Italian Boy Scout Uniforms: Rovers


Figure 1.--This deawing shows the AGSI Rover uniform worn from 1968-74, before unification with the girls units.

The older group of Italian Scouts are Rovers. Both major Italian Scout associations had Rover units. HBU has noted one group of Rovers who in 1968 wore berets, grey shirts, and cord shorts. Rovers like other Scouts once had destinctive uniforms, but the current policy is to have similar uniforms for the younger and older boys.

Associations

Italy currently has two main Scout associations. As in many European countries, Scouting is separated along religious grounds.

AGESCI

AGESCI is the Catholic Scout association. It is a coed group formed in 1974 from the union of the all-boy ASCI and the girl AGI. The ASCI was founded in 1916, but banned from 1928-44 during the Fasit era. The AGI was of more recent origins, founded in 1943. HBU has no information about Rovers in the pre-Fascist era. We believe that they were probably established in the post-World War II era. I'm not sure when the first Rover uniform was adopted. The first mentioned we have noted for Rover uniforms was a khaki shirt which was adopted for Scouts. While the Scouts wore dark blue shorts and socks until 1968, Rovers and Scouters had khaki shorts and socks. An available image, however, shows a Rover wearing a black beret wit grey shirt with darker grey shorts. This ubiform was reportedly worn from 1968-74. When the combined AGESCI was formed in 1974, a new common uniform was developed for all levels of Scouting. There is now a light blur shirt worn with dark blue shirts, skirts, sweaters, and socks. Ther is also a grey "boer" hat.

CNGEI

The CNGEI is the secular Italian Scout association. The CNGEI is also coed. It was formed in 1976 by the union of the all-boy CNGEI and girl UNGEI. The CNGEI was founded in 1912, but banned by the Fascists in 1927. (Notice how the Fascists banned the secular Scouts first.) CNGEI was reorganized in 1944. HBU has no inforation on CNGEI Rover uniforms at tis time.

Chronology

HBU is not sure when the Rover program was initiated and thus when specialized Rover uniforms were first created.








Christopher Wagner






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Created: May 19, 2001
Last updated: May 19, 2001