The Soviet Young Pioneers (or the All Union Pioneer Organisation as Vladimir Lenin called it) was founded in 1922 by the Communist Party. They were inspired by Baden Powell's Boy Scout movement. Like the Boy Scouts, it gave youth from 10 to 15 the opportunity to be involved in games, sports and camping.  

Their motto was "always ready". (Not unlike "be prepared") 

Pioneers wore a uniform of white shirts, blue shorts symbolising Russia and a red neckerchief for Socialism. The movement spread across the Soviet Union's allied across the world.

But there was another dimension to this organisation. This was an opportunity to sow the

Socialist values of the new State in the new generation. In addition to learning fitness, teamwork and self discipline they also learned Socialist principles, Communist history along with the principles of Marx, Engels and Lenin. 
 

The level of indoctrination increased the longer young people stayed in the organisation. Young people's indoctrination had begun as Octobrists when they were 7. (This was to commemorate the February 1917 Revolution.) 

At 9, they could become Pioneers. Their role was more than exercise and sport. They had to support their Motherland any way they could. For instance they collected metal and paper for recycling. At 12 they learned to shoot with a bebe gun and drill like soldiers. Discipline was strict and Pioneers could be expelled for breaking rules or poor exam results.  

After 14 they could join the Leninist Young Communist League or Komsomol. This was a doorway to becoming a member of the Communist Party (the pathway to a successful career). 

When World War 2" struck, the Pioneers proved themselves effective substitutes for those who had gone to the front. They recycled. They worked in factories and farms as well as public works. 

Some took up weapons and joined the Resistance. A number of 14 year old pioneers became martyrs for the Motherland.  

However as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, so did the Young Soviet Pioneer movement.