The Netherlands
Scouting Nederland has more than 120,000 members, including the 30,000 volunteers who play an active part in the organisation. With a membership of both boys and girls, Scouting Nederland is the largest youth organisation in the Netherlands.
Everyone can join, regardless of religion, colour of skin, nationality, disability or sexual inclination. Everyone is welcome to join Scouting Nederland. Just as in many other countries, the programme offers leisure activities that are adventurous, varied, educative and most importantly, fun.
Heart of the organisation, the local group
Scouting Nederland has 1300 groups throughout the Netherlands. There are on average 30 groups in a region and 48 regions throughout the country. The policy of Scouting Nederland is determined by the National Council and is prepared and implemented by the National Board with support of professionals in the National Service Centre.
Organisation of boys and girls
Scouting Nederland is a member of both the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). While both boys and girls are members of Scouting Nederland, not all groups are mixed. There are separate units for boys and for girls as well as mixed units of both boys and girls. All members of Scouting Nederland are called scouts.
The first Dutch scouts
The first Scouting activities in the Netherlands in 1910 generated enormous interest and enthusiasm. Soon after, the first local Scouting groups were set up. In 1973, the national organisation Scouting Nederland was established with the merger of two scout and two guide organisations. This merger resulted from the need for greater cooperation and to consolidate membership.
Netherlands Scout website in English