Greek Youth Group Uniforms

Figure 1.--Many early Scout groups were associated with schools, like this one in 1920-22.

Greece was one of the first countries to form a Scouting troop. The first Scout group was organized in 1910. Greek Scouts are considered very traditional (old fashioned) and close to the principles laid by Baden Powell. Their uniforms have changed a little since the 1940s and all boys of all ages wear khaki shorts and shirt and brown knee socks. Sometimes even adult scouts (as old as 50) wear shorts. We do not know of any other important Greek uniformed youth group with the exception of the Ethniki Organosi Neolaias (EON--National Organization of Youth) which operated from 1936-40.

Boy Scouts

Greece was one of the first countries to form a Scouting troop. The first Scout group was organized in 1910. Greek Scouting grew steadily, but slowly as the poverty prevalent in the country prevented many boys from participating. Scouting was prohibited in 1939 as the Ethniki Organosi Neolaias (EOS) pressured the Fascist leaning government to support one single nationalist youth group. Scouting reappeared afyer liberation in 1944. Greek Scouts are considered very traditional (old fashioned) and close to the principles laid by Baden Powell. Their uniforms have changed a little since the 1940s and all boys of all ages wear khaki shorts and shirt and brown knee socks. Sometimes even adult scouts (as old as 50) wear shorts.

Girl Guides

There were attempts to accept girls in the Boy Scouts in Greece until the Girl Guides in Greece were founded in 1932. Guiding was, however, prohibited in 1939 along with Scoiting as the Ethniki Organosi Neolaias (EOS) pressured the Fascist leaning government. Guiding reappeared afyer liberation in 1944. I am not sure when the Guides accepted boys for the first time but I assume that this happened after 1974. The uniform of the Girl Guides consists of a skirt, shirt, knee socks, neckerchief and a cap. The boys wear the same uniform as the girls, but with shorts of course rather than a skirt. The Girl Guides in Greece are an alternative for boys that don't want to be in a military-like group.

Ethniki Organosi Neolaias (EON)

The Ethniki Organosi Neolaias (EON--National Organization of Youth) which operated from 1936-40. This was a Fascist organization sponsored by the filo-fascist dictator. There are a lot of interesting things about this. First the dictator fought against the Fascists in World War II. There a political explanation on that. EON was very popular and boys and girls from democratic and even communist families joined, there is also an explanation on that.

Other Groups

We do not know of any other important Greek uniformed youth group