Francis "Skipper" Gidney (1890–1928) was an early leader of the Scouting movement in the United Kingdom . He was appointed the first Camp Chief of Gilwell Park in May 1919, and organized the first Wood Badge adult leader training course there in September 1919. He served in the Scouting organization until 1923, and was honoured by having the Gidney Cabin at Gilwell, a training centre, named for him.
65-461: The Wood Badge is an award for Scout leader training, first awarded by The Boy Scouts Association in the United Kingdom in 1919 and subsequently adopted, with variations, by some other Scout organizations. Wood Badge courses teach Scout leadership skills and instil an ideological bond and commitment to the organizations. Courses generally have theory and practical phases followed by
130-507: A County Scout Leader to assist the Assistant County Commissioners for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. A County Explorer Scout Leader may also be appointed to assist an Assistant County Commissioner for Explorers. A County Scout Network Leader may be appointed to assist a County Scout Network Commissioner . Changes aimed at developing a "teams based volunteering" culture adopted from 2023 included introduction of
195-499: A District Scout Leader to assist the Assistant District Commissioners for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. A District Explorer Scout Leader may also be appointed to assist a District Explorer Scout Commissioner . A District Scout Network Leader may be appointed to lead a District Scout Network. At County Level a County Commissioner may appoint a County Beaver Scout Leader , County Cub Scout Leader and
260-572: A Gilwell woggle , denoting membership of the notional 1st Gilwell Scout Group . Early Wood Badge beads came from a necklace that Baden-Powell claimed to have taken from a deserted Zulu mountain stronghold while on a failed military campaign to capture Dinizulu in Zululand (now part of South Africa). Such necklaces of beads made from acacia , known as iziQu in Zulu, were presented to brave warrior leaders. In 1919, Baden-Powell threaded beads from
325-600: A "Diploma of Leadership and Management" to adult leaders who complete the Wood Badge training and additional competencies. The VET qualifications are recognized throughout Australia by government and private industry. The first Wood Badge Training in Austria took place in 1932. Scoutmaster Joesef Miegl took his Wood Badge training in Gilwell Park and September 8 to 17, 1922, he led a Leader Training near Vienna, one of
390-457: A British soldier's service in India, he had to pay the cost of his ticket home. The most affordable way for a soldier to return was to engineer a progression of assignments that were successively closer to home. Part of the transformative power of the Wood Badge experience is the effective use of metaphor and tradition to reach both heart and mind. In most Scout associations, "working your ticket"
455-520: A Chief Scout or Chief Commissioner as the most senior uniformed member. Scout Leaders participate in a series of training courses, typically aiming for the Wood Badge as the main qualification of an adult leader in Scouting. In most countries, Wood Badge holders can wear a Gilwell scarf , Turk's head knot woggle , and Wood Badge beads. Scout Leaders are given a formal appointment (called
520-545: A Wood Badge Part II program that includes self-directed learning, conducted through mentorship and coaching in addition to traditional courses and workshops. Upon completion of the Wood Badge Part II program a volunteer is conferred their "beads" and the Gilwell Necker. Alfons Åkerman gave the first eight Wood Badge courses and was from 1927 to 1935 the first Deputy Camp Chief. In lieu of Gilwell training,
585-759: A four-bead (Trainer of trainer) holder. The first Wood Badge training in the Netherlands was held in July 1923 by Scoutmaster Jan Schaap , on Gilwell Ada's Hoeve , Ommen . At Gilwell Sint Walrick, Overasselt , the Catholic Scouts had their training. Since approximately 2000, the Dutch Wood Badge training takes place on the Scout campsite Buitenzorg , Baarn , or outdoors in Belgium or Germany under
650-423: A leader can fulfil depending on the type of unit. Positions are usually voluntary and are often divided between "uniform" and "lay" roles. For many, this volunteerism is an avocation . Uniformed Scout Leaders are primarily responsible for organising the activities of the group, and training the youth members through the Scout programme. Other roles include liaison with parents, districts, or other parties such as
715-443: A leader training centre and an additional £3000 for improvements to the house on the estate. The Maclaren tartan represents the Wood Badge and training ties to Gilwell Park. Originally, the scarf was made entirely of triangular pieces of the tartan but its expense forced the adoption of the current design. The Gilwell woggle is a braided leather two or three-strand Turk's head knot , which has no beginning and no end and symbolizes
