 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(September 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Suomen Partiolaiset - Finlands Scouter ry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The Guides and Scouts of Finland | |||
| Headquarters | Helsinki | ||
| Country | Finland | ||
| Founded | 1972 | ||
| Membership | 75,000 | ||
| Affiliation | World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts,World Organization of the Scout Movement | ||
| Website partio.fi (English) | |||
| |||
 Scouting portal | |||
Suomen Partiolaiset - Finlands Scouter ry (The Guides and Scouts of Finland, GSF) is the nationalScouting andGuiding association ofFinland. Scouting was founded in Finland in 1910 as part of theRussian Empire, registered with the central organization of the tsaristRussian Scout movementРусский Скаут. Finnish Scouting was among the charter members of theWorld Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922. Guiding started in 1910 and was among the founding members of theWorld Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. In 1972 the Girl Guide Association and the Boy Scout Association merged and formedSuomen Partiolaiset. The association has about 75,000 members.
In Finland, the Scouting movement was viewed early on as an alternative to thePioneers communist youth organization, which was active for some time in the Nordic nation.
The Finnish Scout organization is a nonpolitical, nonsectarian and multilingual organization, as evidenced by the name of the organization itself, using both the Finnish and Swedish languages. Its religious neutrality is reflected in the Finnish Scout promise, which begins "I promise to lovemy God..."
Scouting is one of the most popular hobbies in Finland. To live with nature, act according to its conditions and protecting and honoring it, is one of the cornerstones of Finnish Scouting. Another important objective is to learn social abilities. Finnish Scouts and Guides learn how to become knowledgeable and active citizens, at ease with other countries and cultures. Finnish Scouting culture itself includes wearing a uniqueskullcap hat called aväiski as part of the uniform.
In this country of thousands of lakes and abundance of green forests, hikes and camps are a vital part of Scouting. Outdoor activities, winter camps and skiing tours greatly test the knowledge and skills of the Scouts.
All groups plan and execute their own programs and emphasize special interests. Community involvement and service to help members become active, responsible members of society are stressed in the program.
Sea Scouts carry out many kinds of activities related to sailing and undergo an extensive training program in seamanship, with an emphasis on safety. They have large on-the-water gatherings every year and a Sea Scout camp every four years.
The Finnish Scouts have close international ties with Scouts in other countries, particularlyScandinavian countries. They have also expanded its international connections to Russia through youth exchanges between the two countries. Scouts in Finland are actively involved in development projects in Africa and have raised funds for the immunization program for Nepal.
I promise to do my best
to live for the good of my country and the world,
to develop in my spiritual beliefs and worldview
and fulfil the ideals of the <age group> every day.
Toimen Pojat (Unga Fribyggare inSwedish), aScouting troop inKauniainen,Finland was established in 1910. Toimen Pojat is the oldest continuously operating Scout troop inFinland. During the Russian ban onScouting in the 1910s before the Finnish independence in 1917, the troop operated underground. Many traditions that distinguish the troop formed during that period.[citation needed]
Suomen Partiolaiset is divided in 10 Scout districts, which resemble the formerFinnish provinces. The only exception isFinlands Svenska Scouter r.f. serving theSwedish minority in Finland and theÅland Islands. 11% of the 7- to 10-year-olds and 13% of 10- to 14-year-old Finns are members of the organization. Girl Scouts represent 56% of the total. There are about 900 Scout troops.
Suomen Partiolaiset has organised a number ofJamborees, known as "FinnJamboree"s:
| Name | Location | Year | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karelia | Koli | 1979 | c. 9,000 |
| Miilu (Charcoal pile) | Jämijärvi | 1985 | c. 10,000 |
| Tervas (Core) | Kannonkoski | 1990 | c. 13,500 |
| Loisto (Beacon) | Hanko | 1996 | c. 14,500 |
| Tarus | Padasjoki | 2004 | c. 13,000 |
| Kilke (Jingle) | Hämeenlinna | 2010 | c. 10,500 |
| Roihu (Blaze)[1] | Hämeenlinna | 2016 | c. 17,000 |
| Kajo (Gleam)[2] | Hämeenlinna | 2022 | c. 13,000 |
