World Federation of Independent Scouts
Encyclopedia
The World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS) is the non-governmental international
organization which governs 82 affiliated Scout Organizations
in 41 countries, with an estimated 200,000 members in 3562 Scout Group
s. WFIS was formed in Laubach
, Germany
, in 1996 by Lawrie Dring
, a British Scouter with the independent Baden-Powell Scouts Association
(BPSA).
The World Federation of Independent Scouts is open to any Scouting association that is not affiliated with another international organization. WFIS requires that member associations "follow, and use, Baden-Powell's original program, traditions, uniforms, morals, ethics, and structure as laid out in Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys
, amended only for "health, environmental, first-aid, and safety reasons".
The current President of the WFIS World Council is Klaus Tegeder, elected for a five year term commencing in August, 2007. He is the former President of WFIS-Europe and still leads a German Scout troop.
The Asian Region and Middle East Region are currently inactive, although there are WFIS Associations operating there.
was held in Denmark
in 2002, with 850 Scouts attending. The event's motto was Together we are strongest. The Second WFIS World Jamboree was held from 7 to 14 July 2007 with over 3000 Scouts attending. It was held near Medellín
, Colombia
. The Third WFIS World Jamboree is scheduled to be held in México
, in 2011.
In addition to World Jamborees, the WFIS also regularly host regional international camps. Eurocamp is one example of this with the following camps having taken place:
WFIS also hosts a Jamboree On The Internet:
Member Associations also regularly invite each other to their own camps, examples including:
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
organization which governs 82 affiliated Scout Organizations
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....
in 41 countries, with an estimated 200,000 members in 3562 Scout Group
Scout Group
The Scout Group is the local organisation for Scouting in most countries where it is active. It combines together the different sections into a single body. Scout Groups can consist of any number of sections in the different Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding...
s. WFIS was formed in Laubach
Laubach
' is a town of approximately 10,000 people in the region of Hesse, Germany. Laubach is known as a , a climatic health resort. It is situated east of Gießen. Surrounding are the towns of , , and .-Points of interest:...
, 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 1996 by Lawrie Dring
Lawrie Dring
Lawrie Dring is a British Scouter, one of the founding members of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association and the World Federation of Independent Scouts. He is President of the Baden-Powell Scouts....
, a British Scouter with the independent Baden-Powell Scouts Association
Baden-Powell Scouts
The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association is a youth organisation found in the United Kingdom, with affiliations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses on the importance of tradition in the Scout movement...
(BPSA).
The World Federation of Independent Scouts is open to any Scouting association that is not affiliated with another international organization. WFIS requires that member associations "follow, and use, Baden-Powell's original program, traditions, uniforms, morals, ethics, and structure as laid out in Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys
Scouting for Boys
Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship is the first book on the Scout Movement, published in 1908. It was written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell, its founder...
, amended only for "health, environmental, first-aid, and safety reasons".
The current President of the WFIS World Council is Klaus Tegeder, elected for a five year term commencing in August, 2007. He is the former President of WFIS-Europe and still leads a German Scout troop.
WFIS Worldwide Committee
The WFIS Worldwide Committee is the chief executive body of the World Federation of Independent Scouts and is composed of elected volunteers. WFIS-Worldwide acts as an umbrella association for each of the regional scout organisations.Current members of the WFIS Worldwide Committee
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Klaus Tegeder | President |
| Ole Jacobsen | Vice-President |
| Ernie Esajas | Secretary |
| Søren Jørgensen | Treasurer |
| Ulises Reyes | Wood Beads (Wood Badge)Coordinator |
Regional divisions
The WFIS is divided into 8 regions:- Africa
- Asia
- South East Asia
- Europe
- Middle East Region
- America
The Asian Region and Middle East Region are currently inactive, although there are WFIS Associations operating there.
