Pathfinder Scouts Association

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Pathfinder Scouts Association
Owner Rover Explorer Scouts Association
Country United Kingdom
Founded 1982

The Pathfinder Scouts Association (PSA) is an independent Traditional Scouting Association in the United Kingdom and International. The Association program runs along the lines of Baden-Powell's original Scouting for Boys. upholding the traditions and practice set out by BP.

History

1982 - 2009

The 'Explorer Scouts' and 'Pathfinder Scouts Association' had been a combined independent scout association from 1982 and registered as a youth organisation in Fulham, London. under the educational Charity Status of 'Walham Green Youth Council'. In the 1980's the members of The 'Explorer Scouts' and 'Pathfinder Scouts Association' joined the Baden Powell Scouts Association. In early 1992, some of the PSA leaders who had been members of Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA) joined the British Boy Scouts (BBS). After failing to gain agreement on many issues to do with traditional scouting, these members left the BBS group and set up 'The Pathfinder Scouts Association', which incorporated an adult section dealing with the training and building up of good leadership through the 'Rover Explorer Scout Association'.[1] The new Association was registered as a Charity at Law in September 1993, leaving behind the older name 'Explorer Scouts'.[2]

In 1995 the founding and Chief Commissioners of the PSA were Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and Steven Dudley-Coventry. After much disagreement about the quality of Scouting tradition, Ray O'Donnell-Hampton handed in his warrant and left the Association. The number of groups fell after the death of Dudley-Coventry and the Association's 'Scoutmasters Court of Honour' dissolved its charitable status without consultation with commissioners past or present . The Association was then officially wound up in April 1998, with the remaining badges being passed on, again without any consultation, to join the British Boy Scouts.

In 1999 Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and some of the older members of the previous association met and re-established the Pathfinder Scouts Association which was registered as a Charity in October 2003 under the umbrella of the 'Rover Explorer Scouts Association' (RESA).[3]

The Association quickly began to regain membership and had association with new members and groups including many lone Scouts' from around the world. There are membership, affiliations and associations in USA, Canada, South America, Australia, West Indies, Philippines, RESA Delta - Malaysia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Sri Lanka & Indonesia,[4] Holland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland.[5]

RESA and the Pathfinder Scouts Association had for a while divided into separate sections so that each was able to build its own area of expertise. From the change in the Chief Commissioner in Spring 2011, both sections have joined together and are now active around the world.[1] In 2011, Ray O'Donnell-Hampton Chief Commissioner Emeritus and retired - Adrian 'Adie' McDowell was awarded 4 bead Wood Badge - invested as 'Chief Commissioner PSA/RESA' on July 29 at 'The Den', IHQ in East of England.[1]

2003 - Present

In October 2003 the Bedfordshire Pathfinder affiliated members of the Pathfinder Scouts Association were registered with the Charity Commission, having the stated aims "to promote the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well being of children and young people aged between 5 - 18 years in Bedfordshire and other areas through the provision of Pathfinder Traditional Scouting activities. These include adventure based on Baden Powell's Scouting for Boys, sport and other recreational activities."[3] The Bedfordshire Pathfinder are affiliated to the Rover Explorer Scouts Association.[1]

Scout Law and Promise

The PSA & RESA Scout Law is derived from the original Scout Law, but written in verse:[1]

Trusty, loyal, helpful;
Brotherly, courteous, kind;
Obedient, smiling, thrifty;
Clean in body and mind.

Motto: Wolf Cubs - Do my Best, Scouts - Be Prepared, Rover Scouts - Service.

The PSA & RESA Scout Promise is:

On my honour I promise
to do my best to do my duty to
God and my Country
To help other people at all times
and to obey the scout Law.

Uniform requirements

The uniform worn by members of the PSA and RESA reflects that worn by all Scouts prior to the publication of the Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report by The Scout Association in 1969.[1]

  • Head gear: Beret, with the Association badge in front, or Campaign Hat.
  • Scarf: Of the Group Colours worn with a Woggle or a loose knot at the throat.
  • Shirt: Scouting 'land based' Green, khaki, Brown, Black. Sea Scouts Blue and Air scouts Grey.
  • Shorts or trousers: Green, khaki, Brown, Black.
  • Shoulder flash worn on the left shoulder of shirt displays Scouter Rank, Patrol name, Squire or Rover Scout.
  • Belt: Leather, Official pattern.
  • Socks: plain colour, worn turned down below the knee with garter tabs if wearing shorts.
  • Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
  • Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group.
  • Badge worn on the left shirt pocket displays the Association Badge (Tenderfoot).
  • Badge worn above the right shirt pocket displays the Country, District or Area.

Provision is also made for Marine Scouts & Air Scouts.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 RESA date link 2012 August
  2. ↑ Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 This has now become defunct due to changes in Charity Law (i.e.; Any charity not earning over £10.000 a year moves into different status under new charity laws).
  4. ↑ http://deltabp.webs.com/ RESA Delta
  5. ↑ Article on Independent Scouts in the United Kingdom
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