The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), or Kapatirang Scout ng Pilipinas in Filipino, is the National Scout Association for boys and young men of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth and adults the virtue of love of God, country, and fellowmen; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute to nation-building.

The BSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 111 on October 31, 1936. Its predecessor was the Philippine Council chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in 1923 through the work of Filipino, American, and Chinese businessmen and interest groups.

The BSP offers the following programs:

  • KID Scouting (Kabataang Imumulat-Diwa or Children to be Introduced to Virtues) is for boys 5 to 6 years of age.
  • KAB Scouting (Kabataang Alay sa Bayan or Children Offered to the Nation) is for boys 7 to 10 years of age.
  • Boy Scouting is for boys 10 to 17 years of age.
  • Senior Scouting is for boys 13 to 17 years of age.
  • Rover Scouting is for young men and women 17 to 23 years of age with a Rover Peers division for adults ages 24 and up.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Ranks
3 External Links

History

Scouting history of the Philippines can be traced back to the American occupation of the islands. The first documented formation of a scout troop in the island was that of the Lorillard Spencer troop of Zamboanga formed in 1914 by a U.S Navy Lieutenant named Sherman Kiser.

Sherman Kiser was initially assigned to escort an American charity worker by the name of Caroline Spencer in Sulu. Mrs. Spencer saw how Filipino boys can benefit from scouting and discussed her ideas with Kiser. This suggestion was natural for Mrs. Spencer as her son Lorillard Spencer was quite active in Scouting in the United States, hence the name of the troop. Kiser was reassigned however to Zamboanga, but he followed-through with Mrs. Spencer's suggestion and formed a Scout troop composed of young Muslim boys. Upon learning of the formation of a new troop, Mrs. Spencer sent monetary support to purchase uniform and construct a headquarters.

More troops were organized through the years, mostly organized by American missionaries and servicemen in the island. The growing number of scouts was the reason why the Rotary Club of Manila wrote to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in New York. The letter was a request to formalize Scouting in the Philippines starting with Manila.

In 1923, the Philippine Council, BSA was formed. The new council was initially funded through the help of various civic-organizations namely: the YMCA, Knights of Columbus, Masons, Elks, Filipino and Chinese Chambers of Commerce, the U.S. Army, the Catholic and Protestant churches, and the American Legion.

1931, experimentations on Sea Scouting and Cub Scouting.

1933, the Philippine's first participation in an international Scouting event. The Philippine Council sent delegates to the 4th World Scout Jamboree in Budapest, Hungary, as part of the American contingent.

1934, Rover Scouting was introduced. BSA's Shanghai Scout district was placed under the supervision of the Philippine Council.

1936, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines was founded by virtue of Commonwealth Act 111 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The charter members are Joseph E. Stevenot, Jorge B. Vargas, Carlos P. Romulo, General Vicente Lim, Judge Manuel Camus, Arsenio N. Luz, and Gabriel Daza.

1953, first Wood Badge course was conducted at Camp Gre-Zar in Quezon City.

1954, 1st Philippine National Scout Jamboree held in Rolling Hills, Balara, Quezon City.

1959, 10th World Scout Jamboree held in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. First world scout jamboree held in Asia.

1963, the 24-member delegation of the BSP to the 11th World Scout Jamboree in Marathon, Greece, perished in a plane crash off the coast of Bombay, India.

1993, the Philippines hosted the 1st ASEAN Scout Jamboree

1997, the 2nd World Scout Parliamentary Union held in Manila.

Ranks

Scouts must earn the Membership Badge prescribed for the program they belong prior to working on the ranks.

Ranks of KAB Scouting:

  • Young Usa (or Young Deer)
  • Growing Usa
  • Leaping Usa

Ranks of Boy Scouting:

Ranks of Senior Scouting:

  • Explorer
  • Pathfinder
  • Outdoorsman or Airman or Seaman
  • Venturer or Air Venture or Sea Venture
  • Eagle

External Links