The Founding and Development of Polish Scouting in Southern California

Abstract

Worldwide scouting movement was conceived by an English general, lord Robert Baden-Powell. Among Poles it was planted in 1909 and from the lands of old country it spreaded among Polonia all around the world. In California it has concentrated in three centres: Los Angeles (since 1958), San Francisco Bay Area (since 1973) and Yorba Linda, Orange County (since 1986). These three centres made up Californian District of the Polish Scouting Association (ZHP).

Exceptional progress characterized the scouting of L.A. In 1989, after 15 years of existence, the Cub Scout Pack „Wawelski Gród” in the City of Angels numbered 18, but during that period a total of 140 boys have passed through its ranks. The hm. Falkowska Girl Guide Troop has also been active, together with two Patrols of Explorers (13 persons), and the Tadeusz Kościuszko Boy Scout Troop, lead by Franciszek Kurnik for ten years (until 1984). The same man lead also the „Kraków” Boy Scout Town. Polish Scout in Los Angeles operated within the parochial organisational framework. All the activities (camps, summer holidays, outings, jamborees) were held using the Polish language only, up to standards of other Polonian circles. Scouting owes its development to outstanding, professional, and dedicated work of its instructors: Krystyna Zielkiewicz, Wanda Grycko and Gena Kliszewska.

In San Francisco Boy Scout centre (North California) there were founded, among others, the „Słoneczniki” Girl Guide Troop and the „Orły” Boy Scout Troop. In early 90s that area homed a group of 20 Girl Guides, another of 12 Boy Scouts, and two units of Brownies and Cubs: 20 girls in „Wiślane Kamyczki” and 14 boys in „Wilczki”. In San Jose there was also the Brownie Scout Troop „Biedronki” (18 girls) and 15 of the youngest Brownies gathered in the „Muchomorki” Troop. On Feb. 21, 1993 Polish scouting in San Francisco celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its founding.

The most recently founded centre of Polish scouting in Yorba Linda is connected with the local church. Wanda Kamieniecka-Grycko has planted in that group of Scouts the highest ideals. The care of them has been subsequently taken by hm. Tadeusz Borowski and Wanda Grycko. Eminent among the staff were also Jerzy and Alicja Czarnecki. According to 1989 data Brownie Scouts and Cub Scouts of Yorba Linda were gathered in the „Kwiaty Polskie” Troop and the „Rycerze Polscy” Pack. There was also the Major Hubal Boy Scout Troop. Polish Brownies, Cubs, Scouts and Guides usually take part in a dozen or so national and patriotic celebrations, both American and Polish, every year.