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#1732790872081780-497: A mentor or course leader tie it or having the recipient tie it after completing an additional activity that shows they have mastered training skills. Additional beads are awarded for completion of training for different levels: Baden-Powell, wore six beads, as did his Deputy Chief Scout and right-hand man, Percy Everett . Baden-Powell's beads are on display at Baden-Powell House in London. Everett endowed his six beads to be worn by
845-526: A new era in Wood Badge training in Hungary. Two type of courses are available: one for leaders in the Association and one for local group leaders. The association level have the basis made by Balázs Solymosi, the group leader level based on a new training program. Both program gives the highest level of scouting knowledge from different point of view for the participants. The First Wood Badge training of
910-508: A practice project . Scouters who complete the course are awarded a pair of wood beads on each end of a leather thong, from a necklace of beads Robert Baden-Powell claimed to have taken from the African chief Dinizulu . The Wood Badge is worn around the neck as part of the Scouter 's uniform . In some Scout organizations, the wood badge is presented together with a Gilwell scarf and
975-473: A series of self-study modules, outdoor training and the Wood Badge "ticket" or "project". Classroom and outdoor training are often combined and taught together and occur over one or more weeks or weekends. As part of completing this portion of the course, participants must write their tickets. The exact curriculum varies from country to country but the training generally includes both theoretical and experiential learning . All course participants are introduced to
1040-482: A warrant in many countries). Before appointing an adult leader, most associations perform background checks on candidates to ensure their suitability for working with children. Robert Baden-Powell initially used the terms Scoutmaster and Cubmaster for adult leaders (coming from the English usage of the word "master" as a synonym for "teacher"), and these terms are still used in some countries and units, including
1105-473: Is a critical component of the program. In order to learn leadership, the youth must actually serve in leadership roles. Adult leaders may be either men or women in all positions. A properly run Boy Scout troop is run by the Senior Patrol Leader, who is elected by the troop, and their assistant, who may either be elected or appointed. These and the other youth leaders are advised and supported by
1170-577: Is estimated that worldwide over 100,000 Scouters have completed their Wood Badge training. The 1st Gilwell Scout Group is a notional Scout Group composed of Wood Badge recipients. A meeting of the Group is held annually, during the first weekend in September at Gilwell Park for the Gilwell Reunion. Gilwell Reunions are also held in other places, often on that same weekend. The axe and log logo
1235-491: Is led by a Group Scout Leader and who may be assisted by an appointed Assistant Group Scout Leader . When Rover Scouts existed, there were Rover Scout Leaders and Assistant Rover Scout Leaders . Collectively all adult leaders are called Scouters . One of the leaders may take on the role of Quartermaster , although this role can also be taken on by a parent or other member of the Group Committee. Traditionally
1300-480: Is necessary to complete the 3-steps formation in 3 years. After the 3 steps, the scout leader become a Wood Badger and he receives a Certificate as an animator in a holiday centre (Brevet d’animateur en centre de vacances (BACV)) by the French Community of Belgium . Scouts Canada requires that Scouters (volunteers) are required to complete an online Wood Badge Part I Course, and are encouraged to complete
1365-639: Is now disappeared since the formation of Scouting Ireland . In 2010, 21 year after the reorganization of Hungarian Scout Association , was the first Scoutmaster training with the Wood Badge. (There was other Scoutmaster training before but these weren't organized according to the Wood Badge Framework.) The head of the first Wood Badge training in Hungary was Balázs Solymosi who has four beads. From 2010 to 2018, in 8 courses more than 50 adult leader performed successfully and awarded. In 2019 started
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#17327908720811430-466: Is the culmination of Wood Badge training. Participants apply themselves and their new knowledge and skills to the completion of items designed to strengthen the individual's leadership and the home unit's organizational resilience in a project or "ticket". The ticket consists of specific goals that must be accomplished within a specified time, often 18 months due to the large amount of work involved. Effective tickets require much planning and are approved by
