Thirteen Hundred

Around 1,300 Scouts and Guides from 25 groups gathered in Bonnevoie on Sunday for the 103rd Pow-Wow. The annual gathering traditionally marks the end of the Scouting and Guiding year. This year's event was organised by local group Lions Bleus Bonnevoie around the theme of Luxembourg, with activities designed to celebrate the country's many cultures, stories, and distinctive traditions.[1]

The National Federation of Scouts and Guides of Luxembourg (FNEL) hosted the gathering at its headquarters for the first time. FNEL Chief Commissioner Julie Bove said the aim was to showcase the diversity of the country and bring its cultures to life "through games and fun".[1]

Once a Scout

For Lex Schmitt of the Lions Bleus, one of the organisers, the strong turnout was evidence that the movement remains very much alive. "Whether you are still active or not, once you've been a Scout, you always remain one in some way", he said. Schmitt pointed to the continued growth of his own group, with new children joining and new leaders stepping forward.[1]

The 2026 Pow-Wow brought together Scouts and Guides of all ages, from the youngest Cub Scouts through to Explorers and young leaders. For children, scouting is about learning to help others, spending time outdoors, and developing into active members of society. The underlying values, Schmitt noted, have remained largely unchanged even as the movement has evolved.[1]

A counterpoint

1,300 young people gathering outdoors in a heatwave to celebrate diversity and community is a counterpoint to the week's news. Ten fires burned overnight. A pine forest in Consdorf is destroyed. The Moselle is growing algae. Municipalities are banning water use. And in the middle of all of it, 1,300 Scouts and Guides gathered in a field in Bonnevoie to play games and learn about the cultures of their country.[1]

Scouting is about learning to help others. The heatwave is showing that there are more people who need help than usual. The 103rd Pow-Wow happened on a day when the country was dealing with the cumulative effects of five days of extreme heat. The values the movement teaches, community, outdoors, helping others, are the values the country is stress-testing this week.[1]