What unites Plast with world scouting?

When rover scout Anna Bahrii, a scout leader from Plast  joined a summer camp of the DPSG — German scouts , she discovered not only differences, but a powerful sense of shared spirit that unites us with millions of Scouts around the world.

“What impressed me the most was how quickly the young people connected. Within minutes they were playing games, setting up tents, talking to each other — even without sharing a common language,” Anna recalls.

What unites Plast with world scouting?

Scouts in Germany and Plast members share the same core values that have guided the global scout movement for over a century:

• 🤝🏼 A commitment to doing good and serving others
  
• 🌿 Love and respect for nature
  
• 🕊 Spiritual development and personal reflection
  
• 💬 Encouraging independent thinking and responsibility
  

These shared principles are what make us part of one global family — regardless of national traditions or internal structures.

What makes Plast unique?

At the same time, Plast carries traditions shaped by Ukraine’s history and culture:

“In Plast, we put a strong emphasis on structure, respect for our uniform, and our historical heritage. We treat our symbols and traditions with deep care — this is what makes us unique,” Annnychka says.

This uniqueness is not a barrier, but a contribution to the diversity of the world Scout Movement.
Different traditions mean different strengths — and more opportunities to grow together.

Learning from one another

At the DPSG camp, Anna was particularly inspired by the scout patrols and the way they shaped decisions through the camp council, learning to express and defend their views. She brought this experience back to Lviv to incorporate it into her Scout leadership practice.

“I was amazed at how confidently the youth explained their opinions — what they liked, what they didn’t, and how things could be improved.”

This is the essence of Scouting: shared learning, exchange of methods, and growth through cooperation.

Belonging to the global Scout family

“For me, DPSG — a WOSM member — represents opportunities. Opportunities for young people to see something different, to learn, to discover how things can be done in another way. And it’s about belonging to a global movement working in the same direction — to make the world a better place.”

💚 We may be different — and that is exactly why we can learn so much from one another. Together, we strengthen the global Scouting family.