Scouting and Poland’s independence. Military and pro-defense elements in scouting

Abstract

All scouting organisations that currently operate in Poland refer to Scouting traditions from England. Scouting is an educational system developed by an officer of the British army and although it is supposed to lead to completely different aims than those of the army, it is based on military elements. The co-founders of scouting in Poland strengthened these elements in their idea when they decided to engage the new youth movement in national liberation activities, including military ones, during the Partitions of Poland. In view of the increasing level of mobilisation of Poles for the possible defence of the country in the event of an armed conflict similar to the war in Ukraine, there is a possibility of reusing scouting to achieve the military objectives of the state. The article presents insights from a critical analysis of available source documents and statements by scout activists. Taking into account political influences, the author establishes a catalogue of hierarchical social expectations currently placed on scouting organisations in Poland.