Cuban Boy Scouts


Figure 1.--Cuban Scouts were involved in a variety of public service activities. This photograph is captioned with, "President of local Comittee Mr. L. Polanco Scout Commissiner D.A. Poranford & Cuban Boy Scouts who recieved clothes, toys & shoes donated by American Boy Scouts to hurricane victims of Cienfuegos Las Villas." Unfortunately it is not dated, nor do we know the name of the huricane. We would gues it was taken about 1950.

Cuba had a small Scouting movemnent. The country was a Spanish colony which became independent in 1903. The first known Scout group in Cuba was organized about 1914, a few years after the organization was founded. Other groups appeared in the main cities. There was, however, no national organization until the Asociación de Scouts de Cuba (Scout Association of Cuba--ASC) was organized . We are not sure precisely when the ASC was organized. One report says 1927. Another report says it was earlier, but could not obtain recognition by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The WOSM reconized the ASC in 1927. Cuban Scouting was a boys only movement. We notice a uniform in the 1920s with knickers like the United States rather than short pants like the British. The knickers don't seem in keeping with the tropical climate. We note Cuban Scouts about 1950 wearing the short pants uniform that was more common around the world. There were about 6,500 members in the 1950s. Scouting ended in Cuba after the Revolution of 1959. We do not have details, but we believe the Communist Government banned Scouting. Cuban Scouters were among the refugees fleeing to the United States. Cuban Scouting thus continues within the Cuban-American community centered in Miami, Florida.

Foundation

Cuba had a small Scouting movemnent. The country was a Spanish colony which became independent in 1903. The first known Scout group in Cuba was organized about 1914, a few years after the organization was founded. Other groups appeared in the main cities. There was, however, no national organization until the Asociación de Scouts de Cuba (Scout Association of Cuba--ASC) was organized . We are not sure precisely when the ASC was organized. One report says 1927. Another report says it was earlier, but could not obtain recognition by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The WOSM reconized the ASC in 1927.

Organization

Cuban Scouting was a boys only movement.

Inter-American Regional Office

The World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement set up the Inter-American Region office in Havana (1946) where it operated until the Cuban Government banned Scouting.

Membership

As in much of Latin America, Cuba Scouting was a relatively small movement consisting of middle class boys. There were about 6,500 members in the 1950s.

Activities

The ASC opened a national training/camping site at Mayabeque. Cuba Scouts were involved in a range of public service ctivities such as the Scouts here involved in huricane relief (figure 1). As the authority of the Batista Government dissolved, Cuban Scouts stepped into help with a range of city services which were being disrupted. This included traffic control, working in hospitls, and setting up first aid stations.

Uniform

Cuban Scouts had an olive-khaki uniform with the traditional broad-brimmed hat. The destinctive neckerchief was blue with a white star on a red triangle, bsed on the motif of the Cuban flag.We notice a uniform in the 1920s with knickers like the United States rather than short pants like the British. The knickers don't seem in keeping with the tropical climate. We note Cuban Scouts about 1950 wearing the short pants uniform that was more common around the world.

Ban (1961)

Scouting ended in Cuba after the Revolution of 1959. As part of the move toward Communism, the Castro Government banned Cuban Scouting (1960). The Scouts were replaced with the Government-controlled Young Pioneer Movement. Cuba today is one of the few countries around the World that does not have a Scout Movement.

Scoting in Exile

Cuban Scouters were among the refugees fleeing to the United States. Cuban Scouting thus continues within the Cuban-American community centered in Miami, Florida.






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Created: 1:38 AM 9/3/2007
Last updated: 1:38 AM 9/3/2007