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A BRIEF HISTORY OF SCOUTING IN BELIZE
Records found to date in England show that Scouting in Belize (known back
then as British Honduras) started in 1911. The records also show that
two Scout Troops were active with a total membership of twenty Scouts.
In 1912 only one Scout Troop was active which had a membership of twenty–four Scouts and three Leaders.
However, the British Honduras Branch of
the Scout Association was officially registered in 1917 and had a
membership of one hundred thirteen (113) Scouts, fifty-nine (59) Cub Scouts
and eight (8) adult Leaders, a total membership of one hundred eighty
(180).
However, according to local research undertaken by Mr. Leopold Flowers,
former Executive Scout Commissioner and Mr. William Faux, a Scout
Leader who
has dedicated his life to Scouting and has held many key appointments
within The Scout Association, Scouting in Belize started in 1910 when
one Henry Longsworth established the first Scout Troop at St. John’s
Cathedral.
The research also found out that in 1915 an American Scout, Robin O.
Phillips who was seventeen years old, conducted an investiture ceremony
at his house, then situated at the corner of Wilson Street and Barrack
Road. It is said that twenty young boys made their Scout Promise.
When these Scouts were considered well-trained, Robin’s father approached
the then Governor William Hart Bennett to seek assistance and support for the
Scout Troop. It is said that Governor Bennett then selected Mr. George
Grabham to head the program. Grabham in turn appointed Mr. Philip Ely, Mr.
Wexham and Mr. Paul Shephard Berry, Superintendent of the British
Honduras Wireless Station as Scout Masters to run the Troop. Scouting
flourished for about three years after and then died when Grabham left
the country.
Scouting was revived again in 1934 in the Belize City area by Brother
John Mark Jacoby, S.J. MBE, Professor of Mathematics at St. John’s
College. Hundreds of young boys (including many leading citizens of
today),
passed through Scouting with “Bra Jake” as he was affectionately
known.
For many years, Scouting revolved around activities held at the Holy
Redeemer Scout room (the home of Troops 1, 2, and 3) and at an annual
summer camp at San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
In 1936 Scouting was introduced to the districts, beginning with the
Stann Creek District and eventually spreading to all the other
districts. Since that time there has always been Scouting activities in
the country. The level of these activities has varied over the years,
depending largely on the Movement’s ability to attract and maintain
committed voluntary leadership.
In the late 1950s the Association acquired from Government one hundred
acres of land in the Burrell Boom area. Later named Camp Oakley, this
site has been the venue for many National Camps, Training Courses and
other Scout programs. In 1974 with the assistance of the Baron Bliss
Trust a concrete building was constructed on the site, named the Bliss
Building.
In 1987 the Association embarked on a revitalization program that has
had many different approaches and successes. Camp Oakley was upgraded
and new facilities were constructed with funds obtained from the
Interamerican Foundation, the Canada Fund and local fundraising.
In 1999 with the cooperation and support of the Ministry of
Education, a program to introduce Scouting into primary schools was
launched. This program has proven its success as membership has doubled,
allowing more young people the opportunity of participation in a
value-driven program. As of March 31, 2007 our last census shows a
membership of two thousand six hundred and ten (2,610) Scouts and adult Leaders
in seventy-eight (74) Scout Groups.
Scouts from Belize have taken part and continue to participate in many
international camps in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the
United States of America.
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Welcome to Scouts of Belize