Air Scouts

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Air Scout
Country Worldwide
Founded 1911 (first Airman's Badge)
Founder Major Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell

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Air Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on flying-based activities. Air Scouts follow the same basic programme as normal Scouts but certain amounts of time are spent focusing on air activities.

Air Scouts often wear a slightly different uniform from the rest of the Scouting movement.

The name is also used as a derogatory reference to members of the U.S. Air Force, typically used by combat troops of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

History

Major Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell, Robert Baden-Powell's youngest brother, was the first who brought flying-based activities into Scouting.

Worldwide

Greece

Air Scouting in Greece is an active part of the Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Scouts of Greece) with a vibrant aviation programme and they are organised into their own Administrative Region [1] with approximately 57 Air Scout Groups currently established. The first of these Air Scout Groups was founded in 1937. The Greek word for Air Scouts is Aeroproskopoi.

As in many other countries, Greek Air Scouts add aviation subjects knowledge to their traditional Scouting activities and skills.

Hong Kong

There are also Air Scouts in The Scout Association of Hong Kong. For example the 11th Kowloon Group Venture Air Scout Unit[2] and the 11th Air Scout Troop[3] in Kowloon.


Poland

Air Scouting (Harcerskie Lotnictwo) in the Poland is an active part of the program. There are currently 11 Air Scout groups/troops and some Scouting clubs that practise specific air sports such as ballooning or parachuting.

South Africa

Air Scouting in South Africa is an active part of the South African Scout Association program. Although it has been recently neglected, since 2005 Air Scouting has really started to take to the skies, especially in Gauteng, where the first Airjamborally since the 1980s was held during August 2005.

There are currently 8 Air Scout groups in South Africa:

What distinguishes Air Scouts from Land Scouts, or Sea Scouts is the uniform. Air Scouts do the following badges Advanced Navigation, Air Glider, Air Mechanic, Air Meteorologist, Air Navigator, Air Spotter and Air Traffic Controller The Air Scout uniform is: A sky blue shirt (Short sleeve), Navy blue long pants or shorts, black socks, black shoes, the group scarf and a black beret.

Air Scouts also generally do their Air Explorer (As opposed to Sea Explorer or Explorer badge) advancement badge. The Explorer advancement badge is the last advancement badge before the Top Award (Springbok Badge). Challenge awards differ from Land and Sea Scouts. Whereas Land Scouts can obtain a Bushman's Thong and Sea Scouts the Bosun's cord, Air Scouts wear The Airman's Cord.

The Gauteng Area Air Scouts (With 5 of the 8 Groups) is the most active and largest Air Scouting area in South Africa.

Sudan

Sudanese Air Scout & Girl Guides is a part of the Sudan Boy Scouts Association and Sudan Girl Guides Association of The Sudan, founded by the current Secretary-General of the Arab Scout Organisation.

The first full Air Scout Group was inaugurated on 21 May 1967, with a total of 6 Air Scout & Guide Groups (SAS&GGG) now being active. In 1975 a Air Scout & Guide Branch of Sudanese Scouting was established. Sudanese Air Scouts & Guides train to be able to assist in delivering humanitarian aid & relief.

United Kingdom

Air Scouting in the UK started in the 1930's and became an official branch of Scouting in 1941. The early history of Air Scouting can be found here. Currently around 10% of all Scouts in the UK are in one of the 160 Air Scout Troops or Explorer Units.

An Air Scout Troop can apply to become recognised with the Royal Air Force and thus can receive special opportunities and trips. This RAF Recognition is subject to a regular 18 month inspection by a designated RAF Reserve Officer.

United States of America

Air Scouts is a now-defunct program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Air Scouts program had four ranks Apprentice, Observer, Craftsman, and Ace. The Ace cloth knot and medal may still be worn by anyone who earned them before the program was dropped.

The program was established in 1941 and existed under the name Air Scouts until 1949, when it was renamed Air Explorers. With minor changes, this program lasted until 1965, when it was fully merged into the then existing Explorer program of the BSA as a specialty called 'Aviation Explorers'. It still exists today as part of the BSA's Learning for Life Explorer program.

Youth in the United States of America interested in non-profit organizations based around flying should also look into the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

External links