Figure 1.--A photograph of Latvian Scouts probably talen in the eraly 1920s shows them wearing very traditional uniforms, little different than early British uniforms. The one unusual aspect of the photograph is that the boy standing on the far left is wearing lomg over the knee stockings.

HBU has not yet collected infornation on Latvian Scouting. Latvia was part of the Tsarist Russian Empire. We are not yet sure when the Boy Scouts were organized in Latvia, but suspect it was when Latvia was still under Tsarist control. One source suggests that it was 1912. As a result of World war I and the Russian Revolution (1917), Latvia and the other Baltic republics were able to gain their independence. Scouting called the Latvia Vanags was active in independent Latvia. The Soviets seized Latvia in 1940 and the NAZIs invased in 1941. The Soviets abolished Scouting and when the Red Army drove the NAZIs out (1944), the country became part of the Soviet Union. Latvian boys could only join the Communist Young Pioneers. Latvia Scouting survived among immigranys in America and other countries and was revived even before the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Latvia finally obtained its independence in 1992.

History

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.

Ceremonies

Scouting has a range of ceremonies as the boys as the boys enter Scouting nd progress up the ranks. Many of these ceremonies are the sane or similar in all countries. Some countries have special ceremonies. The first ceremonies in when boys first take the Scout oath, usually as Cubs. For many of the boys it is the first formal commitment, except for perhaps First Communion, that they conciously take.

Activities

We note Latvian boys engaged in the same standard Scouting activities we have noted in other countries. One photograph show Scouts at camp practicing semaphore signaling.

Uniform

We have very limited information on Latvian Scouting and uniforms. An early photograph of Latvian Scouts shows them wearing very traditional uniforms, little different than early British uniforms. The one unusual aspect of the photograph is that the boy standing on the far left is wearing long over the knee stockings. This is something you rarely see wuth Scouts. We have noted Scouts wearing long pants, short pants and knee socks, or short pants and short socks, but never the long over the knee stockings. Long stockings were extensively worn by German, Polish, and Scandinavian boys so it is likely that some Scouts did wear them. We also notice Latvian Scouts wearing an unusual cap. Other wise the uniform seems quite standard for the time.

Immigramt Scouting

Immigrant groups in American and other countries, never accepted the Soviet 1940 incorporation of Latvia. Latvian Scouting was conducted in exile. Even in the 2000s, immigrant Latvian Scouting continued in American cities like Chicago where many Latvians live.

Latvian Scouting

A Latvian SCout page exists, but as it is in Latvian, HBC is unable to learn anything about the local Scout movement.