61st BP Fellowship Event - The Hague

Past events – The Hague Netherlands

From 7 to 10 April 2011 the 61st BP Fellowship Event took place in The Hague (Netherlands). 


The event was jointly organized by The Olave Baden-Powell Society (WAGGGS) and the The World Scout Foundation with Scouting Nederland as Host of the event. It brought over 200 BP Fellows and Olave BP Society members from all over the world together in the beautiful 'village' of Scheveningen (part of The Hague) at the North Sea coast. The joint title of the event was therefore "Orange 2011".


Besides the traditional elements such as the opening ceremony (Thursday at the Tram Remise) and the cultural tours around The Hague (Keukenhof, Storm Surge Barriers in Rotterdam and the Delfts Blue Pottery) the highlight of the event was definitely meeting Dutch Scouts on Saturday. There were in total 4 tours available to give participants the opportunity to see and experience co-educational Scouting, Scouting with disabled Scouts, Sea Scouting and quite specially a tour showing great architecture in Dutch Scouting Clubhouses.


The Presentation Ceremony, which took place in the Hall of State or Ridderzaal, was unique as none of the participants (Dutch or foreign) had ever set foot in this medieval Hall which currently is only used for official State celebrations. Joining the WSF Honorary Chairman - HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden - and the OBPS Honorary President - HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark -  was the Royal Patron of Scouting Nederland - HRH Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. In total 16 new OBPS members and 21 new BP Fellows could be presented with their insignia and membership certificates.


The Saturday evening saw the official "Orange 2011 Dinner" taking place in the Grote Kerk of The Hague (medieval church not longer in function as such) which was spectacular due to the light arrangements and the fabulous flower arrangements. During the Dinner 3 BP Fellows were presented with their insignia for the Honours Programme as well as 3 OBPS members who received the Princess Benedikte Award.


Pictures of the event are available here.