View source for Scout Association of Hong Kong

{{Use Hong Kong English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox WorldScouting
|image=Scout Association of Hong Kong.svg
|name1={{zh|t=香港童軍總會}}
|name2=
|name=Scout Association of Hong Kong
|headquarters=Hong Kong Scout Centre
|country=[[Hong Kong]], [[China]]
|f-date= *{{Start date and age|df=yes|1914|5|1}} (As the Hong Kong Branch of the [[Boy Scouts Association]])
* {{Start date and age|df=yes|1977|4|26}} (as the Scout Association of Hong Kong)
|founder=[[The Scout Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]]
|members=95,877
|chiefscouttitle=Chief Commissioner
|chiefscout=[[Wilson Lai Wai-sang]], IMSM (黎偉生) <ref name="2023 Gazette">{{cite web |title=HKSARG Gazatte G.N. 6272 |url=https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20232742/egn202327426272.pdf |website=HKSARG Gazatte |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref>
|affiliation=[[World Organization of the Scout Movement]]
|website={{URL|https://www.scout.org.hk/en/|scout.org.hk/en/}}
|pattern_head = beret
|color_head = 800000
|pattern_body = shirt short sleeves
|color_body = D2B48C
|pattern_legs = trousers
|color_legs = 808000
}}
{{Chinese
| t = 香港童軍總會
| y = Hēung góng tùhng gwān júng wuih
| s = 香港童军总会
| j = Hoeng1 gong2 tung4 gwan1 zung2 wui6
| p = Xiānggǎng Tóngjūn Zǒnghuì
}}
The '''Scout Association of Hong Kong''' is the largest [[scouting]] organisation in [[Hong Kong]]. Scout training was first introduced in Hong Kong by Rev Spink of [[St Andrew's Church, Kowloon]] in 1909 and 1910 by the [[Protestant]] based [[Boys' Brigade]], [[Chums (paper)|Chums Scout Patrols]] and [[British Boy Scouts]]. The [[Catholic]] [[St. Joseph's College (Hong Kong)|St. Joseph's College]], formed its Boy Scout Troop in 1913, and registered with the [[The Scout Association|Boy Scouts Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]] in 1914. The Boy Scouts Association formed its Hong Kong Local Association in July 1915 which became its Hong Kong Branch. After changes to the name of the United Kingdom organisation in 1967, the branch name was changed to The Scout Association Hong Kong Branch. In 1977, The Scout Association of Hong Kong was constituted as an autonomous association and successor to The Scout Association's Hong Kong Branch and became the 111th member of the [[World Organization of the Scout Movement]] (WOSM) in 1977.

In 2008, the association had 95,877 [[uniform]]ed members,<ref name="Census_2010">{{cite web|title=Triennal review: Census as at 1 December 2010 |url=http://scout.org/en/content/download/22261/199900/file/Census.pdf |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement |access-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508035838/http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/22261/199900/file/Census.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2012 }}</ref> with approximately 2700 Scout groups in the sections [[Grasshopper Scouts]], [[Cub Scout|Cubs]], [[Boy Scout|Scouts]], [[Venture Scout|Venture]] and [[Rover Scout]]s, making it the largest uniformed [[youth organisation]] in Hong Kong. The headquarters at the Hong Kong Scout Centre (香港童軍中心) in [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], [[Kowloon]] host the administration, headed by the [[Hong Kong Chief Commissioner]] (香港總監).

The association runs [[campsite]]s, including [[Gilwell Campsite]] (基維爾營地), Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) and Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), as well as [[hostel]]s and Scout Activity Centres. It annually organises the traditional Scout Rally, providing Scout competitions and activities. For specific anniversaries, themed [[Jamboree (Scouting)|jamborees]] have been organised.

The Scout movement is the largest uniform group in Hong Kong, consisting of more than 100,000 members.

== History ==
[[File:Old Scout Association of Hong Kong badges.png|thumb|right|Various old Hong Kong badges]]

=== Founding of Hong Kong Scouting movement ===
Scout training was first introduced to boys in Hong Kong in 1909 and 1910, only a few years after the beginning of the [[Scouting|Scout movement]] in the [[United Kingdom]], when Rev. Spink started a Boys' Brigade Company attached to the St. Andrew's Church in Kowloon, in response to popular requests for Scouting activities in the expatriate community of Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/timeline.htm |title = A Scouting Timeline |publisher = The Scout Association |access-date = 24 December 2006 }}</ref> By 1911, British merchants and military personnel had started to organise Boy Scout troops in the city. On 16 April 1912, [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell]], Chief Scout of The Boy Scouts Association, arrived in Hong Kong by {{HMS|Lutzou}}. He was a guest in the [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]] and discussed with officials of the [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Government]] the establishment of a branch of [[The Scout Association|The Boy Scouts Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and the organisation of a Boy Scout Movement in the city.{{NoteTag|The early history of Scouting in Hong Kong is difficult to trace because documents and other archived materials were largely destroyed during the [[Battle of Hong Kong]] and the subsequent [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong]]. Part of the documents were recovered from the copies and publications in the Scout Association of United Kingdom.}}<ref name="1910s">{{cite web |url = http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/home.html |title = History of HK Scouting – 1910s |publisher = The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date = 10 December 2006 }}</ref>

Enthusiasts and organisations, including [[Queen's College, Hong Kong|Queen's College]] and [[St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong|St. Joseph's College]], established Boy Scout troops. On 20 September 1913, St. Joseph's College formed a Boy Scout troop. Baden-Powell sent a letter of congratulation to the St. Joseph's College Boy Scouts on 26 November 1913, which was published in the first issue of the ''Scout Gazette'', the first Scout publication in Hong Kong. The St. Joseph's College troop was the first affiliated with the Boy Scout Association being registered as the 1st Hong Kong Boy Scout Troop on 1 May 1914. At the time, the Chief Scout was Major F.J. Bowen and the [[Scoutmaster]] was Albert Edwards. Besides training in [[map reading]] and [[communication]], the troop also provided training in [[ambulance]] by Dr Coleman. On 29 December 1914, the troop was extended with a short-life Sea Scout Troop by Capt. P. Streafield, connected to {{HMS|Triumph|1903|6}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. The Troop also held the first Scout camp in [[Murray Barracks]].<ref name="histgrp">{{cite web |url = http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/5304/P21.PDF |title = More on Historical Scout Groups |publisher = Public Relation Committee, Scout Association of Hong Kong |website = Hong Kong Scouting |language = zh-HK |access-date = 18 January 2007 }}</ref> At the same time, Bowen was invited to [[Peak School]] to educate pupils in Scouting and the school later established a [[Cub Scout|Wolf Cub]] Pack.<ref name="histgrp" /> The 2nd Hong Kong Scout Troop of [[St. Andrew's Church (Kowloon)|St. Andrew's Church]] was registered on 25 November 1914.<ref name="2nd">{{cite web |url = http://2ndhkg.org/Index1.htm |title=2nd Hong Kong (Catholic) Group History |publisher = 2nd Hong Kong Group |access-date = 11 December 2006 }}</ref> Major [[Alexander Anderson McHardy]] was appointed [[Colony Commissioner]] on 1 May 1914 and then-Governor of Hong Kong [[Francis Henry May]] became [[Chief Scout of Hong Kong]]. At the beginning all member Scouts were of European descent and not well-recognised by Chinese society.<ref name="75years" /> Membership was restricted to those of British nationality. Vice Admiral [[Robert Hamilton Anstruther]] succeeded Major McHardy as Colony Commissioner on 1 May 1915. The Boy Scout Association Hong Kong branch started up in July 1915, and was responsible for Scout training. At the end of September 1915, there were in total 155 members in the first [[census]].<ref name="1910s" />

=== Growth and development ===
During [[World War I]], many Scouting leaders served in the war, which limited Scouting in Hong Kong, but the [[1st World Scout Jamboree]] between 30 July and 8 August 1920 revived Hong Kong Scouting. Lieutenant-Colonel F. J. Bowen returned to Hong Kong after the end of the war, and actively participated in the Movement.<ref name="1920s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002505.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1920s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref> He became the Colony Commissioner in July 1920 and reorganised the Hong Kong Branch. At the end of 1920, membership was approximately 140 members.

[[File:Prince of Wales Banner.jpg|thumb|right|The 3rd issue of Prince of Wales Banner in 1960s]]
The reorganised branch held a Scout Rally at the [[Murray Parade Ground]] on 8 January 1921 at [[Garden Road, Hong Kong|Garden Road]], now called [[Cheung Kong Center]]. In September 1921, the [[Reverend]] [[George Turner Waldegrave]] succeeded Bowen, and the Scout Movement was firmly established in Hong Kong, though it was still small at 384 members.<ref name="waldegrave">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/5083/P15.PDF |title=George Turner Waldegrave (1889–1966) (Colony Commissioner 1921–1934) Part V |work=The Early Days of Hong Kong Scouting Part 23E |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref> In the same year, Hong Kong Scouting expanded to the Wolf Cub Section.<ref>{{cite web |year=2003 |url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs145004.pdf |title=Milestones of Cub Scouting |publisher=The Scout Association |access-date=24 December 2006}}</ref> [[Sea Scout]] training had been started in May 1921 with the assistance of the staff of [[HMS Tamar (shore station)|HMS Tamar]]. Following its success, Waldegrave started the first Sea Scout Troop which he registered in October 1923. The first [[Prince of Wales]] Banner Competition (威爾斯太子錦標賽), named for [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom]], was held in [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]] on 26 May 1923. The banner stayed with the victorious troop for a year and the troop was honoured with the honorary title of Governor's Troop (督憲團).<ref name="1920s" />

Early Scouters were military officers, priests, teachers and older Scouts. Not every Scouter would apply for a warrant, which would be required for the formal registration with the headquarters in [[London]]. It took several months to complete the whole application process through mail. Many Scouters stayed only for a short period and opted for serving without a warrant.<ref name="early_scouter">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/6542/hks267p19.pdf |title=(Early) Scouters |publisher=Public Relation Committee, Scout Association of Hong Kong |work=Hong Kong Scouting |language=zh |access-date=18 January 2007}}</ref>

In order to protect Scouting activity and institute its constitution, the Hong Kong branch was [[incorporation (business)|incorporated]] in the Boys Scouts Association [[local ordinance|Ordinance]], nr 22 of the [[Law]] of Hong Kong on 2 December 1927. After amendments in 1939, 1950, 1975 and 1997, the ordinance became chapter 1005 of the Law of Hong Kong.<ref name="hklaw">{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/e1bf50c09a33d3dc482564840019d2f4/8902a940b321eeabc82564830032b6e5?OpenDocument |title=Scout Association of Hong Kong Ordinance |work=Bilingual Law Information System |publisher=Department of Justice, the Government of Hong Kong |access-date=14 December 2006}}</ref> Waldegrave returned to [[England]] in August 1934 and, in recognition of his work for the Hong Kong branch, he was awarded the civil membership of the [[Order of the British Empire]] by His Majesty the King. A year or two prior to his retirement, the [[Chief Scout (United Kingdom)|Chief Scout]] Baden-Powell had awarded him the highest Scout award, the [[Bronze Wolf]]. The Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch, grew to 682 members that year.

The Reverend [[Victor Halward]] became Colony Commissioner on 11 May 1935 after the retirement of Waldegrave. Shortly before he took over the Commissionership, at the request of the Chinese Government in [[Guangdong]], Halward had spent weekends directing a training course for [[Scouter]]s of the [[Scouting in Mainland China|Boy Scouts of China]] in [[Guangzhou]]. The results of his efforts were a great improvement in the relations between the Boy Scouts Association and the Boy Scouts of China, and between the Hong Kong branch and the Guangzhou section of the Boy Scouts of China. For this he also was awarded the Bronze Wolf. Numbers were still increasing yearly and in 1938 Halward appointed District Commissioners from either side of the harbour, viz., [[Quah Chow Cheung]] and Chan, who amply justified their appointment and a large step in membership showed to approximately 1200 members in 1942.<ref name="1930s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002506.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1930s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

=== World War II ===
After 1937, China was at war with the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese army]]. Troops of the Boy Scouts of China came to Hong Kong and were incorporated into the Hong Kong Branch. Hong Kong Scouts were instrumental in aiding [[war refugee]]s.<ref name="1930s" /> During [[World War II]], Scoutmasters and adult members performed civic duties in the [[Special Constabulary]], [[Police]] and [[Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps|Volunteer Defence Corps]].<ref name="1940s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002510.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1940s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

On 8 December 1941, Japanese forces crossed the [[Sham Chun River]] and the [[Battle of Hong Kong]] began.<ref name="wwiistart">{{cite web |last=Cierpicki |first=Andrzej |year=1984 |url=http://hksw.org/despatches_106_1_j.htm |title=The Fall of Hong Kong Christmas 1941 |publisher=The Hong Kong Society of Wargamers |access-date=11 December 2006}}</ref> The forces landed on Hong Kong Island on 18 December 1941, and incurred a heavy toll of death during the resistance at [[Wong Nai Chung Gap]]. Many Hong Kong Scouts died in the resistance activities. Although heavily resisted, the whole territory of Hong Kong came in Japanese hands on 25 December 1941. Under [[Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong|Japanese rule]], all formal Scouting activities halted and many Scouts joined [[guerrilla]] units against the Japanese in the New Territories and adjacent prefectures in China. The Scouting headquarters on Garden Road was demolished during the war.<ref>http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/14529/p14.pdf War and Occupation, 1941–1945 by Paul Kua, Deputy Chief Commissioner (Management), Scout Association of Hong Kong, 2010</ref> The campus of St. Stephen's College (an all-boy boarding school) in [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]], which was being used as a military hospital for British forces at the outbreak of the war, was quickly turned into a POW camp by the occupying Imperial Japanese army. Westerners were detained there for the duration of the war. (Hong Kong was occupied for over 3 years and 8 months.) In the concentration camp, Scouting activities were conducted in the shadow. Scout Ronald Whitfield even completed proficiency badges in this period and became a [[King's Scout]] when he was back in Scotland.<ref name="75years">{{cite journal |author=梁肇琪 (Leung Siu Kei) |title=香港童軍七十五 |trans-title=75 years of Hong Kong Scouting |journal=Scout Association of Hong Kong |year=1987}}</ref>

After the war, Hong Kong was repossessed by British forces. For the reconstruction of Scouting, the Imperial Headquarters of The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom dispatched a five-member Scout International Relief Service Team to revive the Hong Kong Scout movement. A post-war [[St. George's Day]] Parade was held on 28 April 1946 at the [[Botanical Garden]] with the participation of 672 Scouts and leaders.<ref name="1940s" /> The salute was taken by the [[General Officer Commanding]], [[Major General]] [[Francis Festing|Francis Wogan Festing]]. In the early 1950s, Hong Kong Scouting was first divided into districts.<ref name="1950s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002508.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1950s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

=== Changes to name and system ===
[[File:Scout Association of Hong Kong 1950s-1980s.svg|thumb|right|Scout Association of Hong Kong 1950s-1980s]]
In 1967, in line with the name change of the Boy Scouts Association, the name was changed to the Scout Association, Hong Kong Branch.<ref name="1960s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002509.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1960s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref> In 1969, also sections were renamed, e.g., Wolf Cub to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts to Scouts (age changed to 11–16) and Senior Scouts to Venture Scouts (age changed to 16–20).<ref name="1960s" />

A mixed unit of boy and girl Venture Scouts was set up in 1975. Girl members were accepted starting July 1978, making the Hong Kong branch a [[co-educational]] organisation, much earlier than the Scout Association of the United Kingdom.

[[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] Commissioner Sir Marc Noble suggested that the Hong Kong branch become a full member of the WOSM, and they were accepted as its 111th full member on 26 April 1977 with its name formally changed to The Scout Association of Hong Kong.<ref name="1970s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002510.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1970s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

=== International activities up to 2000 ===
The 60th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting was held between 23 and 29 July 1971 at the [[Castle Peak, Hong Kong|Castle Peak]] and was attended by more than 5,000 Scouts.<ref name="1970s" /> The British contingent to the [[14th World Scout Jamboree]], led by [[Robert Baden-Powell, 3rd Baron Baden-Powell]], included Scouts from branches in [[The Scout Association of Bermuda|Bermuda]], Hong Kong and [[The Boy Scouts Association of Zimbabwe#Scouting in Rhodesia|Rhodesia]].

Hong Kong hosted the 11th annual Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference in 1978. It was attended by 19 countries and 300 delegates. In 1980, the Administration Conference for Commissioners was held. The Scout Association of Hong Kong has organised activities to echo the [[International Youth Year]] in 1985.<ref name="1980s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002511.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1980s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

In the early 1990s, the Chief Commissioner [[Chau Cham-son]] brought the association into a new era by having planned and completed in 1994 the 25-story Hong Kong Scout Centre, providing the association with a meaningful foundation for its development to be financially self-sufficient. The 19th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference was held in 1998 at the Hong Kong Scout Centre, and was the first Scout Conference held fully on Scout premises.<ref name="1990s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002512.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 1990s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

Honorary President of the [[World Scout Foundation]] and [[King of Sweden]] [[Carl XVI Gustaf]] made a visit to Hong Kong for the 45th Baden-Powell World Fellowship Event at the Hong Kong Scout Centre, which raised US$385,000 for the World Scout Foundation.<ref name="2000s">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/hohks/00002513.html |title=History of HK Scouting – 2000s |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

=== Sovereignty transfer ===
The sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to [[The People's Republic of China]] (PRC) on 1 July 1997, but Hong Kong Scouting remained unchanged. Thirteen years previous to Hong Kong's [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|sovereignty transfer]], the UK and the PRC had reached an agreement on the future of Hong Kong and embodied the agreement by signing the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]]. Under the framework of the declaration, Scouting is part of the way of life in Hong Kong, and can be preserved for fifty years.<ref name="transfer">{{cite web |url=http://www.cmab.gov.hk/en/issues/jd2.htm |title=Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong |publisher=The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref> With Scouting being protected under this declaration, Hong Kong remains a full member of WOSM today.

Although no major change occurred in Hong Kong Scouting, adjustments were made before and after the sovereignty transfer including the withdrawal of the Gurkha district as the British forces together with [[Gurkha Brigade]]s left Hong Kong, and the cessation of Scouting support by British Forces. Under PRC rule, the [[People's Liberation Army]] entered in no such connection with the association. One increasing trend is to practise the PRC anthem and teach the knowledge of the PRC flag, with the British anthem and flag emphasised only in historical context. In line with the sovereignty change, the Promises of Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Grasshopper Scouts were modified on 12 January 2001, and the phrases ''the territory'' or ''Hong Kong'' were replaced with ''my country''.<ref name="promise">{{cite web |url=http://www.waying.edu.hk/scout/notice/adm00101.pdf |title=Notice on Scout Promise |language=zh |publisher=[[Wa Ying College]] |access-date=10 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630205206/http://www.waying.edu.hk/scout/notice/adm00101.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Scout Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) were also changed accordingly.

Since the sovereignty change, the association encourages Scouts to participate in cultural exchange programmes in [[mainland China]]. A Scout Jamboree for both Hong Kong Scouts and [[Young Pioneers of China]] was held in [[Shenzhen]] in 2004. Educational organisations in mainland China participated the Metropolitan Jamboree in December 2006 in Hong Kong. After the [[Chinese civil war#Establishment of the People's Republic and the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan|split of China]] in 1949, Chinese Scouting existed mainly in [[Taiwan]]-based [[Republic of China]]. The Scout Association of Hong Kong maintains good relationship with [[Scouts of China]]. This good relationship continues even after the sovereignty transfer, albeit that political symbols such as the anthems and the flag of the People's Republic of China become sensitive in exchange activities.

=== New millennium ===
[[Herman Hui]], the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Support) of Hong Kong was elected to the [[World Scout Committee]] at the 36th World Scout Conference in 2002, and was the second Hong Kong Scout leader to be elected. In the 37th World Scout Conference held in [[Tunisia]] in 2005, Hui was elected as the chairman of the World Scout Committee for a term of three years.<ref name="2000s" />

In order to further develop the Scout Movement in Hong Kong and to heighten it output quality, they published the document ''Scout Association of Hong Kong, Into the 21st century'' in 1999. The target set in 1991 to increase Scout membership to 83,000 members in ten years was achieved: membership was 89,925 at the end of 2002. The next target of membership growth was 100,000 members in 2004.<ref name="bodycount">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/scouthk/yearlystatistics/ |title=Yearly Statistics |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

[[Pau Shiu-hung]] was appointed Chief Commissioner by [[Tung Chee-hwa]], Chief Scout of Hong Kong and chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He commenced his official duties as Chief Commissioner on 2004-01-01.<ref name="Pau">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/supplement/eng/cc_leaflet/leafletmain_eng.htm |title=Mr. Pau Shiu-hung SBS |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref><ref name="Pau-HKG">{{cite web |last=Shelley |first=Lee K. |year=2003 |url=http://www.gld.gov.hk/cgi-bin/gld/egazette/gazettefiles.cgi?lang=e&year=2003&month=8&day=15&vol=07&no=33&gn=5486&header=1&part=0&df=1&nt=gn&newfile=1&acurrentpage=12&gaz_type=mg |title=Appointment by Chief Executive of Hong Kong |work=Gazette |publisher=Government of Hong Kong |access-date=14 December 2006}}</ref>

=== Air Scouting ===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2012}}

The history of Air Scouting in Hong Kong began in 1967 when a Jesuit priest, Father Cunningham, formed an Air Scout Troop in the 11th Kowloon Scout Group of Kowloon Wah Yan College during the five-year expansion plan of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. Initially, participation in the Air Scouts was limited to students of the Wan Yan College. Then this closed group added a Venture Air Scout unit as the original 1967 Air Scouts reached the age of sixteen, the minimum age required to become Venture Air Scouts. In 1972, the Chief Scout of Hong Kong appointed Mr. Francis Yiu Cheong CHIN, Q.S., J.P. as the first Air Scout Commissioner to develop and expand Air Scouting. Mr. Chin is a Queen's Scout, a Scout Leader Trainer, and a member of the Hong Kong Chin Brothers aviators who established the long-distance flying record of successfully completed "The First 100 horsepower Single-engine England to Hong Kong Long Distance Cross-Country Flight in History". As a result, Air Scouting spread and flourished and expanded to 18 Air Scout units in 5 Regions of Scout Groups in Hong Kong. Mr. Chin is the first Air Scout Commissioner of Hong Kong who built up the foundation of Air Scouting in Hong Kong and his air scouting training system continued up to today.

<ref>{{cite book |last=Kua |first=Paul |title=Scouting in Hong Kong 1910–2010 |year=2011 |publisher=Scout Association of Hong Kong |pages=317–318 |isbn=978-9-62783-569-1}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |last=Kua |first=Paul |title=A Century of Hong Kong Scouting, An Illustrated History |year=2012 |publisher=Scout Association of Hong Kong |pages=146–147 |isbn=978-9-62783-570-7}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |date=October 2000 |title=Directory of Recipients of The King's Scout Award, The Queen's Scout Award and The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Scout Award |publisher=Scout Association of Hong Kong |page=45}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |title=Who's Who 1951–2011 |chapter=Hong Kong Training Team, Scout Association of Hong Kong |page=113}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |date=18 March 2010 |title=General Education Unit Facebook Public Circular, University of Hong Kong |website=[[Facebook]] |url=http://www.facebook.com/events/390463746348/}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 1974 |title=Hong Kong English Edition |magazine=Reader's Digest |pages=48–51}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 1973 |title=Hong Kong Chinese Edition |magazine=Reader's Digest |pages=28–38}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine |date=6 February 1972 |magazine=Asia Weekly |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=cover, 1-2}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite journal |date=6 July 1997 |title=Special Edition Commemorating the Return of the Sovereignty of Hong Kong to China |journal=Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CSAA）|volume=316 |pages=44–48}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=5 January 1972 |newspaper=The Straits Times |page=24}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=8 January 1972 |newspaper=The China Mail Hong Kong |page=24}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=9 January 1972 |newspaper=Hong Kong Standard |page=Front Cover}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |title=1 April 1972 |newspaper=South China Morning Post |page=Front Cover}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite journal |date=11 March 2009 |title=General Aviation Bi-monthly 2009 March/April |journal=China Civil Aviation Report |volume=11 |issue=2 |url=http://www.chinacivilaviation.com/template/upload/update/2012-11/pdf/file/ccar_issue_200903110202.pdf |pages=8–17}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |last=Meigs |first=Doug |date=13 July 2010 |title=Up in the air |website=China Daily eClips |url=http://www.cdeclips.com/en/arts_n_life/fullstory.html?id=47707 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708130852/http://www.cdeclips.com/en/arts_n_life/fullstory.html?id=47707 |archive-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Chan |first=Sophia |date=29 October 2009 |title=Pilot Francis Chin Yiu-cheong Interview |magazine=Hong Kong Magazine |url=http://hk.asia-city.com/city-living/article/street-talk-francis-chin-yiu-cheong |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501094917/http://hk.asia-city.com/city-living/article/street-talk-francis-chin-yiu-cheong |archive-date=1 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |title=Hong Kong Government Public Records Office {{!}} Level/Reference Number HKRS365-1-406-1 to 10 |website=Government Records Service |url=http://www.grs.gov.hk/PRO/srch/english/search_fields.jsp?a=10&o=T_SORTSTRING&srchscreen=sys_archive&s=HKPRO_Archive_web&page=1&recordkey=377269&srchmethod=lower&version=internet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027153309/http://www.grs.gov.hk/PRO/srch/english/search_fields.jsp?a=10&o=T_SORTSTRING&srchscreen=sys_archive&s=HKPRO_Archive_web&page=1&recordkey=377269&srchmethod=lower&version=internet |archive-date=27 October 2005}}</ref>
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Presently an Air Activity Board which draws members from airline pilots, the [[Government Flying Service]], and local aviation clubs. The Board acts as the core policy and program-making group, and helps to grow the Air Scout Movement. The Learning Training Institute of the Scout Association also runs an Aviation Training Centre which houses a number of flight simulators, including full motion simulators, and conducts training for Scout members for the purpose of aviation education and preparation for private pilot training.

=== Banquets ===
In April 2021, SCMP reported that the Scout Association was under investigation by the Office of the Licensing Authority, as well as the Food and the Environmental Hygiene Department for allegedly hosting banquets above the limit of 20 people.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-13|title=Hong Kong Scout Centre probed over allegedly hosting banquet with 100-plus|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3129291/hong-kong-coronavirus-scout-association|access-date=2021-04-13|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> In October 2021, the government revealed it would prosecute the case, and that one banquet had more than five times the legal limit of people.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-04|title=Hong Kong Scouts Association broke Covid-19 rules with 100-person banquet|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3151173/coronavirus-hong-kong-scouts-association-clubhouse|access-date=2021-10-21|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref>

== Organisation ==
The organisation is governed according to Chapter 1005 of the Law of Hong Kong, and the statutory ''Policy, Organisation and Rules'' (POR, 政策、組織及規條) of the association.<ref name="hklaw" /><ref name="por">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/5483/por_upload_doc.pdf |title=Policy, Organisation and Rules |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=14 January 2007}}</ref>

All members join the association voluntarily and it is open to all who are willing to follow the association's guiding principles, the Scout Promise and the Scout Law. All [[Race (classification of human beings)|races]], [[creed]]s, [[Social class|classes]] and [[sex]]es are welcome. The only limit is the minimum age of five years.<ref name="por" /> The association encourages members to be in touch with a religion in its religion policy,<ref name="por" /> but like the population of Hong Kong, the vast majority of Scouts belong to no religious denomination.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

The POR mentions that members are required to pay a membership [[subscription]] fee, which is in line with WOSM regulation.<ref name="por" /> However, most members are not aware of this subscription because it is not collected directly from individuals or any Scout units, but through the selling of each individual [[World Membership Badge]].

=== Chief Scouts and Chief Commissioners ===
The Chief Scout of Hong Kong (香港童軍總領袖) is the head of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. From 1914 to 1997 the function was held by the [[Governor of Hong Kong]], and from 1997 onward by the [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/csncc/ |title=Welcome to Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=27 August 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915200730/http://www.scout.org.hk/en/history/csncc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Chief Scout is responsible for appointing the Hong Kong Chief Commissioner.<ref name="comm">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/scouthk/organization/ |title=Organisation Chart |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

* [[Francis Henry May|Francis May]] (1912–1919)
* [[Reginald Stubbs]] (1919–1925)
* [[Cecil Clementi]] (1925–1930)
* [[William Peel (colonial administrator)|William Peel]] (1930–1935)
* [[Andrew Caldecott]] (1935–1937)
* [[Geoffry Northcote]] (1937–1941)
* [[Mark Aitchison Young|Mark Young]] (1941–1947)
* [[Alexander Grantham]] (1947–1958)
* [[Robert Black (colonial administrator)|Robert Brown Black]] (1958–1964)
* [[David Trench]] (1964–1971)
* [[Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch|Murray MacLehose]] (1971–1982)
* [[Edward Youde]] (1982–1986)
* [[David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn|David Wilson]] (1987–1992)
* [[Christopher Patten]] (1992–1997)
* [[Tung Chee-hwa]] (1997–2005)
* [[Donald Tsang|Donald Tsang Yam-kuen]] (2005–2012)
* [[Leung Chun-ying]] (2012–2017)
* [[Carrie Lam]] (2017–2022)
* [[John Lee Ka-chiu]] (2022–Present)

The chief commissioner (香港總監), usually abbreviated as CC, is the administrative head of the Scout Association of Hong Kong. The function was formerly known as Colony Commissioner. The first commissioner, Alexander Anderson McHardy, was appointed 1 May 1914 when the Hong Kong Branch was formally registered with the Scout Association. 

The Chief Commissioner (from 1997) as follows:

* [[Hui Chiu-yin]] (1997–2004)
* [[Pau Shiu Hung|Pau Shiu-hung]], [[Silver Bauhinia Star|SBS]]<ref name="Pau" /> (2004–2007)
* [[Chan Kit Chu|Chan Kit-chu]] (2007–2011)
* [[Cheung Chi Sun|Cheung Chi-sun]] (2011–2015)
* Ng Ah-ming (2015–2019)
* Joseph Lau (2019–2023)
* Wilson Lai Wai-sang, [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Hong Kong|IMSM]] (2023–Present)

The president of the Association is [[The Honourable]] [[Judiciary of Hong Kong|Mr Justice]] [[Jeremy Poon|Jeremy Poon Siu-chor]].

=== Regions, districts, and groups ===
In 1951, the Hong Kong branch of the Scout Association was divided into Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories districts. Later the former two were each subdivided into two separate districts, resulting in a total of five districts. In 1958, these were reclassified as areas, which were each subdivided into smaller districts, and in 1967 again renamed to be regions, with thirty-five districts among them.<ref name="dist">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/su/rd/ |title=Regions/Districts Websites |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

{| class = wikitable
! Region
! Districts
|-
! Hong Kong Island
| Chai Wan, Northern, Sau Kei Wan, Southern, Victoria City, Wan Chai, Western
|-
! Kowloon
| Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom, Kowloon City, Kowloon Tong, Mong Kok, Sham Mong, Sham Shui Po East, Sham Shui Po West, Yau Tsim
|-
! East Kowloon
| Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Lei Yue Mun, Sai Kung, Sau Mau Ping, Tseung Kwan O, Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin
|-
! New Territories
| Island, North Kwai Chung, Shep Pak Heung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun East District, Tuen Mun West, Yuen Long East, Yuen Long West
|-
! New Territories East
| Pik Fung, Shatin East, Shatin North, Shatin South, Shatin West, Sheung Yue, Tai Po South, Tai Po North
|-
| Special for [[English (language)|English]] speaking people
| Silver Jubilee (銀禧區)
|-
| Special for family members of [[People of Nepal|Nepalese]] [[Brigade of Gurkhas|Gurkha regiment]] in the [[British Army]]
| Gurkha (啹喀區) (until 1997)
|}

Groups are basic units where member Scouts are educated. The POR recognises only two group categories, namely a Scout Group (公開旅) with unrestricted recruitment, and a Sponsored Scout Group (團體旅), organised by a [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsor]] organisation, by which the recruitment might be restricted.<ref name="por" /> In practice, the vast majority of Groups are Sponsored Scout Groups organised by [[primary schools]] and [[secondary school]]s. Alternatively, these are referred to as School Scout Groups (學校旅), the unrestricted groups as Open Scout Groups (公開旅), and other non-school-organised groups with restricted recruitment Organisation Scout Groups (團體旅). A group is led by a Group Scout Leader (旅長). The management of a group is organised around the Group Scouters Meeting (旅領袖會議), the Group Council (旅務委員會), and the group executive committee (旅執行委員會). A group can operate any number of units in all sections.<ref name="por" /> The association does not directly finance any group. Groups may gather funds from their sponsored organisation, individual donations, the group membership fee, and the release of [[raffle]] proceeds in the same annual Raffle Campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/7129/SPCR2306E.pdf |title=Arrangement for the 2007 Scout Raffle Campaign (Special Circular No. 23/2006) |publisher=Administrative Branch, The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=14 January 2007}}</ref>

=== Scouting sections ===
{{quote box|title=Awards|qalign=center|<poem>
 [[File:HKSAR Scout Award.png|90px]]
L: Queen Scout Award (before 1997)
R: HKSAR Scout Award (1997–2008)
Dragon Scout Award (after 2008)</poem>}}
[[File:Cub Scouts of Hong Kong at Scout Rally.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Cub Scouts of Hong Kong at 2005 Scout Rally]]
The youth members of the Scout Association in Hong Kong are currently divided into five Scouting sections.<ref name="sections">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/department/programme/ |title=Programme Branch |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>
* [[Grasshopper Scouts]], from 6 to 8&nbsp;years
* [[Cub Scout]]s, from 7 to 12&nbsp;years
* [[Boy Scout|Scouts]], from 11 to 16&nbsp;years
* [[Venture Scout]]s, from 15 to 21&nbsp;years<ref name="scout.org.hk">{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/13575/P045-10.pdf |title=深資及樂行童軍年齡規限修訂及支部最高獎章考驗安排 |language=zh |trans-title=Venture and Rover Scout age requirements and branch revision of the test arrangement for the highest medal }}</ref>
* [[Rover Scout]]s, from 18 to 26&nbsp;years<ref name="scout.org.hk" />

There are still groups specialising in Air Scouting and Sea Scouting, but no new groups have been allowed for such specialisation after 1 April 1987.<ref name="por" /> Instead, any group can operate a Sea Scout Troop or Air Scout Troop in their Scout Section, and Venture Sea Scout Unit or Venture Air Scout Unit in their Venture Scout Section, providing the same level of progressive training in sea and air activities.

A special [[Extension Scouting]] section was set up for the [[disability|disabled]]. It is not an independent section, but customises the programmes of the five sections for specific needs of disabled people.

== Ranks ==

=== Scouts ===
A Cub Scout or Scout has ranks in their own patrol.

For Scouts they are divided into Patrol Leader (PL), the highest rank in a patrol, Assistant Patrol Leader (APL), the second rank & P#, with the # referring to their placement in the Patrol. For example, P4 is the fourth place in a patrol, P12 is the twelfth rank in the patrol.

Only the PL and the APL have a special badge to wear on their uniform.

There is also a rank named Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). This Scout is usually older than others and is not in any patrol. He or she is responsible for the entire Cub Scout or Scout group.

For Cubs, the structure is similar but the names are different. The highest rank is the Sixer, with the second rank being the Seconder.

Rank badges for both Cubs and Scouts are about two inches wide and half an inch long. There is a gold fleur de lis in the middle with one, two or three lines next to it. The APL or Seconder badge has one line, PL or Sixer has two, and the SPL has three. That is also why the ranks are also called 單柴 (one-bar) for APL/Seconder, 兩柴 (two-bar) for PL/Sixer and 三柴 (three-bar) for SPL according to the golden bars next to the fleur de lis on the rank badge. The badge background is dark green. The badge is worn under the membership badge.

The rankings, from high to low of Scouts (excluding Scouters) are: SPL, PL/Sixer, APL/Seconder and the others.

=== Leaders ===

{{unreferenced section|date=August 2012}}
An adult is eligible to be a [[Scout Leader]] (Scouter) from 18 to 65&nbsp;years. They can serve in all five sections, or work for districts, regions, or branches in the headquarters. Adult Venture and Rover Scouts may be leaders of younger sections as part of their services.

{| class="wikitable"
!Section
!Name of unit
!Head
!Assistants
|-
|Grasshopper Scout
|Grasshopper Scout Ring (小童軍團)
|Grasshopper Scout Leader (小童軍團長)
|Assistant Grasshopper Scout Leaders (小童軍副團長) and Instructors (敎練員)
|-
|Cub Scout
|Cub Scout Pack (幼童軍團)
|Cub Scout Leader (幼童軍團長)
|Assistant Cub Scout Leaders (幼童軍副團長) and Instructors
|-
|Scout
|Scout Troop (童軍團)
|Scout Leader (童軍團長)
|Assistant Scout Leaders (童軍副團長) and Instructors
|-
|Venture Scout
|Venture Unit (深資童軍團)
|Venture Scout Leader (深資童軍團長)
|Assistant Venture Scout Leaders (深資童軍副團長) and Instructors
|-
|Rover Scout
|Rover Crew (樂行童軍團)
|Rover Scout Leader (樂行童軍團長)
|Assistant Rover Scout Leaders (樂行童軍副團長) and Instructors
|-
|}

All leaders except instructors are appointed by the association under the nomination of Group Scout Leaders, and receive a warrant after completing at least the intermediate stage of the [[Woodbadge]] Training Programme. Group leader and assistant group leaders are nominated by District Commissioners.

== Motto, Promise, and Law ==
The localised versions of the Scout [[Motto]], [[Scout Promise]], and [[Scout Law]] for each section are inherited from those of the Scout Association.<ref name="law">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/scouthk/promisenlaw/ |title=Scout Promise and Law |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref> They are officially provided in Chinese and English. At investiture it can be in a Scout's own language. The Motto is the same for all sections: [[Scout Motto#Baden-Powell on "Be Prepared"|Be Prepared]] (準備).

{| class = wikitable
! Section
! Promise
! Law
|-
! Grasshopper
| I promise to be a Grasshopper Scout, to love God, to love people, and to love my Country.<br /> (我願參加小童軍，愛神愛人愛國家)
| A Grasshopper Scout does a good turn every day.<br /> (小童軍日行一善)
|-
! Cub Scout
| I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to my Country, to help other people, and to keep the Cub Scout Law.<br /> (我願盡所能； 對神明，對國家，盡責任； 對別人，要幫助； 對規律，必遵行)
| Cub Scouts always do their best, think of others before themselves and do a good turn every day.<br /> (幼童軍，盡所能，先顧別人 才顧己，日行一善富精神)
|-
! Scout, Venture Scout, Rover Scout and Leader
| On my honour, I promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to my Country, to help other people, and to keep the Scout Law.<br /> (我願以信譽為誓，竭盡所能； 對神明，對國家，盡責任； 對別人，要幫助；對規律，必遵行)
|
# A Scout is to be trusted.<br /> (童軍信用為人敬)
# A Scout is loyal.<br /> (童軍待人要忠誠)
# A Scout is friendly and considerate.<br /> (童軍友善兼親切)
# A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.<br /> (童軍相處如手足)
# A Scout has courage in all difficulties.<br /> (童軍勇敢不怕難)
# A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.<br /> (童軍愛物更惜陰)
# A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.<br /> (童軍自重又重人)
|}

== Emblem ==
The Emblem of the association is a purple arrowhead with a back background, on which is superimposed the two Chinese characters for "Hong Kong" and the English words "Hong Kong" in purple.<ref name="Official Emblem">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/others/emblem/ |title=Emblem of the Association |access-date=13 November 2008}}</ref>

== Headquarters ==
[[File:Hong Kong Scout Centre front entrance.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Scout Centre on Austin Road]]
There were no permanent headquarters in the early days of Hong Kong Scouting. The office was housed temporarily in old government buildings. The Chief Commissioner George Turner Waldegrave, offered the [[Seamen's Institute]] as a place for Scouting activities.<ref name="1920s" /> After the second World War, the British forces donated a piece of land near the [[Garden Road stop|Peak Tram Terminal]] in Garden Road. Here a new headquarters was erected and named Morse Hut (摩士小屋) after the President Sir [[Arthur Morse]].<ref name="1940s" /> Morse Hut was officially opened on 12 November 1949, and served as the headquarters until 1954. In this period, the headquarters of [[Wong Nai Chung]] District was also relocated to Morse Hut. Subsequently, Morse Hut was the headquarters of newly established Hong Kong Island Region from 1958 to 1978.

As the Hong Kong Scouting grew rapidly, after five years the Morse Hut was too small for the development. A new 3-story headquarter building in [[Yau Ma Tei]], Kowloon was erected at No. 9 [[Cox's Road, Hong Kong|Cox's Road]] with donations and assistance from Sir Arthur Morse and the [[Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club]], as well as subsidies from Hong Kong Government. It was opened officially in 1954. The house was named Morse House (摩士大廈), and served as the headquarters until June 1994, when the premises were returned to the Hong Kong Government for redevelopment.<ref name="MorseHouse">{{cite web |url=http://www.hab.gov.hk/file_manager/tc/documents/whats_new/from_the_desk_of_secretary_for_home_affairs/shaArticles32career_c.pdf |first=Patrick |last=Ho Chi-Ping |title=A brief memoir in Morse House |language=zh |access-date=23 July 2006}}</ref> Morse House was handed back to the Government in July 1994, after completion of the new headquarters.

[[File:Hong Kong Scout Centre side view.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Scout Centre side view]]
Since June 1994, the headquarters of the Scout association is in the ''Hong Kong Scout Centre'' (香港童軍中心).<ref name="1990s" /> It is on [[Austin Road]], beside [[Kowloon Park]] and [[Victoria Towers]] (港景峰) of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. The headquarters organisation is housed on the 8th to 11th floor of the building, including Scout shops, meeting rooms, and a Scout exhibition of the history of the Hong Kong Scout organisation on the 11th. Large part of the centre is [[Baden-Powell International House|B P International]] (龍堡國際賓館), a commercial hotel. Its profit is financing the building cost of the centre and the future development of Scouting in Hong Kong.<ref name="hq">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/venue/sch/ |title=Scout Centre and Headquarters |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref> Scout Path (童軍徑) is a short road between the Hong Kong Scout Centre and [[Victoria Towers]]. It became associated with Scouting in Hong Kong, probably on the suggestion of the Scout association. It connects Austin Road and a terminal for Hong Kong-China cross-border buses under the Hong Kong Scout Centre.<ref name="path">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/en/department/intl/ |title=International and Liaison Branch |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=10 December 2006}}</ref>

== Campsites ==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2012}}
The Scout association runs five campsites in Hong Kong. The first permanent campsite, was Barker's Bungalow in [[Chaiwan]]. It was purchased in July 1929 by the Scout association at a cost of HK$16,000, and officially opened the same year as the Chai Wan Campsite. Here, the first [[Wood Badge]] training course was held in 1936.<ref name="1930s" /> The site was returned to Hong Kong government in 1970 for urban development as the [[Chai Wan Park]].

The 1960s saw the further expansion of the Scout Movement; the government gave a site at Fei Ngo Shan ([[Kowloon Peak]]) to the Scout association as a permanent campsite, which was named [[Gilwell Campsite]] (基維爾營地). It is used for [[camping]] and other Scouting activities. The site is located on the edge of Sai Kung District, five to ten minutes from Choi Hung. Nearby is the [[MacLehose Trail]] with road access through an unnamed road that joins with [[Fei Ngo Shan Road]]. The site is at an altitude of 430&nbsp;m above sea level. Unlike other campsites managed by the Scout association, the Gilwell Campsite does not provide catering services. The site has only buildings for offices, lectures and activities. The campsite is 45 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop of route 91, 91M, 92, 96R of [[Kowloon Motor Bus]] at [[Clear Water Bay Road]] near [[Anderson Road, Hong Kong|Anderson Road]].

In the 1972, Tai Tam Scout Centre (大潭童軍中心) was granted to the Scout association in exchange for the Chai Wan Campsite. The site hosts a sea activities centre, officially opened in September of that year. It is located in [[Tai Tam Harbour]] at [[Tai Tam Tuk]] on the south shore of the [[Hong Kong Island]]. At the back of the site is a small hill, separating it from [[Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir]]. Along the shore is a path leading to the dam of the reservoir, with a re-sited indigenous village of Tai Tam Tuk. [[Mangrove]]s gather at the muddy beach of the mouth rivers. The sites facilitates both a stay at the [[hostel]] and campingsite for training and leisure. While Scouts have priority to use the site, it is also open for public use. Sports on offer include games of rope, rock climbing, [[archery]], [[Pioneering (Scout Movement)|pioneering]], [[canoeing]], and [[orienteering]]. The campsite is reachable by public buses passing through [[Tai Tam Road]] near [[Tai Tam Reservoir Road]]. They are available in [[Shau Kei Wan station]] and [[Chai Wan station]] of the [[MTR]].<ref name="1970s" /><ref name="taitam">{{cite web |url=http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/camp/en/p_ng_taitam.php |title=Scout Association of Hong Kong&nbsp;— Tai Tam Scout Centre |work=Holiday Camps |publisher=Leisure and Culture Services Department |access-date=10 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906021229/http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/camp/en/p_ng_taitam.php |archive-date=6 September 2007 }}</ref>

More land in [[Tung Tsz]], [[Tai Po]] in the [[New Territories]], was also granted to the Scout association, and was developed into the Tung Tsz Scout Centre (洞梓童軍中心), formally opened for Scouts on 1975-03-09. Sea activities can be done in the nearby Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre in [[Tai Mei Tuk]], Tai Po, with [[bungalow]]s for accommodation.

Tai Mei Tuk Sea Activity Centre (大尾督水上活動中心) is situated next to the [[Plover Cove Reservoir]] in Tai Mei Tuk for day camping and water sports training. Shatin Scout Centre (沙田童軍中心) is in [[Tsok Pok Hang]], near [[Pok Hong Estate]] in [[Sha Tin]], providing Scouts a place for wild camping. Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre (白沙灣譚華正水上活動中心) is in [[Pak Sha Wan]] of [[Sai Kung District]]. It is a venue for residential camp, outdoor camping and sea activities training.

== Scout events ==

=== Hong Kong Scout Rally ===
[[File:Scout Rally 2005 in Hong Kong Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Scout Rally in Hong Kong Stadium, 2005]]
The Scout Rally is a gathering of Hong Kong Scouts in which they are given awards and compete in drills. Occurring once every year, Scouts from all over Hong Kong gather, usually in the [[Hong Kong Stadium]], for the event. There are award ceremonies for honourable awards, such as the Golden Bauhenia Award for the Cub Scout Section, the Chief Scout's Award for the Scout Section, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Scout Award for the Venture Scout Section, and the Baden Powell (BP) Award for the Rover Scout Section, as well as distinctive awards for Scout Leaders and Commissioners.

In the 1940s, the Scout Rally was merged with the former [[St. George's Day]] Parade. As the Scouts attendance increased significantly and the space in Hong Kong declined, owing to rapid urbanisation in past decades, traditions are simplified and only selected Scouts are allowed to actively participate in the drill and activities in the rally and others remain spectators.<ref name="1940s" />

=== Jamborees ===
[[Jamboree (Scouting)|Jamborees]] in Hong Kong are held for specific anniversaries. According to a display in Metropolitan Jamboree in 2006, the early jamborees were held in [[Chai Wan]], Hong Kong around the late 1930s.

After World War II, the 1st Colony Jamborette (香港童子軍大露營) was held in [[Kam Chien Village]] in the New Territories from 19 to 22 October 1957. There were 1361 Scouts attending the jamboree, celebrating the 50&nbsp;year anniversary of World Scouting and 100&nbsp;year birthday of the founder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1957 |title=1st Colony Jamborette |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007}}</ref> The next jamboree, the Hong Kong Golden Jubilee Jamborette (香港金禧大露營), was held between 27 December 1961 and 2 January 1962, celebrating the [[Golden jubilee]] (50&nbsp;year anniversary) of Hong Kong Scouting with the theme ''One World'' (天下一家). At [[Kowloon Tsai]], now named [[Morse Park]], the Jamboree hosted 2732 Scouts in the challenging winter with heavy rain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1961 |title=Hong Kong Golden Jubilee Jamborette |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007 |archive-date=11 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911041425/http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1961 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

For the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the branch held the Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (鑽禧大露營) for 5000 Scouts, applying the theme ''World Harmony'' (大同) from 23 to 29 July 1971 in present-day [[Tai Hing Estate]] in [[Castle Peak, Hong Kong|Castle Peak]]. The event was originally planned to be held 22 to 28 July 1971 but shifted to one day later because of the [[typhoon]] attack to Hong Kong. The jamboree was seriously affected by the bad weather. The campsite was flooded and facilities were damaged. Campers had to retreat to [[San Fat Estate]] in [[Tuen Mun]] for shelter overnight. The Hong Kong Post Office issued a set of three stamps for the jamboree on 23 July.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1971 |title=Diamond Jubilee Jamboree |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007}}</ref>

In 1986, in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting, the Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree (香港鑽禧大露營) was held in [[Kohima Camp]], present-day [[Hong Kong University of Science and Technology]], in [[Tai Po Tsai]] from 27 December 1986 to 1 January 1987 with the theme ''March On'' (邁進). It was the first jamboree held after the Scout Association of Hong Kong became a full member of WOSM. The association invited Scouts from thirteen other Scout organisations around the world, and eight other local uniformed youth groups to the jamboree. Members of the [[Guangzhou Youth Federation]] (廣州市青年聯合會) from Guangzhou, People's Republic of China also joined the jamboree. The number of attendants reached 5143. On 30 December 1986, the ''Enjoy Yourself Tonight'' [[TVB]] television programme launched a programme to introduce the jamboree and Scouting to the residents in Hong Kong. The jamboree also was featured because of breaking two [[Guinness World Records]]: 3000 Cub Scouts joined the [[Egg hunt|Egg Hunt]] and found 72,731 hidden eggs throughout the campsite and ended in an arrangement of the 75th logo. The failed knotting competition was retried later in the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1986 |title=Hong Kong Diamond Jubilee Jamboree |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Mongolian Scouts sang in Metropolitan Jamboree.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Mongolian Scouts singing in the Metropolitan Jamboree, 2006]]
During the [[Millennium]] changeover, the Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree (跨世紀大露營) was held in [[Wan Tsai]] from 28 December 1999 to 2 January 2000 with the theme ''Live the Natural Way'' (邁向新紀元，同享大自然), fourteen years after the previous jamboree. There were 3350 participants in the jamboree. The [[Chief Scout of Hong Kong|Chief Scout]] [[Tung Chee-hwa]], the [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]], joined the open ceremony on 30 December. To complete the failed knotting competition of the previous jamboree, the Chief Scout began the first [[reef knot]]s and the rest of the campers tied 4500 reef knots in 5&nbsp;minutes, chaining in 6858&nbsp;metres long.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=1999 |title=Hong Kong Scout Millennium Jamboree |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007}}</ref>

Two years later, in 2001, the association held the 90th Anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting Jamboree (香港童軍90週年紀念大露營) again in Wan Tsai from 23 to 26 December 2001. ''Do My Best'' (竭盡所能) was the theme. Local Scouts, with nine other overseas Scout contingents, tolled 3500 participants in the jamboree.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2006.scouting.org.hk/eng/past_events.php?year=2001 |title=90th Anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting Jamboree |work=March on to 100 Years |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |access-date=13 January 2007}}</ref>

In celebrating the 95th anniversary of Hong Kong Scouting in 2006 and the 100th anniversary of World Scouting, the Metropolitan Jamboree (大都會露營) was held in the proposed [[West Kowloon Cultural District]] site near [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] in urban Hong Kong from 27 December 2006 to 1 January 2007. Near the [[Victoria Harbour]], it was the first time a jamboree was hosted in urban Hong Kong. Under the theme ''Gifts for Peace'' (和平獻禮), there were 4225 participants with 600 from [[mainland China]], Republic of China (Taiwan) and overseas. Many outreaching activities visiting various parts and public facilities in Hong Kong. Other NGOs, like [[Hong Kong Red Cross]] and [[Oxfam]] were invited introducing their works to Scouts through stall games. [[Herman Hui]], the chairman of [[World Scout Committee]] joined the countdown to 2007 jointly held by the association and [[Radio Television Hong Kong]]. The campsite suffered from strong gusts, damaging a main gate of pioneering damaged and hurting one participant and one worker.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/asia_pacific/information_events/news/hong_kong_welcomes_scouting_centenary |title=Hong Kong welcomes Scouting Century |work=Around the World / Asia-Pacific / Information & Events / News |publisher=World Scout Bureau |access-date=13 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203736/http://www.scout.org/en/around_the_world/asia_pacific/information_events/news/hong_kong_welcomes_scouting_centenary |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apr.scout.or.jp/documents/2006%20circular/Cir%2013-2006.pdf |title=Circular No. 13, Series of 2006 |publisher=Asia Pacific Regional Office, World Scout Bureau |access-date=13 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221135652/http://www.apr.scout.or.jp/documents/2006%20circular/Cir%2013-2006.pdf |archive-date=21 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> During the summer, coinciding with the international events, the Join-in-Centenary Jamboree ({{zh|t=慶祝童軍百週年同步大露營}}) in Hong Kong was held on [[High Island Reservoir]] on [[Sai Kung Peninsula]] from 29 July to 2 August 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2007.scouting.org.hk/100jam/index.htm |title=Join-in-Centenary Jamboree |language=zh |access-date=1 August 2007 |archive-date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827101953/http://2007.scouting.org.hk/100jam/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Leader's Mess Night ===
Leader's Mess Night (童軍領袖聚餐) is the annual dining event for leaders, commissioners and lay members. The [[mess night]] is usually held in the Hong Kong Scout Centre around 22 February, i.e., the Founder's Day. Participants are required to dress in [[mess dress]]. The Chief Commissioner, together with an honourable guest, presides over the mess night.<ref name="mess_night">{{cite web |url=http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/7075/Circular_C.pdf |title=Leader's Mess Night (Special Circular No 25/2006) |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |language=zh |access-date=14 January 2007}}</ref>

=== Carlton Trophy ===
Carlton Trophy (嘉爾頓錦標賽), named after the late Carlton W. Tinn, former Deputy Colony Commissioner, is a bi-annual patrol-based competition in the Scout section. Representative patrols from different groups compete on the district and regional level before they can advance to the final competition, which usually consists of camping, pioneering, first aid, backwoods cooking, hiking/orienteering. The Carlton Trophy is considered the highest level skill competition in the Scout section in Hong Kong Scouting. Each year's champion patrol is awarded the trophy colors in the Hong Kong Scout Rally by the Chief Scout of Hong Kong.

;Recent winners
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 colspan=1|Year !! rowspan=2 colspan=1|Champion !! rowspan=2 colspan=1|1st runner-up !! rowspan=2 colspan=1|2nd runner-up !! rowspan=2 colspan=1|3rd runner-up !! rowspan=1 colspan=8|Individual event winner
|-
! Campsite Inspection !! Campsite Cooking !! Campsite Construction !! Wilderness Challenge !! First-Aid !! Pioneering !! Backwoods Cooking !! Community & Environment
|-
|align=center|2006 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hkscout-wts.org/circulars/P038-06.pdf | title = 活動通告第38/2006號 | publisher = 香港童軍總會青少年活動署 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071107075926/http://www.hkscout-wts.org/circulars/P038-06.pdf | archive-date = 7 November 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> || 2nd Shap Pat Heung Group || 15th Hong Kong Group || 1st Hong Kong Group || 136th Kowloon Group || ---- || 1st Hong Kong Group || 2nd Shap Pat Heung Group || 2nd Shap Pat Heung Group || 117th East Kowloon Group || 15th Hong Kong Group || 2nd Shap Pat Heung Group || ----
|-
|align=center|2008 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/9659/P037-08.pdf | title = 活動通告第37/2008號 | publisher = 香港童軍總會青少年活動署 }}</ref> || 15th Hong Kong Group || 12th Hong Kong Group || 1st Hong Kong Group || 17th Tai Po Group || ---- || 15th Hong Kong Group || 15th Hong Kong Group || 17th North Tai Po Group || 12th Hong Kong Group || 1199th New Territory Group || 8th North Kwai Chung Group || ----
|-
|align=center|2010 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/13708/P046-10.pdf
 | title = 活動通告第46/2010號 | publisher = 香港童軍總會青少年活動署 }}</ref> || 16th Hong Kong Group || 15th Hong Kong Group || 117th East Kowloon Group || 93rd Kowloon Group || ---- || 16th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 117th East Kowloon Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 53rd Kowloon Group || 93rd Kowloon Group
|-
|align=center|2012 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/17782/P047-12.pdf
 | title = 活動通告第47/2012號 | publisher = 香港童軍總會青少年活動署 }}</ref> || 10th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 13th North Kwai Chung Group || 17th North Tai Po Group || 10th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 13th North Kwai Chung Group || 10th Hong Kong Group || 17th North Tai Po Group || 10th Hong Kong Group || ----
|-
|align=center|2014 <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scout.org.hk/article_attach/21871/P041-14.pdf | title = 活動通告第 41/2014 號 | publisher = 香港童軍總會青少年活動署 }}</ref> || 16th Hong Kong Group || 13th North Kwai Chung Group || 67th Kowloon Group || 5th Hong Kong Group || 13th North Kwai Chung Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 16th Hong Kong Group || 30th Yuen Long West Group || 30th Yuen Long West Group || 13th North Kwai Chung Group || 5th Hong Kong Group

|}

 <ref name="calrton_trophy">{{cite web |url=http://www.scoutinfo.org/carltontrophy/ |title=Carlton Trophy Official Website |publisher=The Scout Association of Hong Kong |language=zh |access-date=27 February 2013}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Hong Kong}}
* [[Hong Kong Girl Guides Association]]
* [[List of World Organization of the Scout Movement members]]
* [[Scout Association of Macau]]
* [[World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood]]
* [[Old District Office North]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Scout Association of Hong Kong}}
* [http://www.scout.org.hk/eng/ Official website of the Scout Association of Hong Kong]
* [http://www.scout.org.hk/en/venue/cac/gilwell/ Official website of the Gilwell Campsite]
* [http://www.scout.org.hk/en/venue/cac/taitam/00002763.html Official website of the Tai Tam Campsite]
* [http://www.hkirscout.org/v2/index.php History of Hong Kong Island Region (in Chinese)]

{{Coord|22|18|11.20|N|114|10|9.63|E|region:HK_type:landmark|display=title}}

{{WOSM|asia}}
{{Scouting|other}}
{{Hong kong cadets}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:World Organization of the Scout Movement member organizations]]
[[Category:Scouting and Guiding in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Youth organizations established in 1915]]