Troop 293., named for St. John of Capestrano
In 1948, following World War II. the communist regime banned the Scout Movement in Hungary, despite of its flourishing past. Even our Troop -which was established by pastor Ferenc Havas in 1923, could not escape its fate.
But in 1990 after 40 years of "underground" activity we reorganized the Troop. This time 40 scouts attended our first summer camp among Pilis Mountains (northern Hungary) in five patrols.Soon the stuff increased to 100-150 scouts within several years. Today there are 14 patrols in the Troop.
Considering the special situation in 1989 the Hungarian Scout Association (HSA) allowed organizing coeducated troops if their fundamental principles were in accordance with Baden-Powell's directives. Therefore girls and boys (aged between 10-20 years) are working together in our Troop also. Coeducation is really a great and modern challenge for us. Thus boys and girls (either scouts or leaders) can learn how to work together, how to share and how to behave in the presence of people from the other gender.
The Hungarian scouting emphasizes creativity, independent problem-solving skills, physical-spiritual improvement, self-education and the moral teaching of B.P.'s guidelines. Therefore each patrol's responsibility to set up their own infrastructure in camps (tents, kitchen, dining facility, shelves and even restrooms).
We always use natural or enviroment-safe materials and methods in order to preserve the beautiful gifts that Mother Nature has given to us. Exciting story lines used to be chosen every year, which recall remarkable events of Hungarian history. Daily programs and evening campfires were also organized to fit into the story line.Of course we do not stop working after summer time. The patrols usually go for a hike every month and there are programs for the entire Troop such as: competitions, steeplechase, games, enviromental-work, cultural program, charity work and celebrations (opening and closing of school year, Christmas, spring carnival -like Halloween, Easter, introduction of new scouts into the Troop). Besides we actively participate in our Parish-life.
During springtime we usually play a special "challenge-wargame" which the scouts look forward to starting each year. We even organized a whole-day sports program in 1998 for the first time. Leaders attend different camps (training-, ski- and recreational camp) as we consider their work to be the cornerstone of scouting. The most important programs are -of course- weekly patrol-meetings. The member's families often offer their home for meetings, so that we can overcome the problem of building a community center.
Our Troop situated in Budapest, guided by HSA, is a member of World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM).
