Year

Events

1910

Frank Cooper Sands introduced scouting to Singapore.

The 1st Sands Scout Troop of 30 boys was formed under the sponsorship of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) whose building served as the scout Association HQ.

A government publication lists the 1st Sands Group as the 2nd oldest organisation in Singapore.

1915

Singapore scouts rendered valuable service by taking over from the Army and the Police force, the duties of dispatch riders, telephone operators, and clerks during the period of the Sepoy Mutiny by the Indian Light Infantry.

1916

Younger boys were brought into the Scouting Movement as Wolf Cubs.

The Scout HQ moved to the Zetland House at Anson Road.

1919

The 1st Malay-speaking Scout Troop was formed in Singapore.

1920

Baden Powell was proclaimed Chief Scout of the World.

Scouting from Singapore spread over to the mainland of the Malay Peninsula.

Frank Cooper Sands assumed the post of the Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association, which comprised of the British Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements (Penang, Singapore, Malacca), and the Federated Malay States (territories in the Malay Peninsula under British Influence.

The Singapore Scout HQ moved to a building vacated by the General Post Office at Clifford Pier.

1922

Singapore schools recognised the extensive role scouting played in young people's lives and adopted scouting as an extra-curricular activity which resulted in the formation of 2nd Raffles Institution, 3rd Anglo Chinese School and 4th St. Joseph's Institution in numerical order of the formation chronologically after the 1st Sands Troop, an open troop.

1927

Senior Scouts were established as Rover Scouts.

1932

The business community's recognition of the value of scouting was acknowledged by the loan of Mr. Ng Seng Choy's land for camping. That piece of land was situated at Wing Loong Road, Changi, and was named Purdy Camp. Many scouting veterans remember their camping days at this memorable site. The loan continued for 21 years.

1934

Baden Powell visited Singapore. It was resoundingly acclaimed with a mammoth rally organised specially for the occasion. It was held at Jalan Besar Stadium.

1938

Sea Scouting was introduced with the formation of the 1st Trafalgar Sea Scout Troop with their very distinctive uniform of white and blue and sailor peak caps. Their base was on the 'SS Lumut' moored in the Telok Ayer Basin.

1941

Baden Powell died on 8 January and was buried in Nyeri, Kenya.

The effects of World War II was being felt in Singapore and the scouts took up positions of responsibilities by qualifying as Air Raid Wardens, Fire Watchers, First Aid Men and Police Officers, and serving bravely in their respective units until disbanded with the fall of Singapore to the occupation forces of the Japanese Imperial Army.

1942

Under the fear of Japanese Military action, scouts clandestinely met to keep the scout movement alive.

1945

World War II ended and Scouting began thriving again.

1946

The Straits Settlements was dissolved and Singapore became a separate British Crown Colony.

Arrangements were carried out for Singapore to gain Branch Associate status with the UK Scout Association.

1950

Branch Association was accorded with Rev R. K. Adams as the Chief Commissioner.

1952

Singapore scouts went on the 1st Job Week and Raised funds to spend on is 1st contingent overseas to Australia to participate in the 2nd Pan-Pacific Jamboree in Sydney.

1953

Fund raising efforts were fruitful enough for the Singapore Scout Association to purchase a 27 acre land in Jurong for a permanent campsite, named Jurong Park. It was located along old Boon Lay Road.

The Singapore Training Team was formed and the 1st Wood Badge course was held at Bedok Boy's School.

The Singapore Scout Association adopted the Constitution of the British Boy Scouts Association.

1958

With land leased to the Singapore Scout Association by the government, financial contributions from the business community, and well-wishers, the Singapore Scout Association built its permanent HQ buildings. This allowed the Singapore Scout Association to vacate its borrowed premises at Armenian Street to Sands House in Clemenceau Avenue.

Singapore was divided up into 13 districts

1959

Singapore scouts acquired a 1 acre land at Telok Paku, Changi for camping and sea activities. The campsite was named Jubilee Camp. The lease continued for 14 years.

Singapore scouts participated in the 10th World Jamboree at Maekiling, Philippines.

Sands House was officially declared open. Mr. L. A. Woodford was appointed the 1st local Chief Commissioner and Inche Yusof Bin Ishak, President of the Republic of Singapore became the 1st Chief Scout of Singapore.

