The Asociación de Scouts de Cuba (ASC, ''Scout Association of Cuba'') was the national

Scouting Scouting or the Scout Movement is a youth social movement, movement which became popularly established in the first decade of the twentieth century. It follows the Scout method of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activi ...

organization of

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

from 1927 to 1961. Scouting in Cuba started in 1914, in 1927 the ASC was founded and became a member of the

World Organization of the Scout Movement The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest and, after the Order of World Scouts (formed in 1911), is the second-oldest international organization in the Scout Movement, having been established in 1922. It has 176 members. ...

the same year and was suspended from WOSM membership in 1961. At the end of the 1950s, the boys-only association had about 6,500 members. Cuba is now one of only five of the world's independent countries that do not have Scouting.

History

In 1914, the first Scout groups in Cuba were founded, and Carlos Alzugarai,

Miguel Ángel Quevedo Miguel Ángel Quevedo y de la Lastra (July 31, 1908 – August 12, 1969) was the publisher and editor of ''Revista Bohemia, Bohemia'', the most popular news-weekly in Cuba and the oldest Latin America, known for its political journalism and edit ...

, Jules Loustalot and others wrote up the statutes and began Scout activities. The first troops of

Boy Scout A Scout, Boy Scout, Girl Scout or, in some countries, a Pathfinder is a participant in the Scout Movement, usually aged 10–18 years, who engage in learning scoutcraft and outdoor and other special interest activities. Some Scout organizatio ...

s in Cuba met under the

sponsorship Sponsoring something (or someone) is the act of supporting an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services. The individual or group that provides the support, similar to a benefactor, is k ...

of the

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is an Voluntary association, organization of United States, U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It comprises U.S. state, state, Territories of the United States, U.S. terr ...

, the ''Mother's Club del Vedado'' and the electric generating plant of the '' Compañía Cubana de Electricidad''. Angel Loustalot, the son of Jules Loustalot, was commissioner for other pioneers of the Scout Movement, Enrique Quintana, Dr. Moisés Boudé, Domingo Romeo Jaime and Oscar Poey Bonachea. In the following years more local groups emerged, but they were not coordinated through a national association until 1927 when the ''Asociación de Scouts de Cuba'' was founded. The Scouts of Cuba was declared an official institution by

presidential decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state, judge, royal figure, or other relevant authorities, according to certain procedures. These procedures are usually defined by the constitution, Legislative laws, or customary l ...

no. 871 of June 22, 1927. In the same year the association became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. During its first years, Cuban Scouting followed the model of the

Boy Scouts of America Scouting America is the largest scouting organization and one of the largest List of youth organizations, youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth, including nearly 200,000 female participants. Founded as the Boy Sco ...

, using the

uniform A uniform is a variety of costume worn by members of an organization while usually participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency serv ...

Boy Scout Handbook ''Scouts BSA Handbook'' is the official handbook of Scouts BSA, published by Scouting America. It is a descendant publication of Baden-Powell's original handbook, ''Scouting for Boys'', which has been the basis for Scout handbooks in many coun ...

and many of their practices. In 1941, the ASC held its first national

Jamboree In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts and/or Girl Guides who rally at a national or international level. History The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom. Since then, there have been t ...

Havana Havana (; ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.Cayo Conuco,

Caibarién Caibarién is a municipality city in the Villa Clara Province, Villa Clara province of Cuba. Caibarién is known as "La Villa Blanca" () for its sands and beaches. They are famous for their "Parrandas" (Carnivals) along with Remedios, Cuba, Reme ...

and the third in 1954 in

Wajay Wajay is a ward (''consejo popular'', "people's council") of the city of Havana, the capital of Cuba, belonging to the Municipalities of Havana, municipal borough of Boyeros. In 2011, it had a population of 47,954. History Its origins go back to ...

celebrating the 40th anniversary of Scouting in Cuba. Dr.

Rogelio Pina Estrada Dr. Rogelio Pina Estrada is a Cuban retired attorney who was a member of the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest and, after the Order of Worl ...

was a member of the

World Scout Committee The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest and, after the Order of World Scouts (formed in 1911), is the second-oldest international organization in the Scout Movement, having been established in 1922. It has 176 members. ...

of the

from 1949 until 1951.

