002 at the Hong Kong Scout Centre. The event raised US$385,000 for the World Scout Foundation.
Sovereignty transfer
The sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to The People's Republic of China (PRC) on 1 July 1997, but Hong Kong Scouting remained unchanged. Thirteen years previous to Hong Kong's sovereignty transferTransfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, referred to as ‘the Return’ or ‘the Reunification’ by the Chinese and ‘the Handover’ by others, took place on 1 July 1997...
, the UK and the PRC had reached an agreement on the future of Hong Kong and embodied the agreement by signing the Sino-British Joint Declaration
Sino-British Joint Declaration
The Sino-British Joint Declaration, formally known as the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, was signed by the Prime Ministers, Zhao Ziyang and Margaret...
. Under the framework of the declaration, Scouting is part of the way of life in Hong Kong, and can be preserved for fifty years. With Scouting being protected under this declaration, Hong Kong remains a full member of WOSM today.
Although no major change occurred in Hong Kong Scouting, adjustments were made before and after the sovereignty transfer including the withdrawal of the Gurkha district as the British forces together with Gurkha Brigades left Hong Kong, and the cessation of Scouting support by British Forces. Under PRC rule, the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
entered in no such connection with the Association. One increasing trend is to practise the PRC anthem and teach the knowledge of the PRC flag, with the British anthem and flag emphasised only in historical context. In line with the sovereignty change, the Promises of Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Grasshopper Scouts were modified on 12 January 2001, and the phrase the territory or Hong Kong were replaced with my country. The Scout Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) were also changed accordingly.
Since the sovereignty change, the association encourages Scouts to participate in cultural exchange programmes in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. A Scout Jamboree for both Hong Kong Scouts and Young Pioneers of China
Young Pioneers of China
The Young Pioneers of China is a mass youth organization for children aged six to fourteen in the People's Republic of China. The Young Pioneers of China is run by the Communist Youth League, an organization of older youth that comes under the Communist Party of China...
was held in Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
in 2004. Educational organisations in mainland China participated the Metropolitan Jamboree in December 2006 in Hong Kong. After the split of China in 1949, Chinese Scouting existed mainly in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
-based Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
. The Scout Association of Hong Kong maintains good relationship with Scouts of China
Scouts of China
The Scouts of China is the national Scouting association of the Republic of China, and is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
. This good relationship continues even after the sovereignty transfer, albeit that political symbols such as the anthems and the flag of the People's Republic of China become sensitive in exchange activities.
New millennium
Herman HuiHerman Hui
Hui Chung-shing , BBS, MH, JP , anglicized as Herman Hui, is a former chairman of the World Scout Committee, the executive board for the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 2005 to 2008....
, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Support) of Hong Kong was elected member of the World Scout Committee at the 36th World Scout Conference which was held in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in July 2002. He is the second Hong Kong Scout leader to be elected to such leading position in World Scouting. In the 37th World Scout Conference held in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
in 2005, Hui was elected as the Chairman of the World Scout Committee for a term of three years.
In order to further develop the Scout Movement in Hong Kong and to heighten it output quality, the document Scout Association of Hong Kong, Into the 21st century was published in 1999. A series of development plans included strengthening of internal communication, improvement of management efficiency and effectiveness, support for frontline operational units, projection of good scout image and membership growth were introduced. In this same line, the Vision, Mission and Values (VMV) of the Scout Association of Hong Kong was launched in October 2000 to provide a clear direction for all members. The target set in 1991 to increase Scout membership to 83,000 members in ten years was achieved: membership was 89,925 at the end of 2002. The next target of membership growth was 100,000 members in 2004.
Pau Shiu-hung
Pau Shiu-hung
Pau Shiu-hung, SBS, is the former Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association of Hong Kong, appointed on 1 January 2004 by the then-Chief Executive of Hong Kong and Chief Scout of Hong Kong Tung Chee-hwa.-Life:...
was appointed Chief Commissioner by Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Scout of Hong Kong and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He commenced his official duties as Chief Commissioner on 2004-01-01.
Air Scouts
History of Air Scouting in Hong Kong started in 1967 when a JesuitSociety of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
priest Father Cunningham formed an Air Scout Troop in the 11th Kowloon Scout Group of Wah Yan College, Kowloon during the 5-year expansion plan of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. 11th Kowloon Scout Group (Wah Yan College, Kowloon) is a "School-ONLY Scout Group'(學校 / 非公開旅團) with Scout membership open only to students of this college in the Kowloon Peninsula of Hong Kong. As a result the number of Air Scouts were limited and there was only one Air Scout Unit in the territory from 1967 to 1972 without any expansion of the Air Scout numbers (as limited by the student size of this college). In 1972 the Group added an Venture Air Scout unit when the original 1967 Air Scouts reached the age of Venture Scouts at 16.
