Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

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Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

Organizational data
Founded 1970
President Lawrie Dring
Website BPSA
Affiliation World Federation of Independent Scouts
Scouting Scouting portal

The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA) is a youth organisation found in the UK with affiliations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses on the importance of tradition in the Scout movement.The United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Argentina, United States and Canada have traditional organisations that are members of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA).

The Baden-Powell Scouts believe in a more traditional way of Scouting and closely follow 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 BPSA, a British Scouter with the independent Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA). 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

[edit] History

[edit] 1907-1969

The Baden-Powell Scout Association shares the heritage of the youth Scouting Movement. 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]

In 1908 he published a series of magazines, Scouting for Boys, which suggested activities that existing youth organisations could make use of. [3] 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 Advance Party Report, which introduced major changes to the uniform, sections and programme.

[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. As a result of the discussions, the whole organisation factioned into two groups on 20th 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. [4]

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, three leaders from 22nd Waltham Forest Baden-Powell Scout Group in the UK [5] were jailed for peodophile activities. The number of leaders involved; although on the face of it few and no more than in the main Scout Association; appeared disproportionate to the number of groups in the UK and media reports made it seem as if this type of person had infiltrated the organisation in large numbers.[6] As a result of these news reports, the number of Groups had dropped to around 40 in 2001.[7] Partly as a consequence of this case, the 1997 Police Act introduced a Criminal Conviction Certificates system to assist organisations such as the Baden-Powell Scout Association to safeguard young people.[8]

The BPSA celebrated 100 years of Scouting in 2007.

[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 supranational 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] United Kingdom

Simply known as the BPSA, the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association was formed at least partly in reaction to the UK Scout Association's Advance Party Report (1966), a document which resulted in substantial changes to the Boy Scouts Association. Some Scouts and Scouters sought to address the changes through a separate report The Black Report, which sought alternatives closer to Baden-Powell's original program.[9] The subsequent rejection of this document led to the formation of The Baden-Powell Scout Association in 1970.

[edit] Sections in the UK

The Baden-Powell Movement in the UK retains the traditional Scout sections, to which Beavers were added in the 1990s. The Association is open to males and females in mixed and separate sections.

  • Beavers - For young people in lower primary.
  • Wolf Cubs - Based on the Jungle book Stories, Wolf Scouts are in upper primary school.
  • Scouts - Lower secondary school or until the first class badge is gained.
  • Senior Scouts - This is for those in upper secondary school. The St. George's Award is the highest gained.
  • Rover Section - This section caters for those over the age of 18 who wish to continue in Scouting. The highest award is the Baden-Powell Award, otherwise an obsolete award in UK scouting.

There are Air Scouts and the provision for Sea Scouts within the organisation.

[edit] Child Protection

In common with other youth organisations all adults involved have to undergo extended criminal record checks since their introduction in 1997. There is a full child protection policy in place equivalent to the Scout Association's 'yellow card'.[10]

[edit] UK Uniform

  • 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] Ireland

National Logo of Baden Powell Scouts Ireland
National Logo of Baden Powell Scouts Ireland

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.

[edit] Child Protection

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.[11] [12]

[edit] Australia

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association (Baden-Powell Movement in Australia) was established in Australia in May 1984 and is a registered branch of the parent Association in the UK and in January 1990 the branch became legally incorporated in South Australia. Baden-Powell Scouts Australia is not in any way part of Scouts Australia. Baden-Powell Scouts started in Australia in two isolated places, each without the knowledge of the other. The earlier one was in Tasmania, and the other was in Adelaide.

Baden-Powell Scouts in South Australia is now about 500 members strong, comprising three groups in the metropolitan Adelaide area. The one group of about 40 in Tasmania is also part of the same association. There are 6 groups in New South Wales and 1 in Queensland Frank Payne is now responsible for all Australian Baden-Powell Scouts, being designated by the UK Association as Chief Commissioner for Australia.[13]

The Baden-Powell Movement in Australia welcomes people with Physical, Intellectual or Social disadvantages, the policy of this Association is to integrate all people with special needs into the main stream, being prepared to adapt and modify the program to meet individual needs whenever necessary.

[edit] Sections in Australia

The Baden-Powell Movement in Australia has a number of sections catering for a wide age range.

  • Koalas -For young people in lower Primary.
  • Wolf Cubs - Based on the Jungle book Stories, Wolf Scouts are in upper primary school.
  • Scouts - Lower secondary school or until the first class badge is gained.
  • Senior Scouts - This is for those in upper Secondary School. The Southern Cross Award is the highest gained.
  • Rover Section - In the Baden-Powell Movement there are three phases Training (Young Adults 17 to 26) Service (Adults 27 to 50) Active Retirees ( 50 Plus).

There are provision for Sea Scouts (Seafarers) and Air Scouts (Aviators).

[edit] Australian Uniform

  • Cap: Blue with the Section badge in front.
  • Scarf: Of the Group colour worn with a woggle or a loose knot at the throat.
  • Shirt: In non Seafarer or Aviator Groups, Koalas wear a grey shirt.
  • Shorts or trousers: Dark blue, green or grey.
  • Belt: Brown leather, Official pattern.
  • Socks: Any plain colour, worn turned down below the knee
  • Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
  • Shoulder patch: Small circular embroidered patch (the colour of the Lodge), sewn at the top of the left sleeve, immediately below the shoulder.
  • Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on the right shoulder or on both, according to the custom of the Group.

[edit] Canada

The B-PSA Canada Federation was established in Victoria, British Columbia, in February 1996, and shares its aims with the other branches on 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.

[edit] Sections in Canada

The Baden-Powell Movement in Canada also has sections for each age range.

  • Otters -For 5 to 8 year olds.
  • Timber Wolves - For 8 to 11 year olds.
  • Explorers - For 11 to 15 year olds.
  • Senior Explorers - For 15 to 17 year olds. The St. George Award is the highest available.
  • Rover Section - 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] United States

The Baden-Powell Scout Association became a registered corporation in the United States of America in June 2002, and was issued federal non-profit organization status. The corporation is working to bring together Baden-Powell groups from across the United States. The Baden-Powell Scout Association, a Texas corporation, was granted the USA National Charter by the parent organization in the United Kingdom.

[edit] See also

Scouting Portal


[edit] References

  1. ^ World Federation of Independent Scout Organisations
  2. ^ Baden-Powell and the Beginnings of the World Scout Movement
  3. ^ The History of Scouting. ScoutBase. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
  4. ^ Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom
  5. ^ BBC news article on jailing for former leaders
  6. ^ The Independent Scout Movement 1970s onwards
  7. ^ Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom
  8. ^ Section V, Police Act 1997
  9. ^ Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom
  10. ^ Child protection Policy
  11. ^ Traditional Scouting Site Ireland
  12. ^ Official Site Baden Powell Scouts Ireland
  13. ^ Official Site Baden Powell Movement in Australia

[edit] External links