Figure 1.-- Latvia had an activecScout movement in the inter-War period. These two Latvian Scouts pose with their baby broither in 1935.

HBU has not yet succeeded in collecting much infornation on Latvian Scouting. Scouting was established in 1912 under Czarist Russia. Latvia at the time was part of Russia. Different sources indicate that Latvia's own Scouting movement was founded in 1917-1919. Tsarist regime was collapsing as a result of the horific losses in World War I (1914-18). An independent Latvia was formed after the War. Latvian Scouts were a founding member of the World Organization. Girl Scouting was founded in Riga, Latvia in 1922. Photographs show that Scouting was active in Latvia after World War I. Both Boy and Girl Scouts were closed in June 1940 when Latvia was occupied by the Russians. The Soviet invasion in 1940 and subsequent German invasion meant and end to Scouting in Latvia. After the Soviets reoccupied Latvia in 1944, the ban on Scouting continued. After World War II Latvian Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts renewed their groups in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Austria and Belgium where there were Latvians who escaped the Communist occupation. When the Latvian displaced persons (DP) emigrated in 1949 and 1950 to the United States, Canada and Australia, their units ceased to operate in Europe, but not in America, Canada, and Australia. Scouting in Latvia itself was revived even before the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Latvian Scouts have been members of the World Organization since 1992.

Tsarist Empire

HBU has not yet succeeded in collecting much infornation on Latvian Scouting. Scouting was established in 1912 under Czarist Russia. Latvia at the time was part of Russia. Different sources indicate that Latvia's own Scouting movement was founded in 1917-1919. One source credits Arvids Bredermanis and other Scouts from Tartu, Estonia for founding Latvian Scouting during World War I (April 17, 1917). This was followed by several other Scout troops that were founded +in the Riga area. Tsarist regime was collapsing as a result of the horific losses in World War I (1914-18). Thus Latvian Scouting appears to have emerged during World War I and the Russian Revolution--not the most propitious time for a boy's youth movemnent.

Independent Latvia

Individual Scout troops were active after World war I and Latvia's emergence as an independent country which required a war with the Bolshevicks. The Latvian Scout Organization Latvijas Skautu Organizacija was established a few years after the War (1921). Latvia was a founding member of the World Organization and active from 1922 to 1940. Girl Guiding was founded in Riga as an independent organization (1922). We do not have much information on Scout activities during the inter-War era. Baden-Powell visited Latvia as part of his world tour (1933). Photographs we have found, however, show that Scouts and Guides were were active in Latvia.

Soviet Invasion

Both Boy and Girl Scouts were closed in June 1940 when Latvia was occupied by the Russians. The Soviet invasion in 1940 and subsequent German invasion meant and end to Scouting in Latvia. Scouts like other Latvians did not fully understand the character of the Soviet regime. The Soviets appointed a special officer to abolish Scouting and oversee the disposition of Scout property. Scouting continued unofficially and underground for a short period. Scouts operated without uniforms in the forests so as not to arouse suspicion. The Soviets executed Latvian Scout founder and President, General Karlis Goppers (1941). The NAZIs invaded the Soviet Union and quickly occupied Latvia (June 1941). I'm not sure if any efforts were made to renew Scouting during the NAZI occupation. After the Soviets reoccupied Latvia in 1944, the ban on Scouting continued. For the KGB, Scout work was grounds enough for arrest. Some like General Goppers were shot. Otghers were deported and given sentences in the Gulag. Latvian children were required to join the Young Pioneers, the only youth organization permitted.

Scouting in Exile

After World War II Latvian Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts renewed their groups in Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Austria and Belgium where there were Latvians who escaped the Communist occupation. When the Latvian displaced persons (DP) emigrated in 1949 and 1950 to the United States, Canada and Australia, their units ceased to operate in Europe, but not in America, Canada, and Australia.

Revival

The Soviet Union began to unravel (late 1980s), Even before the disolution of the Sviet Union, Latvian Scouts began to organize. The first Latvian Scout and Guide camp was organized (1989). Latvian Scouts held their fifth National Jamboree, "Renewal" (1990). They invited several other countries to participate. The Communist Young Pioneer movement disappeared after the disolution of the Soviet Union. Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrala Organizacija (the Latvian Scout and Guide Central Organization, LSGCO) rejoined the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) (1993). They also joined the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Latvia reported 543 registered Scouts and 984 registered Guides (2003). This makes Latvijas Skautu un Gaidu Centrala Organizacija the largest youth organization in Latvia. LSGCO's explains its goals are to develop physical, mental, moral and social skills in Latvian youth and to develop a loyalty to Latvia. The main purpose is to recognize the needs and wants of Latvian youth and to encourage self development.