In the 1970s, increased organised air scout activities provided adult and teenage Scout members an opportunity to expand the Air Scout Movement. Apart from launching progressive training course series in Air Scouting at all levels, great emphasis was placed in the training of Air Scout Leaders and Air Scout Instructors so that they can start Air Scouting on their own. Air Activity Board were set up at Headquarters and Regional levels to coordinate all Air Scout Activities and the distribution of aviation resources and flying opportunities in the territory. After training, instructors and adult leaders were able to conduct Air Scout activities and establish new Air Scout Groups.
Air Scouting in Hong Kong is well organised under the Programme Branch of The Scout Association of Hong Kong with 18 Air Scout Units in 5 Regions of Scout Groups in Hong Kong. All the Air Scout Units are coordinated by a Headquarters Air Activity Board attended by Air Scout Commissioners of the Scout Regions. The Headquarters Air Activity Board reports to the policy-making Headquarters Air Activity Committee of aviation professionals.
In 2007, Air Scouting in Hong Kong made another milestone when the General Committee of the Hong Kong Aviation Club (HKAC) decided to expand their Young Eagles program and sponsored formation of an Air Scout Group. The new Air Scout Group officially registered with the Scout Association of Hong Kong as the 1661 Kowloon Group. With the direct sponsorship from the Aviation Club, this allows many flying members and instructors of the Club to provide guidance and training to the Air Scouts and convenient access to aircraft and flying facilities.
Organisation
The organisation is governed according to the chapter 1005 of the Law of Hong Kong, and the statutory Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR, 政策、組織及規條) of the association.All members join the association voluntarily and it is open for all who are willing to follow the principle of the association, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law. Any race, creed
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
, class
Social class
Social classes are economic or cultural arrangements of groups in society. Class is an essential object of analysis for sociologists, political scientists, economists, anthropologists and social historians. In the social sciences, social class is often discussed in terms of 'social stratification'...
and sex
Sex
In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into a male or female variety . Sexual reproduction involves combining specialized cells to form offspring that inherit traits from both parents...
is welcome. The only limit is the minimum age of five years. The association encourages members to be in touch with a religion in its religion policy. However, like the population of Hong Kong, vast majority of member Scouts do not have religious dominations.
The POR mentions that members are required to pay a membership subscription fee, which is in line with WOSM regulation. However, most members are not aware of this subscription because it is not collected directly from individuals or any Scout units, but through the selling of each individual World Membership Badge.
Chief Scouts and Chief Commissioners
The Chief Scout of Hong Kong (香港童軍總領袖) is the head of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. From 1914 to 1997 the function was held by the Governor of Hong KongGovernor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, and from 1997 onwards by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
. The Chief Scout is responsible for appointing the Hong Kong Chief Commissioner.
The Chief Commissioner (香港總監), usually abbreviated as CC, is the administrative head of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. The function was formerly known as Colony Commissioner. The first commissioner, Alexander Anderson McHardy, was appointed May 1, 1914 when the Hong Kong Branch was formally registered at the Scout Association. The Chief Commissioner from 1997 to 2004 is Hui Chiu-yin
Hui Chiu-yin
Hui Chiu-yin BBS , also known as John Hui, is the director and general manager of New World First Ferry in Hong Kong after his retirement from the post of Chief Superintendent of Marine Regional in Hong Kong Police Force in 1996...
from 2004 to 2007 is Pau Shiu Hung from 2007 to 2011 is Chan Kit Chu. The current Chief Commissioner is Cheung Chi Sun.
The President of the Association is Geoffrey Ma
Geoffrey Ma
Geoffrey Ma Tao-li is currently the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong, who ranks second only to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in the Hong Kong order of precedence....
.