1495-552: The 1st Gilwell Scout group or Gilwell Scout Troop 1 (the latter name is used in the Boy Scouts of America and some other countries). In the Boy Scouts of America , they are also assigned to one of the traditional Wood Badge "critter" patrols . Instructors deliver training designed to strengthen the patrols. One-on-one work with an assigned troop guide helps each participant to reflect on what they have learned, so that he can better prepare an individualized "ticket". This part of
1560-713: The Burma Campaign . Gidney established the pen name of "Gilcraft" which he used when writing articles in The Scout and the Headquarters Gazette , also in several instructional books and booklets for both adult Scouters and boys. The pseudonym continued to be used by his successors at Gilwell in the interwar period . It was his idea to start the 1st Gilwell Scout Troop (today the 1st Gilwell Park Scout Group) for all Wood Badge holders, with its distinctive neckerchief , and he successfully established
1625-648: The Group as a whole, liaising between the Committee , who see to the needs of the Group, hall, power, gear, etc. and the Sectional Leaders. Have qualifications in Adventurous activities, from Water Activities to Abseilling to Radio and Four Wheel Driving and First Aid, who put these skills at the disposal of a Region or Branch. These leaders often have another role in Scouting at the same time. Provide
1690-470: The Training to other Leaders and usually have been in Scouting for several years. Training is not usually their only role in Scouting. Provide help and assistance to local groups. Most Districts try to have at least one District Leader for each Section, as well as Public Relations , Adult Training & Development and Water Activities. are responsible for the management of an aspect of Scouting and/or
1755-628: The 2007 review of the Venturer Section, Venturer Scouts will soon be allowed to complete Venturer Basic. Leaders are then presented with a Certificate of Adult Leadership, and this is where most people stop their training, but after at least six months, Leaders then are eligible to complete the Advanced Sectional Techniques Course, which allows them to conduct more advanced activities, network with other experienced Leaders and then after successful completion of
1820-698: The BSA, also called the Deputy Camp Chief for the United States. Wood Badge courses are held throughout the country at local council camps, others are held at the National High Adventure Bases. Scout leader A Scout leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit. There are many different roles
1885-495: The Camp Chief of Gilwell as a badge of office. The Gilwell scarf is a triangular scarf or neckerchief made of cotton or wool twill with a taupe face and red back, with a patch of Clan MacLaren tartan affixed near the point. The patch of Maclaren clan tartan honours William de Bois Maclaren , The Boy Scouts Association commissioner who donated £7000 to The Boy Scouts Association in 1919 to purchase Gilwell Park as
1950-795: The Course be presented with the Wood Badge . Scouts Australia is an Enterprise Registered Training Organisation (RTO:5443) and Leaders can apply to be granted a Certificate III in Business after completing the Basic Course, and a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management after the Advanced Course. Later they can also complete a Diploma of Leadership and Management or Certificate Qualifications in Outdoor Recreation through
2015-795: The Finnish Scouts have a "Kolmiapila-Gilwell" (Trefoil-Gilwell), combining aspects of both girls' and boys' advanced leadership training. The first Wood Badge training in France was held Easter 1923 by Père Sevin in Chamarande . Wood Badge training in Ireland goes back to the 1st Larch Hill of the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland , who conducted Wood Badge courses that emphasized the Catholic approach to Scouting. This emphasis
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2080-543: The Gilwell name. The principles underpinning the Wood Badge Training Scheme are: Included in the areas above, a Wood Badge competence framework is directed to cover development of the competencies in the following topic clusters: Every suggested topic is directed to have a list of competencies developed through various training programs. Generally, a Wood Badge course consists of classroom work,
2145-712: The Scout Promise, and may include supporting Officers such as Group Secretary or County Treasurer. In the Boy Scouts of the Philippines , all uniformed adults, including office employees, are "Scouters." Not all Scouters are Unit Leaders, but all Unit Leaders are Scouters. The generic term for an adult in charge of a Scout unit is "Unit Leader." There are five types: Langkay Leaders and Kawan Leaders are women. Troop Leaders, Outfit Advisors, and Circle Managers may be men or women, and are often informally called "Scoutmasters." Scoutmaster of Polish People's Republic
