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Today, we were dismayed to read that Scouting America has signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal government in which it agreed, following months of pressure and scrutiny, to end initiatives aimed at opening its programs to people historically excluded from the scouting movement. This includes removing protections for transgender scouts. 

In light of this decision by our siblings in scouting, we reaffirm Outdoor Service Guides’ commitment to actively creating and cultivating a safe, affirming, equitable, and inclusive environment. We welcome everyone to scout with us.

We find it troubling that the federal government has used its authority to influence a private organization’s internal policies. Scout groups must be free to define their own missions and membership policies in a way that reflects the law, their communities, and Scouting’s guiding principles. 

The mission of Outdoor Service Guides is to foster an inclusive environment where individuals of all ages develop outdoor skills, connect across generations, and engage in community service. In the last year, we strengthened our policies around inclusivity and enshrined them in our bylaws. We will continue to advocate for the safety and well-being of all of our members.

We are a traditional scouting organization. Our youth and adult programs build real outdoor and leadership skills. We challenge each scout to do their best, and we celebrate their achievements. We do not lower the bar, we widen the path.

For those who believe that scouting is for everybody, Outdoor Service Guides continues to offer a home. We hope to see you around the campfire.

Yours in Inclusive Scouting and Guiding,

The Outdoor Service Guides Board of Directors

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Cyclone Ditwah has wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka over the last two weeks, causing heavy flooding and landslides. To date, more than 600 people have been killed and there have been more than $1.6 billion in damages. This is the deadliest disaster in Sri Lanka in more than two decades.

The WFIS World Council has launched a fundraising effort to provide aid to WFIS Scouts in the region. Donations from groups or individuals can be made via PayPal to office@wfis-worldwide.org. Please read on to see the message from WFIS, which is also available to download here.

Yours in Inclusive Scouting,

Chief Commissioner Liz

Message from WFIS World Council

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Scouting all over the World,

I hope this message finds you in good health.

Today, I would like to address you with an urgent request for help for our Scout brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.

Perhaps you have heard of Cyclone “Ditwa”, which flooded large areas of Sri Lanka and caused suffering to many of our Scout friends. Many have lost all their possessions and their homes. Many have been evacuated or are still stranded in the floods. We have no news from some areas as there is no electricity, telephone, internet or mobile phone service.

The Scout school and the WFIS office in Sri Lanka are under water, but fortunately our WFIS staff were able to retreat to Colombo in time. We are currently in constant contact with our members in Sri Lanka and have launched an emergency aid programme to provide our Scouts and Scout families with drinking water and dry food supplies.

We would like to ask you to make a donation to our donation account by bank transfer or viaPayPal so that we at WFIS can show our solidarity with the Scouts in Sri Lanka and help them get through the first few days with food and drinking water.

Every little contribution you can make helps us to help our Scout brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. Let’s roll up our sleeves and help our scouts and guides. Show the world that only together can we be strong – in line with our motto

‘TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGEST’.

Together we can create change! Reach out at office@wfis.world to find out how you can get involved.

Yours in traditional Scouting,

Klaus Tegeder – President WFIS

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