The Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal (AEP, ''Scout Association of Portugal'') is a national youth organization dedicated to education and the development of civic character through the principles of

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 ...

. Founded in 1913, it was the first Scouting organization established in

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

and was among the founding members 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. ...

(WOSM). Unlike many other Scouting organizations in Portugal, the AEP is non-denominational and not affiliated with any religious institution. Since 1979, the association has been coeducational, welcoming both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 21. The AEP is also a member of the ''

Comunidade do Escutismo Lusófono The Comunidade do Escutismo Lusófono (CEL, ''Community of Lusophone Scouting'') is the international community of Scouting organizations in the Lusophone countries. Its members are: * Angola: Associação de Escuteiros de Angola * Brazil: União ...

'' (Community of

Lusophone The Portuguese-speaking world, also known as the Lusophone world () or the Lusophony (''Lusofonia''), comprises the countries and territories in which the Portuguese language is an official, administrative, cultural, or secondary language. This ...

Scouting).

Program

The AEP promotes social values from a humanist and non-militaristic perspective. It encourages participation in cultural activities and sports, and provides education on health and well-being.

Program sections

Its members are organized into the following age-based divisions: * Alcateia (ages 7 to 10): equivalent to

Cub Scouts Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with some Scouting, Scout organizations, for young children, usually between 8 and 12, who are too young to be Scouts and make the Scout Promise. A participant in the program is called a Cub and a gro ...

* Escoteiros (Júnior) (ages 10 to 14): equivalent to

Boy Scouts Boy Scouts or Boy Scout may refer to: * Members, sections or organisations in the Scouting Movement ** Scout (Scouting), a boy or a girl participating in the worldwide Scouting movement ** Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America ...

* Exploradores (Sénior) (ages 14 to 17): equivalent to

Explorer Scouts Explorer Scouts, frequently shortened to Explorers, is the fifth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds. The section was introduced in 2001 and formally launched in February 2002, alongside Scout Networ ...

* Clã (ages 17 to 21): equivalent to

Rover Scouts Rovers or Rovering is a programme associated with some Scout organizations for adults, originated by The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom in 1918 to provide a programme for young men who had grown up beyond the age range of the Boy ...

* Adults serve as leaders and supervisors. Youth members can join the Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal (AEP) at any division appropriate for their age, without needing prior experience in the earlier sections. Adults may join existing units as leaders or assist in forming new Scout groups. While the association is coeducational, in practice, patrols are generally single-gender due to challenges encountered with mixed-gender groupings.

Scout Motto

''Sempre Pronto'', Always Ready

Scout Promise

The

Scout Promise The Scout Promise (or Oath) is a declaration made by a person joining the Scout movement. Since the publication of ''Scouting for Boys'' in 1908, all Scouts and Girl Guides around the world have taken a Scout (or Guide) promise or oath to live up ...

of the ''Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal'' is:

Scout Law

The Scout Law (''Lei do Escoteiro'') of the ''Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal'' is as follows: *O Escoteiro é verdadeiro e a sua palavra é sagrada.
''A Scout is truthful and his word is sacred.'' *O Escoteiro é leal.
''A Scout is loyal.'' *O Escoteiro é prestável.
''A Scout is helpful.'' *O Escoteiro é amigo de todos e irmão dos demais escoteiros.
''A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to other Scouts.'' *O Escoteiro é cortês.
''A Scout is courteous.'' *O Escoteiro é respeitador e protetor da natureza.
''A Scout respects and protects nature.'' *O Escoteiro é responsável e disciplinado.
''A Scout is responsible and disciplined.'' *O Escoteiro é alegre e sorri perante as dificuldades.
''A Scout is cheerful and smiles in the face of difficulties.'' *O Escoteiro é económico, sóbrio e respeitador dos bens dos outros.
''A Scout is thrifty, sober, and respects others’ property.'' *O Escoteiro é íntegro no pensamento, palavra e ações.
''A Scout is upright in thought, word, and deed.''

References

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''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Associacao dos Escoteiros de Portugal World Organization of the Scout Movement member organizations Scouting and Guiding in Portugal Youth organizations established in 1913 1913 establishments in Portugal