2210-485: The Scout and Senior Scout sections, youth leaders include Senior Troop Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Quartermaster, and Instructor. In the Boy Scouts of America , in all Scouting units above the Cub Scout pack, units serving adolescent Scouts, leadership of the unit comprises both adult leaders (Scouters) and youth leaders ( Scouts ). In fact, this
2275-699: The Scouts Australia Institute of Training. A uniformed adult member of Scouting Ireland who commits to the Scout Promise and Law is known as a "Scouter". Rover Scouts can also be adults, and an eligible member can be a Scouter or Rover or both. Adult members are subject to police vetting (in either jurisdiction ). Scouters who provide Youth Programme are known as "Programme Scouters". Various Group , County , Provincial and National appointment holders in general need to be Scouters. Associate members are adult members who do not take
2340-726: The Swedish Wood Badge training is known as Trefoil Gilwell, being a unification of the former higher leadership programmes of the Swedish Guides and Scouts, known respectively as the Trefoil training and the Gilwell training. The first Wood Badge training took place on Gilwell Park. The estate continues to provide the service for British Scouters of The Scout Association and international participants. Original trainers include Baden-Powell and Gilwell Camp Chiefs Francis Gidney , John Wilson and John Thurman . Wood Badge
2405-518: The Tily eto Madagasikara, known as the first Lasy Ravinala, was held in 1957 at Dinta Ambohidratrimo, Antananarivo, led by the first malagasy Chief Commissioner Samuel Randria. In Madagascar, the participants of the Wood badge camp can only wear the woggle. They will get their first two bead one year later after writing and defend a dissertation.The Gilwell scarf can only be worn by a three-bead (Trainer) and
2470-481: The United States. As the word master picked up old-fashioned connotations, it was replaced by other terms such as Scout Leader or Scouter in many Commonwealth countries, following The Scout Association in the United Kingdom . In Scouts Australia , all five sections have a Leader, although a Joey Leader has a much more driving role than a Venturer Leader, who should be standing back and assisting
2535-431: The Wood Badge course staff before the course phase ends. Upon completion of the ticket, a participant is said to have earned his way back to Gilwell. After completion of the Wood Badge course, participants are awarded the insignia in a Wood Badge bead ceremony. They receive automatic membership in the notional 1st Gilwell Park Scout Group or Gilwell Troop 1. These leaders are henceforth called Gilwellians or Wood Badgers. It
2600-472: The Wood Badge have never been made of this oak. Wolf Cub leaders briefly followed a separate training system beginning in 1922, in which they were awarded the Akela Badge on completion. The badge was a single fang on a leather thong. Wolf Cub Leader Trainers wore two fangs. The Akela Badge was discontinued in 1925 and all leaders were awarded the Wood Badge on completion of their training. Very few of
2665-533: The administration and activity planning in the hand of older Scouts, while in junior units like Cub Scout and Scout sections, the adult leaders need to take a more central role. Beyond the group are further uniformed positions (sometimes called Commissioners) at levels such as district, county, council or province, depending on the structure of the national organisation. They also work along with lay teams and professionals. Training teams and other related functions are often formed at these levels. Some countries appoint
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2730-528: The adult leaders. Volunteers are important in the GSUSA , but their roles are less defined than in the BSA. In other countries, Scouter refers to any adult leader, professional Scout employee, or any Scout alumnus. Francis Gidney Gidney started one of the first Scout Troops in 1908, when he was only 17 years old. Gidney then served in World War I . He was seriously wounded and invalided out of
2795-581: The appointment is reviewed and the Leader is renewed, reassigned or resigns. When a new Probationary Leader begins, they are presented with a Certificate of Adult Membership and complete a three-hour seminar called Intro to Scouting (or Rovering) which outlines the basic structure and procedures. After this comes the Basic Sectional Techniques course, which gives the Leader the right to wear the two-strand Turks Head or "Gilwell" Woggle. After