Regions, districts, and groups
In 1951, the Hong Kong branch of the Scout Association was divided into Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories districts. Later the former two were each subdivided into two separate districts, resulting in a total of five districts. In 1958, these were named areas, with districts under them, and in 1967 again renamed to be regions, with thirty-five districts.| Region | Districts |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island | Chai Wan, Northern, Sau Kei Wan, Southern, Victoria City, Wan Chai, Western |
| Kowloon | Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom, Kowloon City, Kowloon Tong, Mong Kok, Sham Mong, Sham Shui Po East, Sham Shui Po West, Yau Tsim |
| East Kowloon | Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Lei Yue Mun, Sai Kung, Sau Mau Ping, Tseung Kwan O, Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin |
| New Territories | Island, North Kwai Chung, Shep Pak Heung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun East District, Tuen Mun West, Yuen Long East, Yuen Long West |
| New Territories East | Pik Fung, Shatin East, Shatin North, Shatin South, Shatin West, Sheung Yue, Tai Po South, Tai Po North |
| Special for English speaking people | Silver Jubilee (銀禧區) |
| Special for family members of Nepalese Nepali people Nepali people can refer to:*People of Nepal*Ethnic Nepalis of Indian citizenry residing in Gorkhaland area of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and other parts of India.* Indian Gorkhas*Lhotshampas of Bhutan.*Nepali diaspora the world over.... Gurkha regiment Brigade of Gurkhas The Brigade of Gurkhas is the collective term for units of the current British Army that are composed of Nepalese soldiers. The brigade, which is 3,640 strong, draws its heritage from Gurkha units that originally served in the British Indian Army prior to Indian independence, and prior to that of... in the British Army British Army The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England... |
Gurkha (啹喀區) (until 1997) |
Groups are basic units where member Scouts are educated. The POR recognises only two group categories, namely a Scout Group (公開旅) with unrestricted recruitment and a Sponsored Scout Group (團體旅), organised by a sponsor organisation, by which the recruitment might be restricted. In practice, the vast majority of Groups is organised by primary schools and secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
s in the category of Sponsored Scout Group. Alternatively, they are referred to as School Scout Groups (學校旅), the unrestricted groups as Open Scout Groups (公開旅), and the rest with otherwise restricted recruitment as Organisation Scout Group (團體旅). A group is led by a Group Scout Leader (旅長). The management of a group is organised around the Group Scouters Meeting (旅領袖會議), the Group Council (旅務委員會), and the Group Executive Committee (旅執行委員會). A group can operate any number of units in all sections. The association does not directly finance any group. Groups may gather funds from their sponsored organisation, individual donations, group membership fee, and the release of raffle
Raffle
A raffle is a competition in which people obtain numbered tickets, each ticket having the chance of winning a prize. At a set time, the winners are drawn from a container holding a copy of every number...
proceeds in annual Raffle Campaign.
Scouting sections
- Grasshopper ScoutsGrasshopper ScoutsGrasshopper Scouts , Grasshopper Section, or simply Grasshopper, is a Scout Section of The Scout Association of Hong Kong in Hong Kong for 6 to 8 year old boys and girls. Established in 1985, it is modeled after Beaver Scouts in the United Kingdom...
, from 6 to 8 years - Cub ScoutCub ScoutA Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
s, from 7 to 12 years - ScoutsBoy ScoutA Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
, from 11 to 16 years - Venture ScoutVenture ScoutVenture Scouting is a section of the Scout Movement, mostly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, for young people roughly in the 14 – 20 age range.-Australia:...
s, from 15 to 20 years - Rover Scouts, from 18 to 25 years
There are still groups specialising in Air Scouting and Sea Scouting, however no new groups have been allowed for such specialisation after 1 April 1987. Instead, any group can operate a Sea Scout Troop or Air Scout Troop in their Scout Section, and Venture Sea Scout Unit or Venture Air Scout Unit in their Venture Scout Section, providing the same level of progressive training in sea and air activities.
A special Extension Scouting
Extension Scouting
Extension Scouting is a programme within Scouting which caters for young people with special needs. Extension Scouting for young people with special needs was originally called Scouts Malgré Tout, which is French for "Scouts Despite Everything"...
section was set up for the disabled
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. It is not an independent section, but customises the programmes of the five sections for specific needs of disabled people.
Leaders
An adult is eligible to be a Scout LeaderScout Leader
A Scout Leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.-Roles:...
