Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation

The Israel Boy and Girl Scouts Federation ( _he. התאחדות הצופים והצופות בישראל, "Hitachdut HaTzofim VeHaTzofot BeYisrael") [ [http://www.seascout.org/ships/international/Israel/ Sea Scouting: Sea Scouting in Israel ] ] is Israel's national scouting organization, known in Hebrew as "Tzofim." The scouts movement was founded in Palestine in 1920 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1951, after the establishment of the State of Israel. The guiding movement was established in 1919 and became a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 1963. Some 90,000 boys and girls belong to Tzofim in Israel.

Tzofim is a non-political organization but upholds Zionist and Jewish values. Scout troops in Israel have always been co-ed. The federation in Israel consists of Jewish, Muslim Arab, Christian Arab, and Druze troops. [ [http://www.seascout.org/ships/international/Israel/ Sea Scouting: Sea Scouting in Israel ] ] Tzofim maintains an active partnership with the German Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder, including exchange visits by leadership delegations and international events.

The Israel Scouts are divided into five regional hubs: Jerusalem, Central, Sharon, South, and North. The scout troop is called a "shevet", or tribe. In the large cities, there may be several clubhouses in different neighborhoods. Most towns and kibbutzim also have scouts dens.

Tzofim is open to everyone regardless of race, color, creed, or socio-economic standing. Israeli scouts come from all sectors of Israeli society. Tzofim runs a special project for children with physical and mental disabilities called "Broshim" ("Evergreens").

There are two advanced scouting programs: The Wood Badge, held every 4 years for adult scouts, and the Aryeh Croch Israeli Scouting Badge, held annually for 11th and 12th grade scouts. Most of the federation's programs and activities are held in the Scouts Ranch in the north of Israel.

Scouting organizations

The members of the federation are: [ [http://www.zofim.org.il/magazin_item.asp?item_id=48528124681&troop_id=274763776 The Israel Boy & Girl Scouts Federation] Hebrew Scouts website]
* Hebrew Scouts Movement in Israel - 60,000 members
* Arab School Scouts Association - 13,000 members
* Arab and Druze Scouts Movement, which includes:
** Israel Arab Scouts Association - 2,000 members
** Israel Catholic Scouts Association - 3,000 members
** Israel Druze Scouts Association - 5,000 members
** Israel Greek Orthodox Scouts Association - 2,000 members

Emblems

References

External links

* [http://www.zofim.org.il/ The Hebrew Scouts Movement in Israel]
* [http://www.israelscouts.org/index.html Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc.]