Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal explained

Type:	organization
Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal
Headquarters:	Lisbon
Country:	Portugal
F-Date:	1913
Pattern Head:	campaign hat
Color Head:	964B00
Pattern Body:	shirt short sleeves
Color Body:	D3B99F
Pattern Legs:	shorts
Color Legs:	964B00

The Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal (AEP, 'Scout Association of Portugal') is a youth organization concerned with education and the development of civil character. It was the first Scouting organization in Portugal, being established in 1913, and was a founding member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Unlike most Scouting groups in Portugal, the AEP is not tied to any denomination or religion, and, since 1979, is open to youth of both genders, ages 6 to 21.

The association is a member of the Comunidade do Escutismo Lusófono ('Community of Lusophone Scouting').

Program

The AEP promotes social values within a humanist and non-military perspective. It encourages participation in cultural activities and sports, as well as providing health education.

Program sections

Its members are divided into the following divisions:

• Ages 7 to 10, Alcateia, or Cub Scouts
• Ages 10 to 14, Escoteiros (júnior), or Boy Scouts
• Ages 14 to 17, Exploradores (sénior), or Explorer Scouts
• Ages 17 to 21, Clã, (Rover Scouts)
• Adults are welcome as supervisors

Any youngster can enter the AEP directly into the corresponding Age Division without having participated in the previous divisions. Adults may either enter existing troops or can promote the creation of new groups of Scouts.

Mixing genders with the same patrol did have some problems, so generally patrols are one gender or the other.

Scout Motto

Sempre Pronto, Always Ready

Scout Promise

The Scout Promise is:

Scout Law

• O Escoteiro é verdadeiro e a sua palavra é sagrada.
  A Scout speaks the truth and his word is holy.
• O Escoteiro é leal.
  A Scout is loyal.
• O Escoteiro é prestável.
  A Scout is trustworthy.
• O Escoteiro é amigo de todos e irmão dos demais escoteiros.
  A Scout is a friend to everybody and a brother to other Scouts.
• O Escoteiro é cortês.
  A Scout is courteous.
• O Escoteiro é respeitador e protector da natureza.
  A Scout is respectful and protective of nature.
• O Escoteiro é responsável e disciplinado.
  A Scout is responsible and well disciplined.
• O Escoteiro é alegre e sorri perante as dificuldades.
  A Scout is joyful and smiles in times of difficulties.
• O Escoteiro é económico, sóbrio e respeitador dos bens dos outros.
  A Scout is thrifty and respects the possessions of others.
• O Escoteiro é íntegro no pensamento, palavra e acções.
  A Scout is straightforward in thought, word and deeds.^[1]

External links

• Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal in Portuguese and English;
• Nielsen, Harriet Bjerrum (2003) "Chapter 6: Doing Gender in Portugal" in One of the Boys?: Doing Gender in Scouting

Notes and References

1. Web site: Archived copy . 2006-08-21 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071218050750/http://www.escoteiros.net/site/downloads/Nomeacao%20MOD106_107_108.doc . 2007-12-18 .