(Scouter) from 18 to 65 years. They can serve in all five sections, or work for districts, regions, or branches in the headquarters. Adult Venture and Rover Scouts may be leaders of younger sections as part of their services.
| Section | Name of unit | Head | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper Scout | Grasshopper Scout Ring (小童軍團) | Grasshopper Scout Leader (小童軍團長) | Assistant Grasshopper Scout Leaders (小童軍副團長) and Instructors (敎練員) |
| Cub Scout | Cub Scout Pack (幼童軍團) | Cub Scout Leader (幼童軍團長) | Assistant Cub Scout Leaders (幼童軍副團長) and Instructors |
| Scout | Scout Troop (童軍團) | Scout Leader (童軍團長) | Assistant Scout Leaders (童軍副團長) and Instructors |
| Venture Scout | Venture Unit (深資童軍團) | Venture Scout Leader (深資童軍團長) | Assistant Venture Scout Leaders (深資童軍副團長) and Instructors |
| Rover Scout | Rover Crew (樂行童軍團) | Rover Scout Leader (樂行童軍團長) | Assistant Rover Scout Leaders (樂行童軍副團長) and Instructors |
All leaders except instructors are appointed by the association under the nomination of Group Scout Leaders, and receive a warrant after completing at least the intermediate stage of the Woodbadge Training Programme. Group leader and assistant group leaders are nominated by District Commissioners.
Motto, Promise, and Law
The localised versions of the Scout MottoMotto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
, Scout Promise
Scout Promise
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
, and Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
for each section are inherited from those of the Scout Association. They are officially provided in Chinese and English. At investiture it can be in a Scout's own language. The Motto is the same for all sections: Be Prepared (準備)
| Section | Promise | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Grasshopper | I promise to be a Grasshopper Scout, to love God, to love people, and to love my Country (我願參加小童軍，愛神愛人愛國家) |
A Grasshopper Scout does a good turn every day (小童軍日行一善) |
| Cub Scout | I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to my Country, to help other people, and to keep the Cub Scout Law (我願盡所能； 對神明，對國家，盡責任； 對別人，要幫助； 對規律，必遵行) |
Cub Scouts always do their best, think of others before themselves and do a good turn every day (幼童軍，盡所能，先顧別人 才顧己，日行一善富精神) |
| Scout, Venture Scout, Rover Scout and Leader | On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to my Country, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law (我願以信譽為誓，竭盡所能； 對神明，對國家，盡責任； 對別人，要幫助；對規律，必遵行) |
|
Emblem
The Emblem of the Association is an purple arrowhead, on which is superimposed the two Chinese characters "Hong Kong" and the English words "Hong Kong".Headquarters
Seamen's Institute
Seamen's Institute was an institute training seamen in Hong Kong. It was located in No. 8, Praya East which is now the Harcourt Building at Gloucester Road, Wan Chai....
as a place for Scouting activities. After the second World War, the British forces donated a piece of land near the Peak Tram Terminal in Garden Road. Here a new headquarters was erected and named Morse Hut (摩士小屋) after the President Sir Arthur Morse
Arthur Morse
Sir Arthur Morse was the head of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during and after World War II. He was a British banker born in Tipperary in Ireland. He has worked in Shanghai, London and Tientsin and finally many years in Hong Kong...
. Morse Hut was officially opened on 12 November 1949, and served as the headquarters until 1954. In this period, the headquarters of Wong Nai Chung District was also relocated to Morse Hut. Subsequently, Morse Hut was the headquarters of newly established Hong Kong Island Region from 1958 to 1978.
As the Hong Kong Scouting grew rapidly, after five years the Morse Hut was too small for the development. A new 3-story headquarter building in Yau Ma Tei
Yau Ma Tei
Yau Ma Tei, also known as Waterloo , is an area in the Yau Tsim Mong District in the south of the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong.-Name:Yau Ma Tei is a phonetic transliteration of the name 油麻地 in Cantonese...
, Kowloon was erected at No. 9 Cox's Road with donations and assistance from Sir Arthur Morse and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as subsidies from Hong Kong Government. It was opened officially in 1954. The house was named Morse House (摩士大廈), and served as the headquarters until the June 1994, when the premises were returned to the Hong Kong Government for redevelopment. Morse House was handed back to the Government in July 1994, after completion of the new headquarters.
Since June 1994, the headquarters of the Scout association is in the Hong Kong Scout Centre (香港童軍中心). It is on Austin Road
Austin Road
Austin Road is a road in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was named after John Gardiner Austin, Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1868 to 1879.-Location:...
, beside the Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park is a large public park in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.-History:...
and Victoria Towers
Victoria Towers
The Victoria Towers is a high-rise development located in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong. The complex consists of three towers, each rising 62 floors and in height. The towers currently stand as the second tallest buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui, behind the 64-storey Hyatt Regency Hong Kong,...
