Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

Infobox WorldScouting
name =Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

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type = Organization
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f-date = 1970
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chiefscouttitle =President
chiefscout =Lawrie Dring
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website = [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/ BPSA]
affiliation =World Federation of Independent Scouts
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The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association ("B-PSA") 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, Argentina, Malaysia, Germany, Denmark, Ghana and Canada have traditional organisations that are members of 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. [ [http://www.wfis-europe.org/en/members.html World Federation of Independent Scout Organisations] ]

History

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. [ [http://www.tac-bsa.org/bpbook.pdf Baden-Powell and the Beginnings of the World Scout Movement] ]

In 1908 he published a series of magazines, "Scouting for Boys", which suggested activities that existing youth organisations could make use of. cite web |url= http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/history/|title= The History of Scouting|accessdate=2007-08-18 |publisher= ScoutBase] 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.

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. [ [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom] ]

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. [ [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom] ] . As with The Scout Association, the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association has shown subsequent growth in numbers with the opening of new groups [http://www.fakenhamlancasterscouts.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=43 New B-PSA Group] .

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

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 - the event marked 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. [ [http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/news_at_a_glance/1.226053 News report on Jamboree 2008] ]

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

United Kingdom

Simply known as the B-PSA, 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. [ [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom] ] The subsequent rejection of this document led to the formation of The Baden-Powell Scout Association in 1970.

ections in the UK

The B-PSA Movement in the UK retains the pre-Advance Party Report Scout sections, the traditional UK Scout sections [ [http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/ Scouting Milestones, Rover Scouts - Scouting for Men] ] developed by Baden-Powell [ [http://badenpowellscoutsireland.com/seniorscoutintro.htm B-PSA Ireland, Senior Scouts - Scouting for Men] ] , to which Beavers were added in the 1980's. The Association is open to males and females in mixed and separate sections.

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

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'. [ [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/policychild.pdf Child protection Policy] ]

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.

Australia

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association (Baden-Powell Movement in Australia) was established in Australia in May 1984. In January 1990 the branch became legally incorporated in South Australia. Baden-Powell Scouts Australia is independent 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. The Baden-Powell Movement in Australia has a number of sections catering for a wide age range. There are essentially the same as in the UK, with Beavers being replaced by Joeys, Wolf Cubs are simply Cubs and Senior Scouts are Venturers. [ [http://www.geocities.com/brianadr/Home.htm Australia] ]

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.

ections in Canada

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

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.

Denmark

The Baden-Powell Scouts of Denmark (De Gule Speijdere i Danmark) has 12 Groups. [ http://www.wfis-europe.org/wordpress/?page_id=39&language=en World Federation of Independent Scouts - Europe - Baden-Powell Scouts of Denmark} ] [ [http://www.gulspejder.dk/ De Gule Speijdere i Danmark] ]

Ghana

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association is active in Ghana. The Baden-Powell Scouts of Ghana operates in Acyra, Ghana. It has a Beaver Lodge of 40, two Wolf Cub Packs of 30 and a Scout Troop of 48 members.Fact|date=May 2008

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".

ections in Ireland

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

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. [ [http://www.traditionalscouting.ie/ Traditional Scouting Site Ireland] ] [ [http://badenpowellscoutsireland.com/ Official Site Baden Powell Scouts Ireland] ]

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, operating the 1st Tarrant Scout Group in Texas, notable as the first B-PSA group to operate in the United States. [cite web |url=http://www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ |title=1st Tarrant Group, Baden-Powell Scouts |accessdate=2008-01-14]

In 2006 the Baden Powell Scouts were formed. They operate groups in Florida, Missouri and Connecticut, [cite web |url=http://3rd.bpscouting.org/index.htm|title= 3rd Charter Oak Rover Crew |accessdate=2008-01-14] with lone Scouts supported by them in 12 states. They claim to be affiliated to the "Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of England". [ [http://www.bpscouting.org/about.htm Baden-Powell Scouting in USA] ]

ee also

Scouting Sections
organization=Baden-Powell Scouts' Association
sectionA=Beaver Scouts
sectionB=Wolf Cubs
sectionC=Scouts
sectionD=Senior Scouts
|sectionE=Rover Scouts

References

External links

* [http://www.traditionalscouting.ie/ Ireland]
* [http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/ UK]
* [http://www.badenpowell.com.ar/ Official Site Argentina]
* [http://www.geocities.com/bpsa_canada/ Official Site Canada]
* [http://www.scoutsbpguate.org Official Site Guatemala]
* [http://www.bpscouting.org/ Baden Powell Scouts (USA)]
* [http://www.irishscoutbadges.com Irish Scout Badge website maintained by Kiernan Gildea]
* [http://www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ 1st Tarrant Cout Group, Texas]