Cover Photo: Joy Alissa Erb
Text: Markus Fagerholt
Edit: Sophie Spickenbom
Creative Director: Liam Kilsby-Steele
The first of August marks World Scout Scarf Day, but do you know why? It all traces back to the world’s first Scout camp held at Brownsea Island on 1 August 1907 in England. Lord Robert Baden-Powell along with his friend organised a camp for 20 boys on the island. This historic day is now celebrated as World Scout Scarf Day.
Everyone marks this occasion by proudly wearing their Guide and Scouting scarves. To honour this tradition, we ventured out to a campsite to speak with Guides and Scouts who take pride in their scarfs and the rich history behind them.
In Austria, it is a tradition to celebrate Scouting Sunrise every year by hiking up the nearest hill and enjoying the sunrise with fellow Guides and Scouts. Earlier today, many members of the Austrian Contingent got up for the sunrise, to celebrate this important historical day for Guides and Scouts. You can imagine how early that was here, all the way up north.
The story of Guide and Scout scarfs and Swapping them
At camps like Roverway, there are many nationalities, and even more different scarves. In Guiding and Scouting since 1907, it has been a culture of swapping scarves. Irish scarves, for instance, are a popular choice for many. During this year’s Roverway, we heard that the Mexican scarves were especially popular.
On the campsite, we ran into an Austrian girl who had a story to tell us about her scarves and about what they mean to her:
Hannah, from Vienna, Austria, is 21 years old and has three significant scarves. Each scarf holds a special meaning and a unique story. The first is her own, the Austrian contingent scarf. Every contingent member received one for free, but she had to purchase an extra one, if she wanted to trade one away.
The second scarf in her collection is from her current local Scout group. This group scarf is new because her former Scout group merged with another and then created a new name and design. For Hannah, this scarf represents a new beginning. The merging of her Scout group brought together new friends and adventures symbolised by the new scarf they now proudly wear. It’s a testament to the unity and new friendships forged through Guiding and Scouting.
Hannah’s third scarf has the most heartfelt story. It dates back to an international camp in England in 2018, where she traded her first-ever national scarf with an English Scout. This trade was not just an exchange of fabric but the beginning of a lasting friendship. Hannah has stayed in contact with the English Scout ever since, visiting him whenever possible. Each visit is a trip down memory lane, as she sees her first scarf every time she goes to England, reminding her of the strong bonds formed through Scouting.
These scarves are more than just pieces of cloth – they are tokens of international friendship, personal growth, and cherished memories. For Hannah, each scarf represents a chapter in her scouting journey, filled with stories of camaraderie, new beginnings, and enduring relationships. And we are reminded of the very first Scout camp at Brownsea Island today and every time we wear our scarves.
