Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

Membership badge of the United Kingdom Baden-Powell Scouts

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National Logo of Baden Powell Scouts Ireland

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association (BPSA) is a youth organisation found in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting was the catalyst for the Traditional Scouting movement and their founders are amongst the founders of the Traditional Scouting Movement. So far, only the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada have traditional organisations that are official members of the Baden-Powell Scouts Association (BPSA).

The Baden-Powell Scouts believe in the more traditional way of Scouting and closely follow the program set out by Baden-Powell in his book: Scouting for Boys.

The organisation shares the heritage of the youth Scouting Movement. It was formed in the United Kingdom in 1970 (allegedly with the approval of only one member of the Baden-Powell family) when it was felt that other Scout Movements were abandoning the traditions and intentions established 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 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 and the aim of Scouting is to improve the standard of our future citizens with the object of using their efficiency for service for their fellow men.

Despite the name, BPSA was obviously never sanctioned by Baden-Powell, who died in 1941. In fact, while he was alive, he always objected to national associations using his name in their denomination. He only allowed one exception being Les Scouts - Fédération Catholique des Scouts Baden-Powell de Belgique (now shorted to just Les Scouts) to this rule (see Scouting in Belgium). Baden-Powell strongly opposed to any similar association not linked to his own (see his relationship with Sir Francis Vane in the article about Baden Powell) and saw Scouting as one organisation for all youth around the world and was afraid splintering would lead to many different organisations that would not share his views.

The national associations are generally members of the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS), but not all of them are.

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 they would continue to live the Scout Law. This law is kept by Scouts from the age of 10 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 programmmes and wear traditional uniforms.

United Kingdom

BPSA UK is the main Head Quarters for Baden-Powell Scouts (simply known as BPSA). The BPSA was formed at least partly in reaction to the UK Scout Association's Advance Party Report (1966), which resulted in substantial changes to British Scouting, causing some British Scouts and Scouters to seek alternatives they felt were closer to Baden-Powell's original program. The organisation retains the traditional sections of Wolf Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts, to which Beaver Scouts have been added in recent years for the 5 to 8 age range. In the UK and Ireland the association is open to both males and females, and in mixed and separate sections.

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, having previously been known as the Independent Scout Organisation called The Christian Boy Scouts of Ireland. 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.

Australia

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association 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 250 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. Frank Payne is now responsible for all Australian Baden-Powell Scouts, being designated by the UK Association as Chief Commissioner for Australia. It is now active in:

• South Australia
• Tasmania
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• Western Australia

The Baden-Powell Scouting 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.

Baden-Powell Movement in Australia Sections

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 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 Sothern 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).

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.

Sections

• Beaver Scouts 5-8 years
• Wolf Cubs 8-10½ years
• Scouts 10½-15 years
• Senior Scouts 15-17 years
• Rover Scouts 17+ years

References

• Traditional Scouting Site Ireland
• Traditional Scouting Site United Kingdom
• Official Site Baden Powell Scouts Ireland
• Official Site Argentina
• Official Site Canada
• Official Site Australia
• World Federation of Independent Scout Organisations
• Official Scouting Ireland Website
• Irish Scout Badge website maintained by Kiernan Gildea

External links

• Argentina
• Canada
• Ireland
• UK
• Australia