Hungarian Boy Scout Uniforms

Historical Background

The early years of Hungarian Scouting were much like Scouting in other European countries. Hungary at the time, however, was not an independent country, but a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first Hungarian Scout troop was founded in 1910 under the auspices of the Budapest YMCA only a few years after the movement began in England. The MAGYAR CSERKÉSZSZÖVETSÉG (HMA) was founded in 1912.

The development of Hungarian Scouting was impaired by World War I (1914-18).

The HSA was reorganized in 1919 after the formati0n of an independent Hungary and the first Girl Guide troop was organized. The HSA registred as member of the WAISM in 1922. Hungarian scouts participated in World Jamboree II in 1924. The Hungarian Contingent came third in the competition of nations. The HSA organized its first national jamboree in 1926, 8,235 scouts from 12 nations participated. Lord Baden-Powell visited Hungary in 1928. About 850 Hungarian Boy Scouts participated in the III World Jambore in 1929, the year the Great Depression began.III. The HSA started its aviation program in 1931. World Jamboree IV was held in GÖDÖLLŐ during 1933. Nearly 26,000 scouts of 54 nations participated. The emblem of this Jamboree was the jumpig stag of ancient folk tales about the Hungarian' ancestors. Short wave radio activites started in 1934. Over 400 Hungarian scouts participated in World Jamboree V in 1934. The The Hungarian Girl Guide Association organized a world gathering--PAXTING in 1939, the year Worl War II began.

Hungary entered World War II as a German ally in 1942. Hungarian Scouts participated in the activites of the Red Cross and helped in air-raid shelters.

Scouters attempted to reorganize Hungarian Scouting after World War II ended. Hungary wa, however, occupied by the Russians who distrusted anyone associated with Scouting. Only 200 scouts represented the HSA in Moisson at World Jamboree VI. After the communist take-over in 1948, scouting was banned. Some of the leaders and those who ventured to reorganize the association were imprisoned. Boys had to join the Young Pioneers.

A sad result of the Hungarian history: world powers, drawing new borders with the Versailles Peace Treaties (1919), forced one third of native Hungarians to be citizens of other countries. (The population of Hungary is 10 million. About 5 million Hungarians live outside Hungary.

Hungarians emigrating to the "free world" between 1945-56 organized the Hungarian Scout Association Abroad for the Diaspora Hungarians, they are very active even today and have 4,000 registered members. Their support was a tremendous asset in organizing the Hungarian Scout Association when the new non-Communist Government permitted it on February 1, 1989.

WOSM again accepted Hungary as a registered member in 1990. 17 participants represented Hungary in Korea at World Jamboree XVII in 1991. Organizational work was carried out, leadership trainings were held from 1990-95. HSA Abroad and WOSM gave field support. In egions where Hungarians live in the neighboring countries Hungarians organized their independent Scout associations. There are active minority Hungarian scouts in Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania and Serbia in legally registred organization. They cooperate with the associations of the majority population. About 70 Hungarian scouts (boys and girls) participated in the World Jamboree XVIII durin 1995 in Dronten.

HSA reported in 1998 that there are approximately 20.000 registred scouts (60 percent boys and 40 percent girls) in 500 troops in Hungary carryng out activites based on the scout oath and the scout law.

Hungarian Uniforms