The Singapore Scout Association
Encyclopedia
The Singapore Scout Association (SSA) is one of the oldest youth movements in Singapore
. Scouting
encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, help other people as stated in the Scout Promise
and Scout Law
.
arrived from Nottingham
in September 1910 and spent the next 40 years helping to create the Singapore Scout Association. He is often called the "Father of Malayan Scouting". Starting with a small troop of 30 boys, the movement has grown immensely over the last 90 years, surviving two world wars and producing countless leaders in every sphere of human endeavour. Scouting for local boys only started in 1919 by Captain N.M. Hashim and A.Z. Alsagoff. From 1922 schools in Singapore adopted the Scout Programme as an extra-curricular activity resulting in the formation of school-sponsored troops registered as 2nd Raffles Institution
, 3rd Anglo-Chinese School and 4th St Joseph Institution. The 04 St Joseph's Pelandok Scout Group, formed in the 1911, became the oldest surviving Scout troop after the First Singapore Scout Troop disbanded.
). In addition, there are the Venture Scout
and Rover Scout which accept youths between the ages of 15 and 18 and young adults from 17 to 25 respectively. Besides the mainstream Scout sections, there is also the Sea Scout
section, which comprises Sea Scouts, Sea Venture Scouts and Sea Rover Scouts, and the Extension Scouts
which is open to all physically or mentally disadvantaged youths who enjoy Scouting. Previously, there was also the Air Scout section which is now abolished.
Scouting in Singapore is not only available to schools but also to the general community. The Scout units based in community are usually open units. They often work hand in hand with their respective RCs with community projects while using these RCs as their Scout's "base". There are also several foreign Scout groups, mainly the international schools, in Singapore that actively participate in the Singapore National & Area Scouting events.
The Scout Association has developed and has kept pace with Scouting program to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. The association continues to identify itself actively with the process of nation building by organising relevant activities and is not connected with any political party.
The President of the Republic of Singapore is the Chief Scout. The Chief Scout holds the highest authority in the SSA and grants warrants and awards to uniformed adult leaders and commissioners who are recommended by the Association Headquarters. The Chief Scout also awards deserving and outstanding youth members who have attained the Standards of the Highest Award — the President's Scout Award.
The Association Headquarters is led by the Scout Council, which comprises both the uniformed and lay official who will assist the Chief Scout in his functions. The Scout Council is responsible for finding funds to support the association's activities and provides strategic direction and financial oversight on the Association while the Commissioner's Council formulate operational policies and directives in the respective fields and departments. The Area Council and the Districts implement the various National policies and directives to the grassroot units. Full-time professional staff provide day-to-day management of the Association Headquarters and provide support services to Commissioner's Council and Scout Council.
The Scout Council is headed by an elected President of the Association, together with his Vice Presidents and Council members. There are several committees formed up to look into the various aspects of the Association including the Finance Committee, Uniform Committee, and Scout Shop Committee.
The Commissioner's Council is the highest operational policy and directive body headed by Chief Commissioner. The Commissioner's Council structure as follows:
The National Training Commissioner is the head of National Training Team whose role is to provide adult leader training towards Woodbadge.
The National Program Commissioner is the head of National Program Council whose role is to provide Scouting Programs and updates for all youth members.
The International/Relations Commissioner is the head of International/Relations Department that handles both relations within Singapore and internationally.
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and
to the Republic of Singapore,
to help other people and
to keep the Scout Law.
Trusted here means that a Scout can be relied upon to carry out his duties faithfully. In his personal bearing and conduct, he is able to win the trust and confidence of other people. There is no need to check to see if such a boy has done the job he said he would do, or telling the truth. People can rely on him not to let them down.
A Scout is loyal.
Being loyal to people means being on their side and showing that you are when the chance offers. It is easy to be loyal when things are going well, but the real test of one's loyalty comes when trouble comes or hard work is involved.
A Scout shows loyalty to his home, to his friends, to his Scout Unit, to the Singapore Scout Association and to his own Nation. He will do anything to uphold the good name of Scouting. He will show respect to the Nation Flag and the National Anthem
(viz. Majulah Singapura
in Singapore) because he is loyal to his Nation.
A Scout makes friends, establishes and maintains harmonious relations.
Making friends is very much a part of Scout training. Enlarge your circle of friends; this includes making friends with local Scouts as well as Scouts from other countries.
You want your friendship to last; having made friends, you are to do your best to be friendly, to share what you have with them. In this way, they learn to like you, to help you no matter what race they belong to. Learn to live with them and live happily together.