Salvador Fernández Beltrán Salvador Fernández Beltrán D.J.C. (born at Matanzas, Cuba – 1987 in Venezuela) was among the first in the Americas to receive Wood Badge training, at Gilwell Park, England. He was the first to receive honorary appointment as Deputy Camp Chief ...

D.J.C. of

Matanzas Matanzas (Cuban ; ) is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas Province, Matanzas. Known for its poets, culture, and Afro-American religions, Afro-Cuban folklore, it is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Mat ...

was among the first in

the Americas The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.'' Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sin ...

to receive

Wood Badge Wood Badge is a Scout leader training program, first implemented by The Scout Association, The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom in 1919 and subsequently adopted, with variations, by some other Scout organizations. Wood Badge Course ...

training, at

Gilwell Park Gilwell Park is The Scout Association's principal camp site and Scout Activity Centre, activity centre in the United Kingdom. It is a site, located in Essex in the Sewardstonebury area of Waltham Abbey within Epping Forest near the border with ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. He was the first to receive honorary appointment as Deputy Camp Chief of Gilwell. With this influence, the Scouts of Cuba began to use short trousers like those worn by the

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

. Fernandez Beltrán was known for his work within the Scouts of Cuba, as well as assisting in the creation of the InterAmerican Scout Office, the divisional office of the World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, founded and maintained with headquarters in Havana from 1946 to 1960. At the beginning of the 1960s Fernandez Beltrán was appointed to the office of Deputy Secretary of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in

Geneva, Switzerland Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Ca ...

. J.S. Wilson, ''Scouting Round the World'', Bandford Press, London, 1959, p. 239. He retired to Venezuela where he died in 1987. In February 1953, the Third-Inter-American Scouyt Conference was held at La Habana. In 1954, for the 40th anniversary of their foundation, the Scouts of Cuba celebrated with the Third National

''Tercer Campamento Nacional de Patrullas'' in Wajay,

Havana Province La Habana Province , formerly known as Ciudad de La Habana Province, is a province of Cuba that includes the territory of the city of Havana, the Republic's capital. The province's territory is the seat of the superior organs of the state and i ...

, attended by more than 1000 Scouts, including several neighboring countries. For this celebration, the

Ministry of Communications A Communications Ministry or Department of Communications is a ministry or other government agency charged with communication. Communications responsibilities include regulating telecommunications, postal services, broadcasting and print media. The ...

issued Scout postage stamps. Scouts de Cuba 1959

In 1956, under the leadership of Serafín García Menocal, President of the ''Consejo Nacional Scouts de Cuba'' (National Council), the Scouts of Cuba bought the national training grounds ''Campo Escuela Nacional Mayabeque'' at Mayabeque, along the river of the same name, near

Catalina de Güines Catalina may refer to: Arts and media * ''The Catalina'', a 2012 American reality television show * ''Catalina'' (novel), a 1948 novel by W. Somerset Maugham * Catalina (''My Name Is Earl''), a character from the NBC sitcom ''My Name Is Earl' ...

within 50 km of the capital. The National Camp School was dedicated to the training of Scouters and for Scout camping. The Field School was abandoned in 1961, and at the moment is under the water of Mampostón reservoir. Scouting existed in Cuba itself until the 1960s, when Cuban Scouting ceased operations after the

Cuban revolution The Cuban Revolution () was the military and political movement that overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, who had ruled Cuba from 1952 to 1959. The revolution began after the 1952 Cuban coup d'état, in which Batista overthrew ...

of 1959. Cuban Scouts rendered service during those times, directing traffic, collecting rations, helping in hospitals and establishing first aid stations. In 1961, the

World Scout Conference The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM ) is the largest and, after the Order of World Scouts (formed in 1911), is the second-oldest international organization in the Scout Movement, having been established in 1922. It has 176 members. ...

terminated the WOSM membership claiming that the ASC had ceased to exist. The last National Chief Scouts were

Virgilio Morales Díaz Virgilio Morales Díaz was one of the last National Chief Scouts of Cuban Scouting. Scouting existed in Cuba itself until the 1960s, when Cuban Scouting ceased operations after the Cuban revolution of 1959. Cuban Scouts rendered service during ...

and Doctor

José Borrel Tudurí Doctor José Borrel Tudurí was one of the last National Chief Scouts of Cuban Scouting. Scouting existed in Cuba itself until the 1960s, when Cuban Scouting ceased operations after the Cuban revolution of 1959. Cuban Scouts rendered service duri ...

