The roots of the BSA's White Stag program were planted seventy-five years ago in, of all
places, Hungary. Scouting in Hungary has a long tradition going back to the years before the First World War.
In 1933, Hungary was honored to host the Fourth World Jamboree. Twenty-five thousand Scouts from thirty-two countries
pitched their camp in the park surrounding the former Royal Castle at Godollo, the favorite summer residence of
Elizabeth, the last Hapsburg Empress.
The official symbol of the Jamboree was the "White Stag" of Hungarian
legend. Baden-Powell spoke of the White Stag to the Scouts assembled at Godollo:
"The White Stag has a message for you. Hunters
of old pursued the miraculous stag, not because they expected to kill it, but because it led them in the joy of the chase to
new and fresh adventures, and so to capture happiness.
"You may look on the White Stag as the true spirit of Scouting,
springing forward and upward, ever leading you onward to leap over difficulties, to face new adventures in your active
pursuit of the higher aims of Scouting - aims which bring you happiness. These aims are duty to God, to your country, and
to your fellow man by carrying out the Scout Law. In that way you will help to bring about God's kingdom upon earth - the
reign of peace and goodwill."
Among the many Hungarians who came to America after the Second World War, were three young men who had met as Scouts
at Godollo in 1933. They and their American colleagues would go on to establish the first leadership development course
for junior leaders in 1958. They adopted the White Stag as its symbol. At the center of that course were eleven skills of
leadership. Today, these skills continue as an important element in Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Training.
They establish a firm link with Scouting in the past, the present, and the future.
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