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A Thumbnail History of Szczep "Podhale"

Szczep "Podhale" is a unit of the "Polish Scouting Association in Canada" . The headquarters of our umbrella organization (Polish Scouting Association) is located in London, England. It was created and stationed there, because of the Communist government that was in control of Poland in the time after the Great Wars. We continue to function and exist, to give young men and women from Polish heritage and background, the contact and traditions of their ancestors and forefathers. Scouting, in the traditions of Baden Powel, and in Poland Andrzej Malkowski, trains and educates young men and women in many areas. Among many other things they learn to be resourceful, to be good citizens, to learn to use leadership skills, and be useful and productive members of our communities and society. The beginnings of Szczep "PODHALE" go back to the late "fifties" in Toronto, Ontario. Around 1958, the first unit of "Cub Scouts" was formed. They group was named "JUHASY" after the inhabitants, of the "Podhale" region of Poland (southern part of Poland in the Carpathian [Karpaty] mountains). At the age of eleven these young men would became Boy Scouts. The 15-th Troop (15ta Druzyna Harcerzy) was formed soon after, to accommodate the graduates into ranks of the scout unit.

Polish Scouting Association in Canada Inc.

We are a non-profit organization staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers who offer their time as troop leaders, counselors, camp directors and outfitters. The majority of them are young Canadians of Polish descent who continue the work begun by their predecessors in Poland 75 years ago.

Our purpose is to develop well rounded individuals by using the traditional scouting method of earning merit badges, going on camping and exploring trips, and doing volunteer work within the community. Incorporating Polish language and heritage into our program distinguishes us from North-American scouting. More than 20,000 nationwide have passed through our ranks since 1949.

The Polish Scouting Association was started in 1910 by Adrzej Malkowski and his wife Olga Drohanowska who recognized the power of the ideas of Lord Baden Powell. It is an educational and cultural organization for young people working through the ideals embodied in scouting. Polish Scouting fosters a spirit of heritage while developing boys and girls into productive members of society. It maintains the historical philosophy of Scouting as a movement that holds a belief in God and free from organized political affiliations. The goals of ZHP are to preserve its national heritage and to develop self sufficient individuals.

Poland in 1910 was a country partitioned by its neighbors, Germany and Russia. Yet within three years, the Movement was strong enough to send to the Birmingham Jamboree of 1913 a 50-strong delegation which camped under the Polish flag. In 1918 when Poland regained its rightful place among the nations of Europe, Scouting continued to grow and develop. The Polish Scouting Association in 1920 was a founder member of the World Scout Conference and in 1928 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

During W.W.II, Polish Scouts and Guides were imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps and in Communist Gulag camps of Siberia. Later, they were active in refugee camps in the Middle East, Africa, India, New Zealand and Mexico.

The Polish Scouting movement has continued to flourish in the free world, preserving the true principles of the Scouting Ideal when it was not possible to do so in Communist controlled Poland. Currently, Polish Scouts are established where ever there are Polish émigré communities in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia and Argentina.

The continuity of the Polish Scouting Association (ZHP) outside Poland is maintained through an executive council based in London, England which coordinates general policies.

Our Scout Law
1. A scout serves God and country and conscientiously fulfills his/her responsibilities.
2. A scout is trustworthy.
3. A scout is helpful.
4. A scout is friendly to all and a brother/sister to every other scout.
5. A scout always acts honorably.
6. A scout loves Nature and tries to get to know it.
7. A scout is obedient.
8. A scout is always cheerful.
9. A scout is thrifty and generous.
10. A scout is pure in thought, word and deed, and avoids bad habits.

Our Activities
Our troops usually meet once a week during the school year and participate in a two week summer camp. The purpose of their activities both in town and at camp is to help scouts earn their merit badges and ranks.

A Brief History of Harcerstwo(Polish Scouting)

1910 Prof. E.Nabel establishes the first scout group at W. Wroblewski School in Warsaw.

1911 March. Andrzej Malkowski and Jerzy Grodzynski organize the first scout courses in Lwow and Brzuchowia. May. A Scouting Leadership is established comprising Dr. K. Wyrzowski, A. Malkowski, Olga Drahanowska, J. Grodzynski and Alojzy Horak. The following day the 1st, 2nd and 3rd scout groups are established in Lwow. July. Malkowski's book "Scouting as an Education" is issued.

1913 The Girl Scouts are set-up by Malkowski's wife Olga Drohanowksa. Thirty Polish scouts participate in the Birmingham Jamboree.

1914 Malkowski organizes Polish scouting in America, comprising 3,000 members. The name 'Harcerz, Harcerka, and Harcerstwo' are adopted in Poland to replace 'Scout, Girl Scout, and Scouting' following their proposal by Prof. Piasecki.

1918 All scout groups are joined in Poland under the Polish Governing Body of Harcerstwo. The name Polish Harcerstwo Organization is adopted (Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego - ZHP).

1919 A. Malkowski, regarded as the instigator of scouting in Poland, dies in January when his ship is struck by a mine during a naval mission from General Haller to General Zeligowski in Odessa.

1935 Following 20 years of growth in the reborn Poland scouting becomes the leading youth organization in Poland. There are 102, 534 members, making Poland the third largest scouting nation behind Britain and America.

1939-1945 Harcerze and Harcerki take part in all battles involving the Polish, within Poland and beyond its borders.

1945 Following the War Poland loses its independence and freedom. Communism doesn't permit uncontrolled organizations making Harcerstwo outlawed. Harcerstwo is continue outside of Poland in the Western nations by emigrates.

1947 The Polish Harcerstwo Organization is expelled from the International Scouting Organization and W.A.G.G.G.S (the international girl guide organization).

1949 The Polish Harcerstwo Organization is liquidated in Poland. The "Organization of Harcerze" (O.H.) is established by the communist government, adapting its own forms and doctrines. The Governing Body of Harcerstwo meets in Enghien France to establish the character of, the still continuing, Polish Harcerstwo Organization (ZHP) outside of Poland.

1956 The name Polish Harcerstwo Organization (ZHP) is readopted in Poland and Organization of Harcerze is dropped.

1969 The first Jamboree of emigrate Harcerze takes place in Monte Casino to mark the 25th anniversary of the World War II Polish victory.

Source: http://www.zhp-pgk.org/scouts/scouts.htm