, along with Doctor

Celina Cardoso Doctor Celina Cardoso was the last President and Secretary of the National Council of Cuban Scouting. Scouting existed in Cuba itself until the 1960s, when Cuban Scouting ceased operations after the Cuban revolution of 1959. Cuban Scouts rendere ...

, President and Secretary of the National Council.

Kenneth Symington Kenneth A. Symington of Cañal was a British-Cuban civic leader, the last National Executive Commissioner of the Asociación de Scouts de Cuba. Professionally he was a chemical engineer for ''Industria Sanitarios Nacional, S.A.'' in San José de ...

of Cañal was the last National Executive Commissioner. Communist leaders replaced the association with the

José Martí Pioneer Organization José Martí Pioneer Organization ( - OPJM) is a Cuban youth organization established in 1961, created as a replacement for the banned Asociación de Scouts de Cuba. The organization gets its name from Cuban writer and national hero José Mart ...

Current status

Cuban Scouting-in-exile does not presently exist per agreement with WOSM in hopes of Scouting's eventual return, however

Cuban-American Cuban Americans ( or ) are Americans who immigrated from or are descended from immigrants from Cuba. As of 2023, Cuban Americans were the fourth largest Hispanic and Latino Americans, Hispanic and Latino American group in the United States aft ...

Scouts of the

are instrumental in annual

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the 16th president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincoln (na ...

Martí Martí is a Catalan language, Catalan name and may refer to: People Surname *Antoni Martí (1963–2023), Andorran architect and politician *Cristóbal Martí (1903–1986), Spanish footballer *David Martí (born 1971), Spanish Oscar winner for be ...

celebrations in

Miami, Florida Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

. The Lincoln-Marti Camporee began in 1970 with troops largely from south Florida's Cuban-American community. Recent developments have seen one new Scout group, in a

Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

church in

Santiago de Cuba Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest city in Cuba and the capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province. It lies in the southeastern area of the island, some southeast of the Cuban capital of Havana. The municipality extends over , and contains t ...

since early 2012. Mexican Scouts have provided material assistance, and growth is expected when bureaucrats authorize the Catholic Scouts. As of August 2012, this is only a pilot project.Information derived from reports of Luis Meiras Aranega of the Federación de Asociaciones de Scouts de España in

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Santa Cruz de Tenerife (; locally ), commonly abbreviated as Santa Cruz, is a city, the capital of the island of Tenerife, Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and one of the capitals of the Canary Islands, along with Las Palmas. Santa Cruz has a ...

International Scouting units in Cuba

* In addition, as on many military bases, there are American Boy Scouts in

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base Guantanamo Bay Naval Base (), officially known as Naval Station Guantanamo Bay or NSGB, (also called GTMO, pronounced Gitmo as jargon by the U.S. military) is a United States military base located on of land and water on the shore of Guant ...

, serving in Cub Scout Pack 3401 and Boy Scout Troop 435, linked to the

Direct Service There have been American Scouts overseas since almost the inception of the movement, often for similar reasons as the present day. Within the Scouting America formerly the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), these expatriate Scouting, Scouts are now se ...

branch of the

, which supports units of U.S. citizens around the world.

References

External links

History of Scouting in Cuba
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asociacion de Scouts de Cuba Disbanded Scouting organizations Youth organizations based in Cuba Scouting and Guiding in Cuba Youth organizations established in 1927 Organizations disestablished in 1961 1927 establishments in Cuba

History

Current status

International Scouting units in Cuba

See also

References

External links