The Scout Association of Guyana

Scouting was introduced to British Guiana in 1909, making Guyana the first Caribbean country to start scouting and fifth in the world.[1] The first Scout Troop was formed at Queen's College under the leadership of George Manly, a Sergeant Major in the British Regiment stationed there. New troops formed and were attached mainly to church schools including St. Mary’s, St. Theresa’s, St. Stanislaus, St. Francis, St. Thomas More, HQ Troop 39, St. Pius, and Central High in Georgetown.[3]

Troop 39 was notable as the first Troop to make the overland journey to Kaieteur Falls. This Troop produced some of Guyana's scout leaders - including two Chief Commissioners, D.B. St. Aubyn and Lawrence Thompson, and four Assistant Chief Commissioners for Cubs.

Scouting spread from the county of Demerara to the county of Berbice, where a renowned Troop, Lady Dawson's Own, was formed.

Scouting emerged in the county of Essequibo in the 1940s with Troops mostly attached to Church Schools. A troop was started at Onderneeming Boys' Reformatory in Suddie. Sam Cummings, an instructor at the school, was the first Scout Leader, followed by the Headmaster, a Mr Kissoon. There were a few Troops and Packs in the Pomeroon and Rupununi districts. For many of these Troops the departure of the resident Priest meant the closure of the Troop. A Troop at Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni, catering mainly for Amerindian boys, was run by Canon John Dorman, who had been trained as a scout leader at Gilwell, England.

Another prominent Troop was St. Stanislaus College Troop, catering for Roman Catholic boys before the school became co-educational. Among its leaders was Father Bernard Darke, S.J., who had been trained as a Scout Leader at Gilwell, England and made a great contribution to Scouting in Guyana before his death. As well as running the Troop he served on Guyana's Scout Executive Committee and was a member of the Leader Training Team.

The first Jamboree Camp in British Guiana was held in 1912.[3]

BG Scout Leaders 1954

In the 1960s, scouts included Land, Sea, and Air Scouts and Rovers. Sea and Air Scouts no longer exist. Scouts were probably at its peak around 1969 when their Diamond Jubilee was celebrated and the 3rd Caribbean Jamboree was held there in August. In 1974 the government formed the Guyana National Service, a compulsory youth organization. This affected the organization's numbers. Some leaders joined the National Service where they were paid. While there was no ban on Scouting during this period, the organization was obliged to keep a low profile. With changes in the political situation came renewed support for Scouting in the 1980s.

The 2019 National Camp of the Scouts Association of Guyana marked the 110th anniversary of scouting in Guyana. The headquarters is located at Woolford Avenue.[1]

A special program of activities was planned for the 40th Anniversary of Cubbing in Guyana. On 17 April 1966 over 200 Cubs spent the day at Camp Jubilee observing Cub Day. Clement Gomes and the Camp Jubilee staff assisted Pack Scouters. Communion services were held on arrival in both Anglican and Roman Catholic chapels, and were well attended.

On 20 August Packs held a campfire at Scout Headquarters to raise funds for the Blind Association. Michael Pereira arranged the program. The campfire was well attended and raised $108.50.

On 2 October a party of Old Wolves spent the day at Camp Jubilee. Three yellow cassia trees were planted by CC Lewis, E. Reece and Elsie Taylor in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary. On 30 October Thanksgiving services were held at Main Street Catholic Church and Christ Church (Anglican).

On 26 November the Annual Play Acting Competition was held at Scout Headquarters. The Cup, presented by its donor, Mr. LB Thompson, was won by St Francis Pack. On 9 December Old Wolves entertained Mr. George Mitchell in the Cub Den. Mr. Mitchell expressed his pleasure at seeing the Den, whose sod he had turned on his previous visit in 1963.