1962

The 1st delegation from Singapore participated in the Far East Regional Scout Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mr. Matthew Chandy assumes office as the next Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scouts Association.

1964

Singapore hosted the 1st Far East Fund Raising Seminar and Training Conference.

A standard uniform of khaki shirt and trousers with the distinctive scarf of white and red was introduced.

The Singapore Scout Association became an affiliate of the Boys Scout World Organisation.

1966

Singapore was admitted as a full member of the World Scout Organisation of the Scout Movement.

Jurong Park was acquired by the government for industrial projects.

Sarimbun Camp, a 27 acre campsite, situated at Jalan Bahtera, off Lim Chu Kang Road, was leased by the government on the basis of temporary occupation license.

1967

The government's recognition of the scout movement in Singapore was registered with the selection of the scouts marching contingent at the Singapore National Day Parade for its illustration on the $1 "bird" series currency note. It's printing having since stopped, has made it a collector's item.

Singapore participated in the 12th World Jamboree at Idaho, USA.

1968

Mr. Chu Chui Lam took office as the next Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scouts Association.

Sarimbun Camp was officially opened.

1969

The Singapore Scouts Association's 1st Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) was adopted with the sections - Cadet Scouts, Scouts, and Venture Scouts incorporated.

The 1st President Scouts were invested.

1970

A 2-storey bungalow at Martia Road was acquired for scouting activities and named the Ee Peng Liang Building.

1971

Inche Yusof Bin Ishak, President of the Republic of Singapore and the 1st Chief Scout of Singapore, passed away.

Mr. Benjamin Henry Sheares became the 2nd President of the Republic of Singapore and the 2nd Chief Scout of Singapore.

The 1st National Trainer's Course was held at in Sarimbun. Participants included potential Leader Trainers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Singapore participated in the 13th World Scout Jamboree and 23rd World Scout Conference, both held in Japan.

1972

The 1st Scout Youth Conference was held in Singapore.

1973

Singapore participated in the 24th World Scout Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

1974

Singapore Hosted its first regional conference, the 9th Asia-Pacific Scout Conference at the Hotel Royal Ramada.

Mr. James Tseng was awarded the Superior Service Award by the Singapore Scout Association.

1975

The Rover Scout section was added when the formation of the 2501 St. Andrew's School Rover Scout Unit was Confirmed after a year's trial Period.

Singapore participated in the 14th World Scout Jamboree at Lillehammer, Norway and the 25th World Scout Conference at Lundtofte, Denmark.

1976

Mr. Lim Keng Teck was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association.

Mr. Felix Li was appointed an Assistant District Commissioner of the Stamford District.

1977

The 1st Anti Drug Abuse Course was introduced as part of the scouting training programme.

1979

Singapore participated in the 27th World Scout Conference at Birmingham, United Kingdom.

1980

Singapore hosted the 10th Asia-Pacific Community Development Seminar at RELC. The first National Jamboree (JAMB 10-80) was held at the Sarimbun Scout Camp to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Singapore Scouting.

1981

Singapore participated in the 28th World Scout Conference at Dakar, Senegal.

President Benjamin Henry Sheares passed on.

1982

1982 was declared the Year of the Scouts.

The 1st Singapore Adult Leaders Seminar was held at the RELC.

The number of Districts in Singapore was reduced from 13 to 11.

Mr. Felix Li was appointed the District Commissioner of Kallang District.

1983

Chief Commissioner Lim Keng Teck, while on his third term, assumed the duties of Singapore Scout Association's first full-time Chief Executive.

Sarimbun Scout Camp's temporary occupation license was extended to 30 years by the authorities.

Singapore participated in the 29th World Scout Conference at Dearborn, Detroit, USA.

Singapore hosted the 1st International Scout Seminar on Drug Abuse Prevention at Hotel Equatorial in cooperation with the Singapore Anti Narcotics Association.

Mr. C V Devan Nair became the 3rd President of the Republic of Singapore and the 3rd Chief Scout of Singapore.

The Impeesa Camp was held in Sarimbun Scout Camp from 8 - 14 June, to welcome the new Chief Scout. Mr. Felix Li was the Head of Programme for the whole camp.

1984

The 1969 POR was revised to incorporate all the amendments and additions.

