From: snippala@toty.joensuu.fi (Satu Nippala) Subject: Scouting in Finland GUIDING AND SCOUTING IN FINLAND Guiding and Scouting were established simultaneously in Finland in 1910. The two separate Unions were merged to form a single National Organization in 1972. The assosiation is called The Guides and Scouts of Finland (Suomen Partiolaiset - Finlands Scouter ry) and consists of 18 Member Districts, one of which is swedish- speaking (Finlands Svenska Scouter rf - The Swedish-speaking Guides and Scouts in Finland). The membership figure including all age-groups is around 80,000. The members belong to about 850 local troops which form the Districts. There are Guides and Scouts from the southernmost tip of the country to far beyond the Artic Circle. DISTRICT AND TROOP A District -consists of 10 to 140 troops -collaborates with troops within its area -offers training opportunities at all levels -arranges Guide and Scout events, e.g. camps -helps troops in many ways, in many tasks Several Districts have their own headquarters and employ a regular staff. A Troop -consists of 20 to 300 individual members -has many different groups -offers e.g. Patrol Leader training opportunities, as well as all kinds of "happenings" to its members -is a member of a District (membership determined by locality, e.g. geographical factors, excluding swedish- speaking troops that all belong to Finlands Svenska Scouter rf.) MOTTO : BE PREPARED PROMISE : I WILL LOVE MY GOD AND MY NEIGHBOUR, MY NATIVE COUNTRY AND MANKIND BY FULLFFILLING THE GUIDE AND SCOUT IDEALS IN MY LIFE IDEALS : *TO DEVELOP HER/HIMSELF AS A HUMAN BEING *TO RESPECT OTHER HUMAN BEINGS *TO HELP AND SERVE OTHERS *TO RECOGNISE HER/HIS RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTIES *TO LOVE AND PROTECT NATURE *TO BE FAITHFUL AND RELIABLE *TO BUILD FRIENDSHIP ACROSS BORDERS *TO SEEK FOR THE TRUTH IN LIFE GUIDING / SCOUTING PROMOTES : *a positive attitude towards religion *loyalty to one's country *international understanding *the ideal of service *respect for the convictions of others *responsability for one's own life and the environment *involvement in social activities *a healthy way of life THE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH GUIDING AND SCOUTING WORKS : *Ideals and Promise *the Patrol System *a Program that advances by progressive stages *training for Leadership duties at different levels *teamwork *learning by doing *the use of creative imagination *games and activating projects *outdoor activities *activities with international and/or religional emphasis RELATIONS WITH THE WORLD ORGANISATIONS In The Guides and Scouts of Finland, the scout members belong to the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and the guide members to the World Assosiation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). LEVELS (7)-10 years : Sudenpentu - level In Finland, Brownies and Cub Scouts are collectively called Sudenpentu, which means a wolf cub. They meet in packs of 10-20. Some of the packs are mixed, the boys and girls sharing all activities at all stages. There are also single-sex packs. Sudenpentu Leader is over 16, with the required training and experience. Programme and Badges: Programme is sub-divided into five progressive stages: *Welcome *Pikkuhukka (pet name for a wolf cub) *Hukka (pet name of folk origin for a wolf) *Susi (wolf in finnish) *Transition stage The badges have illustrations of a wolf's head and pawprints. Sudenpentu activities: The Finnish Sudenpentu-members participate in traditional Guiding and Scouting activities: outings, camps in the summer, crosscountry skiing and skating in the winter, games, excursions, day or weekend trips, competitions, handicrafts etc. The children also take part in various service projects. 10-14 years : Vartioik{inen - level The Guides and Scouts between the ages 10 to 14 are simply called Guides and Scouts, Vartioik{inen in Finnish. Translated, the word means "at Patrol age". The Programme for this age-group is diversified -- the way it is carried out depends on the interests of each patrol. Programme and Pins: The programme for the Vartioik{inen - level is divided into three progressive stages: the Third Class, the Second Class and finally the First Class. There is also a number of interest badges. The badges are made of metal. The third class badge is the symbol of Scout movement, the second one is simply with the text : Be Prepared and the First one is the Finnish lion - our states symbol on the scoutflower. The Patrol leader is called Vartionjohtaja, or VJ for short. Their programme is divided into five sectors: *Guide and Scout ideology, their ideal of service *outdoor and camping skills *knowledge of Guiding and Scouting and Society *nature and its conservation *handicrafts, skills over 15 years of age : Vaeltaja - level Rangers and Rovers are collectively called Vaeltaja. The Vaeltaja- members are boys and girls over 15-years of age, operating in groups of varying sizes. The Vaeltaja leader is often of the same age as the eldest members in his or her group. The group plans its own programme. All Vaeltaja activities are based on developing a positive attitude towards service. Hobbies are also very important. The Vaeltaja - level Be Prepared -programme is divided into six categories: *knowledge of Guiding and Scouting and Society *service *outdoor activities, physical exercise *hobbies *nature and its conservation *Guide and Scout ideals Activities may vary greatly from group to group. Factors that make this activity Guiding and Scouting are : *regularity *order *presence and instructive role of Leader *hikes, outings, camps *discussions Individual Activities The ideal of service can be realized e.g. by participating in voluntary rescue service teams. Every other year there is a special weekend-event called Vaeltajap{iv{t for the Vaeltaja members. An important part of the event is the fair whose proceeds go towards making a member magazine in tape recording for those suffering from poor eye-sight. International activities and international education are also an important aspect of Guiding and Scouting particularly at Vaeltaja -level. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Sea Guiding and Scouting The aims and goals for Sea Guiding and Scouting are, apart from ordinary G/S education, to provide each member of a Sea Guide/Scout troop with adequate skills and knowledge of boating, sailing and other forms of seafaring and related activities. The principle of safety is conscientiously observed. Activities are largely centred around sailing and boating in the summer, whereas during the long winter months the crews spend a good part of their sparetime making the necessary repairs to their vessels. There are about 10,000 Sea Guides in Finland. SISU Guiding and Scouting (Sisu = guts) Handicap Guiding and Scouting is aimed at handicapped children and young people. Mainly these members suffer from defective sight or hearing, or have trouble moving normally. All SISU activities are geared for the handicapped, taking into consideration their individual limitations. SISU Guiding and Scouting often demands a larger number of leaders, special arrangements and various amendements to the ordinary programme. These measures, however ensure the opportunity for a rewarding and relaxing hobby for as many as possible. There is a special member magazine in tape recording for those whith poor eye-sight. SISU Guiding and Scouting is not a form of service, but Guiding and Scouting is open to everybody. Radio Guiding and Scouting Radio Guiding and Scouting is centres around communicational activities : "Walkie-Talkies", radioamateuring and -orienteering (also known as "Fox Hunting"). Knowledge of the structure and characteristics of the equipment is also observed. Many Radio Guides and Scouts participate in voluntary rescue service teams. Finnish Radio Guides and Scouts also take part in the annual Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA), which links troops from all over the world. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION The Guides and Scouts if Finland promotes international understanding by making each and every member identify him/herself as a Finnish citizen as well as a member of a major world-wide Organization. International education is an important aspect of the Guide and Scout Programme, promoting international undestanding, co-operation and peace. The Peace Education Programme of The Guides and Scouts of Finland was officially ratified in August 1982. Aims *growing in equality *learning by doing: growing into international understanding trough accepting ourselves, our nearest and dearest, neighbours as well as our cultural and historical background *accepting other cultures as enriching and equal, not threatening or competing *stressing the positive features of different cultures and peoples to promote in turn, positive attitudes and the will to work for international ends According to the basic principles of the Guides and Scouts of Finland, each individual member is encouraged to take steps to promote peace and positive attitudes. The Assosiation will create the climate and opportunities for these measures, without voicing a collective opinion. CHILD AND YOUTH POLITICAL PROGRAMME (=NUOPO in finnish) Was officially ratified in 1978. Purpose The purpose of the Programme is to give guidlines for the National Organization, its troops as well as individual members along which to work and, if required, take a stand in juvenile matters. General Arguments *child and young people are eddential for the development and future of any community *matters conserning children and young people should not be segregated from the rest of the community *The Guides and Scouts of Finland declare that the upbringing and education of children and young people are the most important tasks for humankind Operational Sectors *religious education *education at home *educational policies and politics at various levels *the environment of a child and youth *health-care and consultative services *a handicapped child and/or young person *a juvenile's judical protection *national and international education *youth with special interests *studies and employment *youth and the community GUIDE/SCOUT TROOPS MEMBER DISTRICTS MEMBER ASSEMBLY (every second year) SCOUT COUNCIL (four times a year) NATIONAL BOARD (5+2 members) VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION Programme Finlands Svenska Economy, Finance International Information and training Scouter rf. and Administration relations and public relations This was all for Finland, waiting for to see how people in other countries work... --------------------------------