BP Service Association in Canada

Last updated
BPSA in Canada
B-PSA Federation of Canada.svg
Country Canada
Founded1996
Affiliation World Federation of Independent Scouts
Website
http://www.bpsa-canada.org/
WikiProject Scouting fleur-de-lis dark.svg  Scouting portal

The BPSA in Canada was established in Victoria, British Columbia in 1996 as The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Canada (B-PSAC), rejecting the perceived modernization of the Scout method by Scouts Canada and sharing its aims with the other branches of the B-PSA. [1] It is affiliated with the World Federation of Independent Scouts. The association was incorporated in British Columbia in 2000.

Contents

Organization

The BPSA in Canada is a federation of independent provincial Traditional Scouting associations, [2] comprising

Membership is restricted to independent Canadian Scouting councils who follow the training programmes, ethics and morals of Robert Baden-Powell, and who accept the association's by-laws and child protection policy.

Training programme

The training programme of the BPSA in Canada follows the model developed by Baden-Powell in Scouting For Boys (1908), The Wolf Cub's Handbook (1916) and Rovering to Success (1922). The associations claim to use the same badge system, ranks and uniform that were worn by Scouts nearly 100 years[ when? ] ago, following a charter set down in their Policy Organization and Rules.[ citation needed ]

The main policy is Traditional Scouting[ citation needed ] – which is taking Baden-Powell's 10 Scout Laws and using them, the same rank system Baden-Powell 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.[ citation needed ]

The programme is intended to develop a sense of duty, personal discipline and honour.[ citation needed ] Explorers in the BPSA in Canada practice traditional Scouting skills such as:

Scout Law

This Law is kept by Explorers from the age of eleven and up. Adult leaders must renew their promise on regular occasions and are expected to continue to live according to the Scout Law:

  1. A Scout's honour is to be trusted
  2. A Scout is Loyal.
  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.
  5. A Scout is Courteous.
  6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
  7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, patrol leader or Scoutmaster 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.

Sections

The Baden-Powell Service Association in Canada has sections for each age range. [3]

SectionAgesControlled byActivities
Otters5–7GroupSwimming Otter is the highest available
Timber Wolves8–11GroupLeaping Wolf is the highest available
Explorers/Seafarers11–15Group
Senior Explorers/Senior Seafarers15–17GroupThe St. George Award is the highest available.
Rovers18+GroupNo upper age limit. B-P Award is the highest available.

There are Seafarers (Sea Scouts), and a Lone Scouting plan for children living in remote locations who would otherwise be unable to take part in Scouting. [3]

Child protection

The BPSA in Canada requires all adult volunteers to complete a vulnerable sector criminal record check, provide four personal references and complete a personal interview before appointment. Once appointed, volunteers must complete a four-month probationary period where they may only work with young people under 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 governing BPSA council. [4]

Controversies

The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Canada was incorporated on June 19, 1998 (Canada corporation number 350552-9). It started in Alberta under Kerry John Patrick Conlin, who was warranted as the Provincial Commissioner on December 28, 1998. From Alberta, Branches sprung up in Ontario, and BC, which had already started a traditional Scout movement, joined the fledgling Association. During that initial year, Mr. Mitch Rasmussen was made the Provincial Commissioner for Alberta and Kerry John Patrick Conlin was made the Branch Commissioner. Shortly thereafter, Scouts Canada initiated an "Allegation of Confusion" regarding the use of the word "Scout" in its title. On February 16, 2000, the corporation was renamed to "BPSA Canada". This corporation was dissolved on May 11, 2015. The BPSA-BC was incorporated in 2000.

Because BC and Ontario Provincial Commissioners were not willing to compromise to the degree Alberta was, there was a fracturing of the National Association. Provincial Branches broke away from Alberta, and BC and Ontario linked up to reform a "traditional style" Scouting program without the use of the word "Scout".

In 1999, the reformed Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada (B-PSAFC) was ordered by Industry Canada "to take the word 'scout' out of its title." Scouts Canada also sought for the removal of the name Baden Powell, going on to say "...there's one scouting association in Canada, one in the world, every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting..." because "[Baden Powell] felt anything else would dilute the program, cause confusion and hurt the programs for young people." [5] The World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) website reinforces this policy which states, "There can only be one [National Scout Organizations] per country." [6]

According to B-PSAFC,[ citation needed ] Baden-Powell's original intention for Scouts Patrols to operate in a range of organizations and that there are two WOSM Scout associations in Canada. Scouts Canada contests[ citation needed ] 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 which affiliates with the francophone organization. [6]

Although the BPSA in Canada, in accord with Baden-Powell's 4th Scout Law, aim to recognize and work with all like-minded Scouting associations, [7] Scouts Canada forbade their members to join activities with members or groups of the BPSA, citing missing insurance coverage, or permit them to use Scouts Canada properties. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouting</span> Worldwide youth movement

Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth social movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and encouraging equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baden-Powell Scouts' Association</span> Voluntary Scouting association for young people

