Saudi Scouts launch 73 volunteer opportunities to serve pilgrims during Hajj season
Exceptional efforts to serve the pilgrims during the Hajj season
In a move reflecting its ongoing dedication to serving pilgrims, the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association announced the launch of 73 specialized volunteer opportunities within its public service camps in Makkah, the Holy Sites, and Madinah for the 1447 AH Hajj season. This significant initiative comes as part of the association's continuous efforts to promote a culture of volunteerism and empower young men and women to actively contribute to facilitating the pilgrims' journey through high-quality programs that embody the highest values of humanitarian giving.
The historical context and pioneering role of Saudi scouts
Historically, the name of the Saudi Scouts has been associated with serving pilgrims since the mid-20th century. These efforts began with small individual and group initiatives and have evolved into a comprehensive, professional system. This long history has made the Scout uniform a distinctive symbol of reassurance for pilgrims in the holy sites. The significance of this event is highlighted locally as a key contributor to achieving the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the pillar of developing the third sector to reach one million volunteers. Its impact is also felt regionally and internationally, showcasing the Kingdom's youth and their ability to manage crowds and provide humanitarian services to millions of Muslims from around the world.
Professional methodology and targeted record-breaking figures
The volunteer committee at the service camps explained that the opportunities offered this year were designed according to a precise, professional methodology that takes into account the nature of scouting and service work. The initiative aims to attract more than five thousand male and female volunteers, who will be distributed systematically across 20 camps. This ambitious plan aims to achieve more than 550,000 volunteer hours, which will directly contribute to honing the leadership, organizational, technical, and educational skills of the participants, in addition to improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims and facilitating their performance of the Hajj rituals.
Diverse volunteer opportunities and available specializations
To cover all the needs of the Hajj season, volunteering opportunities vary to include several vital areas, most notably:
- Managing the scout experience and providing field guidance.
- Digital media and professional documentation to highlight efforts.
- Safety, protection and risk management in crowded areas.
- Organizing and running awareness events and programs.
- Training programs for participants in Hajj operations and operational systems.
An integrated system to enhance quality of life and sustainability
The initiatives extend beyond field support to include specialized opportunities in environmental sustainability, facility quality, technical support, and the operation of electronic systems and control rooms. The association has also launched the “Scouting Experiences” program to share best practices and document success stories. To reduce waste, the “Preserving Blessings” initiative was launched to manage surplus food, in addition to “First Aid Support” opportunities to support healthcare teams and enhance emergency preparedness. The association confirmed that registration is currently open to leaders, female leaders, and youth, in accordance with established regulations, to build an educational scouting environment that instills values of national responsibility.
