The Greek Guiding Association ( el, Σώμα Ελληνικού Οδηγισμού, ΣΕΟ), formerly known as the Greek Girl Guides Association ( el, Σώμα Ελληνίδων Οδηγών, ΣΕΟ), is the national
Guiding association of
Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...
. Guiding in Greece started in 1932 and became a member of the
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS ) is a global association supporting the Girl Guides, female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organizations in 152 countries. It was established in 1928 in Parád, Hungary, ...
(WAGGGS) in 1933. The coeducational organization has 10,682 members (as of 2008).
History
The first Guide units were established in 1932, and in 1933, SEO became an associate member of WAGGGS. During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
the movement fell inactive, but it was revived in 1945. In 1948 it advanced to full membership with WAGGGS.
The association started
special groups for girls with disabilities in 1951; since 1995, children with special needs are integrated in all units.
The 1990s saw a general overhaul of the organization's program: the organization opened for boys and a new branch for pre-school-age children was introduced – the ''Asteria'' (Stars).
Program and ideals
The association is divided in four age-groups:
* ''Asteria'' – Stars (ages 5 to 7)
* ''Poulia'' – Birds (ages 7 to 11)
* ''Odigoi'' – Guides (ages 11 to 14)
* ''Megaloi Odigoi''/''Naftodigoi'' – Rangers/
Sea Rangers (ages 14 to 17)
The troops for each branch have distinct names:
* ''Galaxias'' (Galaxy)
* ''Sminos'' (Flock)
* ''Omada'' (Troop)
* ''Omada''/''Pliroma'' (Troop/Crew)
See also
*
Scouts of Greece
Scouts of Greece or Soma Hellinon Proskopon (Σώμα Ελλήνων Προσκόπων, ΣΕΠ) is the National Scouting Association of Greece and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognized member for Greece. Scouts of Greece w ...
*
Olympia Badge
The Olympia Badge is a Girl Guide and Girl Scout emblem, designed as a reminder of the original purpose of the Olympic Games.
The first Olympia Badge was designed by Soma Hellinikou Odigismou, the Greek Guiding Association, to mark the return o ...
Further reading
* World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau (1997), ''Trefoil Round the World''. Eleventh Edition 1997.
References
{{WAGGGS, europe
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts member organizations
Scouting and Guiding in Greece
Youth organizations established in 1932