WFIS Africa
5860 members in 2010| Country | Group |
|---|---|
| Burundi | 1 Association |
| Congo Brazzaville | Eclaireurs Eclaireuses Laïque du Congo |
| Ghana | Baden Powell Scouts of Africa |
| Ivory Coast | Association des Eclaireurs et Eclaaireuses Evangéliques de Côte d'Ivoire |
| Baden Powell Scouts of Africa | |
| Scouts d'Afrique de Côte d'Ivoire | |
| Scouts Unitaires de Côte d'Ivoire | |
| Kenya | Baden Powell Scouts Association |
| Rwanda | 1 Association |
| Tanzania | 1 Association |
| Uganda | 1 Association |
WFIS Asia
155303 members in 2010| Country | Group |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Independent Scouts of Bangladesh |
| People's Republic of China | Shanghai Scouts Association |
| India Scouting and Guiding in India The Scout and Guide movement in India is served by* The Bharat Scouts and Guides, member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the World Organization of the Scout Movement* the Global Movement of Green Scouts in New Delhi... |
The Scouts/Guides Organisation The Scouts/Guides Organisation (India) The Scouts/Guides Organisation of India is a voluntary, non-political, non-sectarian Scouting association and a prospect member of the World Federation of Independent Scouts. It depends largely on public support.... |
| Hindustan Scout and Guides Association | |
| ? | |
| Japan Scouting in Japan The Scout and Guide movement in Japan is served by* Girl Scouts of Japan, member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts* Scout Association of Japan, member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement... |
Baden-Powell Scouts of Japan |
| South Korea Scouting in Korea The Scout movement in South Korea is served by* Girl Scouts Korea, member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts* Korea Scout Association, member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement-International Scouting units in South Korea:... |
Third Eye Scouting Association |
| Pakistan | Independent Scouts of Pakistan |
| Islamabad Scouting Association | |
| Nankana Sab Scout Organization | |
| ADABKADA Scout Association | |
| Russia Scouting in Russia Scouting in Russia comprises several dozen Scout associations, based on religion, politics and geography.-History of Scouting in Russia:-1908 to 1922:... |
Russian Union of Scouts |
| Sri Lanka | Independent Scouts of Sri Lanka |
| Turkey | 1 Association |
| United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates Independent Scout Association |
| Dubai Scout Organization |
WFIS Europe
10834 members in 2010| Country | Group |
|---|---|
| Austria | 1 Association |
| Belgium | Scoutsgroep De Zwaluw |
| Czech Republic | Skaut - Český skauting ABS |
| Svaz skautu a skautek Ceske Republiky | |
| Denmark | De Gule Spejdere i Danmark – Baden-Powell spejderne De Gule Spejdere i Danmark – Baden-Powell spejderne The Yellow Scouts of Denmark — Baden-Powell Scouts started on 25 February 1984, as "Det Danske Pige- og Drenge Spejderkorps", aiming to return to a more traditional Scouting approach as a response to changes in the mainstream Danish Scouting movement.In 1985 the name of the Association was... |
| Germany | Bund Europäischer St. Georgs-Pfadfinderinnen und -Pfadfinder |
| Bruderschaft Christlicher Pfadfinder | |
| Bund Unabhängiger Pfadfinder, Stamm Cassiopeia | |
| Christliche freie Pfadfinderschaft Goldenstedt | |
| Deutscher Pfadfinderbund e. V. gegr. 1911 (DPB 1911) | |
| Europäischer Pfadfinderbund - Georgsritter e. V. | |
| Freie Deutsche Waldläufer Olpe | |
| Freier Pfadfinderbund Asgard | |
| Freier Pfadfinderbund St. Georg | |
| Freie Pfadfinderschaft Kreuzritter | |
| Independent Scout Association | |
| Solmser Pfadfinderschaft | |
| Pfadfinderbund Weltenbummler e. V. | |
| Pfadfinderschaft Fritz Riebold | |
| Italy | Associazione Indipendente Scout |
| Associazione Sezione Scout di Gela |
|
| Federazione del Movimento Scout Italiano - FederScout | |
| Associazione Esploratori e Guide Italiani | |
| ? | |
| Kosovo Scouting and Guiding in Kosovo Scouting exists in Kosovo both as part of the Savez Izviđača Srbije as well as independent groups.A report on the current situation and possible perspectives was published by the European Scout Region... |
National Scout Center of Kosovo |
| Latvia | LKS - Latvijas Kristigie Skauti (Christian scouts of Latvia) |
