Celebrating our Scout King
Today, Scouts and Baden-Powell Fellows worldwide celebrate the unwavering support of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, on His 75th birthday, paying tribute to His phenomenal contributions in a special video here.
His Majesty has been involved in Scouting since His first days as a Cub Scout in 1955. As Crown Prince, aged 10 years old, one of His first official duties was to participate in a Swedish Scout camp and He has continued to champion Scouting in Sweden, where He is the Honorary Chairman of Scouterna, The Guides and Scouts of Sweden.
As Honorary Chairman of the World Scout Foundation, since 1977, His Majesty has championed the growth and development of Scouting worldwide through the Foundation’s work, leading Him to participate in countless Scouting activities, from local camps to International Jamborees involving tens of thousands of young women and men, an extraordinary 73 World Baden-Powell Fellowship Events and 71 World Scout Foundation Board Meetings, plus innumerable meetings and activities of the Swedish Chapter of the World Baden-Powell Fellowship.
His Majesty has always advocated for the values-based leadership, life-skills and education that Scouting gives to young people — which they carry into adulthood and which have been shown to benefit and raise up entire communities — and He continues to inspire Baden-Powell Fellows, supporters and partners worldwide to give generously of their time, energy and resources to further grow the network of support for Scouting.
“I am keenly aware of the moral and educational values of this volunteer Movement. It has been with conviction and pride that I have accepted the invitation of the World Scout Foundation to help foster the expansion of Scouting around the globe. Each of us bears a personal responsibility for tomorrow. Scouting is a fine way of preparing for the challenge of the future, and I shall be grateful to all who are prepared to join me in contributing to the promotion of World Scouting”, He said during an early World Baden-Powell Fellows' engagement.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Scouts have undertaken and are still undertaking remarkable actions to support the most vulnerable in our society. (…) Scouting makes a difference and by supporting this Movement we are investing in the future”, said His Majesty at the 2020 World Scout Foundation Virtual Investor Seminar.
Thank You, Your Majesty, for your passion for Scouting and your dedication to the work of the World Scout Foundation. We wish you a very Happy Birthday and many more to come.
There are many ways to get involved in the work of the World Scout Foundation. You can become a Baden-Powell Fellow or, you can choose to upgrade through the Honours Programme. You may also wish to join the current Fundraising Campaign, to grow the World Scout Foundation Endowment Fund, to help to ensure the sustainability of Scouting in perpetuity.