(港景峰) of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. The headquarters organisation is housed on the 8th to 11th floor of the building, including Scout shops, meeting rooms, and a Scout exhibition of the history of the Hong Kong Scout organisation on the 11th. Large part of the centre is B P International
Baden-Powell International House
The BP International, more formally known as Baden-Powell International House, is a large, 25-storey three star hotel and conference centre in the touristically attractive Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. The formal address is 8 Austin Road.-Hotel:BP International has 529 rooms...
(龍堡國際賓館), a commercial hotel. Its profit is financing the building cost of the centre and the future development of Scouting in Hong Kong. Scout Path (童軍徑) is a short road between the Hong Kong Scout Centre and Victoria Towers
Victoria Towers
The Victoria Towers is a high-rise development located in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong. The complex consists of three towers, each rising 62 floors and in height. The towers currently stand as the second tallest buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui, behind the 64-storey Hyatt Regency Hong Kong,...
. It became associated with Scouting in Hong Kong, probably on the suggestion of the Scout association. It connects the Austin Road and a terminal for Hong Kong-China cross-border buses under the Hong Kong Scout Centre.
Campsites
The Scout association runs five campsites in Hong Kong. The first permanent campsite, was Braker's Bungalow in Chaiwan. It was purchased in July 1929 by the Scout association at a cost of HK$16,000, and officially opened the same year as the Chai Wan Campsite. Here, the first Wood BadgeWood Badge
Wood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement...
training course was held in 1936. The site was returned to Hong Kong government in 1970 for urban development as the Chai Wan Park
Chai Wan Park
Chai Wan Park was one of large park in Hong Kong. Located in Chai Wan of Hong Kong, it occupied 6.55 hectares. Completed by Urban Council in 21 April 1993, the park is now managed by Leisure and Cultural Services Department, a department of Hong Kong Government.-History:The park was the former...
.
The 1960s saw the further expansion of the Scout Movement in Hong Kong. A 200,000 square metres site at Fei Ngo Shan (Kowloon Peak
Kowloon Peak
Kowloon Peak or Fei Ngor Shan or Fei Ngo Shan is a tall mountain in the northeast corner of New Kowloon, Hong Kong, situated in Ma On Shan Country Park. It is crossed by both the Wilson Trail and the MacLehose Trail. On the lower slopes is Gilwell Campsite, belonging to The Scout...
) was given by the government to the Scout association as a permanent campsite, which was named Gilwell Campsite
Gilwell Campsite
Gilwell Campsite a major campsite run by The Scout Association of Hong Kong for wild camping and other Scouting activities on Kowloon Peak of New Kowloon, Hong Kong. The campsite is near MacLehose Trail with road access through an unnamed road that joins with Fei Ngo Shan Road. Its altitude is...
(基維爾營地). It is used for camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and other Scouting activities. The site is located on the edge of Sai Kung District, five to ten minutes from Choi Hung. Nearby is the MacLehose Trail
MacLehose Trail
The MacLehose Trail , opened on 26 October 1979, is a hiking trail that crosses much of the New Territories, starting from Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, in the east to Tuen Mun in the west in the territory of Hong Kong. The whole trail is 100 kilometres long, marked by distance posts at 500m intervals...
with road access through an unnamed road that joins with Fei Ngo Shan Road
Fei Ngo Shan Road
Fei Ngo Shan Road is a hilly road in New Kowloon of Hong Kong. The road begins east at Clear Water Bay Road in Cha Liu Au north of Shun Lee and east of Ngau Chi Wan. It runs north to Custom Pass and Pak Kung Au and continue north to Tate's Pass...
. The site is at an altitude of 430 m above sea level. Minutes walk from the site, campers can see stunning views over Kowloon, the Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Unlike other campsites managed by the Scout association, the Gilwell Campsite does not provide catering services. The site has only buildings for offices, lectures and activities. The campsite is 45 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop of route 91, 91M, 92, 96R of KMB at Clear Water Bay Road
Clear Water Bay Road
Clear Water Bay Road is a major road from a complex interchange in Ngau Chi Wan to a dead end in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung. It also is a route to Sai Kung Town and Tseung Kwan O via Hang Hau Road and Hiram's Highway respectively...
near Anderson Road.
Another site located at Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan is a bay in the Kowloon area of Hong Kong, opposite to Tsing Yi Island across Rambler Channel. The market town of Tsuen Wan emerged for the surrounding villages and fleets of fishing boats in the area. The town is around the present-day Tsuen Wan Station of the MTR...
west was also given by the government to develop a campsite named Ha Fa Shan Campsite. The site was returned to the government in December 1977 because of the unresolved problem in transportation and water source.
