FDF Skive was a district in the Voluntary Federation of Boys and Girls, FDF. It was first established on May 3, 1908. The department’s activities were discontinued in 1926. Skive FDF was re-established on January 6, 1946 and again discontinued on June 12, 2008, when the members transferred to FDF Egeris.
The first start in 1908
Frivilligt Drenge-Forbund, Skive branch was established in 1908. A group of boys contacted Postassistent Glød with the desire to have a branch of FDF in Skive. They knew that he had been active in FDF work in Tåstrup and Hørsholm. At a meeting with Pastor Eggert in Skive, a board was formed with teachers Winther Hansen, Thiesen, A.L. Andersen, surveyor Balle, teacher Jul, Krabbesholm and postal assistant Glød. One of the town’s musicians had volunteered to teach music.
Two weeks later, a public meeting was held in the municipal school’s gymnasium, where FDF’s founder, architect Thornøe, gave a lecture on the association’s development and activities and showed slides.
In the summer, FDF was building a bathhouse so that the boys could get into the water under supervision 4 days a week.
During the royal visit in August 1908, FDF Skive presented itself at the harbor with 120 members dressed in the uniform of the time, a white sailor shirt with the FDF shield on the chest.
One of the leaders was Carl Vilhelm Møller Hansen – also known as kilometer-Hansen – who was very well known in Skive’s early 1900s history. He was a platoon leader in the Skive branch of the Voluntary Boys’ Union from 1910 to 1911, when he resigned, presumably in dissatisfaction with the religious character of the FDF.
New start in 1946
According to Spejderwiki, FDF Skive was discontinued in 1926 but re-established in January 1946, where a new board consisted of: chairman director Krüger, circle leader manufacturer Steensig, YMCA representative cutter Christensen, the drivers’ representative customs assistant Wexel, parents’ representative pastor Haahr, congregation representative pastor Bækgaard Thomsen, treasurer procurist Elisius Jensen.
Hagensborg August 20, 1950, Pastor Haahr gave the inauguration speech for the FDF hut at Hagens Mølle, Lyby Strand on rented land. A scout hut had been built in a former relocation barracks with the help of many volunteers. Beautifully situated overlooking the fjord with 36 berths (2-deckers), 3 toilets with pull-and-drop, large well-appointed kitchen and practical furnished living room with open fireplace. Skive painter Mølgård Andersen had decorated the wall with a kneeling squire and the last two lines of the squire song:“Squire, follow your Lord’s commandments – Squire, walk with God.” Hagenborg became the setting for many FDF camps and experiences.
In 1960, FPF was started in Skive and in 1974 merged with FDF. In 1977, an anniversary was celebrated – both the local branch’s own and the national association’s. At this time, Skive FDF/FPF had around 150 members, who were based in municipal premises in Thorupsgade 3 and 16.
In 1974, the Hagensborg camp was renovated. Water and electricity were installed, and it was converted into 2 dormitories so that both FPF and FDF could use the hut.
In 1988, a 77 m2 electrically heated wooden house was built at Vindevej 48B on a municipally owned plot of 4100 m2.
In 2008, after 61 years, it was decided to close the Skive branch, as there were only 8 members left. The members were transferred to FDF Egeris. The municipality bought the house on Vindevej for DKK 200,000, which was enough to cover the branch’s outstanding balance with Salling Bank.
FDF Egeris
In 1974, an FDF branch was started in Egeris. In 1979, the branch bought the former “husvildebolig” on Brårupvej 126, which was threatened with demolition. The house has since been renovated by FDF Egeriskredsen.
FDF Egeris states on their website that they have existed since April 25, 1988. FDF is a national church children and youth organization, FDF Egeris is affiliated with Egeris Parish.
FDF in Denmark
During his work as a Sunday school teacher in Frederiksberg, the young architect Holger Tornøe quickly realized that there was a lack of opportunities for the big boys. There was a YMCA for the young men, but nothing for the boys. Together with theologian Ludvig Valentiner, he founded FDF on October 27, 1902. Holger Tornøe was inspired by the British Boy’s Brigade, a church youth organization in the UK.
From the beginning, the purpose of the FDF was clearly defined as “to prepare the way for the spread of the Kingdom of Christ among boys by bringing them under the influence of Christian men and to perform a preventive, awakening and preserving work among them by a) promoting spiritual and bodily health, b) practicing discipline, courtesy, punctuality, self-respect and everything else that belongs to true Christian manhood, c) training in sports of practical importance.” (FDF Laws and District Rules (1902))
Holger Tornøe did not like the military uniform but chose an interpretation of the well-off boys’ ordinary Sunday clothes; the sailor outfit – which was named the white shirt or sports suit. At the time, FDF was categorized as a sports association.
Later, the uniform became the well-known gray canvas uniform. The girls’ association was formed in 1952, but since 1974 FDF and FPF have been united in the joint association Frivilligt Drenge- og Pige-forbund FDF.
In 2014, the FDF National Assembly adopted the ambition: FDF gives children and young people a place to meet the world through faith, play, community involvement and relationships.
The FDF uniform is a medium blue federal shirt with the FDF shield on the left side of the chest.
Until the change of throne in 2024, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe was patron of FDF.
Sources :
- Scout wiki
- FDF.dk
- Skive Folkeblad 1946, August 1950, 1974, 1977 and November 27, 2008