Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

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Baden-Powell Scouts' Association
Country	United Kingdom
Founded	1970
President	Lawrie Dring
Chief Commissioner	Graham Rutherford
Affiliation	World Federation of Independent Scouts
Website BPSA
Scouting portal

The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA) is a youth organisation found in the United Kingdom, with affiliations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses on the importance of tradition in the Scout movement. Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Malaysia, Germany, Denmark, Ghana and Canada have traditional organisations that are affiliated to the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA).

The Baden-Powell Scout Association shares the heritage of the youth Scouting Movement, however they believe in a more traditional way of Scouting which closely follows the program set out by Baden-Powell in his book: Scouting for Boys. They are not a historical re-creation society.

It was formed in the United Kingdom in 1970 when it was felt that rest of the Scout Movement was abandoning the traditions and intentions set out by General Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. The Baden-Powell Scouts retain the belief that essence of the movement should be based on outdoor activities related to the skills of explorers, backwoodsmen and frontiersmen.

It is a voluntary, non-formal educational charity movement for young people. It is independent, non-political, non-military, and open to all without distinction of origin, race, creed or gender, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by Robert Baden-Powell.

As an independent Scout Association, they are members of the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS). The WFIS was formed in Laubach, Germany, in 1996 by Lawrie Dring, President of the B-PSA, a British Scouter with the independent Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA). This is a world body that recognises Independent Scouts Associations in countries across the globe which teach traditional Baden-Powell Scouting values. Their aim is to improve the standard of our future citizens with the object of using their efficiency for service for their fellows.^[1]

Contents 1 History 1.1 1907-1969 1.2 1969-present 2 Views 3 Uniform 4 Organisation 4.1 Sections 4.2 Group Branches 5 Child Protection 6 International Associations 6.1 Canada 6.1.1 Sections in Canada 6.2 Denmark 6.2.1 Sections in Denmark 6.2.2 Promise 6.2.3 Scout Law 6.3 Ghana 6.4 Ireland 6.4.1 Sections in Ireland 6.5 United States 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

[edit] 1907-1969

In 1907, General Robert Baden-Powell was inspecting 7,000 members of the Boy's Brigade at Glasgow. Sir William Smith, the founder of The Boy's Brigade, asked Baden-Powell if he had ever considered rewriting his training manual for soldiers, "Aids To Scouting for N.C.O.s and Men" to make it appeal to boys. As a result of this conversation Baden-Powell ran an experimental camp for 20 boys at Brownsea Island Scout camp to test out theories on providing activities for boys.^[2] Although there was no Scout association at that time, the Brownsea Camp is considered to mark the start of the Scout Movement.^[3]

In 1908 he published a series of magazines, Scouting for Boys, which suggested activities that existing youth organisations could make use of. ^[4] An unexpected result of this was the formation of Scout Patrols around the country, all of which followed the principles set out in Baden-Powell's work. In 1910 this led Baden-Powell to form the The Boy Scout Association as a national body to organise and support the Scout Patrols.

Scouting in the UK continued to follow the programme established by Baden-Powell until 1967, and the publication of the The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report, which introduced major changes to the uniform, sections and programme.^[5]

[edit] 1969-present

In 1969 a pressure group was formed within The Scout Association, known as The Scout Action Group. They did not agree with elements of the changes proposed by the Advance Party Report, and asked that Groups wishing to maintain a more traditional approach to Scouting should be allowed to do so.

In mid-1970 The Scout Action Group published The Black Report, which outlined their views^[6]. As a result of the discussions, the whole organisation factioned into two groups on 20 September 1970 - the Scout Association and the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association - neither being able to claim the other was more or less scouting than the other. ^[7]

Due to internal arguments the Association split into two separate organisations in 1979, with both Associations claiming the name and charity number of the Association. The two factions reconciled their differences in June 1990, and in 1994 there were nearly 70 Groups in the Association.

In the 1990s there was a dip in the number of active Groups in the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association, in common with a fall in numbers experienced by The Scout Association at that time, and the number of Groups had dropped to around 40 in 2001.^[7] As with The Scout Association, the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association has shown subsequent growth in numbers with the opening of new groups^[8][9].