| Spain | Asociación Galega de Escultismo - Breogán Scouts |
| Associació Catalana de Scouts - Catalonian Association of Scouts | |
| Asociación de Scouts Independientes de Madrid - Independent Scouts of Madrid | |
| Switzerland | Feuerkreis Niklaus von Flüe |
| United Kingdom | Baden-Powell Scouts' Association |
| Ukraine | Rodzvinsky |
WFIS America
3643 members in 2010| Country | Group |
|---|---|
| Aruba Scouting in Aruba The Scout and Guide movement in Aruba is served by* Het Arubaanse Padvindsters Gilde, member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts* Scouting Aruba, member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement... |
Sea and Land Scouting (SEAL) |
| Bonaire | Club Muchanan Boneriano |
| Brazil | Associação Escoteira Baden-Powell (AEBP) |
| Canada | BPSA British Columbia |
| BPSA New Brunswick | |
| BPSA Ontario | |
| ZHR Polish Scouts of Canada | |
| ? | |
| Chile | Agrupación Hermandad Scout del Desierto |
| Agrupación Nacional de Boy Scouts de Chile | |
| Hermandad Scout Zona Centro Chile | |
| Colombia | Asociación Colombiana de Escultismo (ACE) |
| Curaçao | Asosiashon di Skouting di Korsou (Skouting Korsou) |
| Mexico | Agrupación Scout Mexicana, A.C. |
| Federación Mexicana de Scouts Independientes, A. C. | |
| Asociacion Nacional de Scouts Independientes | |
| Panama | Cuerpo de Exploradores Panameños |
| Paraguay | Hermandad Scout de Paraguay |
| Suriname | Independent Scouts Suriname |
| United States Scouting in the United States Scouting in the United States can refer to Scouting associations that are recognized by one of the international Scouting organizations, as well as independent groups that are considered to be "Scout-like" or otherwise Scouting related.-Scouting for boys:... |
Baden-Powell Service Association |
| Venezuela | Organización de Exploradores Marinos de Venezuela |
| Organización de Exploradores de Venezuela | |
| Organización Venezolana de Escultismo Tradicional |
Jamborees and international camps
The first WFIS World JamboreeWorld Federation of Independent Scouts World Jamboree
The WFIS world jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Federation of Independent Scouts.-Jamborees:-Background:The Jamboree is an international event product of the Scouting as a successful educational movement for peace and youth development....
was held in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 2002, with 850 Scouts attending. The event's motto was Together we are strongest. The Second WFIS World Jamboree was held from 7 to 14 July 2007 with over 3000 Scouts attending. It was held near Medellín
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. The Third WFIS World Jamboree is scheduled to be held in México
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, in 2011.
In addition to World Jamborees, the WFIS also regularly host regional international camps. Eurocamp is one example of this with the following camps having taken place:
- Eurocamp 2014 in Italy
- Eurocamp 2010 in Germany
- Eurocamp 2006 in Switzerland
WFIS also hosts a Jamboree On The Internet:
- WFIS-JOTI 2010, hosted by WFIS Africa
Member Associations also regularly invite each other to their own camps, examples including:
- Jamboree 2008 (Northumberland)Jamboree 2008 (Northumberland)Jamboree 2008 was developed as "an Inter-organisational & International event" which was intended to "bring 600 young people from Scouting and Guiding together — to develop skills & friendships that will lay the foundations for the next 100 years of Scouting"...
- The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association 2007 Centenary Camp
International Scout Fellowship
The International Scout Fellowship is open to former members of WFIS, to adults who, because of work, cannot commit to the Rover Section, to adults who did not get the opportunity to be Scouts at an early age, and to adults who wish to contribute to independent Scouting, regardless of their Scouting backgrounds.Uniform
The badge is that of the WFIS in reverse colours.- Khaki or blue shirt and dark trousers or shorts with WFIS badge centered on the right breast pocket.
- Headdress, one of the following:
- dark green beret (with the official small ISF badge)
- the Khaki Scout Stetson.
- Neckerchief, one of the following:
- the Gilwell scarf,
- national WB scarf,
- local guild scarf
- yellow International Scout Fellowship scarf.