The Baden-Powell Scouts Association was introduced at St. Johns College in 1916, by Mr. J.C. Mendis, who was then the Scout Master of Richmond College. He came over to Jaffna at the invitation of our then Principal Rev. Jacob Thompson. On the 14th of Sep 1916, a Scout display was held at the College during which three of our Patrol Leaders were enrolled as Scouts and were pinned with the “Tenderfoot Badge”.

Notable Moments of Scouting at St Johns College:
– A Participant at the King’s Birthday Scouts Rally and Sports.
– Senior Patrol Leader C.R. Norman was sent to represent the Scouts of the College at the farewell function of the Chief Commissioner.
– In 1951, the College Scouts joined the “Guard of Honour” given to Lord Soulbury and Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake on their official visit to Jaffna.
– In April 1954, participated at the events during the Queen’s visit to Ceylon.
– In 1954, joined the “Guard-of-Honour” presented to the Prime Minister on his official visit to the North.
– In 1956 and in 1957 six Scouts from the College were recognized as “Queen’s Scouts” respectively.
1956 – Hector Wanniarachchy, W.V. Panchacharam, and S.Mahaalingam
1957 – C. Jeyarajah, R. Balasegaram, and S. Kathiresan.
– In 1958, during the visit of Lady Baden-Powell, our scouts joined in forming the “Guard-of-Honour” at the airport in the morning of the event and participated in a rally which followed in the evening in honour of Lady Baden-Powell.