The B-PSA celebrated 100 years of Scouting in 2007, issuing centenary badges and holding their own Centenary Camp in Southampton. ^[10]

In 2008, leaders from the Association set aside their Association membership and organised Jamboree 2008, an event that was aimed at bringing all of the various factions of Scouting back together for an event marking the centenary of the first official Scout Camp held by Baden-Powell at Humshaugh. The event included parades at Hexham Abbey and a ceremony at the original Carr Edge camp site.^[11]

[edit] Views

The main policy is Traditional Scouting – which is taking Baden-Powell’s 10 Scout Laws and using them, the same rank system BP used of tenderpad, first star and second star in Wolf Cubs. They use the Grand Howl at the beginning of Wolf Cub meetings and for Scouts and Senior Scouts they use the same ranks as in Scouting for Boys with Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, First Class, Scout Cord etc. Once a Scout is invested Lord Baden-Powell believed that he would continue to live the Scout Law. This law is kept by Scouts from the age of ten and Adult Leaders must renew their promise on regular occasions. The original Scout Law, written by Lord Baden-Powell, appeared in 1908 and is as follows:

1. A Scout's honour is to be trusted
2. A Scout is Loyal to the King and to his officers, and to his country, and to his employers.
3. A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs.
5. A Scout is Courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders of his patrol leader or scout master without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.
9. A Scout is thrifty.

In 1911, 8 was modified and 10 was added:
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association hold the ideals of Scouting that were created by Baden-Powell. The history of the association dates back to the foundations of Scouting in the UK in 1908. The association used the same badge system, ranks and uniform that were worn by Scouts nearly 100 years ago. They follow a charter set down in their Policy Association Rules. They have no paid Executive Staff or Leaders. The traditional programme also develops a sense of duty, personal discipline and honour. Scouts in the BPSA practise traditional Scouting skills:

• lighting fire by friction
• navigating by means other than a compass
• backwoods cooking
• camping in self erected "bivvys"

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association is affiliated to the umbrella organisation The World Federation of Independent Scouts. They are also affiliated with other Traditional Scout Associations around the world. The Baden-Powell Scouts use the original programmes and wear traditional uniforms.

[edit] Uniform

The Scout sections wear the traditional uniform designed by Baden-Powell, with allowances made for regional climate and health and safety reasons.

• Headwear: Beret, with the Section badge in front, or Campaign Hat.
• Scarf: Of the Group colour worn with a woggle or a loose knot at the throat.
• Shirt: In non Sea or Air Groups, a khaki shirt. Air Scouts wear Wedgewood Blue.
• Shorts or trousers: Khaki or dark blue for Air Scouts.
• Belt: Brown leather, Official pattern.
• Socks: Any plain colour, worn turned down below the knee
• Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
• Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on the right shoulder.

[edit] Organisation

[edit] Sections

The Baden-Powell Scout's Association retains the pre-Advance Party Report Scout sections, the traditional UK Scout sections^[12] developed by Baden-Powell^[13], to which Beavers were added in 1982. The Association is open to males and females in mixed and separate sections.

The sections (Beavers to Senior Scouts) are led by a Section Leader, who must hold a warrant for the position, aided by assistant leaders. Other adults who help run a section may be volunteers (such as parents of children in the Group), Instructors (Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rovers that have been trained to assist the leaders), and members of the Group Executive Committee who help operate the Group financially. Rover Crews mainly govern themselves, but are assisted by a Rover Scout Master who ensures that the Crew is working within the rules of the association.

Section	Ages	Controlled by	Activities
Beavers	5–8	Group	A program of outdoor activities, creative play, music, and cooperative games.
Wolf Cubs	7½–11	Group	Introduction to the Scouting skills needed for their future life in the Troop.
Scouts	10½–15	Group	The B-P Scouts follow much the same Training Scheme as laid down by Baden — Powell in Scouting For Boys.
Senior Scouts	15–18	Group	Increased emphasis on personal challenge and adventure. The St. George's Award is the highest gained.
Rover Scouts	18+	Group	The final stage in the system of training. The highest award is the Baden-Powell Award.

[edit] Group Branches

There are Air Scouts and the provision for Sea Scouts within the organisation. Both of these branches follow the same core programme as other Sections but add more aeronautical or nautical emphasis depending on the branch.

[edit] Child Protection

In common with other United Kingdom youth organisations all adults have to undergo extended criminal record checks since their introduction in 1997. New leaders are required to give personal references and complete an interview before taking an appointment. The B-PSA have a child protection officer and there is a full child protection policy in place equivalent to the Scout Association's 'yellow card'.^[14]

Each national association follows the child protection measures expected in their own country. BPSA Federation of Canada requires all adult volunteers to complete a Police Record Check, provide four personal references and complete a personal interview before appointment. Once appointed, volunteers must complete a four month probationary period where they may only work with young people under supervision of a Warranted Leader. Adults are also required to complete training appropriate to their role in the Group and report anyone who they consider may pose a danger to young people to the Council.^[15][16]

In Ireland, while the association has tried to keep the values of Scouting for Boys, the association has followed laws with regards to child protection. They have a chartered child protection policy for all their association and a child protection officer.^[17][18]

[edit] International Associations

[edit] Canada

The B-PSA Federation of Canada was established in Victoria, British Columbia in February 1996, originally as the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Canada (B-PSAC), rejecting the modernization of the Scout method by WOSM and Scouts Canada^[19][20] and sharing its aims with the other branches of the B-PSA. Membership is restricted to Independent Canadian Scouting Councils who follow the training programmes, ethics and morals of the Founder, and who accept the Federation by-laws and child protection policy. They are also required to take part in the democratic governance of the Federation.