In the 1972, Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) was granted to the Scout association in exchange for the Chai Wan Campsite. The site hosts a sea activities centre, officially opened in September of that year. It is located in Tai Tam Harbour
Tai Tam Harbour
Tai Tam Harbour is a harbour in the innermost part of Tai Tam Bay in Hong Kong. It is located at the estuary of Tai Tam Tuk. The resited village of Tai Tam Tuk is located at the estuary by the harbour, after construction of Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. The harbour was once a gathering water of Tanka...
at Tai Tam Tuk on the south shore of the Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
. At the back of the site is a small hill, separating it from Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Along the shore is a path leading to the dam of the reservoir, with a re-sited indigenous village of Tai Tam Tuk. Mangrove
Mangrove
Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...
s gather at the muddy beach of the mouth rivers. The sites facilitates both a stay at the hostel
Hostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
and campingsite for training and leisure. While Scouts have priority to use the site, it is also open for public use. Sports on offer include games of rope, rock climbing, archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
, pioneering, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
. The campsite is reachable by public buses passing through Tai Tam Road
Tai Tam Road
Tai Tam Road in Hong Kong, links between Chai Wan and Stanley, on Hong Kong Island. The famous Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir's dam is a part of the road, which is a narrow road section.-Bus routes:* 9 - Shau Kei Wan to Shek O...
near Tai Tam Reservoir Road. They are available in Shau Kei Wan Station and Chai Wan Station of the MTR.
Another piece of land in Tung Tsz
Tung Tsz
Tung Tsz is a place near Shuen Wan in Tai Po District, the New Territories, Hong Kong. It is under the hills of Pat Sin Leng. The place is mainly rural and a few villages are there...
, Tai Po
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
in the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
, was also granted to the Scout association, and was developed into the Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), formally opened for Scouts on 1975-03-09. Sea activities can be done in the nearby Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre in Tai Mei Tuk
Tai Mei Tuk
Tai Mei Tuk is a place close to the Plover Cove Reservoir in Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong. It is a very popular place in Hong Kong for barbecues and cycling. There are villages and harbour nearby where many restaurants can be found...
, Tai Po, with bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
s for accommodation.
Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre (大尾督水上活動中心) is situated next to the Plover Cove Reservoir
Plover Cove Reservoir
Plover Cove Reservoir , located within Plover Cove Country Park, in the northeastern New Territories, is the largest reservoir in Hong Kong in terms of area, and the second-largest in terms of volume. It was the first in the world to construct a lake from an arm of the ocean...
in Tai Mei Tuk for day camping and water sports training. Shatin Scout Centre (沙田童軍中心) is in Tsok Pok Hang, near Pok Hong Estate in Sha Tin
Sha Tin
Sha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
, providing Scouts a place for wild camping. Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre (白沙灣譚華正水上活動中心) is in Pak Sha Wan of Sai Kung. It is a venue for Residential Camp, Outdoor Camping and Sea Activities Training.
Hong Kong Scout Rally
Hong Kong Stadium
Hong Kong Stadium is the main sports venue of Hong Kong. Redeveloped from the old Government Stadium it reincarnated as Hong Kong Stadium in 1994...
, for the event. There are award ceremonies for honourable awards, such as the Golden Bauhenia Award for the Cub Scout Section, the Chief Scout's Award for the Scout Section, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Scout Award for the Venture Scout Section, and the Baden Powell (BP) Award for the Rover Scout Section, as well as distinctive awards for Scout Leaders and Commissioners.
In the 1940s, the Scout Rally was merged with the former St. George's Day Parade. As the Scouts attendance increased significantly and the space in Hong Kong declined, owning to rapid urbanisation in past decades, traditions are simplified and only selected Scouts are allowed to actively participate in the drill and activities in the rally and others remain spectators.
While the Scout Rally is the major Scouting gathering for all Hong Kong Scouts, individual regions organise their own events such as Island Scout Day of Hong Kong Island Region, and Fun Day of New Territories Region.
Jamborees
JamboreesJamboree (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...
in Hong Kong are held for specific anniversaries. According to a display in Metropolitan Jamboree in 2006, the early jamborees were held in Chai Wan
Chai Wan
Chai Wan , formerly mistakenly known as Sai Wan , lies at the east end of the urban area of Hong Kong Island next to Shau Kei Wan. The area is administratively part of the Eastern District, and is a mosaic of industrial and residential areas...
, Hong Kong around the late 1930s.
