Figure 1.--The Riaumont are supported by a Catholic monastic order, the Holy Cross of Riaumont. The boy in this picture is taking the Scout oath. Notice the white gloves--a formal touch for the event. Click on the image to see how the Scouts and some of their friends dress for play when not in Scout uniform. These images were taken in 1999. Note the short hair styles that have become popular in France.

A Catholic monastic order ("Holy Cross of Riaumont") sponsors the Riaumont Scouts. The Scout group was founded at the school tat the order sponsors at Riaumont in northern France. These Scouts believe in traditional Scouting and a a traditional uniform. Like at the school, many of the boys wear lederhosen, leather short pants.

History

The history of the school's Scout troop and uniform is a little complicated. The troop scout existed from the beginning of Riaumont, but their association has varied. Father Revet who founded the school, at first a home for orphans, did not require his boys to join the Scouts. But he worked with a Scout unit on the town of Li�vin where Riaumont is located.

Some of the Riaumont boys formed their own kind Scout-like troop: les "spahis " with a different uniform. They adopted the red cap which they wore with their school lederhosen. The Scouts in Li�vin did not at first wear lederhosen. They followed the uniform guidelines of the Scouts of France. After 1965, the Li�vin Scouts separated from the Scouts of France. Father Revet helped form a new association, Scouts of St. George--rather like the Baden Powell Scouts in England. The St. George Scouts, since disbanded, adopted lederhosen as part of their uniform.

Units

There are four units of Riaumont scouts. One at the school in Riaumont and another one in Paris. The boys at the Riaumont school are between 11 and 15 years. There are boys from both the school and the surounding town. There are about 35 schoolboys in the Riaumonr group.

Organization

The Riaumont Scouts are organized into both Wolf Cubsband Scouts. The boys of the troop scout are between 7 and 11 years for the wolf cubs, and of 12 until 17 years for the scouts.

Uniforms

The Riaumont Cubs and Scouts have destinctive uniforms.

Cubs

The Riaumont Cubs wear b�rets, knerchiefs, black sweaters, blue shirts, lederhosen, and white knee socks.

Figure 2.--The Riaumont Cubs are short here for a "Rassemblement". The boys wear their characteristic berets and lederhosen.

Scouts

The Riaumont Scouts wear Smokey Bear Scout hats, light brown shirts with a French flag on theie sleeve, yellow and maroon kerchiefs, lederhosen, and white kneesocks which they usually roll down.

Rituals

The Riaumont Scouts are a traditional group. As such they take the rityuals and pagentry of Scouting very seriously. Their religious foundation is probably another factor in this emphasis on ritual. There desire to return to some of the pre-Vatican II Church rituals is the primary reason they broke away from the main stream French Scout movement. The most important ritual is when a new boy moving up frpm the Cubs takes the Scout oath or promise.

Internet Site

We do not fully understand Riaumont. It appears to be a community for children, we assume orphans or poor children. Riaumont has an internet site which presumably explains the community in detail. As it is a French site, we are not sure just wht it says. There is a Village d'enfants. It seems to be a whole village in France based around a school run by the Catholic church. The Scouting program is just one part of the Riaumont program.