The title "Scout" is no longer used by the Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada (BPSAFC), after Scouts Canada challenged the association and successfully argued that the word "Scout", in the context of a youth organization in Canada, is their trademark. Scouts Canada have also attempted to deny the B-PSAFC permission to use Baden-Powell's name as part of the 1999 action, and refused to accept BPSAFC members as Scouts, stating of Scout associations that "every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting"^[21], and noting policy statements of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) which states "Only one national Scout organization can be recognised in a country." ^[22]

The B-PSAFC stated that Baden-Powell originally intended for Scouts Patrols to operate in a range of organisations^[23], and that there are two WOSM Scout associations in Canada. Scouts Canada contests the existence of two WOSM assocations in Canada, clarifying their relationship with Association des Scouts du Canada to be one of an affiliation. Scouts Canada is the official WOSM organization which affiliates with the francophone organization.^[24]

Although the B-PSAFC, following Baden-Powell's 4th Scout Law, recognise and work with all like-minded Scouting associations, Scouts Canada refuses to allow their members to work with those of the B-PSA.^[25]

[edit] Sections in Canada

The Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada also has sections for each age range.

Section	Ages	Controlled by	Activities
Otters	5–8	Group	For 5 to 8 year olds.
Timber Wolves	7½–11	Group	For 8 to 11 year olds.
Explorers	10½–15	Group	For 11 to 15 year olds.
Senior Explorers	15–17	Group	The St. George Award is the highest available.
Rovers	18+	Group	For those over 18 who wish to remain in Scouting - with no upper age limit.

There are provision for Seafarers and Air Explorers, and a Lone Scouting Plan for children living in remote locations who would otherwise be unable to take part in Scouting.

[edit] Denmark

The Yellow Scouts of Denmark - Baden-Powell Scouts (De Gule Speijdere i Danmark) started on 25 February 1984, as "Det Danske Pige- og Drenge Spejderkorps", aiming to return to a more traditional scouting approach as a response to changes in the mainstream Danish scouting movement.^[26] In 1985 the name of the Association was changed to "De Gule Spejdere i Danmark - Baden-Powell spejderne". It currently has 12 Groups.^[27][28] In addition to being members of the World Federation of Independent Scouts they are members of the Danish Youth Council (DUF) which is an umbrella organization of democratic, community groups working with children and youth.

[edit] Sections in Denmark

Section	Ages	Controlled by	Activities
Ulvergrenen	7–10	Group	Based on the Junglebog (Jungle Book).
Stifindere	10–12	Group	Inspired by North American Indians, concentrating on outdoors and camping skills.
Spejdertroppen	12–18	Group	The main Scout section, based on the patrol system.
Pionererne	18–21	Group	This section is used to develop scouting and leadership skills.
Roverklanen	21+	Group	For those over 21 who wish to remain in Scouting - with no upper age limit.

[edit] Promise

On my honor I promise to do my best
To be faithful to my country,
Be helpful at all times
And to keep the Scout Law.

[edit] Scout Law

• En spejder er til et stol pa (A scout is to be trusted)
• En spejder er hjælpsom og en god kammerat (A scout is helpful and a good friend)
• En spejder er god mod dyr (A scout is good to animals)
• En spejder tager vanskeligheder med godt humør (A scout takes difficulties in a good mood)
• En spejder er ren i tanke, ord og handling (A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed)

[edit] Ghana

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association is active in Ghana. The Baden-Powell Scouts of Ghana operates in Accra, Ghana^[29]. It has a Beaver Lodge of 40, two Wolf Cub Packs of 30 and a Scout Troop of 48 members.^[30]

[edit] Ireland

Baden-Powell Scouts of Ireland
Country	Ireland
Website http://www.traditionalscouting.ie/

Baden Powell Scouts Association Ireland is a Scouting association in Ireland. Its headquarters are in Kimmage, Dublin 12, Republic of Ireland. BPSA Ireland is an affiliated body of the BPSA but is registered as a separate Charity organisation and Ltd Company in Ireland.

