Pathfinder Scouts Association

Last updated
Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts' Association
Pathfinder Scouts Association.png
CountryUnited Kingdom
Founded1982
FounderRay O'Donnell-Hampton
Chief CommissionerAdrian McDowell
Website
https://rolandphilippsrovercrew.weebly.com/, http://resa-ihq.ning.com/
WikiProject Scouting fleur-de-lis dark.svg  Scouting portal

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.

Contents

The Crossed Arrows

Along with the Fleur-de-Lis, the arrow has been a long used symbol within Scouting.

The British Boy Scouts used the arrow symbol as an important part of their badges. In the Gloucestershire Chronicle dated 19th November 1910, Capt.L.C.Hobbs, The BBS Gloucester Commissioner, gave the following response when asked why every BBS badge has an arrow running through it:

"An arrow, forms an important part in the British Boy Scout badges, because an arrow is used for indicating direction; and, as this the duty of a Scout, the arrow is an appropriate symbol. An arrow is also straight and true: sharp and quick-qualities all Scouts should possess."

At the 1929 World Jamboree in Arrowe Park, Baden-Powell presented four Golden Arrows to representatives from the four corners of the Globe, saying "Carry it fast and carry it far".

In modern heraldry, crossed arrows have come to represent friendship, peace, unity, and cooperation.

It is for these very reasons, that we use the crossed arrows within our association.

Organisation

Sections

SectionAges
Beavers6 - 8
Wolf Cubs8 - 11
Pathfinder Scouts11 - 18
Rover Explorer Scouts18+

Beavers

Beavers are the youngest and newest section in Scouting, although some Groups do not operate Beaver colonies as they were not part of Baden-Powell's original concept. Beavers was one of the initial names Baden-Powell considered for the Wolf Cub section. The programme serves six to eight year olds, and is based on the Canadian Beaver Scout handbook Friends of the Forest.

Beaver Law and Oath

The Beaver Oath is:

I promise to do my best,
to obey my Leaders and my parents
to love God and to be a good Otter.

The Beaver Law is:

A Beaver is always busy and bright
is a friend to all and helps other people
by doing a good turn every day.

Motto: "Beavers" - Always Busy and Bright

Beaver Uniform

Beaver Proficiency Badges

The general scheme of Beaver proficiency badges is as follows:-

Four special proficiency badges;

Two additional proficiency badges;

Wolf Cubs

In 1916, Lord Baden-Powell set up Wolf Cubs for the younger brothers of the Scouts who were desperate to join in the fun. Wolf Cubs are based around Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. Where a young boy brought up by a Wolf pack has to learn to develop to be a self sufficient man. Leaders take their names from the Jungle Book story.

Wolf Cub Law and Oath

The Wolf Cub Oath is:

I promise to do my best,
To do my duty to God and the King,
To keep the Law of the Wolf Pack, and do a good turn to somebody every day.


The Law of the Wolf Cub Pack is:

The Cub gives in to the Old Wolf;
The Cub does not give in to himself.


Motto: "Wolf Cubs" - Do my Best

Wolf Cub Uniform

Wolf Cub Proficiency Badges

The general scheme of Cub proficiency badges is as follows:-

Two general proficiency badges;

12 special proficiency badges for different subjects divided into four groups as follows:-

(1) Character (colour of badge - blue);

(2) Handcraft (colour of badge - yellow);

(3) Service (colour of badge - red)

(4) Physical Health (colour of badge - green)

One additional proficiency badge, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges

Pathfinder Scouts

In 1906 and 1907 Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British Army, wrote a book for boys about reconnaissance and scouting. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys (London, 1908), based on his earlier books about military scouting, with influence and support of Frederick Russell Burnham (Chief of Scouts in British Africa), Ernest Thompson Seton of the Woodcraft Indians, William Alexander Smith of the Boys' Brigade, and his publisher Pearson. In the summer of 1907 Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in England to test ideas for his book. This camp and the publication of Scouting for Boys are generally regarded as the start of the Scout movement.

The movement employs the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports.

Pathfinder Scout Law and Oath

The Pathfinder Scout Law and Oath are derived from the original Scout Law and Scout Oath:

The Scout Law

  1. A Scouts' honour is to be trusted.
  2. A Scout is loyal to The King, His Country, His Scouters, His Parents, His Employers and to those under Him.
  3. A Scouts' duty is to be useful and help others.
  4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what Country, Class or Creed the other may belong.
  5. A Scout is courteous.
  6. A Scout is kind to animals.
  7. A Scout obeys the orders of his parents, Patrol Leader, or Scout Master without question.
  8. A Scout smiles and whistles in all difficulties.
  9. A Scout is thrifty
  10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

It is perhaps rather difficult to remember the different heads of the law. The following is easily learned and is a good way of memorising the headings:

Trusty, loyal and helpful,
Brotherly, courteous, kind,
Obedient, smiling and thrifty,
Pure as the rustling wind.

The Pathfinder Scout Oath

On my honour I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the King,
To help other people at all times,
To obey the Scout Law.

Motto:"Pathfinder Scouts" - Be Prepared.

Pathfinder Scout Uniform

The uniform worn by members of the P-RESA reflects that worn by Scouts prior to the publication of the Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report by The Scout Association in 1967. [1]

Pathfinder Scout Proficiency Badges

The general scheme for Pathfinder proficiency badges is as follows:-

Two general proficiency badges

44 special proficiency badges for different subjects as follows The badges, the tests for which are marked with an asterisk must be repassed annually. Those marked with † denote public service badges:-

Three additional proficiency badges, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges

Sea Pathfinder Scouts

In addition to the Pathfinder Scout Law, Oath and Motto, Sea Pathfinder Scouts have a motto, promise, special proficiency badges and additional proficiency badge of their own of their own:

Sea Pathfinder Scouts Promise

As a Sea Pathfinder Scout I promise to do my best --

  1. To guard against water accidents
  2. To know the location and proper use of the life saving equipment on every vessel I board
  3. To be prepared to help those in peril on the sea
  4. To seek to preserve the Motto of the Sea, "Women and Children First."

Sea Pathfinder Scouts Uniform

Motto: "Sea Pathfinder Scouts" - Our Best Today For a Better Tomorrow

Sea Pathfinder Scout Proficiency Badges

Three special proficiency badges

One additional proficiency badge, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges

Air Pathfinder Scouts

There is no Aviation branch within The Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts’ Association.

In the July 1932 edition of the Scouter, Lord Robert Baden-Powell wrote:

"...it has been suggested that Air Scouts should be organised in the same way as Sea Scouts."
"Though the air is 'ever with us', access to aerodromes is not common and though Sea Scouts can mess about 'in any old boat', a Scout is unlikely to be able to get access to an aeroplane, and even if he did he would not be able to fly it. ...it seems hardly feasible to have special 'Air Scouts', yet a great deal may be accomplished by troops specialising in air-work... I shall always be pleased to give what advice I can."

Rover Explorer Scouts

Rover Scouts, Rovers, Rover Scouting or Rovering is a service program associated with Scouting for men and women, with no upper age limit. A group of Rovers is called a 'Rover Crew'.

The Rover program was originated by The Boy Scouts' Association in the United Kingdom in 1918 to provide a program for young men who had grown up beyond the age range of the Boy Scouts.

Rover Explorer Scouts' Law and Oath

Rover Explorer Scouts use the same Law and Oath as Pathfinder Scouts.

Motto: "Rover Explorer Scouts " - Service.

Rover Explorer Scouts Uniform

A Rover Explorer Scout wears uniform as for a Pathfinder Scout, but with the following differences:-

Rover Explorer Sea Scouts Uniform

A Rover Explorer Sea Scout wears uniform as for a Sea Pathfinder Scout, but with the following difference:-

Rover Explorer Scouts Proficiency Badges

Why do Rovers have badges? The P-RESA Rover Scout training programme was designed to run in conjunction with the Traditional Woodbadge (Leader) Training Scheme and Charge Certificate Scheme (Activity Permits). Just like young people, adults like to earn awards to display their achievements too! The scheme enables individuals who have never been in Scouting/Guiding the opportunity to learn and experience Scouting first hand, as well as preparing individuals for leadership roles.

The general scheme for Rover Explorer Scouts proficiency badges is as follows (badges followed by * denote public service badges):-

Five general proficiency badges

14 special proficiency badges for different subjects as follows;

Four additional proficiency badges, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges

Outlanders Oath

Overseas members residing in the UK or non-Christians may take the Outlanders Oath:

On my honour I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to the Country in which I live,
To help other people at all times.
To obey the Scout Law.

Members who have taken the Outlanders Oath, wear the Outlanders Badge.

History

1982 - 2003

The 'Explorer Scouts' and 'Pathfinder Scouts Association' had been a combined independent Scout organisation from 1982 and registered as a youth organisation in Fulham, London. under the educational Charity Status of 'Walham Green Youth Council'. In the 1980s the members of The 'Explorer Scouts' and 'Pathfinder Scouts Association' joined the Baden Powell Scouts Association. In early 1992, some of the PSA leaders who had been members of Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (B-PSA) joined the British Boy Scouts (BBS). After failing to gain agreement on many issues to do with traditional scouting, these members left the BBS group and set up 'The British Pathfinder Scouts Association (BPSA), which incorporated an adult section dealing with the training and building up of good leadership through the 'Rover Explorer Scout Association'. [1] The new Association was registered as a Charity at Law in September 1993, leaving behind the older name 'Explorer Scouts'. [2]

In 1995 the founding and Chief Commissioners of the BPSA were Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and Steven Dudley-Coventry. After much disagreement about the quality of Scouting tradition, Ray O'Donnell-Hampton handed in his warrant and left the BPSA. The number of groups fell after the death of Dudley-Coventry and the BPSA's 'Scoutmasters Court of Honour' dissolved its charitable status without consultation with commissioners past or present. The BPSA was then officially wound up in April 1998, with the remaining badges being passed on, again without any consultation, to the British Boy Scouts.

In 1999 Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and some of the older members of the previous association met and re-established the Pathfinder Scouts Association which was registered as a Charity in October 2003 under the umbrella of the 'Rover Explorer Scouts Association' (RESA). [3]

The Association quickly began to regain membership and had connections with new members and groups including many lone Scouts' from around the world. There are membership, affiliations and branches in USA, Canada, South America, Australia, West Indies, Philippines, RESA Delta - Malaysia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Sri Lanka & Indonesia, [4] Holland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland. [5]

2003 - Present

The Pathfinder Scouts' Association (PSA) and The Rover Explorer Scouts' Association (RESA), had for a while divided into separate associations, so that each was able to build its own area of expertise.

In October 2003 the Bedfordshire Pathfinder Scouts (affiliated members) of the Pathfinder Scouts' Association were registered with the Charity Commission, having the stated aims "to promote the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual well being of children and young people aged between 5 - 18 years in Bedfordshire and other areas through the provision of Pathfinder Traditional Scouting activities. These include adventure based on Baden Powell's Scouting for Boys, sport and other recreational activities." [3] The Bedfordshire Pathfinder Scouts were affiliated to the Rover Explorer Scouts' Association, until they folded in 2007 [1]

On 29 July 2011, Ray O'Donnell-Hampton retired as Chief Commissioner, investing Adrian McDowell as the New Chief Commissioner of P-RESA, seeing both associations merging together and becoming more active around the world. [1]

The ceremony took place at the Associations' International Headquarters (IHQ) 'The Den', East Anglia, England. [1] Adrian was awarded the 3-bead Wood Badge and Ray was bestowed with the title of Chief Commissioner Emeritus.

In June 2018 at 'Brownsea Island' The Baden Powell Pathfinder Movement {BPPM} IHQ Scoutmasters Court of Honour awarded Ray O'Donnell-Hampton the Bronze Wolf and invested him with the title of 'Deputy Chief Scout'.