The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA) is a worldwide youth organisation originating in the United Kingdom, with friendly relationships with similar traditional scouting organisations in various countries. Baden-Powell Scouting focuses on the importance of tradition in the scout movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cub Scout</span> Scouting program for young people

Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programmes associated with Scouting for young children usually between 8 and 12, depending on the organisation to which they belong. A participant in the programme is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a "Pack".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouts Canada</span> Canadian Scouting association

Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association providing programs for young people, between the ages of 5 and 26, with the stated aim "To help develop well rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world". Scouts Canada, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. In 2021–22, youth membership stood at 33,899, a 48% decline from 64,693 in 2014–15. Over the same period, volunteer numbers also declined 43%, from 20,717 in 2015 to 11,765 in 2022. Scouts Canada has declined significantly in size since its peak: youth membership is down 82% from 288,084 in 1965 and volunteer numbers are down 50% from 33,524 in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campaign hat</span> Broad-brimmed felt or straw hat, with a high crown, pinched symmetrically at the four corners

A campaign hat, sometimes called campaign cover, is a broad-brimmed felt or straw hat, with a high crown, pinched symmetrically at the four corners. The campaign hat is occasionally referred to as a Stetson, derived from its origin in the company's Boss of the Plains model in the late 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rover Scout</span> Scouting organization

Rover Scouts, Rovers, Rover Scouting or Rovering is a program associated with some Scouting organizations for adult men and women. A group of Rovers is called a 'Rover Crew'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouting and Guiding in Canada</span> Scouting and Guiding movement in Canada

The Scout and Guide movement in Canada is served by many separate organizations, some with various national and international affiliations.

Traditional Scouting is "old-fashioned" or "back to basics" Scouting in some form, often with an emphasis on woodcraft and scoutcraft activities. As a pluralist movement, there is no one set definition for the term, but most traditionalists share a common set of values and procedures. Traditionalists aim to return the Scout Movement to something approximating its original style and activities; rejecting the trend of modernizing the program in an attempt to widen its appeal and/or use the name "Scouts" for new programs for ever-younger children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scout method</span> Informal educational system used by Scouts

The Scout method is the informal educational system used in the Scouting Movement. The aim of Scouting is character training with the goal of helping participants become independent and helpful, and thereby become "healthy, happy, helpful citizens".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scout leader</span> Trained adult leader of a Scout unit

A Scout leader or Scouter generally refers to the trained adult leader of a Scout unit. The terms used vary from country to country, over time, and with the type of unit.

Scouting and Guiding in Ontario has a long history. Although there is some dispute about the founding of the first Scouting Group, both 1st Merrickville and 1st St. Catharines Scout Group have a documented existence from 1908. In 1955, the 8th World Scout Jamboree was held at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Scouting continues in Ontario to the present day, serving thousands of youths in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Scouting in Manitoba has a long history, from the 1900s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pathfinder Scouts Association</span>

The Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts' Association (P-RESA) is an independent Traditional Scouting Association in the United Kingdom, with International branches. The Association's training programme runs along the lines of Baden-Powell's original Scouting for Boys, upholding the traditions and practices set out by B-P, using the 1938 Boy Scouts' Association Policy Organisation & Rules (POR) as its basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrie Dring</span> British scouting leader

Lawrence 'Lawrie' Dring was a British Scouter who was one of the founding members of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA) and of the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS). He was President of the BPSA at the time of his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion in Scouting</span>

Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method that has been practiced differently and given different interpretations in different parts of the world over the years.

Non-aligned Scouting organizations is a term used by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and their member national organizations to refer to Scouting organizations that are not affiliated with them. See List of non-aligned Scouting organizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouting controversy and conflict</span> Controversy within the youth movement

There are various controversies and conflicts that involve the Scouting movement. Scouting has sometimes become entangled in social controversies such as in nationalist resistance movements in India. Scouting was introduced to Africa by British officials as an instrument of colonial authority but became a subversive challenge to the legitimacy of British imperialism as Scouting fostered solidarity amongst African Scouts. There are also controversies and challenges within the Scout Movement itself such as current efforts to turn Scouts Canada into a democratic organization.

The Scout and Guide movement in Malta is served by three organizations:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baden-Powell Award</span> Highest award achievable to Rover (adult) Scouts

The Baden-Powell Award, also known as the B-P Award or Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA), is the highest award achievable to Rover (adult) Scouts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outdoor Service Guides</span> Inclusive, co-ed scouting organization in the United States

Outdoor Service Guides (OSG) is an inclusive, co-ed scouting organization in the United States. OSG accepts scouts without regard to gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, economic circumstances, religion, or other differentiating factors. OSG seeks to welcome communities who have been traditionally underserved by Scouting, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and females.

References

  1. ↑ "Association History". B-PSA British Columbia. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Canadian Scout Associations". Scoutdocs. March 1, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Section information". BPSA Ontario. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Leader Screening". BPSA British Columbia. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Scouts organization ordered to change name". CBC News. December 8, 1999. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Scout Organisations". World Organization of the Scout Movement. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Welcome to the BP Service Association!". BPSA British Columbia. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  8. ↑ "BPSA letter" (PDF). Scouts Canada. September 10, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.