2860-465: The army before the Armistice . His position in Scouting led to financial and marital difficulties: he himself complained that he was underpaid, and his wife did not care much for Scouting. The marriage eventually foundered. They had at least three children, one of whom died in 1921. His son, Alan Francis Gidney, later became an officer in the 10th Gurkha Rifles and was mentioned in dispatches during
2925-518: The axe and log as the totem of Gilwell Park . The kudu horn is another Wood Badge symbol. Baden-Powell first encountered the kudu horn at the Battle of Shangani , where he discovered how the Matabele warriors used it to quickly spread a signal of alarm. He used the horn at the first Scout encampment at Brownsea Island in 1907. It is used from the early Wood Badge courses to signal the beginning of
2990-526: The commitment to the Scout Movement. In some countries, Wood Badge training is divided into parts and the Gilwell woggle is given for completion of part one. First designed in the early 1920s by British Scouter Bill Shankley, making a Turk's head knot woggle was part of the leader training scheme by 1926. The Boy Scouts Association conducted early Scoutmaster training camps in London and Yorkshire . The first Wood Badge training, with 18 participants,
3055-588: The course or an activity and to inspire Scouters to always do better. The grass fields at the back of the White House at Gilwell Park are known as the Training Ground and The Orchard and are where Wood Badge training was held from the early years onward. A large oak , known as the Gilwell Oak , separates the two fields. The Gilwell Oak symbol is associated with Wood Badge, although the beads for
3120-700: The elected Unit Chair. Rover Leaders stepped back during the 1970s, becoming Rover Advisors, the responsibility for the Crew passing to the elected Crew Leader. There are several different types of Leader in Australia, all of them (and all members of the Rover Section) have the opportunity to complete the Wood Badge training scheme Run a Unit each week. They are the ones who attend weekly activities, sign off badge work and join Scouts for weekend activities. Run
3185-492: The fangs issued as Akela Badges can now be found. The first Australian Wood Badge courses were held in 1920 at Gilwell Park, Gembrook after the return of two deputy camp chiefs, Charles Hoadley and Mr. Russell from training at Gilwell Park in England. In 2003, Scouts Australia established its Scouts Australia Institute of Training, a government-registered National Vocational & Education Training (VET) provider and awards
3250-504: The first in Austria. Scouters from Austria, Germany, Italy and Hungary took part. He brought in many things he learned in Gilwell Park about International and British Scouting but it was not an official Wood Badge training. The first Wood Badge training in Belgium was held in August 1923 at Jannée, led by Étienne Van Hoof. In the largest Scout association of the country, known as Les Scouts – Fédération des Scouts Baden-Powell de Belgique , it
3315-453: The leadership of other adults, as opposed to sectional leaders who run the youth program. Is a group of former Leaders who no longer have the time or desire to be a part of Scouting every week. They have the opportunity to help out occasionally when leaders are needed temporarily because of hospital or travel, at large camps such as Jamborees and are still covered by Scout Insurance. All Leader positions are appointments for three years, when
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#17327908720813380-696: The name 'Gilwell Training'. In Norway, Woodbadge is known as Trefoil-Gilwell Training. Wood Badge was introduced in the Philippines in 1953 with the first course held at Camp Gre-Zar in Novaliches, Quezon City . Today, Wood Badge courses are held at the Philippine Scouting Center for the Asia-Pacific Region, at the foothills of Mount Makiling , Los Baños , Laguna province . As in several other Nordic countries,
3445-469: The necklace he had taken onto leather thong he claimed had been given to him by an elderly South African in Mafeking and called it the Wood Badge . When produced, the thong is joined by a simple overhand knot but the two ends of the thong are often tied together with a decorative diamond knot . Various rituals are practiced in tying the diamond knot, such as having a fellow course member tie it, having
3510-495: The pattern still used for modern-day Gilwell Reunions. Disputes over how Gilwell Park should be managed led to Gidney resigning in 1923, which greatly upset the founder of the Scouting movement, Robert Baden-Powell . Gidney then worked as a Master at a preparatory school in Bournemouth , before retiring due to ill health. He died from complications to his war wounds in 1928 at the age of 38. The Frank Gidney Memorial Cabin
3575-575: The primary adult Scout Leader is called Skip, short for Skipper , but recently more often by their first name. Similarly, the primary Cub Scout Leader is called Akela , after the leader of the Wolf pack in The Jungle Book , although this is more common. Explorer Scouts can help out at younger sections as a Young Leader . At District level a District Commissioner may appoint a District Beaver Scout Leader , District Cub Scout Leader and
