Lietuvos Skauciu Seserija (LSS)

Promise:

On my honor, I promise
to serve god and my country,
to help people at all the times,
and to live by the Girl Guide Law.

Law:

The Girl Guide --

1. tells the truth and keeps her word.

2. is faithful to god and her homeland.

3. is useful and helpful to others.

4. friend to others and a sister to every Girl Guide / Girl Scout

5. is courteous and modest.

6. protects the nature.

7. respects the parents and authority.

8. is cheerful, self-controlled and optimistic.

9. is thrifty.

10. is pure in thought, word and deed.

The Iron Law ––

The Girl Guide conscientiously fulfils all her duties

Age groups:

Gėlytės (Flowerets) aged 4 – 6 (Mothers participate)

Paukštytės (Birdies) aged 6 – 9/10

Skautės (Guides) aged 9/10 – 13/14

Prityrusios skautės (Ventures) aged 13/14 – 16/17

Vyresnes skautės (Senior Guides) aged 16/17 – 23/25

Vyresniosios sesės (Senior Sisters) aged 23+ – Leaders Trainers

Development of the movement:

Guiding was first introduced to Lithuania in 1926 and was banned during the Soviet rule. Immediately after Lithuania declared independence in 1990, Guiding was restarted with the help from Lithuania Girl Guides in exile. The Lithuanians in exile had formed Scouting and Girl Scouting as a vehicle to pass on the language, history and culture of their country. They followed the programme from the time before 1940 but lived without contact from other guides in the host country. They were reunited with their fellow country men and women when they came back to Lithuania. Lithuania was among the first countries in Eastern Europe where WAGGGS and WOSM worked together to re-establish Guiding and Scouting. The idea was to form a SAGNO, bringing all the four Associations together. The formation of a SAGNO was not realised; instead WOSM created an Association admitting both males and females. A group of female leaders that did not join the Scouts formed a female-only organization, Lietuvos Skauciu Seserija-Lietuvos (LSS). The Europe Region maintained contacts with LSS, providing support through visits and training events.

The Lietuvos Skauciu Seserija-Lietuvos (LSS) is open to all girls and young women in the country without any distinction. There are groups in many regions of the country and most of the groups have all age branches. Only in the very small villages, children can not be divided into age categories. There is a good balance of numbers between girls and young women and leaders and the membership is still growing. As in many European societies, Lithuania has fewer children, but up to now, this fact has not affected the growth of LSS. The Association has 1400 members.

Programme:

There is a programme available for each age section. The programme places emphasis on outdoor activities, Lithuanian folk art, but through the consequent use of the patrol system, they also try to strengthen partnership, responsibility and democracy.

The Promise and Law are clearly the base of the programme, and further developed using previous programmes as well as adding new elements. The programme has all the elements of a guiding educational programme and it appears to be having an impact on the girls and young women who are part of the Association.

Relationship to society:

LSS have good network with at least two female groups and some educational institutions. Girl Guiding is frequently mentioned in newspapers mainly on regional level.

The Association also has a good relationship with schools and the schools administration. One of its members was recently honoured by the Ministry of Education for her Guiding activities. The Girl Guides have also formed a good relationship with the Ministry of Defence and have often used their equipment for camping. Many groups play an active part in the small towns and villages, organize youth days and open events for young adults which are widely accepted. A new means of open communication is the website of the Association which has an open discussion-forum and has seen many visitors.

Training:

The Associations’ leader training is organized when needed. Training is always a part of leaders meetings. The Association does not have a Training Scheme yet. Some leaders can attend training in Denmark (The Danish Guide and Scout Association, DDS) and at a European Level, with Girl Guides/Girl Scouts from NATO countries based in Germany. The Association plans to invite more adults to experience Girl Guiding and involve them in the Movement. To establish a formal training scheme, the Association needs assistance from experienced persons. The help of DDS and the Europe Region is valued and necessary.