The only thing that still reminds of the old separation between Girl Guides and Boy Scouts is that some of the terms for different levels (in one or more of the three major languages spoken in Switzerland) are different.

The result is more freedom at the unit level, no discrimination[citation needed], and a very important experience in leadership for young people.

In 1912, delegates of the cadet sections of the Union chrétienne de la suisse romande launched the Swiss Scout movement.

Geneva pedagogue Pierre Bovet took up the translation of Éclaireurs and other Scout books, to make it the first edition in French.

In 1913, the Federation of Swiss Scouts (Fédération des Eclaireurs suisses, FES/Schweizerische Pfadfinderbund (SPB)) was founded in Bern.

In 1919, the Swiss Federation of Girl Guides (Fédération des Eclaireuses suisse, (FESes)/Bund Schweizerischer Pfadfinderinnen (BSP)) was established.

Camps for youth in the 5-20 age range are subsidized by J+S, and also receive some basic material (wool blankets, denim square units, ropes, spades, etc.)

There are different mottoes for each section: (With the help of God,) with your help and happily I promise to do my best: Guides and Scouts, we wish: The Bundeslager (BuLa) (fr:"camp fédéral", it:"campo federale", "rm:"champ federal") "Federal camp" is a scout jamboree that is held by the association every 14 years.