2018 in Scouting: A Year in Review
It’s been a year of firsts for World Scouting, let’s take a look back on some our favourite moments from 2018. How many of these new initiatives have you been a part of?
1. Rovers turn 100!
2017 was a huge milestone for Rover Scouting. From sailing in Singapore to camping in Kenya, the entire Scouting world celebrated the same birthday this year — 100 years of Rover Scouting! The Rover section was created 100 years ago to help young adults transition into adulthood, learn leadership skills, and, of course, paddle their own canoe.
2. Scouts sign up to make the world’s largest youth contribution to the SDGs.
Scouts everywhere have already been doing so much for the Sustainable Development Goals (just check out their millions of service projects!) But now we’re ready for something more. In November, we launched Scouts for SDGs, a new initiative to empower and engage 50 million Scouts with activities and resources to make their mark on the world’s action agenda to end poverty, tackle climate change, and reduce inequalities. Start your own SDG to-do list at sdgs.scout.org
3. You reach 1 billion hours of community service
Speaking of SDGs, did you hear that Scouts completed 1 billion hours of community service since 2012? From caring for the environment to welcoming refugees to volunteering in their communities, Scouts have been building stronger, more resilient communities one act at a time. Add your project to the map.
4. World Scout Movement welcomes Bear Grylls as Chief Ambassador
You may have heard of him — the adventurer, the award-winning author — Bear Grylls, does that ring a bell? He’s our new Chief Ambassador of World Scouting! Watch his message to Scouts around the world.
5. Three Rovers win the first-ever World Scout Film Fest
This year, we celebrated the creativity of our Movement with the first World Scout Film Fest! We received entries from Rovers in every region in the world and came out with three winners from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and the Czech Republic. Tens of thousands of you tuned in to watch the films live, but if you haven’t yet, get your popcorn ready and check out the winners.
6. Scout groups commit to gender equality
We’re committed to promoting gender equality in Scouting. That’s why we launched an action kit in partnership with UN Women’s HeForShe campaign full of activities and initiatives for Scout groups to build a more gender-equal world. Download the toolkit and get started in your Scout group.
7. Scouts of the World protect world heritage
There are over 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world that could use a little Scout love. We launched the new Patrimonito badge this year in partnership with UNESCO to recognise Scouts who complete their Scouts of the World Award in a World Heritage site. Find out how you can get yours.
8. We recognised 11 new Messengers of Peace Heroes
Every year, we recognise Scouts from across the world for their outstanding contribution to peace and sustainable development in their local communities. This year’s Messengers of Peace Heroes made a huge splash on Peace Day at the United Nations and gifting 1 billion hours of community service to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Find out who these Heroes are.
9. Girls join the Arab Scout Jamboree for the first time
From Roverway in the Netherlands to the Interamerican Moot in Peru and the Eurasian Jamboree in Belarus, Scouts spent their summers camping, exploring, and making new friends at some of our regional camps. But one in particular was extra special this year — for the first time the Arab Scout Region hosted a co-ed regional jamboree, bringing over 1,000 girls and boys to Algeria for the Arab Scout Jamboree. You go girls!
10. Scouts fundraise over $60k for their projects
The Scout Donation Platform celebrated its first birthday this year, but that’s not its only milestone! Scouts crowdfunded over $60,000 USD for their projects this year on the platform, allowing them to implement local community development initiatives. Donate to a project or create your own.
