Figure 1.--The American scout uniform was changed in the 1980s. The boys are trading patches at a jamboree.

The North American Scout Movement is of course dominated by America. By the 1940s, it was rare for an American boy not to join the Cubs and most boys followed on into the Scouts. There was, however, a strong Scout movement in Canada. Smaller movements exist in Mexico, CVentral America and the Caribbean. The Scout movements are especially strong in the former British colonies in the Caribbean. Please have a look at available information on Scouting in the following North American countries and the development of the various national uniforms in each different country.

Bahamas

The Bahamas like many British former colonies has an active Boy Scout movement. It did not take long for Scouting to spread to every corner of the British Empire. At first it was just the British boys living in the colony that joined, but it was not long before local boys were joining as well. In many instances there were separate troops for British and local boys, but this varied as to the specific colony.

Barbados

Barbados like many British former colonies has an active Boy Scout movement. It did not take long for Scouting to spread to every corner of the British Empire. At first it was just the British boys living in the colony that joined, but it was not long before local boys were joining as well. In many instances there were separate troops for British and local boys, but this varied as to the specific colony. The original Barbados Scout uniform, like those of all British Empire colonies, were simply duplications of the English Scout uniform. Gradually British colonies developed their own destinctive uniforms. This process intensified after independence.

Belize

Canada

The Boy Scouts of Canada were founded in 1907. Baden Powell first visited Canada in 1908. Canadian Scouts like American and British Scouts have been all boy organizations. The Boys Scouts of Canada decided to go co-ed in 1992, officially opening it's doors to girls. "We're not the Boy Scouts of Canada anymore, We're Scouts Canada," said John Rietveld, Scouts Canada executive director of communications. Rietvel said Canada was influenced by Scouts organizations in Europe and Austrailia, which also allow girls to join. Boy Scouts in the United States and Britain remained and exclusively male preserve.

Costa Rica

Cuba

Cuba had a small Scouting movemnent. The country was a Spanish colony which became independent in 1903. The first known Scout group in Cuba was organized about 1914, a few years after the organization was founded. Other groups appeared in the main cities. There was, however, no national organization until the Asociaci�n de Scouts de Cuba (Scout Association of Cuba--ASC) was organized . We are not sure precisely when the ASC was organized. One report says 1927. Another report says it was earlier, but could not obtain recognition by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). The WOSM reconized the ASC in 1927. Cuban Scouting was a boys only movement. We notice a uniform in the 1920s with knickers like the United States rather than short pants like the British. The knickers don't seem in keeping with the tropical climate. We note Cuban Scouts in the 1940s wearing the short pants uniform that was more common around the world. There were about 6,500 members in the 1950s. Scouting ended in Cuba after the Revolution of 1959. We do not have details, but we believe the Communist Government banned Scouting. Cuban Scouters were among the refugees fleeing to the United States. Cuban Scouting thus continues within the Cuban-American community centered in Miami, Florida.

Guatemala

Honduras

Figure 2.--HBU believes that this is a Mexican Scout. Mexican Scout wear light blue shirts, dark blue shorts and knee socks.

Mexico

The Asociaci�n de Scout de M�xico A.C. was founded in Puerto de Veracruz during 1912. The early growth of the Scout movement in Mexico was hampered by the poverty in rural areas and the Revolution of the 1910s. The Revolution occurred just as the movement was beginning to develop in most countries. Mexican Scouts wear a uniform of light blue shirts and dark blue shorts and knee socks. Kneesocks are not widely worn by Mexican boys. Scouts are the only biys since about the 1940s to wear them. Mexican Scouts appear to rarely wear their caps--a bit strange in a country where the sun is so intense.

Nicaragua

Panama

(El) Salvador

United States

The Scouting movement was founded by Lord Baden-Powell in England. Americans and boys' organizations played a major role in the movement. The Scouting movement was simply accepted in many countries. American played a major role in the program that was finally conceived by Baden-Powell. When American Scouting was founded, existing organizations were incoroprated into it. Despite this role in the Scouting movement, American Scouts dd not follow the unifiorm conceived by Baden-Powell and adopted by virtually every other country. American Scouts insisted on wearing knickers rather than short pants.

Unknown

HBU has obtained a number of images of Scout uniforms, but can not identify the nationality. If you can figure out what country these boys are from, please let HBU know.