B-PSA Federation of Canada

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B-PSA Federation of Canada
B-PSA Federation of Canada
Country Canada
Founded 1996
Affiliation World Federation of Independent Scouts
Website
http://www.bpsa-canada.org/

Scouting portal

The B-PSA Federation of Canada was established in Victoria, British Columbia in February 1996, originally as the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Canada (B-PSAC), rejecting the modernization of the Scout method by WOSM and Scouts Canada[1][2] and sharing its aims with the other branches of 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.

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 Timber Wolves. They use the Grand Howl at the beginning of Timber Wolf meetings and for Explorers and Senior Explorers they use the same ranks as in Scouting for Boys with Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, First Class, Scout Cord, etc. Once an Explorer is invested Lord Baden-Powell believed that he would continue to live the Scout Law. This law is kept by Explorers from the age of ten and Adult Leaders must renew their promise on regular occasions:

  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 the orders of his patrol leader or scout master without question.
  8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
  9. A Scout is thrifty.
  10. A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed.

The B-PSA Federation of Canada holds 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. The traditional programme also develops a sense of duty, personal discipline, and honour. Explorers in the B-PSA Federation of Canada practise traditional Scouting skills:

  • lighting fire by friction
  • navigating by means other than a compass

Sections

The Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada has sections for each age range.

Section Ages Controlled by Activities
Otters 5–8 Group For 5 to 8 year olds.
Timber Wolves 7½–11 Group For 8 to 11 year olds.
Explorers 10½–15 Group For 11 to 15 year olds.
Senior Explorers 15–17 Group The St. George Award is the highest available.
Rovers 18+ Group For those over 18 who wish to remain in Scouting — with no upper age limit.

There are provisions 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.

Child protection

BPSA Federation of Canada requires all adult volunteers to complete a Police Record Check, provide four personal references and complete a personal interview before the appointment. Once appointed, volunteers must complete a four-month probationary period where they may only work with young people under the supervision of a Warranted Leader. Adults are also required to complete training appropriate to their role in the Group and report anyone who they consider may pose a danger to young people to the Council.[3][4]

Controversy

The title "Scout" is no longer used by the Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada (BPSAFC), after Scouts Canada challenged the association and successfully argued that the word "Scout", in the context of a youth organization in Canada, is their trademark. Scouts Canada has also attempted to deny the B-PSAFC permission to use Baden-Powell's name as part of the 1999 action, and refused to accept BPSAFC members as Scouts, stating of Scout associations that "every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting"[5], and noting policy statements of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) which states "Only one national Scout organization can be recognised in a country." [6]

The B-PSAFC stated that Baden-Powell originally intended for Scouts Patrols to operate in a range of organisations[7], and that there are two WOSM Scout associations in Canada. Scouts Canada contests the existence of two WOSM associations in Canada, clarifying their relationship with Association des Scouts du Canada to be one of an affiliation. Scouts Canada is the official WOSM organization that affiliates with the francophone organization.[6]

Although the B-PSAFC, following Baden-Powell's 4th Scout Law, recognise and work with all like-minded Scouting associations, Scouts Canada refuses to allow their members to work with those of the B-PSA.[8]

References


External links