Baden-Powell Scouts' Association: Difference between revisions

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 1907, [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|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.<ref> [http://www.tac-bsa.org/bpbook.pdf Baden-Powell and the Beginnings of the World Scout Movement] </ref>

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.

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.   

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.

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:

# A Scout's honour is to be trusted

# A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.

# A Scout is thrifty.

10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.  

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.

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

* Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on the right shoulder.

The Baden-Powell Scout's Association retains the pre-Advance Party Report Scout sections, the traditional UK Scout sections<ref> [http://www.scouting.milestones.btinternet.co.uk/ Scouting Milestones, Rover Scouts - Scouting for Men] </ref> developed by Baden-Powell<ref> [http://badenpowellscoutsireland.com/seniorscoutintro.htm B-PSA Ireland, Senior Scouts - Scouting for Men] </ref>, to which Beavers were added in 1982. The Association is open to males and females in mixed and separate sections.

| Introduction to the Scouting skills needed for their future life in the Troop.

|-

| 10½–15

| Group

|}

There are [[Air Scouts]] and the provision for [[Sea Scout]]s 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.

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

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.<ref>[http://www.traditionalscouting.co.uk/ghana.htm Baden-Powell Scouts' of Ghana advert]</ref>

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.

The Baden-Powell Scout Association became a registered corporation in the United States of America in June 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/servlet/cpa.app.coa.CoaGetTp?Pg=tpid&Search_Nm=Baden-Powell%20Scout%20Association%20&Button=search&Search_ID=13000856636 |title=Texas Public Accounts |accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref>, 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1sttarrantbpscouts.org/ |title=1st Tarrant Group, Baden-Powell Scouts |accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref>

*[http://www.traditionalscouting.ie/ Traditional Scouting Site Ireland]

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

*[http://www.badenpowell.com.ar/ Official Site Argentina]

*[http://www.geocities.com/c_isf/ Official Site Canada]

[[Category:Non-aligned Scouting organizations]]

[[fr:Baden-Powell scouts association]]