After World War II, the 1st Colony Jamborette (香港童子軍大露營) was held in Kam Chien Village in the New Territories from 19 to 22 October 1957. There were 1361 Scouts attending the jamboree, celebrating the 50 year anniversary of World Scouting and 100 year birthday of the founder. The next jamboree, the Hong Kong Golden Jubilee Jamborette (香港金禧大露營), was held between 27 December 1961 and 2 January 1962, celebrating the Golden jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
(50 year anniversary) of Hong Kong Scouting with theme One World (天下一家). At Kowloon Tsai
Kowloon Tsai
Kowloon Tsai is a place between Kowloon City and Kowloon Tong in Hong Kong. It was formerly a village in valley and now the place became low density residential area in New Kowloon...
, now named Morse Park
Morse Park
Morse Park , occupies 15.8 hectares, is an urban park located in Wong Tai Sin in Kowloon.It was competed in 1967. The Park was named after Sir Arthur Morse , the head of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during and after World War II.-History:The Hong Kong Golden Jubilee Jamborette ,...
, the Jamboree hosted 2732 Scouts in the challenging winter with heavy rain.
For the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the branch held the Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (鑽禧大露營) for 5000 Scouts, applying the theme World Harmony (大同) from 23 to 29 July 1971 in present-day Tai Hing Estate
Tai Hing Estate
Tai Hing Estate is the second public housing estate and the oldest existing public housing estate in Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong. There are 8,602 flats in the estate with capacity to house 21,100 people.It is also a district council constituency...
in Castle Peak
Castle Peak, Hong Kong
Castle Peak or Pui To Shan is a 583 m high peak in the western New Territories of Hong Kong.In contrast to its Chinese name, which means green hill, Castle Peak is notorious for its severe loss of vegetation and weathering of its Granite surface.The area to the west of the hill was also named...
. The event was originally planned to be held 22 to 28 July 1971 but shifted to one day later because of the typhoon attack to Hong Kong. The jamboree was seriously affected by the bad weather. The campsite was flooded and facilities were damaged. Campers had to retreat to San Fat Estate
San Fat Estate
San Fat Estate was the first public housing estate in Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, located at the reclaimed land near Tuen Mun River, at the junction of Pui To Road and Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road. It consisted of 4 residential blocks completed in 1971, offering 2,131 flats with more than...
in Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun is a town near the mouth of Tuen Mun River and Castle Peak Bay in the New Territories, Hong Kong. It was one of the earliest settlements in Hong Kong which can be dated back to the Neolithic period. In the more recent past, it was home to many Tanka fishermen who gathered at the Castle...
for shelter overnight.The Hong Kong Post Office issued a set of three stamps for the jamboree on 23 July.
In 1986, in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (香港鑽禧大露營) was held in Kohima Camp
Kohima Camp
Kohima Camp was a military camp in Tai Po Tsai north of Clear Water Bay Peninsula in Hong Kong. The camp was built by British Army and demolished in 1980s when the army gradually withdrew from Hong Kong...
, present-day Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST...
, in Tai Po Tsai
Tai Po Tsai
Tai Po Tsai is an area and a village northeast of Tseung Kwan O New Town in Hong Kong. On the east mid slope of Razor Hill and facing Port Shelter, The village clusters in a small plain around Clear Water Bay Road in Sai Kung District. Pak Shui Wun is a beach off Tai Po Tsai is on the shore...
from 27 December 1986 to 1 January 1987 with theme March On (邁進). It was the first jamboree held after the Scout Association of Hong Kong became a full member of WOSM. The association invited Scouts from thirteen other Scout organisations around the world, and eight other local uniformed youth groups to the jamboree. Members of the Guangzhou Youth Federation (廣州市青年聯合會) from Guangzhou, People's Republic of China also joined the jamboree. The number of attendants reached 5143. On 30 December 1986, the Enjoy Yourself Tonight TVB television programme launched a programme to introduce the jamboree and Scouting to the residents in Hong Kong. The jamboree also was featured because of breaking two Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
: 3000 Cub Scouts joined the Egg Hunt
Egg hunt
Egg hunt is a game during which decorated eggs, real hard-boiled ones or artificial, filled with or made of chocolate candies, of various sizes, are hidden in various places for children to find. The game may be both indoors and outdoors...
and found 72,731 hidden eggs throughout the campsite and ended in an arrangement of the 75th logo. The failed knotting competition was retried later in the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree.
