Scouting in Denmark From: Niels.K.Jensen@imf.kvl.dk (Niels Kristian Jensen), 1995. In Denmark we have several Scout associations; The Danish Guide and Scout Association (Det Danske Spejderkorps = DDS), YMCA Scouts (KFUM-spejderne), YWCA Scouts (KFUK-spejderne), The Baptist Scouts of Denmark (Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps = DBS), The Guide and Scout Association of Greenland (Det Gr¿nlandske Spejderkorps = DGS) and The Scout Council of the Faroe Islands. There is one additional uniformed organization called FDF, but they insist on NOT being scouts (they originate from the British Boy's Brigade). Mixed or seperate ? The YWCA Scouts is for girls only, all other associations are open to boys and girls. Uniforms The uniform of DDS Scouts is dark blue supplemented by a scarf, coloured according to the groups choice. The uniform of YMCA scouts is green with a red scarf. The uniform of YWCA scouts is dark green with a yellow scarf. DBS uses a light blue uniform with a turquoise blue scarf. The uniform of the DGS is a dark blue anorak and chequed scarf. Number of members These numbers were collected in 1994, but they all stay quite stable. Both adult leaders and children are counted. DDS: 36000. YMCA: 33000. YWCA: 12000. DBS: 2000. DGS: 1500. Almost 2% of the population in Denmark are scouts. Religion in scouting DDS is the only Danish scout organization that does not require religion to be a part of scouting. The only requirement being that the scouts "Find their own faith and respect others'" (part of the Scout Law). All the other associations are based on Christianity. Age-divisions DDS uses the following age-division guidelines: 6- 8: Micro Scouts (Danish: Mikroer) 8-10: Mini Scouts (Danish: Minier) 10-12: Junior Scouts (Danish: Juniorer) 12-16: Scouts (Danish: Spejdere) 16-23: Senior Scouts (Danish: Seniorer) The other Scouting organizations have slightly different age divisions and generally use more inspiring names. In general the youngest scouts are around 6 and the oldest are above 20. Local organization system All Scouting organizations in Denmark are based on groups. A group is usually a combination of a unit from each of the age groups. It is normal to stay in the same group in all of your scouting life. Leaders ocationally move from group to group, but scouts seldom do. In DDS, the groups are organized in districts, that must consist of at least 600 scouts. The districts are combined in 7 so-called areas. Leaders and Ranks Leaders are from almost all age groups. It is not unusual that a unit have leaders of quite different age. Leaders are both old scouts and parents. It is not a tradition that parents follow their kids through the different age groups; instead they tend to stay in the same unit a number of years. There is no notion of ranks (like Star, Life, Eagle in the BSA) in any of the major scouting organizations in Denmark. A few groups implement something on their own, but the general emphasis is not on advancement. There are merit badges for mini scouts, junior scouts, and normal scouts, but in many places these are not very used. Typically, the cub scouts (mini AND junior scouts) rarely have more than 5 merit badges, of which one is the "knife award". These badges are often used to help the leaders and the scouts remember that safe use of some tools require training. History and Presentation of the DDS DDS was founded november 19th, 1909. The girls and guides formed the DPS (Danish: Dansk Pige Spejderkorps) october 10th, 1910. DDS was for boys and DPS for girls until they merged in 1973. This means that most local units now are coeducational. Every 5 years, DDS gathers in one big camp (Danish: BlŒ Sommer). The peak number of people in the camp was close to 23000 in 1994. The main object of work in DDS is to help children and young people develop into self-reliant persons, who can assume responsibility in their own environment and in the world around them. The main emphasis in everyday Guiding/Scouting is put on wild life, camping and preservation of the environment, as well as international activities. History and Presentation of the YMCA YMCA was founded september 28th, 1910. A referendum was held in 1982 the result being that YMCA should be open equally for boys and girls, while YWCA should continue as an organization exclusively for girls. Now, some 40 percent of the members in YMCA are girls. The association is confessional based on the Danish National Church, which is Lutheran Evangelical. The programme emphasizes the participation in a Chistian Scout community and stresses living in nature, democratic education and international understanding. History and Presentation of the YWCA YWCA was founded 1919. YWCA is an organization exclusively for girls (see above). This kind of association has many advantages, as girls from an early age learn to accept responsibility for themselves and others, and gain the confidence and skills to do practical tasks as well as managerial and organisational work on a local as well as on a national level. The association is confessional based on the Danish National Church. The association is strongly committed to promote international fellowship and understanding among all their members. History and Presentation of the DBS The Danish Baptist Guide and Scout Association - offers guide and scout programmes in accordance with the international guide and scout promise and law. In practise, this is shown by a financial and other support given to the Baptist associations in Burundi and Rwanda (Africa). - is a religious association where all local groups can only exist in close co-operation with a local Baptist church. The Baptist Church is an evangelical free church practising adult baptism. It is not a necessity to be a Baptist to be a member of the association. History and Presentation of DGS The Guide and Scout Association of Greenland was founded in 1973 and is the only Guide and Scout Association in Greenland. Already in 1943, however, Scouting started in Greenland. The Association cooperates closely with the Danish associations and has international contacts to WAGGGS and WOSM. Among the many different activities the following are characteristic: beadwork, the preparation of fur, cleaning of fish. Particular emphasis is put on wild life in a sometimes quite rough environment. Here the Guides and Scouts learn how to survive on natural resources. Thence most activities take place out doors. Addresses in Denmark All the Danish scout offices accept mail written in English. DDS: Det Danske Spejderkorps Lundsgade 6 DK-2100 K¿benhavn ¯ Phone: (+45) 35 26 12 11 Fax: (+45) 35 26 12 20 YMCA: KFUM-Spejderne i Danmark Gammel Vartov Vej 16 DK-2900 Hellerup Phone: (+45) 39 29 26 66 Fax: (+45) 39 29 16 24 E-mail: kfum.em@login.dknet.dk YWCA: KFUK-spejderne i Danmark De gr¿nne pigespejdere Rosenborggade 3 DK-1130 K¿benhavn K Phone: (+45) 33 12 95 38 Fax: (+45) 33 12 67 75 DBS: Danske Baptisters Spejderkorps Gammel Gugvej 21 DK-9000 Aalborg Phone: (+45) 98 16 62 50 Fax: (+45) 98 11 68 50 DGS: The Guide and Scout association of Greenland Nunaanni Spejderit Kattuffiat Box 799 3900 Nuuk Greenland Phone: (+299) 219 55 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------