Scout Association of Malta
| The Scout Association of Malta | |||
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| Country | Malta | ||
| Founded | 1966 | ||
| Membership | 3,100 | ||
| Chief Scout | Mr. George Cassar | ||
| Affiliation | World Organization of the Scout Movement | ||
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Website scout.org.mt | |||
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The Scout Association of Malta is the largest Scouting organization in Malta. It is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised association in Malta. As of 2011, it reported 2,936 members.[1]
The Association's motto is Kun Lest, translating as Be Prepared in Maltese. The membership badge of the Association features the Maltese eight-pointed cross.
History
Scouting began in Malta in 1909. For the history of Scouting in Malta before the formation of The Scout Association of Malta in 1966 see Scouting in Malta.
The Maltese Boy Scouts Association was formed in October 1966 after Malta became an independent nation in 1964. The association became a member of the Boy Scouts International Conference in December 1966. The Vice-President of the International Conference, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, presented the registration certificate to the Chief Scout of Malta. The association changed its name to The Scout Association of Malta.
In 2007, the association inaugurated a Beaver section.
Organisation
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The Scout Association of Malta is currently divided into 4 Scout Districts, and a total of 40 Scout Groups, with 2,500 members as of December, 2001. The island of Malta itself comprises three of the Districts, with the fourth being the neighbouring island of Gozo which currently has two of the Groups, Victoria Scout Group and Xaghra Scout Group.
There is a Chief Scout and an Island Headquarters of around 15 leaders and administrators.
The Scout programme is divided into sections based on age groups, with Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts.
Connections with Baden-Powell
Malta has several connections to Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell served as Assistant Military Secretary to his uncle, Henry Augustus Smyth, who was governor of Malta in 1890-1893. Baden-Powell returned many times to the island, including as part of his honeymoon with Lady Olave. Shortly before his death in 1940, Baden-Powell wrote in a final letter to the island's Scouts: to congratulate my old friends, the Maltese on the plucky way they have stood up to the infernal bombing of the Italians ... They have the spirit of fearlessness and patience which enables them to face danger with a smile to stick it out to the triumphant finish ...[2]
See also
References
- ↑ "Triennal review: Census as at 1 December 2010" (PDF). World Organization of the Scout Movement. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ↑ "History of Scouting in Malta". The Scout Association of Malta. Archived from the original on 2006-11-30. Retrieved 2007-01-08.