Cub Scouting in Sri Lanka

Age range – 7 to 11 years

Cub Scouting was founded by Lord Baden Powell in 1916 and is a popular movement in Sri Lanka. Cub Scouts in Sri Lanka are between the ages of 7 and 11 years.

The Mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. This mission applies to the Cub Scouts of Sri Lanka and contributes towards creating a better world even through people as young as the age of 7 years.

Join Cub Scouting

The Cub Scout programme is designed for those between the ages of 7 and 11 years and trains them to be active citizens in their homes, schools, and communities. Additionally, Cub Scouting is best known to have a FUN youth programme for young ones and provides great opportunities for personal growth even at a young age.

Message to Cub Scout Leaders

Adult leaders play a pivotal role in World Scout movement and is no different in the Cub Scouting programme in Sri Lanka. Leaders aid the youth through support and guidance. Adult leadership in the movement has been prevalent since the founding of Cub Scouting and the founder Lord Baden-Powell’s quote applies greatly to adult leaders, “The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.” The Cub Scout movement is the ideal place for this!

History of Cub Scouting

The Scout Movement was founded by Lord Baden Powell in 1907 for boys above the age of 12 years. One day, when he was inspecting the Scouts at a rally, he noticed the presence of some young boys. When inquired by him, the boys responded, “We are young Scouts.” Upon this, the founder came to the realisation that boys of younger ages too should be a part of the Scout Movement.

He then introduced Wolf Cubs based on Rudyard Kipling’s ‘’The Jungle Book” in 1916.

Rudyard Kipling

That same year in the month of March, Mr. S. Wickramaratne introduced this new Wolf Cubs section to Sri Lanka at Richmond College, Galle. From 18 boys upon its establishment it soon grew and by July that year spread to two other areas of Sri Lanka.

The Founder of Scouting in Sri Lanka, Mr. F. G. Stevens

Francis George Stevens was a British civil engineer who founded Scouting in Sri Lanka. In 1912, Stevens founded the first recorded Scout troop at Christ Church College, Matale. In 1914 he established the 1st Galle Mahinda Scout Group at Mahinda College, Galle.

Source: Wikipedia

Important events in the history of Cub Scouting in Sri Lanka

1916 – Cub Scouting started for the first time in Sri Lanka at Richmond College, Galle.
1921- Lord Baden Powell’s first visit to Sri Lanka and more than 3000 scouts and cub scouts welcomed him.
1926 – During this decade cub scouting was spread to Galle, Matale, Kandy, Colombo and Northern districts. By the end of 1926, the number of cub scouts in Sri Lanka passed 1600.
1941 – From the 17^th to the 23^rd of December, the first Wood Badge Course was held with the participation of 18 leaders and in 1945, 8 leaders joined the 2^nd Wood Badge Course.
In 1952, the Scout Jamboree was held at the primary college ground in Royal College Colombo, Cub Scouts showed their talents at the ‘Panaroma’ concert.
1956 – 40 years of Cub Scouting in Sri Lanka, by this time Cub Scouting was spread even to rural areas of the island.
1962 – At the Golden, Jubilee Jamboree held at Race Course Colombo, the Cub Scouts had an amazing outdoor day.
1966 – The Golden Jubilee year for the cub scouts and a lot of events took place. At the closing ceremony of the Golden Jubilee, the Cub Scouts performed an act called ‘Wolf Cub Tattoo’
1971 – with amendments to the parliamentary act No. 13 of Ceylon Scout Council the cub scout law, promise and salute changed.
1973 – The Silver Jubilee Wood Badge Course was held.
1973 – A carnival named ‘Children’s World’ was held at the Scout Headquarters.
1975 – 1^st National Cuboree was held from the 14^th to 16^th of March at Galle
1984– 2^nd National Cuboree was held from the 21^st to the 23^rd of September at Royal College Colombo.
1986 – 3^rd National Cuboree was held from the 7^th to the 9^th of November at Richmond College, Galle.
1987 – The first Cub Scout ‘Indaba’ conference was held for the Cub Scout Leaders at Matale.
1990 – At the SAARC Jamboree held at the Viharamahadevi Park Colombo, a Cub Scout day called ‘The Cub World’ was held.
1993 – 4^th National Cuboree was held from the 23^rd to the 24^th of September at Kalutara.
1996 – 5^th National Cuboree was held from the 11^th to the 13^th of October at St. Anthony’s College Wattala.
2000 – 6^th National Cuboree was held from the 28^th to the 30^th of April at Maristella grounds, Negombo.
2005 – 7^th National Cuboree was held from the 30^th of September to the 2^nd of October at Bogambara grounds, Kandy.
2007 – 8^th National Cuboree was held from the 27^th to the 29^th of April at Vincent Dias grounds, Badulla.
2009 – On the 23^rd of January, girls entered Cub Scouting.
2010 – 9^th National Cuboree was held from the 27^th to the 29^th of December at Lunawa College grounds, Hambanthota.
2013 – 10^th National Cuboree was held from the 13^th to the 15^th of September at St. Anthony’s College, Wattala.
2016 – 11th National Cuboree (Centenary Year of Cub scouting in Sri Lanka) was held from 12th to 14th of May at Richmond College, Galle.
2019 – 12th National Cuboree was held from 6th to 8th April at Siyene College of Education, Veyangoda.