As an affiliated Association BPSA Ireland follows the same Policy Association Regulations as the BPSA. Some minor modifications occur to badge work – for example in the UK some badges make reference to Queen and Monarchy – BPSA Ireland will make reference to the President of Ireland or the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

They believe in Scouting as the founder envisaged, and it was from these ideals that a group of leaders, and Scouts came to form the Baden Powell Scouts of Ireland, previously having been an independent organisation of Scouts, known as The Christian Boy Scouts of Ireland.

[edit] Sections in Ireland

Sections in Ireland are the same as in the United Kingdom.

Section	Ages	Controlled by	Activities
Beavers	5–8	Group	Working towards the Dam Builder Award.
Wolf Cubs	7½–11	Group	Working towards the Leaping Wolf Award.
Scouts	10½–15	Group	Working towards the Scout Cord.
Senior Scouts	15–18	Group	Working towards the St. George's Award.
Rover Scouts	18+	Group	Working towards the Baden-Powell Award.

[edit] United States

The Baden-Powell Scout Association became a registered corporation in the United States of America in June 2002^[31], and was issued federal non-profit organization status, operating the 1st Tarrant Scout Group in Texas, notable as the first B-PSA group to operate in the United States.^[32] Although affiliated with the Baden-Powell Scouts Association they are not members of WFIS, as WFIS does not recognize the BPSA-USA program as traditional according to their standards. ^[33]

[edit] See also

• Brownsea Island Scout camp – the birthplace of World Scouting
• Humshaugh – location of Baden-Powell's first official Scout Camp

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Baden-Powell Scouts' Association
• Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Ireland
• Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada
• De Gule Spejdere i Danmark - Baden-Powell spejderne (auto-translation)
• Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Argentina
• Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Guatemala
• 1st Tarrant Scout Group, Texas

v • d • e Baden-Powell Scouts' Association   Organisation Beaver Scouts · Wolf Cubs · Scouts  · Senior Scouts  · Rover Scouts   Advancement and recognition St George's Award  · Baden-Powell Award   People Robert Baden-Powell  · Lawrie Dring

v • d • e Scouting and Guiding in the United Kingdom   Affiliated organisations The Scout Association · British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association · Girlguiding UK · European Scout Federation · Baden-Powell Scouts' Association   Non-affiliated and Scout-like organisations Boys' Brigade · Girls' Brigade · Royal Rangers · Pathfinder Scouts Association · Pathfinders   Alumni organisations International Scout and Guide Fellowship · Scout Fellowship · Student Scout and Guide Organisation · Scout and Guide Graduate Association ·   Historical organisations British Camp Fire Girls' Association   Countries, regions and territories England East Midlands · East of England · Greater London · North East England · North West England · South East England · South West England · West Midlands · Yorkshire and the Humber Scotland Scouting in Scotland Northern Ireland Scouting in Northern Ireland Wales Scouting in Wales Crown Dependencies Guernsey · Jersey · Isle of Man · Overseas Territories Anguilla · Bermuda · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Montserrat · Saint Helena and Ascension Island · Turks and Caicos Islands · British Virgin Islands Sovereign countries Antigua and Barbuda · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu

v • d • e Scouting and Guiding Topics   The Scouting Movement Scouting · Scouting for Boys · Scout method · Scout Law · Scout Promise · Scout Motto · Wood Badge · Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting · Ranger (Girl Guide) · Jamboree · Scout Leader · Non-aligned organisations · Scouting controversy and conflict · Scouting in popular culture · List of Scouts · List of highest awards in Scouting   Sections Age groups in Scouting and Guiding Beavers · Cub Scout · Boy Scout · Venture Scout · Rover Scout · Rainbow Guides · Brownie Guides · Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting · Ranger Air Scouts · Extension Scouting · Lone Scouts · Lone Guides · Sea Scout   Founders, pioneers, and notable leaders Robert Baden-Powell · Olave Baden-Powell · Agnes Baden-Powell · Daniel Carter Beard · Frederick Russell Burnham · William Hillcourt · László Nagy · Ernest Thompson Seton · J. S. Wilson   Prominent places Baden-Powell House · Brownsea Island · Edith Macy Conference Center · Foxlease · Gilwell Park · Kandersteg · Our Cabaña · Our Chalet · Pax Hill · Pax Lodge · Philmont · Sangam   International Scouting Confédération Européenne de Scoutisme · International Scout and Guide Fellowship · Order of World Scouts · Scouts-in-Exile · Union Internationale des Guides et Scouts d′Europe · World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts · World Federation of Independent Scouts · World Organization of the Scout Movement   Other Ging Gang Goolie · Oldest Scout Groups · Outdoor education · Religion in Scouting · Scout Spirit · ScoutLink · World Scout Moot