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BPSA in Canada | |||
---|---|---|---|
Country | Canada | ||
Founded | 1996 | ||
Affiliation | World Federation of Independent Scouts | ||
Website http://www.bpsa-canada.org/ | |||
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.
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.
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:
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:
The Baden-Powell Service Association in Canada has sections for each age range. [3]
Section | Ages | Controlled by | Activities |
---|---|---|---|
Otters | 5–7 | Group | Swimming Otter is the highest available |
Timber Wolves | 8–11 | Group | Leaping Wolf is the highest available |
Explorers/Seafarers | 11–15 | Group | |
Senior Explorers/Senior Seafarers | 15–17 | Group | The St. George Award is the highest available. |
Rovers | 18+ | Group | No 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]
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]
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]
The Scout movement, also known as Scouting or the Scouts, is a voluntary non-political educational movement for young people. Although it requires an oath of allegiance to a nation's political leaders and, in some countries, to a God, it otherwise allows membership without distinction of gender, race or origin in accordance with the principles of its founder, Lord Baden-Powell. The purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. During the first half of the twentieth century, the movement grew to encompass three major age groups for boys: Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Rover Scout. In 1910, the Girl Guides was created, encompassing three major age groups for girls: Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout and Ranger Guide. It is one of several worldwide youth organizations.
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.
Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with Scouting for young children usually between 5 and 12, depending on the national organization to which they belong. A participant in the program is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a 'Pack'.
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association providing programs for young people, aged 5 to 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 (WOSM). 2015-16 youth membership stands at 61,438, a 5% decline from 64,693 in 2014-15. Over the same period, volunteer numbers stabilized with 20,717 in 2015 and 20,756 in 2016. This is a significant decline from its 1965 peak of 288,084 youth and 33,524 volunteers.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organizations in 150 countries. It was established in 1928 in Parád, Hungary, and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). WAGGGS is organized into five regions and operates five international Guiding centers. It holds full member status in the European Youth Forum (YFJ), which operates within the Council of Europe and European Union areas and works closely with these bodies.
The three-finger salute is used by members of Scout and Guide organizations around the world when greeting other Scouts and in respect of a national flag at ceremonies. In most situations, the salute is made with the right hand, palm face out, the thumb holding down the little finger, and with the fingertips on the brow of the head. There are some variations of the salute between national Scouting organizations and also within some programme sections.
Scouts South Africa is the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) recognised Scout association in South Africa. Scouting began in the United Kingdom in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell and rapidly spread to South Africa, with the first Scout troops appearing in 1908. South Africa has contributed many traditions and symbols to World Scouting.
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.
Rover Scouts, Rovers, Rover Scouting or Rovering is a Scouting program for adult men and women. A group of Rovers is called a 'Rover Crew'.
The Scout and Guide movement in Canada is served by many separate organizations, some with various national and international affiliations.
The Scout method is the informal educational system used by Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America. The aim of Scouting is character training with the goal of helping participants become independent and helpful, and thereby become "healthy, happy, helpful citizens".
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.
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.
Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method that has been practiced differently and given different interpretations 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.
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 Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA), or B-P Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scout and Guide Movement in several countries. Although, with the withdrawal of the Rover Section from most Scout Associations it has become a less common award, it is still awarded by Guide and Scout Associations in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, and in World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS) associations in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Baden-Powell Service Association (BPSA) is a co-ed scouting organization in the United States that takes its name from the Scouting movement founder, Robert Baden-Powell. The BPSA is a member of the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS).