Sara-Lou Mena and husband, Dr. Adolfo Mena (right), collect an award on behalf of the late Sir Florizel Glasspole from present Governor-General, Prof. Sir Kenneth Hall.

Who would have thought that Robert Baden-Powell's brainchild would have grown so much?

Baden-Powell was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer and perhaps most popularly, founder of the Scout Movement. It has been a centenary of scouting across the world, and the Scout Association of Jamaica celebrated with its counterparts across the globe at a banquet of honour at the Hilton Kingston hotel, on Friday, December 7. The local body saluted past chief scouts (who are always the governors-general), former presidents, former chief commissioners and the current U.S. President and Vice-President.

Plans to celebrate

Over 28 million persons are involved in scouting across the world in 155 countries. Jamaica's 100th anniversary will be in 2010 and plans are already under way for a massive celebration. Though their numbers might have decreased compared to previous years, the movement still provides meaningful activities for young people, helping them to become self-reliant and to meet the demands of the world.

Deputy Prime Minister Ken Baugh (who quipped that he was a cadet in high school, not a scout), lamented the state of the society and especially the disenchantment among some youths. He pointed to the scouting movement expounding values such as commitment, loyalty and duty. He underlined the value of training young people in areas like this to help nation building. He opined that it was more important now because of the alarming deterioration taking place.

Deputy Prime Minister Ken Baugh (left) makes a point to Oliver Jones, president of the Scout Association of Jamaica. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Jennifer Messado collects an award from Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Ken Baugh, for the late Donald Fitz-Ritson, a former chief commissioner of the Scout Association.