Scouting Guyana

Scouting started in British Guiana in 1909 two years after it was founded in England by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. This was the first country in the Caribbean where it was established, and the second in South America. The initial scout troop was founded at Queen’s College, by Sgt Major George Manley, a member of a British regiment stationed here, and scouting soon spread to other schools and churches. By mid-century there were over 25 troops in BG, many initiated by church groups. These included Queens, St Mary’s, St Theresa’s, St Stanislaus, St Francis, St Thomas More, HQ Troop 39, St Pius and Central High in Georgetown.

Three years after scouting had been introduced here, the first Jamboree Camp was held locally. By the 3rd World Scout Jamboree in 1929 at Arrow Park, England, BG was represented by Dick Driver, Basil and Leslie Evan Wong, Irving Crum-Ewing and Harbour Master Mittelholzer.

Rev Firth was instrumental in the formation of Troop 39, headquartered at Scouts Ground adjacent to the former EICC ground, which produced some of Guiana’s finest scout leaders including two Chief Commissioners, DB St Aubyn and Lawrence Thompson, as well as four Assistant Chief Commissioners for cubs. In the late 1920s Dick and brother James Driver, together with Lawrence and Adrian Thompson were the first organised group to climb to the top of Kaieteur Falls. The area where they camped out is now designated ‘Boy Scouts View.’

First Guyana Jamboree, 1912

Scouting soon spread to Berbice where the renowned, Lady Dawson’s Own was founded, and by 1940 a troop was started at Onderneeming Boy’s School, Suddie, while there were other packs in the Pomeroon, Rupununi and in Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni. The Kamarang Troop run by Canon John Dorman, a Gillwellian, catered mainly for Amerindian boys.

The scout movement benefited immensely from the fact that many of the Anglican and Roman Catholic priests who came from England to serve in Guiana were Gilwell scouters, including the Archbishop of the West Indies, Dr Alan John Knight, who served on the Colony Scout Council for many years

Scouting soon spread to Berbice where the renowned, Lady Dawson’s Own was founded, and by 1940 a troop was started at Onderneeming Boy’s School, Suddie, while there were other packs in the Pomeroon, Rupununi and in Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni. The Kamarang Troop run by Canon John Dorman, a Gillwellian, catered mainly for Amerindian boys.

The scout movement benefited immensely from the fact that many of the Anglican and Roman Catholic priests who came from England to serve in Guiana were Gilwell scouters, including the Archbishop of the West Indies, Dr Alan John Knight, who served on the Colony Scout Council for many years

British Guiana was represented at the 3rd World Indaba in Holland by 8 Scouters – Edwin Elcoat, Michael Perreira, Joan Gilkes, Teddy Boyce, Michael DeFreitas, Joe Mungal, Jerry Young and Theresa Gonsalves. The Scout Association of Guyana joined the World Organisation of the Scout Movement in 1967 by which time Guyana was able to boast of Land, Sea and Air Scouts and Rovers. John Teixeira had previously started the Air Scouts Troop in 1954 and this was later taken over by Scout Masters Joel Pollard and Harry Lall. The Sea Scouts were started around 1934-35 by Capt Fraser and Harbour Master Mittelholzer.

By the early sixties scouting in BG began to peak in spite of the civic and political upheavals of the times. The Guiana contingent to the 11th World Jamboree, 1963, in Greece included George Rickford, Martin Bowen, Harry Lall, Michael DeFreitas, LB Thompson, Teddy Boyce, Joel Pollard and I Crum-Ewing.

In 1959 Father Harold Wong resuscitated St Stanislaus Troop 25, and by the 3rd Caribbean Jamboree – celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Scouting – St Stanislaus Own was one of the leading troops in the nation.

Father Darke took over as scout leader in 1962 and managed the college troop until his death in 1979. He trained his senior scouts so well that for several years the troop was run by senior scouts after his death.

Elsie Taylor, wife of Peter Taylor, former Editor of the Evening News, dedicated her life to scouting in Guyana, and for many years kept the movement alive in spite of constraints and a period of near dormancy in the seventies. Her motivational skills were exceptional, and she endeared herself to every scout in Guyana being their ‘second mother’ and mentor. DB St Aubyn, MBE, Commissioner 1952 was very instrumental in acquiring the present scout headquarters on Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.

Father Darke and the St Stanislaus troop, 1978

The 3rd Caribbean Jamboree held at the Queen Elizabeth Park, (later National Park) was a memorable affair, and probably one of the best in this hemisphere. Contingents came from Canada, England and all the Caribbean Islands. Sir David Rose was the Chief Patron and it is estimated that over 1500 scouts participated.

By the mid-seventies the Guyana National Service was introduced and attracted many experienced scouters to their ‘payroll.’ At that time with the government take-over of the schools, Catholic and Anglican clergy re-migrated, etc. Scouting was on the wane and its ranks gradually reduced to less than 500.

The present local committee headed by Ron Robinson, Zaida Joaquin, Reeza Joaquin, Dominique Van Sluytman, Andrew Ramcharitar, Charissa Rampersaud, Gary and Sean Mendonca, and Nilofar Rampersaud must be complimented on their indefatigable effort to keep scouting alive and vibrant. Today there are approximately 15 troops in the country and an estimated 300 participants

Scout association hosts 14th Jamboree

Georgetown, GINA, August 8, 2009

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, this afternoon attended the 14th Scout Jamboree held at Camp Ayanganna, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) headquarters. This years marks 100 years of the existence of scouting.

Guyana was the first country in South America to form a scouting association and currently

has a national membership of approximately 1000 persons.

Among the activities at today’s jamboree was a

display of parachuting skills by army personnel.