The Scout Association of Malta

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Few countries have as strong a tradition in Scouting as has Malta, served by the Scout Association of Malta. The first overseas unit of the Scout Association was established there in 1908, and consisted of 150 boys in six Scout troops. Robert Baden-Powell served as Assistant Military Secretary to the Governor, his uncle General Sir Henry Smyth. During his term on Malta Baden-Powell showed concern for the welfare of the soldiers stationed there. This experience in time led to his writing 'Aids to Scouting' upon which 'Scouting for Boys' was ultimately modeled. With his connections to Malta and his many Maltese friends, it was natural that The Scout Association of Malta would be the first overseas branch of the British Association. It was formed only months after the first Scouts appeared on the Island and within a short time of the camp at Brownsea Island in July and August, 1907. The Malta Scout Association formally applied to become a member of the British Movement on November 9, 1908 and was officially recognised a year later. Those first few Scouts started a tradition that has kept Scouting in the very forefront of youth education in Malta. Since its early years Scouting has been the most active and strongest youth organization on the Island.

Baden-Powell visited Malta on several occasions and took the Maltese Scouts under his wing, often writing to them with advice and praising "the progress in efficiency and the spirit of the Boy Scouts of Malta". Shortly before his death Baden-Powell typed what was possibly his last letter. On July 21, 1940 from Paxtu in Kenya he wrote "to congratulate my old friends, the Maltese on the plucky way they have stood up to the infernal bombing... They have the spirit of fearlessness and patience which enables them to face danger with a smile to stick it out to the triumphant finish...". Indeed his words were prophetic.

The Scouts of Malta played a notable role in the aerial siege of the island between 1940 and 1943. They worked as coast watchers, messengers, telephone operators, in hospitals and those that were old enough, in the volunteer defense forces. They worked to unload ships while under heavy bombardment. The bravery of these Scouts during the frequent and constant air raids became well known among the population. Early in the war, they adopted as their motto, "Scarred but not scared." They were collectively decorated with the unique honour of the Bronze Cross "in recognition of their courage and devotion to duty in the face of continuous enemy action in the war for freedom".

The Scout Association of Malta was formed in 1913 and continued as a branch of the British Association until 1966. After Maltese independence in 1964, the Maltese national Scouting organisation applied for membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement and was admitted in October, 1966. There are 23 groups in Malta, and one on the Island of Gozo. There are four districts. Regular meetings are held in each group's headquarters, and each year a Guide and Scout parade is organized through the main streets of Valletta. The association, entirely run by volunteers, has its island headquarters in Floriana, served by a team of commissioners. The Scout Association of Malta had 2,531 uniformed members as of 2001.

The Scout Motto is "Kun Lest", translating as "Be Prepared" in Maltese.