Air Scouts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Scouting organization | |
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| Organizational data | |
| Name | Air Scout |
| Country | Worldwide |
| Founded | 1911 (first Airman's Badge) |
| Founder | Major Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell |
 Scouting portal |
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Air Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on flying-based activities. Air Scouts follow the same basic programme as normal Scouts but certain amounts of time are spent focusing on air activities.
Air Scouts often wear a slightly different uniform from the rest of the Scouting movement.
The name is also used as a derogatory reference to members of the U.S. Air Force, typically used by combat troops of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
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[edit] History
Major Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell, Robert Baden-Powell's youngest brother, was the first who brought flying-based activities into Scouting.
[edit] Worldwide
[edit] Australia
Scouts Australia has an active Air Scouting program.
For example the Air Scouts Canberra[1], which was formed out of Latrobe Park Scouts in 2003.
[edit] Cyprus
Air Scouting in Cyprus is an active part of the Soma Proskopon Kyproi(Cyprus Scouts Association) program.
For example the 273rd Air Scout Group [2].
[edit] Greece
Air Scouting in Greece is an active part of the Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Scouts of Greece) program. There is a Region for Air Scouts [3] and approximately 57 Air Scout groups. The first was founded in 1937.
[edit] Hong Kong
There are also Air Scouts in The Scout Association of Hong Kong. For example the 11th Kowloon Group Venture Air Scout Unit[4] and the 11th Air Scout Troop[5] in Kowloon.
[edit] Ireland
Air Scouting[6] is a branch of Scouting Ireland which combines the normal scouting activities such as camping and hiking with an interest in aviation and space.
[edit] Netherlands
Air Scouting (lucht scouts) in the Netherlands is an active part of the program. There are currently 15 Air Scout groups. They wear a light gray shirt.
[edit] Poland
Air Scouting (harcerskie lotnictwo) in the Poland is an active part of the program. There are currently 11 Air Scout groups.
[edit] South Africa
Air Scouting in South Africa is an active part of the South African Scout Association program. Although it has been recently neglected, since 2005 Air Scouting has really started to take to the skies, especially in Gauteng, where the first Airjamborally since the 1980s was held during August 2005.
There are currently 9 Air Scout groups in South Africa:
- 1st Edgemead Air Scout Group
- Fairland Air Scout Group
- First Rosebank Air Scout Group
- 9th Irene Air Scout Group
- 2nd Kenridge Air Scouts
- Constellation Air Scouts (2nd Benoni and 4th Benoni)
- Harmelia Gardens Air Scout Group
- Springs Central Air Scout Group
- 58th Durban Air Scouts
- 1st Cowies Hill Air Scouts
What distinguishes Air Scouts from Land Scouts, or Sea Scouts is the uniform. Air Scouts do the following badges Advanced Navigation, Air Glider, Air Mechanic, Air Meteorologist, Air Navigator, Air Spotter and Air Traffic Controller The Air Scout uniform is: A sky blue shirt (Short sleeve), Navy blue long pants or shorts, black socks, black shoes, the group scarf and a black beret.
Air Scouts also generally do their Air Explorer (As opposed to Sea Explorer or Explorer badge) advancement badge. The Explorer advancement badge is the last advancement badge before the Top Award (Springbok Badge). Challenge awards differ from Land and Sea Scouts. Whereas Land Scouts can obtain a Bushman's Thong and Sea Scouts the Bosun's cord, Air Scouts wear The Airman's Cord.
The Gauteng Area Air Scouts (With 5 of the 8 Groups) is the most active and largest Air Scouting area in South Africa.
[edit] Sudan
Sudanese Air Scout & Girl Guides Group[7] or [8]is an active part of the Sudan Boy Scouts Association and Girl Guides Association of The Sudan. It was founded in 1975.
[edit] United Kingdom
Air Scouting in the UK started in the 1930's and became an official branch of Scouting in 1941. The early history of Air Scouting can be found here. Currently around 10% of all Scouts in the UK are in one of the 160 Air Scout Troops or Explorer Units.
An Air Scout Troop can apply to become recognised with the Royal Air Force and thus can receive special opportunities and trips. This RAF Recognition is subject to a regular 18 month inspection by a designated RAF Reserve Officer.
[edit] United States of America
Air Scouts is a now-defunct program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Air Scouts program had four ranks Apprentice, Observer, Craftsman, and Ace. The Ace cloth knot and medal may still be worn by anyone who earned them before the program was dropped.
The program was established in 1941 and existed under the name Air Scouts until 1949, when it was renamed Air Explorers. With minor changes, this program lasted until 1965, when it was fully merged into the then existing Explorer program of the BSA as a specialty called 'Aviation Explorers'. It still exists today as part of the BSA's Learning for Life Explorer program.
Youth in the United States of America interested in non-profit organizations based around flying should also look into the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.
