Historical links between Scouting and GLO's?

[emb021]

Originally posted by Dionysus
Just like many GLOs have a link to freemasonry. I am curious if GLOs are historically linked to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I know SAE and APO are linked to BSA, but I don't know about the rest.

As others have pointed out, there is NO link between SAE and the BSA. Yes, SOME of APO Founders were SAE Brothers, but that doesn't mean much, really.

There is a long-standing link between APO & the BSA. APO was originally established as the 'scouting fraternity'. Until 1967, you had to have current or prior involvement in scouting (any level, in any country) to join. There was NEVER a requirement to be an Eagle Scout to join. Since around 1932, the BSA has approved APO and listed the Fraternity in their many publications, and allow the Fraternity to have booths at major events like the National Jamboree and NOAC.

APO Brothers have also been involved in the BSA's 'older boy' programs, including the Order of the Arrow. The MIT chapter actually formed a semi-official group that was involved with revising the OA rituals and leading training groups on OA ceremonies. (this was a few decades back)

Since going co-ed, APO has worked to branch out to the other scouting organizations in the US, such as GSUSA and CFUSA (that's Girls Scouts of the USA and Camp Fire USA). Currently APO has a formal agreement/understanding with CFUSA and still works to create a similiar one with GSUSA.

Our 'sister GLOs', GSS and OPA have long drawn its members from Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls (someone posted that OPA, like APO, required membership in them for a time. I have no idea if the same was true of GSS, but would not be suprised). If either of them have formal relations with either GSUSA or CFUSA, I am not aware of it (in the case of APO-BSA relationship, we have a representative of the BSA on our National BoD, and have a member who represents us on several BSA National Committees).

Freemasonry was mentioned. There ARE some links between scouting & freemasonry, mainly in the influence the concepts of freemasonry has had in several of the camp/honor societies that were formed in the BSA, such as the Order of the Arrow and others. There is now even an award for Freemasons who are active scouters and work to strenghten the ties between scouting & masonry, and is named after Dan Beard, a BSA Founder and Freemasonry (and Honorary APO Brother).

Hope this helps