History of National Scout Day in Indonesia

National Scout Day, celebrated every August 14, is an important moment in Indonesian history and culture. This date not only celebrates the existence of the Scout Movement, but also reminds us of the long history and contributions of the scouting movement that has existed in the country since the early 20th century. This article will take you deeper into the history of National Scout Day, from the beginning of the scouting movement in Indonesia to the establishment of its celebration day.
The Scout Movement, which is an abbreviation of "Praja Muda Karana," has deep roots in the history of world scouting. This movement began in 1912 in Batavia (now Jakarta) as part of the international scouting movement pioneered by Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell, a British general, founded the Boy Scouts Movement in England in 1907, which then spread to various parts of the world, including Indonesia. Initially, this movement was known as the Nederlandsche Padvinders Organisatie (NPO) which was part of the Dutch scouting.
However, since the early 1920s, various scouting organizations have emerged in Indonesia, each with its own goals and characteristics. Organizations such as Padvinder Muhammadiyah and Nationale Padvinderij played an important role in the development of the scouting movement in Indonesia. Each of these organizations had a mission to educate the younger generation with the principles of scouting that taught independence, responsibility, and national spirit.
After Indonesia's independence in 1945, the need for a national scouting movement that united various elements of the nation became increasingly urgent. At that time, many separate scouting organizations felt the need to form a single movement that could unite all scouting groups in Indonesia. This merging process eventually gave birth to the Scout Movement that we know today, which was officially established in 1961.
The importance of National Scout Day lies in the fact that August 14, 1961 was the day when the Scout Movement was officially introduced to the Indonesian public. On that date, President Sukarno launched the Scout Movement at the State Palace. During the event, President Sukarno symbolically handed over the Scout Movement Banner to Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX, who at that time served as the Chairman of the National Scout Movement Headquarters. The determination of this date as National Scout Day not only marked the birth of this movement, but also confirmed its role as an important part of character and leadership education in Indonesia. Presidential Decree Number 238 of 1961 determined the day as National Scout Day and inaugurated the National Leadership Council (Mapinas) of the National Headquarters (Kwarnas) and the Daily National Headquarters (Kwarnari).
National Scout Day is not just a holiday or celebration, but an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the values ??contained in the Scout Movement. This movement aims to teach various life skills to the younger generation, including leadership, cooperation, and social responsibility. Through various activities and programs carried out, Scouts strive to shape the character of children and teenagers who are not only academically intelligent, but also morally strong and have broad insight.
In the celebration of National Scout Day, various activities are often carried out to involve Scout members from various levels. These activities can include flag ceremonies, competitions, and other activities designed to strengthen the spirit of togetherness and nationalism. Through these activities, the Scout Movement seeks to introduce the values ??of scouting to the wider community and foster a sense of love for the homeland among the younger generation.
The long history of the Scout Movement in Indonesia illustrates how important this organization is in shaping the character of the nation. From the Dutch colonial era to the present, Scouts have been an integral part of character and leadership education in Indonesia. Through various programs and activities, Scouts continue to strive to build a young generation that is not only academically intelligent, but also has a strong character and noble values.
Overall, National Scout Day is a moment to appreciate and celebrate the contribution of the Scout Movement to the formation of character and leadership values ??in Indonesia. Through this celebration, we are reminded of the importance of character education and self-development, which are the core objectives of the Scout Movement. Hopefully the celebration of National Scout Day will not only be an event for celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on the values ??taught and continue to commit to implementing them in everyday life. As time goes by, the Scout Movement remains relevant as a vehicle for character and leadership formation that is very important needed to create a quality next generation of the nation.