The history of Scouting in Sweden

Scouting in Sweden has a long history. Scouting for boys was started in 1908 by Emil Wingqvist. Another pioneer was a teacher from Gothenburg, Ebbe Lieberath. He wanted to start some form of youth activity for his pupils and found Baden-Powell's book "Scouting for boys" whilst travelling. He later translated it into Swedish. Two years later, activities were commenced for girls as well. In 1912 the first Boy Scout Association was formed and in 1913 the first Girl Guide association.

Popular movements such as The Temperance and Revival were a very important part of Swedish society in those days. They fought for better social and spiritual conditions for their members. They were people who had united to create something better in the current society. It was then, natural that they took up scouting and guiding as part of their programme. But also free scout associations were formed without any ties to such a mother organisation.

Between 1959-61 a merge of the girl and boy scout associations in Sweden took place.