the General Directorate of Youth and Sport. In February 2007, the federation gained autonomous status. Northern Cyprus Turkish Scouts The Scouts of Northern Cyprus (Turkish: Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk İzcileri) is a Scouting federation active in the de facto independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and has strong ties to the Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey. Program There is an annual week called "The Scout - The Helper", which gives all members of the Scouting and Guiding Federation an opportunity to participate in community service projects, where they help for a week in hospitals, at the Red Crescent association, and in similar organizations. Scouts plant trees in villages in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. In Turkey, the Battle Hymn of the Republic is sung as a Scout camp song with Turkish lyrics, by both Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Program sections Cub Scouts - ages 7 to 11 Scouts - ages 11 to 15 Venture Scout- ages 15 to 18 Only the Cub packs are open to boys and girls, the older sections operate in single-gender groups. Scout Motto The Scout Motto is Daima Hazır, Always Prepared in Turkish. Scout Oath Turkish: Tanrıya, vatanıma karşı görevlerimi yerine getireceğime, izcilik türesine uyacağıma; Başkalarına her zaman yardımda bulunacağıma; Kendimi bedence sağlam, fikirce uyanık, ve ahlakça dürüst tutmak için elimden geleni yapacağıma; Şerefim üzerine söz veririm. Translation: On my honour, I promise to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scouting Laws, to help other people at all times, to be physically strong, mentally awake and morally strong. Emblem The membership badge of the Scouting and Guiding Federation of Turkey incorporates elements of the coat of arms as well as the flag of Turkey. The trefoil represents the Girl Guides and the fleur-de-lis the Boy Scouts. Uniform References Scouting 'Round the World, John S. Wilson, first edition, Blandford Press 1959. External links Official website World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts member organizations World Organization of the Scout Movement member organizations Scouting and Guiding in Turkey Youth organizations established in 1909 Organizations based in Ankara Child-related organizations in Turkey Sports governing bodies in Turkey Youth organizations established in 1992 1992 establishments in Turkey 1909 establishments in the Ottoman Empire