Baden-Powell Scouts' Association: Difference between revisions

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, Argentina, Malaysia, Germany, Denmark, Ghana and Canada have traditional organisations that are members of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA).  

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 [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|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.<ref> [http://www.wfis-europe.org/en/members.html World Federation of Independent Scout Organisations] </ref>

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

The BPSA celebrated 100 years of Scouting in 2007, issuing centenary badges and holding their own Centenary Camp.  In 2008 the Association marked the centenary of the first official Scout Camp held by Baden-Powell with a Jamboree Camp and ceremonies at Hexham Priory and the original Carr Edge camp site.<ref> [http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/news_at_a_glance/1.226053 News report on Jamboree 2008] </ref>

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:

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 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.

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 the Queen and Monarchy – BPSA Ireland will make reference to the President of Ireland or the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.