A Scout is disciplined and considerate.
A disciplined Scout is a boy who understands what is orderliness and what is unruliness. He likes discipline because things can be done quickly where there is order. He learns to accept praise without getting swollen-headed and is ready to be corrected if he has done wrong. In the same way, he acknowledges success with humility and accepts defeat with equal grace.
To be considerate is to be thoughtful of others. You are not going to do anything that will hurt others whether in thought, deeds or words. Also, understand that consideration for others paves the way for happy and harmonious living.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout who has courage is ready to face any difficulty what comes along. He is not going to give up easily but tries very hard to overcome his difficulties. The reason is that without courage, without being strong in spirit, a person has less chance of survival or success than one who is brave and refuses to give up until he succeeds. Difficulties can be solved if you have courage.
Every Scout should learn to strive and to achieve and this is only possible if he has the courage to do the right thing at the right time.
You need to have courage because through your training, you know what to do in an emergency. Courageous deeds come about because you know what to do, how to do it, and most important of all, do it.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Scouting
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....
encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, help other people as stated in the Scout Promise
Scout Promise
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
and Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
.
History
Scouting was first introduced in Singapore in 1908 but was officially founded on 2 July 1910. A young Scoutmaster named Frank Cooper SandsFrank Cooper Sands
Frank Cooper Sands was a Scoutmaster from Nottingham, England. He is recognized as a founder of Scouting in Singapore on July 2, 1910, when Sands established two Boy Scout troops for the children of the British colonists. From there, the movement spread to other parts of the Straits Settlements...
arrived from Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
in September 1910 and spent the next 40 years helping to create the Singapore Scout Association. He is often called the "Father of Malayan Scouting". Starting with a small troop of 30 boys, the movement has grown immensely over the last 90 years, surviving two world wars and producing countless leaders in every sphere of human endeavour. Scouting for local boys only started in 1919 by Captain N.M. Hashim and A.Z. Alsagoff. From 1922 schools in Singapore adopted the Scout Programme as an extra-curricular activity resulting in the formation of school-sponsored troops registered as 2nd Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution , founded in 1823, is the oldest centre for pre-tertiary learning in Singapore. It is an independent school in Singapore providing secondary and pre-university education. RI consists of a boys-only secondary section , and a coeducational pre-university section...
, 3rd Anglo-Chinese School and 4th St Joseph Institution. The 04 St Joseph's Pelandok Scout Group, formed in the 1911, became the oldest surviving Scout troop after the First Singapore Scout Troop disbanded.
Present
Today, there are 10,292 Scouts in Singapore serving in four mainstream Scout sections. Each section caters to the needs of Scouts in a specific age range through its different program focus. The Cub Scout section comprises youths between ages 7 and 12 (primary school) while the Scout section is made up of youths from 12 to 16 (secondary schoolSecondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
). In addition, there are the Venture Scout
Venture Scout
Venture Scouting is a section of the Scout Movement, mostly in countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, for young people roughly in the 14 – 20 age range.-Australia:...
and Rover Scout which accept youths between the ages of 15 and 18 and young adults from 17 to 25 respectively. Besides the mainstream Scout sections, there is also the Sea Scout
Sea Scout
Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Depending on the country and the available water these activities are on lakes, rivers or sea in small or large ships. Sea Scouting...
section, which comprises Sea Scouts, Sea Venture Scouts and Sea Rover Scouts, and the Extension Scouts
Extension Scouting
Extension Scouting is a programme within Scouting which caters for young people with special needs. Extension Scouting for young people with special needs was originally called Scouts Malgré Tout, which is French for "Scouts Despite Everything"...
which is open to all physically or mentally disadvantaged youths who enjoy Scouting. Previously, there was also the Air Scout section which is now abolished.
Scouting in Singapore is not only available to schools but also to the general community. The Scout units based in community are usually open units. They often work hand in hand with their respective RCs with community projects while using these RCs as their Scout's "base". There are also several foreign Scout groups, mainly the international schools, in Singapore that actively participate in the Singapore National & Area Scouting events.
Singapore Scout Association
The President of the Republic of Singapore is the Chief Scout. The Chief Scout holds the highest authority in the SSA and grants warrants and awards to uniformed adult leaders and commissioners who are recommended by the Association Headquarters. The Chief Scout also awards deserving and outstanding youth members who have attained the Standards of the Highest Award — the President's Scout Award.