January 2024, Sir Mior Malaysia Chief Commissioner & Sir Ve IHQ Commissioner. Ray O'Donnell-Hampton {P-REAS-BPPM} 'IHQ Scoutmasters Court of Honour awarded' 'Chief Scout'

International Branches

The Baden Powell Pathfinder Movement {BPPM} has Members in 15 countries. The IHQ UK {Scoutmaster Court of Honour} Covers 5 Regions Worldwide:-

Africa Gambia - Nigeria

Asia China - Hong Kong - Malaysia - Nepal - Philippines - Thailand - Vietnam

Europe Switzerland

Oceania Australia - New Zealand

The Americas Argentina - Canada - United States of America

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scout (Scouting)</span> Member of the Scouting movement

A Scout is a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section. Scouts are organized into troops averaging 20–30 Scouts under the guidance of one or more Scout Leaders or Scoutmasters. Troops subdivide into patrols of about 6–8 Scouts and engage in outdoor and special interest activities. Troops may affiliate with local, national, and international organizations. Some national Scouting associations have special interest programs such as Air Scouts, Sea Scouts, outdoor high adventure, Scouting bands, and rider Scouts. In the USA there was around 6 million scouts in 2011.

<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">The Scout Association</span> Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom

The Scout Association, which also uses the name Scouts UK, is the largest Scout organisation in the United Kingdom. It's the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origins of the Scout movement in 1907, The Scout Association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scout sign and salute</span> Salute of the World Scouting Movement

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. There are some variations of the salute between national Scouting organizations and also within some programme sections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouts South Africa</span> National Scout association in South Africa

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.

<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">Kenya Scouts Association</span> National Scouting association of Kenya

The Kenya Scouts Association is the national Scouting association of Kenya. Scouting was founded in British East Africa in 1910 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1964. It has 323,929 members.

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 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.

Beavers is a programme associated with some Scouting organisations generally for children aged 5/6 to 7/8 who are too young for the Cub programme.

Cub Scouts is the section of Scouts Australia for boys and girls aged 8 to 11 (inclusive), often known simply as 'Cubs'. The Cub Scout section follows after Joey Scouts and is before Scouts. Cub Scouts wear a uniform shirt with navy blue panels, and yellow shoulders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cub Scouts (The Scout Association)</span> UK childrens organization

Cub Scouts, often shortened to Cubs, are a section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association with a core age of eight to ten and a half years of age. This section follows on from the Beaver Scouts and precedes the Scout section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senior Scouts (Baden-Powell Scouts' Association)</span>

Senior Scouts or Seniors is a section of the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association for 14- to 18-year-olds. The aim of the section is to provide a flexible and active Scouting programme for adolescents, with an emphasis on personal challenge and adventure. Members of this section wear maroon berets and shoulder tabs.

<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">Beaver Scouts (Baden-Powell Scouts' Association)</span>

Beaver Scouts, usually referred to as Beavers, is the youngest section of Scouting operated by the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Beaver Scouts, known as a Colony, are run by the local Scout Group. After reaching the age of eight, a Beaver Scout will then move on to Wolf Cubs.

Wolf Cubs, usually referred to as Cubs, is the 3rd youngest section of Scouting operated by the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association, following on from the Beaver Scouts section. The core age range for Wolf Cubs is eight to eleven, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Wolf Cubs, known as a Pack, are run by the local Scout Group. After reaching the age of ten and a half, a Wolf Cub may move on to Scouts.

As with Scouts in The Scout Association, the Scout section of the BPSA is the direct descendant of the original Scout Patrols which formed in the United Kingdom in 1908. The section is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 10–15 years, and are now formed into local Scout Troops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BP Service Association in Canada</span> Scouting organization in Canada

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. It is affiliated with the World Federation of Independent Scouts. The association was incorporated in British Columbia in 2000.

<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. 1 2 3 4 5 RESA date link 2012 August
  2. Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales
  3. 1 2 This has now become defunct due to changes in Charity Law (i.e.; Any charity not earning over £10,000 a year moves into different status under new charity laws).
  4. http://deltabp.webs.com/ RESA Delta
  5. Article on Independent Scouts in the United Kingdom