A Europe Guide in the USA

Have you ever had the opportunity to go abroad, to discover a new culture, a new new language and meet Scouts there? Cub in France, then guide in Germany within the KPE (Katholische Pfadfinderschaft Europas, member of UIGSE) I had this chance by spending a month in Colorado, at the foot of the rocky mountains, thanks to Boulder’s group leader.

This emerging group is part of the Federation of North-American Explorers (FNE), UIGSE aspirant association. The FNE is a growing movement that did not exist until recently (it’s 10 years old). Recruiting leaders is complex because volunteering with young people is non-existent in this state.

I recovered the pedagogy, the uniform and scouting mindset on several occasions: a cub camp (as leader), a group party and a patrol WE of the group of Littleton, Colorado. Scout life is similar with its great games, its taking of scarves, its coded messages. The cubs practice semaphore, jungle dances, and sing at the vigil songs sometimes translated from French!

Some details were surpising to me, e.g. patrols use terribly heavy iron-cast bowls (but remarkable as an oven) and for camping in the rocky mountains where bears and pumas are numerous, patrols must be trained and provide adequate equipment to food and campism. It is also essential to check the weather because thunderstorms and snowstorms in winter are numerous.

What a joy to discover a movement aspiring to the same Scout ideal, to live the scouts’ fraternity beyond the language, in the continuity of Eurojam, and to share our experiences:
an ocean separates us but scouting makes us close, and it’s with the same complicity than with the guides of my patrol that we tell each other about our camps, our explorations, our failed dishes and our best scouting moments! I will continue with pleasure to exchange with the guides and help them by sharing my experience with them because everything is new for them: from organizing an outing, to the patrol trunk, or the way the patrol council works.

20190731 - A guide in the USA

Deo Gratias for this beautiful month, and “Ad Mariam… America !”

Edith-Marie

Patrol leader of Eagle, Munich guides unit

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