The 4th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference was held in Wellington, New Zealand.

Mr. Felix Li was appointed the Deputy National Training Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association. He was also awarded the Chief Scout's Commendation.

1985

The 8 hectare Sarimbun Scout Camp was developed at a cost of S$1.7 million to better serve camping needs with a multi-purpose hall, modern washrooms, dormitories, and a central kitchen.

In conjunction with the International Youth Year, the IYY Scout Forum was held in Singapore at Sarimbun Scout Camp. Participants included scouts from Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan.

Singapore Participated in the 30th World Scout Conference in Munich, Germany.

1986

Sarimbun Scout Camp was officially reopened by Dr Tay Eng Soon, Minister of State for Education, a former Queen's Scout.

Mr. Wee Kim Wee became the 4th President of the Republic of Singapore, and also the 4th Chief Scout of Singapore.

1987

Sands House at Clemenceau Avenue was acquired and the HQ was moved to a 2-storey bungalow at 305 Tanglin Road.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee met at the Westin Stamford Hotel in Singapore. Dr Ee Peng Liang, President of the Singapore Scout Association, and Mr. Chu Chui Lam, Honorary Commissioner, were presented the Asia-Pacific Region Service Awards by the Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Scout Regional Committee, Mr. Abu Hena.

1989

Mr. Bernard Yeo was appointed an Assistant District Commissioner of the Bukit Timah District.

1990

Mr. Lim Keng Teck retired as the Chief Commissioner but remained as the Executive Director of the Singapore Scouts Association. Mr. Joseph Wong, was appointed the next Chief Commissioner. Mr. Felix Li was appointed National Commissioner (International Relations).

The National Jamboree (25-80) commemorating 25 years of Singapore's Independence and 80 years of scouting in Singapore, was held at the Sarimbun Scout Camp.

The Singapore Scout Association celebrated 80 years of scouting in Singapore with a dinner at Miramar Hotel. The Guest of Honour was the Chief Scout of Singapore and President Wee Kim Wee.

Singapore participated in the 31st World Scout Conference in Paris, France.

1991

Mr. Anthony Phey was appointed the Assistant District Commissioner of the Kallang District.

Mr. Felix Li was appointed the Acting Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association.

H.M. King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden visited Singapore from 18-19 August as the Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation and the Patron of the Baden-Powell World Fellowship. The purpose of his visit was to present certificates and medallions to 17 Singaporeans and 12 Foreigners of the Baden-Powell Fellows at the 30th Baden-Powell World Fellowship Dinner and Presentation Ceremony at the Westin Stamford Hotel. H.M. also visited Singapore Scouts at the Raffles Institution school grounds.

Singapore Scouts participated in the 17th World Scout Jamboree held in Mount Sorak, South Korea.

1992

Mr. Felix Li was appointed as the 5th Chief Commissioner of the Singapore Scout Association, the youngest ever.

In July, Mr. James Tseng and Mr. Felix Li was received the Distinguished Service Award (the Singapore Scout Association's highest award), Mr. Anthony Phey received the Meritorious Service Award from our Chief Scout, President Wee Kim Wee.

Singapore Scouts co-organised the 1st National Day Campfire at the Padang as the grand finale to the National Day celebrations

In October, the Singapore Scout Association officially launched the fund-raising campaign to raise S$4 million out of the S$7 million needed for the building of the new Scout HQ at Bishan.

In November, Singapore participated at the 17th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mr. Felix Li was elected to serve on the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee of the World Scout Bureau. Singapore also won the bid to host the 18th Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference in 1995.

On 19 November, Dr Ee Peng Liang, the President of the Singapore Scout Association, received the Plaque of Recognition from the World Scout Bureau, Asia-Pacific Regional Office for his contributions to Singapore scouting and the Honorary Green Jade Lion Award from the Boy Scouts of China (R.O.C.) at a simple dinner organised to celebrate his 80th Chinese birthday.

The Singapore Scout Association held the National Campcraft and Pioneering Competition at Westlake Secondary School.

Dr Ee Peng Liang became the 1st and only Singaporean to be awarded the prestigious Bronze Wolf (to only award granted by the World Scout Organisation; the first award was given to Lord Baden Powell) by the World Organisation of Scout Movement (WOSM).