Scouting was founded in 1909 and gained recognition by the World Bureau in 1922, as a founding member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. In 1910, the 1st Christiania Scouts was established as Norway's first Scout group. In 1911 the 2nd Christiania was founded and then in February of the same year, "Norwegian: Norsk Speidergutt-Forbund". This was the beginning of the Scout Movement in Norway. The head of the Danish Pikespejerforbund came in 1916, at the invitation of Queen Maud to Christiania and gave a lecture, which resulted in a working committee, but no Association. "Norwegian: Norges KFUK-speidere" was founded on 3 November 1920. Association's oldest squad, Trondheim 1 was established on 2 October 1915 in Trondheim. An article in Stavanger Aftenblad 20 April 1910 says that Scout work has already spread to the girls. "Norwegian: Norsk Speiderpikeforbund" official foundation date is 1 July 1921. This is a selected day that marked an association of individual groups and troops. The 14th World Scout Jamboree in 1975 took place in Norway. On April 23 1978 unit Norsk Speidergutt-Forbund og Norsk Speiderpikeforbund merged to form the Norges speiderforbund. In 1985, Dr. Gisle Johnson was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.
Purposes
Scouting's main purpose is to develop young members into independent and responsible adults. This is achieved using a training program with many outdoor recreation and practical activities, teamwork in small groups, and by actively using the "learning by doing" method.
Program
Program of the Norges speiderforbund is structured into five themes: Outdoor Life Creativity Friendships Community Involvement Life quality The program is structured to provide members with progression to continually meet new challenges. To be adapted to the individual member's level of development, the program is divided up into age groups by grade :
Beavers – ages 6 to 8
Cubs/Brownies – ages 8 to 10
Scouts/Guides – ages 10 to 16
Rovers – ages 16 to 24
Structure
, NSF had 18,500 members, organised in 29 districts and 6 corps with 450 local groups.
Activities
The main activities of the Norges speiderforbund takes place in work units in Scout groups. The meetings are regular, often weekly, and with several trips a year. Most Scout groups offer their members a camp of about one week's duration each summer. NSF also have some events on the regional and federation level. At the federal level there's national jamboree, held every four years. The next Norwegian national Jamboree will be held in Bodø in 2017. Regional competitions are where patrols compete in Scouting skills. The best patrols in each region qualify for the . Each national Scouting championship and region banner competition lasts a weekend. Some typical exercises during these events are the orienteering, the pioneering, circular track with nature study, citizenship and first aid. As part of the Norges Speiderforbund of Community Involvement, the Scout campaign has been held every year since 2004. This is a fundraiser that goes to NRC projects.
Circuits
NSF is divided up into 29 circuits. Groups include members of the same circuit. The circles are the link between the Federation and groups. Asker og Bærum krets Aust-Agder krets Follo krets Finmark krets Fredrikstad krets Glåmdal krets Grenland krets Gudbrandsdal krets Hedmark krets Helgeland krets Hordaland krins Hålogaland krets Nedre Buskerud krets Nord-Troms krets Nord-Trøndelag krets Oslospeiderne Romerike krets Romsdal og Nordmøre krets Ryvarden krets Salten krets Sogn og Fjordane krets Sunnmøre krets Sørlandet krets Sør-Trøndelag krets Tele-Busk krets Vesterlen krets Vestfold krets Vestoppland krets Østre Østfold krets Øvre Buskerud krets
National jamboree
Every four years there is a week-long national jamboree for all NSF members, and usually also participants from other nations. Between national jamborees there are usually circuit camps every four years, and group camps every two years. The following regions have hosted national jamborees:
