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Since a small experimental camp was held in 1907, over a billion young people have belonged to the Scouting and Guiding Movements and, currently, Scouting exists in every country and territory on earth but six with approximately 28 million members. They are embraced by virtually every world religion including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism plus many others.
The Scouting/Guiding Movements adapt to local conditions, languages, and cultures but all national Scouting/Guiding programmes share certain characteristics. Using the outdoors as a key learning resource, young people, working in small groups, participate in a progressive, non-formal system of self-education. These programs, customized to appropriate age groups, are designed to stimulate the intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development of young people.
The Scouting and Guiding Movements believe in the importance of the spiritual development of young people but uphold the principle that specific religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious authorities. FCS serves to support this endeavor for Quaker Scouts and Guides.
Check out the World Organization of the Scouting Movement's Scouting and Spiritual Development document (Adobe Acrobat file) for more information on Scouting's position on spiritual development.
For general information on world Scouting and Guiding visit these websites:
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