Scouts Jamaica
Scouting came to Jamaica in 1910, with the first troop being started in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, by the Rev. J.W. Graham. The first troop to be formed in Kingston was started by Mr. Harry Mills in 1911. The Wolmer’s Boys School Troop was also started in the same year by Mr. D.L. Stephenson.
In 1912 the first St. Catherine troop was started by Mr. F.S. Massias in Spanish Town. Lord Baden-Powell who was the Common Wealth Chief Scout, visited Jamaica in that year and it was on his voyage to Jamaica that he met his wife; Olave Soames
In 1913 the Jamaican Branch of Boys Scout Association was registered. Captain Langley became the first Island Commissioner. This same year, the first Island Camp was held at Clovelly Park (now the grounds of Kingston Collage).
In 1920, the Association became the Boys Scout Association of Jamaica. Then, in 1920, a Contingent of Scouts from Jamaica was sent to the Olympia Jamboree in England, and we have represented Jamaica in every World Jamboree since then.
Jamaica hosted the first Caribbean jamboree Briggs Park (now Up Park Camp) in 1952. In 1958 the Scout Headquarters was established at its present address 2D Camp Road, Kingston. Before this, the Headquarters was housed on the Doncaster Lands, by the sea in Kingston.
The Boys Scout Association Jamaica had three Island Commissioners:
1913 – Captain Langley
1932 – Mr. Noel Crossswell
1940 – Mr. H.D Tucker
1949 – Mr. D.S A Fitz-Ritzon
While Mr. Fitz-Ritzon was in office the title ”Island Commissioner” was changed to ”Chief Commissioner” and since then there have been nine other Chief Commissioners
1978 – Mr. James Lloyd
1979 – Brigs. Dunstan Robinson
1986 – Mr. Vincent Rose
1994 – Mr. Richard Chambers
1998 – Dr. Edward Lee
2003 – Supt. Stanford Davis
2007 – Rev. Barrington Soares
2013 – Mr. Maurice Brown
2020- Mr. Garth Russell
OUR STRUCTURE
The Scout Association of Jamaica has an Organizational structure headed by the Scout Council, which an elected president chairs. The Council consists of the Chief Scout, the Chief Commissioner, members of Local Scout Associations, Scouters, and representatives of other organizations such as the Girls Guides and the Church.
The officers of our Association are as follows:
The Chief Scout- The Governor General of Jamaica
President of the Association
Vice President(s)
Chairman of the Executive
The Chief Commissioner
Deputy Chief Commissioners
Asst. Chief Commissioners
The Executive Commissioner
The Executive Secretary
The Honorary Treasurer
The Honorary Secretary
Field Commissioners
District Commissioner
Asst. District Commissioners
Scouters
Scout (Troops Leaders, Patrol Leaders, and Seconds included).
The Youth section is divided into:
| Busy Bee Scouts | 4- 6 Yrs |
| Cub Scouts | 7 – 10 yrs. |
| Scout | 11 – 14 yrs. |
| Ventures | 15 – 17 yrs. |
| Rovers | 18 -25 yrs. |
There are Air Scouts and Sea Scouts, there is also Scouting for the physically challenged, whether they are blind, deaf, or crippled. In Joining the Scouts, you are becoming a member of a great world movement and in nearly every country, you will find brother and sister Scouts. Scouts in other countries do not always wear the same uniform, yet all Scouts proudly wear the world badge and use the Scout motto in their language. All Scouts make the promise and try to keep or obey the Law. Anywhere in the world, another Scout will recognize the Scout Sign, the Scout Salute, and the Scout Handshake. They all try to become experts and learn outdoor life skills in their training.