Rover Scouts Return?

[Eagle1993]

There has been a lot of discussion on various BSA groups about ending all youth programs at 18 (OA, Venturing, Sea Scouts).  One part of the discussion is the thought that BSA will be reintroducing Rover Scouts.  In fact, several individuals have stated that councils have already started pilots (example below … their Facebook page started ~January 2019).

https://tidewaterbsa.com/districts/rovers/

It sounds like Rover Scouts are common internationally and seem to provide a lot of leadership for those scouting organizations.  Does any know how Rover scouts tie into units or are they completely separate groups.  Just wondering how they functional in the international scout organizations as I do believe we have simply ignored scouts (outside of a few examples) once they turn 18 and simply hope they return once they have kids in scouting age.  So, if true, this seems like a great idea if implemented well.

[Eagle1993]

I was able to follow a link and find that you can register Rover in MyScouting… interesting.

[Eagle94-A1]

If the 18 - 20 year olds are treated with the same respect as other Scouters, i.e they count towards 2 Deep rules, I am game.

[Angus]

I think bringing back Rovering is the BSA is a great idea and worthy of serious consideration!  Rovering, as originally envisioned by Baden Powell himself started at 18 and had no upper age limit.  I think this is the way it should be not ending at 20 or 25.  He wrote several books on rovering including Rovering to Success.  Currently, another scouting organization in the US, the BPSA, has a successful Rover program which has no upper age limit.   I also think going back to some of the basics of scouting would be a good move for the BSA.

 

[RememberSchiff]

@Angus on behalf of scouter.com moderators, welcome.

[qwazse]

On 5/29/2020 at 2:59 PM, Eagle94-A1 said:

If the 18 - 20 year olds are treated with the same respect as other Scouters, i.e they count towards 2 Deep rules, I am game.

Looks like Bryan on Scouting hasn't gotten the memo yet. He called the National Venturing Cabinet president a "youth'":

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2020/06/01/meet-tyler-grey-venturings-top-youth-leader-for-2020-2021/

[MattR]

I wonder how BPSA is doing.

[qwazse]

46 minutes ago, MattR said:

I wonder how BPSA is doing.

BPSA not having a Title 36 charter, they are not obliged to report their numbers to congress, or anyone else, but if you want to count pins on a map: https://www.bpsa-us.org/find-a-group/. In general, they have a spartan following on the coasts ... not much in the heartland.

While you are asking, however, TL-USA claims to be growing and maintaining coverage throughout the nation: https://www.traillifeusa.com/find-a-troop/. Their early members are now young adults, and based on my relative's experience, giving back to that program.

[InquisitiveScouter]

On 6/1/2020 at 2:27 PM, MattR said:

I wonder how BPSA is doing.

Was thinking about transitioning over to BPSA...and starting a unit here.  But, it might be seen only as a "cult of personality" thing and cause division.  I think I may take a break for a few years from BSA to clear my head

[Angus]

I know several people that have dual memberships in both organizations.  You can actually enroll as a Lone Rover in the BPSA if you want to try it out.  That is what I am doing.  I have no intention of leaving the BSA just want to see what being a Rover is like.

 

                                                     

[InquisitiveScouter]

5 minutes ago, Angus said:

dual memberships

Hadn't thought of that!  Thanks for the idea

[Angus]

You are welcome!  I think its only 20 bucks to join per year as a Rover.

 

https://www.bpsa-us.org/rover

 

[Kudu]

On 6/1/2020 at 2:27 PM, MattR said:

I wonder how BPSA is doing.

A Corporate CEO crawls to the throne of Lucifer, in cardiac distress, eyes bugged, nostrils flared,  "Master, Master," he wheezes, "The Americans have discovered Baden-Powell's Traditional Scouting!"

"Not to worry," replies the Angel of Light, "I'll send two BSA Wood Badgers up to the BPSA-US to organize it."

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

2 minutes ago, Kudu said:

I'll send two BSA Wood Badgers

old school, or WB for the 21st Century?...bwahahahaha

[Kudu]

51 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

old school, or WB for the 21st Century?...bwahahahaha

Depends on how you define "old school." 😎 

Some Hillcourt fans would date the end of Hillcourt's version of Traditional Scouting at 1966 (the same year as "The Chief Scout's Advance Party Report" throughout the former British Empire), and the year that the BSA decided to replace  Hillcourt's "Real" Patrol Method with a "Nine Leadership Skills" version of White Stag http://www.inquiry.net/leadership/9skills.htm .  This "leadership skills" program was introduced in 1972.  

Purists like me would date Bill's demise a year earlier, 1965 - the year of his retirement, when the BSA introduced position of responsibility requirements for advancement.  Thus "Patrol Leader" would became a revolving door entry-level position.

A few of us began organizing the Traditional Baden-Powell program in the 1990s but, yes, WB for the 21st Century is the black lagoon from whence the two BSA Wood Badgers emerged to move BPSA-US training toward leadership skill Senior Patrol Leaders and even Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, trust falls, and indoor blindfold walks .

http://www.inquiry.net/leadership/index.htm