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n Zveza tabornikov Slovenije (The Scout Association of Slovenia) is the principal national scout organisation with just over 80 local groups and 9,000 members.. The second scout organisation in Slovenia is the Slovenian Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association, which is smaller, but growing. The Scout Association of Slovenia is a voluntary, youth, educational and non-political organisation open to all regardless of their origin, race or creed. It is based upon the principles of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and emphasises the ideas of pluralism, freedom of the individual, peace, moral and ethical values - ideals inscribed in the Scout Promise and Law. Full membership of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) since 1994 has brought many opportunities for international cooperation and an active role in the WOSM and European scout region. Back in 1913, Mr. Pavel Kunaver was sent to Vienna by the President of the Carniola region to familiarise himself with the Scout Movement and to bring this movement and its ideas back to Carniola. Mr. Kunaver found the Scouts in Vienna too militaristic in style and he consequently advised against starting a Scout organisation. So the first Scout units in Slovenia did not emerge until 1922. Their national umbrella organisation was established in 1923 as part of the Yugoslav national organisation. The Slovenian Scouts so impressed Mr. Kunaver that he turned from being an opponent of the Scouts into the first Chairman of the organisation! In 1924, the Slovenian term "Tabornitvo" became widely used as a common name for craft skills with wood and scouting. On the 22nd April 1951, a new organisation Zveza tabornikov Slovenije (ZTS) was established by former woodcrafters and Scouts (together with the by then, 'legendary' Pavel Kunaver). After Slovene independence in 1991, the ZTS left the Yugoslav Scout Federation and continued its transformation into a modern, national Scout organisation and in 1994 became a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) which has 25ÿmillion members in more than 200 countries and territories. To encourage the individual growth of its members the ZTS has created a progressive programme that provides opportunities for continuous learning, fosters character building and develops a range of knowledge and skills to turn children into good citizens and independent individuals. Through knowledge of the countryside, living outdoors and experiencing its beauty and challenges - as well as its inherent dangers and risks - individuals may find themselves and become aware of the vital interrelationship and integrity of the world. Living in the very heart of the country brings them closer to the meaning of co-existence and spirituality and may test their readiness for a life in the 'Great Outdoors'. Even the slogan of the organisation - (literally 'With Nature to a Better Man') - emphasises the link between Scouts and the countryside. The organisation encourages it's young members to participate actively in solving the problems they face in a new democratic society, and stresses the importance of tolerance and understanding. The ZTS also invites children with disabilities and young ones to participate in Scout activities, spending summer camps with them. Children may join the Scout organisation in their pre-school years (Pre-Cub Scouts), but they really experience life as a scout during primary school (Cub Scouts and Scouts) and high school (Rover Scouts). All adults who, through Scouting, develop an affinity with the countryside and enjoy working with the young may stay in the organisation or even join the ZTS later as long as they are willing to help. A Member of the World Scouts Family Joining the World Organisation of the Scout Movement on the14th of September 1994 opened up the international arena for Slovenian scouts, who were then able to participate at many different events throughout the world. Jamborees (world gatherings of scouts aged 14 to 18) in the Netherlands, Chile and Thailand were joined by numerous Slovenian contingents. The Slovenian scouts also visited international Moots (gatherings of rovers aged 19 to 25) in Sweden and Mexico and are going to visit Taiwan this summer. The diversity of the Slovene countryside and culture attracts many foreign Scouts every year. This year the Slovenian scouts expect around 500 German, English and Irish scouts to visit.