Millennium
A millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system....
changeover, the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree (跨世紀大露營) was held in Wan Tsai
Wan Tsai
Wan Tsai is a peninsula between Hoi Ha Wan and Long Harbour in north-western Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. With a narrow neck, Lan Lo Au between Nam Fung Wan and an unnamed bay of Hoi Ha Wan connecting to mainland of Sai King Peninsula, Wan Tsai is hilly with two hills Tai Leng Tun and Nam Fung...
from 28 December 1999 to 2 January 2000 with the theme Live the Natural Way (邁向新紀元，同享大自然), fourteen years after the previous jamboree. There were 3350 participants in the jamboree. The Chief Scout
Chief Scout of Hong Kong
The Chief Scout of Hong Kong or Hong Kong Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association of Hong Kong, in 1914–1997 designated by the Governor of Hong Kong, and from 1997 onwards, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong...
Tung Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
, joined the open ceremony on 30 December. To complete the failed knotting competition of the previous jamboree, the Chief Scout began the first reef knot
Reef knot
The reef knot or square knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. Although the reef knot is often seen used for tying two ropes together, it is not recommended for this purpose due to potential instability of the knot.A reef knot is formed by tying...
s and the rest of the campers tied 4500 reef knots in 5 minutes, chaining in 6858 metres long.
Two years later, in 2001, the association held the 90th Anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting Jamboree (香港童軍90週年紀念大露營) again in Wan Tsai from 23 to 26 December 2001. Do My Best (竭盡所能) was the theme this time. Local Scouts, with nine other overseas Scout contingents, tolled 3500 participants in the jamboree.
In celebrating the 95th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting in 2006 and the 100th anniversary of World Scouting, the Metropolitan Jamboree (大都會露營) was held in proposed West Kowloon Cultural District
West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is a proposed and developing project to boost cultural and entertainment establishments at Hong Kong, SAR...
site near Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
in urban Hong Kong from 27 December 2006 to 1 January 2007. Near the Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
, it was the first time a jamboree was hosted in urban Hong Kong. Under the theme Gifts for Peace (和平獻禮), there were 4225 participants with 600 from mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
, Republic of China (Taiwan) and overseas. Many outreaching activities visiting various parts and public facilities in Hong Kong. Other NGOs, like Hong Kong Red Cross
Hong Kong Red Cross
The Hong Kong Red Cross is the national Red Cross society of Hong Kong as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It was established officially on 12 July 1950 as a branch of the British Red Cross Society in Hong Kong...
and Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
were invited introducing their works to Scouts through stall games. Herman Hui
Herman Hui
Hui Chung-shing , BBS, MH, JP , anglicized as Herman Hui, is a former chairman of the World Scout Committee, the executive board for the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 2005 to 2008....
, the chairman of World Scout Committee joined the countdown to 2007 jointly held by the association and Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
. The campsite suffered from strong gusts, damaging a main gate of pioneering damaged and hurting one participant and one worker. During the summer, coinciding with the international events, the Join-in-Centenary Jamboree (慶祝童軍百週年同步大露營) in Hong Kong was held on High Island Reservoir
High Island Reservoir
The High Island Reservoir , located in the far south eastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula, was opened in 1978 helping to alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. Its water capacity is approximately 273 million cubic metres...
on Sai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung Peninsula is a peninsula in the easternmost part of the New Territories in Hong Kong. Its name comes from Sai Kung Town in the central southern area of the peninsula...
, south-west of Sai Kung from 2007-07-29 to 2008-08-02.
Leader's Mess Night
Leader's Mess Night (童軍領袖聚餐) is the annual dining event for leaders, commissioners and lay members. The mess night is usually held in the Hong Kong Scout Centre around 22 February, i.e., the Founder's Day. Participants are required to dress in mess dressMess dress
Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions. It is also known as mess uniform and mess kit...
. The Chief Commissioner, together with an honourable guest, presides over the mess night.
See also
- Hong Kong Girl Guides AssociationHong Kong Girl Guides AssociationHong Kong Girl Guides Association is the sole Guide organisation in Hong Kong. It was formally established in 1919 though the first Girl Guides Company was formed in 1916. The association became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1978...
- List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members
- Associação de Escoteiros de Macau
- World Buddhist Scout BrotherhoodWorld Buddhist Scout BrotherhoodThe World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood is an autonomous, international body committed to promoting and supporting Buddhism within Scouting. The WBSB began as a means to facilitate religious activities among Buddhist Scouts...
- Old District Office NorthOld District Office NorthThe Old District Office North is a building located at 20 Wan Tau Kok Lane, Tai Po in the New Territories of Hong Kong, near the Old Tai Po Police Station.-History:...