3640-426: The rank's name to Scoutmaster of Republic of Poland were abandoned because of protests of majority of traditional Scout groups of ZHP. Since 1990 the system of Instructor Ranks of ZHP no longer includes the rank of Scoutmaster of Polish People's Republic. Scouts South Africa (then called Boy Scouts of South Africa) decided in the early 90s to change the name of a Scoutmaster to Scouter. The reason for this change
3705-464: The term lead volunteer to replace group scout leader . The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association continue to use the traditional title of Scoutmaster . Other adult leaders in the Scout Troop are called Assistant Scout Masters . Other titles include Cub Scout Master , Assistant Cub Scout Master and so on. The Group is led by a Group Scout Master . In common with The Scout Association , adult leaders are sometimes referred to as Scouters . In
3770-404: The training program gives the adult Scouter the opportunity to assume the role of a Scout joining the original "model" troop, to learn firsthand how a troop ideally operates. The locale of all initial training is referred to as Gilwell Field , no matter its geographical location. The phrase 'working your ticket' comes from a story attributed in Scouting legend to Baden-Powell: Upon completion of
3835-564: The unit's sponsoring (chartered) organisation. Lay supporters are not always called scout Leaders; although they may assist with activities and training, they do not always hold a formal position and may not have received training. Beyond the Scout programme, lay supporters may take responsibility for administrative tasks such as budgets, managing properties, recruitment, equipment, transport, and many other roles. The roles of leaders in senior units like Venture Scout , Explorer Scout and Rover Scout sections tend to be consultative, with much of
3900-429: Was a red & white felt tee under the Scouting Cross and a red & white chevron in the shape of a Fleur-de-lis worn on the left sleeve of their Scout uniform . This rank was given to approximately 6000 people, which significantly diminished its initial purpose. Nominations to the rank were ended with collapse of Polish People's Republic and holders were proposed to return to Scoutmaster. Attempts to change
3965-417: Was conceived by the first Camp Chief, Francis Gidney, in the early 1920s to distinguish Gilwell Park from the Scout Headquarters. Gidney wanted to associate Gilwell Park with the outdoors and Scoutcraft rather than the business or administrative Headquarters offices. Scouters present at the original Wood Badge courses regularly saw axe blades masked for safety by being buried in a log. Seeing this, Gidney chose
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#17327908720814030-617: Was due to negative connotations of the word master . The terms Troop Scouter and Pack Scouter are used for adult leaders of Scout Troops and Cub Packs . Rover Crews are mentored by a Rover Scouter. The Scout Association used the term Scoutmaster originally, but the term Scout Leader is now used. Other adult leaders in the Scout Troop are called Assistant Scout Leaders . Terms used in other sections are Beaver Scout Leader , Assistant Beaver Scout Leader , Cub Scout Leader , Assistant Cub Scout Leader , Explorer Scout Leader , Assistant Explorer Scout Leader , and so on. The Scout Group
4095-400: Was introduced to the United States by Baden-Powell. The first course was held in 1936 at the Mortimer L. Schiff Scout Reservation , the Boy Scouts of America national training center until 1979. Despite this early first course, Wood Badge was not formally adopted in the United States until 1948 under the guidance of Bill Hillcourt who became the first national Deputy Camp Chief of Gilwell in
4160-464: Was organized by The Boy Scouts Association and held from 8 to 19 September 1919 at its newly acquired leader training centre, Gilwell Park , then just outside London. The training was led by The Boy Scouts Association's Gilwell Park Camp Chief, Francis Gidney and its Commissioner for Training Percy Everett , with lectures by Baden-Powell and others. Wood Badge training courses continued at Gilwell Park. Other sites providing Wood Badge training have taken
4225-440: Was the highest honourable rank in ZHP during Polish People's Republic from 1965 until 1989. To gain the rank someone should have been serving as a Scoutmaster, have received positive assessment of the service and finally have submitted a record of his (or her) activity to the Chief Scout . Nomination to this rank was celebrated yearly on the occasion of National Holiday of Polish Restitution on 22 July. The insignia of this rank
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