The formation of The Singapore Scout Association (SSA) was one of the earliest youth movements in Singapore's history and remains one of only nine youth uniformed groups in Singapore schools. Scouting encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, help other people as stated in the Scout Promise and Scout Law. Beside the Girl Guides, its sister movement, Scouting has already established its international dimension for youth since foundation in 1907. Also, Scouting places strong emphasis on doing good deeds; one of the Scout mottos is to"Do a daily good turn".

History

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Scouting was first introduced in Singapore in 1908 but was officially founded on July 2 1910. A young Scoutmaster, Frank Cooper Sands arrived from Nottingham in September 1910 and spent the next 40 years helping to create the SSA that Singapore knows today. He is often called the "Father of Malayan Scouting". Starting with one small troop of 30 boys, the movement has grown immensely over the last 90 years, surviving two world wars and producing countless leaders in every sphere of human endeavour. Scouting for local boys were only started in 1919 by Captain N.M. Hashim and A.Z. Alsagoff.

Present

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Today, there are an estimated 10,000 Scouts in Singapore serving in four mainstream Scout sections. Each section caters to the needs of Scouts in a specific age range through its different program focus. The Cub Scout section comprises of youths between ages 7 and 12 (primary school) while the Scout section is made up of youths from 12 to 16 (secondary school). In addition, there are the Venture Scout and Rover Scout which accept youths between the ages of 15 and 18 and young adults from 18 to 25 respectively. Besides the mainstream Scout sections, there is also the Sea Scout section, which comprises of Sea Scouts, Sea Venture Scouts and Sea Rover Scouts, and the Extension Scouts which is open to all physically or mentally disadvantaged youths who enjoy Scouting. Previously, there was also the Air Scout section which now was abolished. However, the Air Training scheme is in place for all Scouts and a lively Scouting-on-the-Air/Internet which is responsible for all the IT training and the event called the Nationally & International Jamboree-on-the-Air/Internet.

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