
Latest News
Switch
Language
Home
Schedule
For New Scouts
Photo Album
Forms
and Documents
Instructional
Material
Links
Scout
Store
|
Our
Parent Organization: ORUR
(St George Pathfinders)
The Organization of Russian Youth Scouts (ORUR), registered in the US
as "St. George Pathfinders", is an
international scouting organization for Russian and Russian-speaking
kids. For many years this organization was banned in the USSR,
and thus existed for the emegre/exile community. However, since
1990, the organization has been functioning very successfully back in
Russia.
Currently there are four chapters in the US, in Washington DC, New
York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The program is somewaht similar to the Boy Scouts of America program,
however learning about Russian culture, history, and the Russian
Orthodox faith is also incorporated. In addition, our
program is co-educational from the earliest ages, and both boys and
girls participate as equal partners.
You can learn more about ORUR HERE .
|
Our Chapter: Druzhina Putivl
(National
Capital Area Chapter)
Durzhina Putivl was founded in 1965, although at that time it was not a
full chapter, but smaller group of kids, who participated in the summer
camp of the Chapter in New York.
In
1971 the work of the group expanded, and a full yearly program
began, as new families joined. By 1977 the group had grown large
enough to qualify as a full fledged Chapter, and was given the name
"Druzhina Putivl".
Putivl is an ancient Russian City, and is referred to in the "Lay of
the Host of Igor", an epic poem well known in Russia and abroad,
the basis for the opera "Prince Igor".
Currently the chapter consists of two troops ("Prince Igor" for the
boys, and "Yaroslavna" for the girls), and a cubscout/brownie
(squirrel)
pack called "Knyazichi". Meetings are held roughly every other
week on Saturdays, and include such activities as games, Patrol
competitions, learning scouting skills such as knot tying, map and
compass work and morse code, as well as lessons in Russian history,
culture and religion. During the year the kids also go on hikes and
campouts, carolling in retirement and nursing homes at Christmastime,
"Honor Guard" at the tomb of Christ on Easter, and such adventure
activities as ski trips, white water canoeing, caving, bike-hikes and
other exciting outings.
Every summer the Chapter goes into the wilds of western VA for a two
week camping trip (we don't like to call it a "camp", since this is not
something anyone can sign up for without participating during the
year.. nor are there any facilities other than land rented from a
farmer). There the kids build everything from kitchen tables to
camp gateways to latrines, hike, study for rank advancement and and
sing at campfires. But most importantly, the group forms very
close bonds in camp, which last a lifetime: many of our current leaders
are former scouts who never left the fold, or returned with their own
kids, drawn to the campfire by their shared memories and friendships.
|