Figure 1.--King Carol II (1930-40) while still Crown Prince, was Chief Scout. When he mounted the throne he handed this post on to his son Prince Michael, who had been active in Scouting from an early age. Here we see the King with Girl Guides in 1935. Prince Michael was designated the Romanian contingent leader to the 5th World Jamboree at Vogelenzang in the Netherlands (1937). Just before the departure, however, King Carol II under pressure from the nationalists and the Fascist Iron Guard was forced to accept the creation of a Fascist National Youth Movement and to order the disbanding of the Romanian Scout Movement.

We know of no youth organizations in Romania until the Boy Scouts inspired by Lord Baden Powell was organized. The first Scouts were organized in Romania just before the outbreak of World War I. A Boy Scout patrol was organized (1912). The individuals involved in organizing Scouting were a group of professors, physicians, soldiers, and other professionaks (Gheorghe Munteanu-Murgoci, Alexandru Borza, Vladimir Ghidionescu, Constantin Costa-Foru, Nicolae Iorga, Ion G. Duca and Colonel G. Berindei). They traveled widely and were familiar in the youth groups being organized in other European countries. The Romanian Scout asociation was Cercetaşii României (1915). In the same year a translation of Baden Powell's Scouting for Boys was published. Baden-Powell sent a congratulatory message and advised the Romanian Scouts of the importance of adapting the program to local conditions. Romania entered World War on the side of the Allies (1915). Scouts were active on the home front during the War. The Romanian Scouts were a founding member of the World Scouting Movement after the War. Romanian Boy Scouts attended the first World Jamboree in London, England. Scouting flourished in Romania during the inter-War period as a basically middle class movement. Patrols were formed in towns and villages throughout Romanuia. Romanian Scouts organized camps, socials, expeditions and spectacles. They published magazines, literary writings and pedagogical studies. A particularly active Scouter was the noted philosopher Mircea Eliade. The first Romanian Jamboree was held (1930). There were approximately 45,000 members in addition to 14,000 Guides. The organizer and Chief of the Guides Movement was Princess Ileana, the daughter of King Carol and Queen Marie. The Scouts, however, had a relatively short history in Romania. The Scouts were disbanded by King Carol when he moved to create the National Renaissance Front. part of that effort was single national youth group--the Străjeria. Romania was forced into the Axis by the Germans and entered the War as an Axis ally. At the end of the War, the Soviets occupied Romania and installed a Communist Government. Scouters were not allowed to organize, sxome were evenn arrested. The Communusts created the mandatory Young Pioneers. After the fall of Communism, the Young Pioneers disappeared (1989). Cercetaşii României was reestablished (1991). It was recognized by the WOSM (1993). Youth groups, however, by the 1990s no longer had the same they did before the War. Children now had many more recreartional alternatives and options for their free time than was the case in the early-20th century.

The 1910s

We know of no youth organizations in Romania until the Boy Scouts inspired by Lord Baden Powell was organized. The first Scouts were organized in Romania just before the outbreak of World War I. A Boy Scout patrol was organized (1912). The individuals involved in organizing Scouting were a group of professors, physicians, soldiers, and other professionaks (Gheorghe Munteanu-Murgoci, Alexandru Borza, Vladimir Ghidionescu, Constantin Costa-Foru, Nicolae Iorga, Ion G. Duca and Colonel G. Berindei). They traveled widely and were familiar in the youth groups being organized in other European countries. The Romanian Scout asociation was Cercetaşii României (1915). In the same year a translation of Baden Powell's Scouting for Boys was published. Baden-Powell sent a congratulatory message and advised the Romanian Scouts of the importance of adapting the program to local conditions. Romania entered World War on the side of the Allies (1915). Scouts were active on the home front during the War.

The 1920s

The Romanian Scouts were a founding member of the World Scouting Movement after the War. Romanian Boy Scouts attended the first World Jamboree in London, England. Scouting flourished in Romania during the inter-War period as a basically middle class movement. Patrols were formed in towns and villages throughout Romanuia. Romanian Scouts organized camps, socials, expeditions and spectacles. They published magazines, literary writings and pedagogical studies. A particularly active Scouter was the noted philosopher Mircea Eliade.

The 1930s

Scouting was popular in Eomania. The numbers were not huge, but participation among the middle-class was substantial. The first Romanian Jamboree was held (1930). There were approximately 45,000 members in addition to 14,000 Guides. The organizer and Chief of the Guides Movement was Princess Ileana, the daughter of King Carol and Queen Marie. The Scouts, however, had a relatively short history in Romania. King Carol II (1930-40) while still Crown Prince, was Chief Scout. When he mounted the throne he handed this post to his son Prince Michael, who had been active in scouting from an early age. Here we see the King with Girl Guides (figure 1). Prince Michael was designated the Romanian contingent leader to the 5th World Jamboree at Vogelenzang in the Netherlands (1937). Just before the departure, howver, King Carol II under pressure from the nationalists and the fascist Iron Guard was forced to accept the creation of a fascistoide National Youth Movement and to order the disbandment of the Romanian Scout Movement. King Krol moved to create the National Renaissance Front. part of that effort was single national youth group--the Străjeria.

The 1940s

Romania was forced into the Axis by the Germans and entered the War as an Axis ally. At the end of the War, the Soviets occupied Romania and quickly installed a Communist Government. Scouters attempted to restore the Scout Movement in Romania. Communist authorities, however, did not allowed them to organize. They banned Scouting. Some Scouters were even arrested. The Communusts created the mandatory Young Pioneers.

The 1980s

After the fall of Communism, the Young Pioneers disappeared (1989).

The 1990s

Cercetaşii României was reestablished (1991). It was recognized by the WOSM (1993). Youth groups, however, by the 1990s no longer had the same they did before the War.

The 2000s

Children now had many more recreartional alternatives and options for their free time than was the case in the early-20th century. One scource estimtes that there were about 2,000 Scouts (2006).

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Created: 11:48 AM 10/12/2012
Last updated: 12:21 AM 11/14/2017