The Association Headquarters is led by the Scout Council, which comprises both the uniformed and lay official who will assist the Chief Scout in his functions. The Scout Council is responsible for finding funds to support the association's activities and provides strategic direction and financial oversight on the Association while the Commissioner's Council formulate operational policies and directives in the respective fields and departments. The Area Council and the Districts implement the various National policies and directives to the grassroot units. Full-time professional staff provide day-to-day management of the Association Headquarters and provide support services to Commissioner's Council and Scout Council.
The Scout Council is headed by an elected President of the Association, together with his Vice Presidents and Council members. There are several committees formed up to look into the various aspects of the Association including the Finance Committee, Uniform Committee, and Scout Shop Committee.
The Commissioner's Council is the highest operational policy and directive body headed by Chief Commissioner. The Commissioner's Council structure as follows:
- Chief Commissioner
- Deputy Chief Commissioners
- Assistant Chief Commissioners
- National Training Commissioner
- National Programme Commissioner
- Area Commissioners
- Membership Growth Commissioner
- Partnership Commissioner
- Adult Resource Commissioner
- Programme Resource Commissioner
- International/Relations Commissioner
- District Commissioner
The National Training Commissioner is the head of National Training Team whose role is to provide adult leader training towards Woodbadge.
The National Program Commissioner is the head of National Program Council whose role is to provide Scouting Programs and updates for all youth members.
The International/Relations Commissioner is the head of International/Relations Department that handles both relations within Singapore and internationally.
Mission
To develop young people for a purposeful and responsible adulthood, always prepared to serve God, country and humanity.The Scout Promise
On my honour,I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and
to the Republic of Singapore,
to help other people and
to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Law
A Scout is to be trusted.Trusted here means that a Scout can be relied upon to carry out his duties faithfully. In his personal bearing and conduct, he is able to win the trust and confidence of other people. There is no need to check to see if such a boy has done the job he said he would do, or telling the truth. People can rely on him not to let them down.
A Scout is loyal.
Being loyal to people means being on their side and showing that you are when the chance offers. It is easy to be loyal when things are going well, but the real test of one's loyalty comes when trouble comes or hard work is involved.
A Scout shows loyalty to his home, to his friends, to his Scout Unit, to the Singapore Scout Association and to his own Nation. He will do anything to uphold the good name of Scouting. He will show respect to the Nation Flag and the National Anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
(viz. Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura is the national anthem of Singapore. Composed by Zubir Said in 1958 as a theme song for official functions of the City Council of Singapore, the song was selected in 1959 as the island's anthem when it attained self-government. Upon full independence in 1965, Majulah Singapura...
in Singapore) because he is loyal to his Nation.
A Scout makes friends, establishes and maintains harmonious relations.
Making friends is very much a part of Scout training. Enlarge your circle of friends; this includes making friends with local Scouts as well as Scouts from other countries.
You want your friendship to last; having made friends, you are to do your best to be friendly, to share what you have with them. In this way, they learn to like you, to help you no matter what race they belong to. Learn to live with them and live happily together.
A Scout is disciplined and considerate.
A disciplined Scout is a boy who understands what is orderliness and what is unruliness. He likes discipline because things can be done quickly where there is order. He learns to accept praise without getting swollen-headed and is ready to be corrected if he has done wrong. In the same way, he acknowledges success with humility and accepts defeat with equal grace.
To be considerate is to be thoughtful of others. You are not going to do anything that will hurt others whether in thought, deeds or words. Also, understand that consideration for others paves the way for happy and harmonious living.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout who has courage is ready to face any difficulty what comes along. He is not going to give up easily but tries very hard to overcome his difficulties. The reason is that without courage, without being strong in spirit, a person has less chance of survival or success than one who is brave and refuses to give up until he succeeds. Difficulties can be solved if you have courage.
Every Scout should learn to strive and to achieve and this is only possible if he has the courage to do the right thing at the right time.
You need to have courage because through your training, you know what to do in an emergency. Courageous deeds come about because you know what to do, how to do it, and most important of all, do it.
See also
- Girl Guides SingaporeGirl Guides SingaporeGirl Guides Singapore is the national Guiding organization of Singapore. It serves 12,340 members . Founded in 1917, the girls-only organization became a full member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1966...
- Cub Scouts (Singapore Scout Association)
- World Buddhist Scout BrotherhoodWorld Buddhist Scout BrotherhoodThe World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood is an autonomous, international body committed to promoting and supporting Buddhism within Scouting. The WBSB began as a means to facilitate religious activities among Buddhist Scouts...