Baden-Powell Scouts' Association - Aims, Methods and Ideals

Aims, Methods and Ideals

The main policy is Traditional Scouting – which is taking Baden-Powell’s 10 Scout Laws and using them, along with Baden-Powell's original training programme and rank system.

Once a Scout is invested Lord Baden-Powell believed that he would continue to live the Scout Law. This law is kept by Scouts from the age of ten and Adult Leaders must renew their promise on regular occasions. The original Scout Law, written by Lord Baden-Powell, appeared in 1908. The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association use his 1911 version, which is as follows:

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 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 Baden-Powell Scouts Association hold 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 follow a charter set down in their Policy Association Rules. They have no paid Executive Staff or Leaders.

The traditional programme also develops a sense of duty, personal discipline and honour. In addition to a wide range of activities Scouts in the B-PSA continue to practise traditional Scouting skills:

• lighting fire by friction
• navigating by means other than a compass
• backwoods cooking
• camping in self erected "bivvys"

The Baden-Powell Scouts Association is affiliated to the umbrella organisation The World Federation of Independent Scouts. They are also affiliated with other Traditional Scout Associations around the world. The Baden-Powell Scouts use the original programmes and wear traditional uniforms. Wolf Cubs continue to use the Grand Howl at the beginning of their meetings.

The advancement program for members of the Baden-Powell Scouts Association is symbolized by the earning of staged badges. Merit badges and rank may be earned by any registered member of the association.

In Wolf Cubs this consists of Tenderpad, First Star and Second Star - working towards the final award of Leaping Wolf. The First and Second Stars are worn on the Cub's cap, this positioning leading them to sometimes be referred to as one then both eyes open.

In the Scouts section they use the same ranks as in Scouting for Boys with Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, and the Scout Cord. Senior Scouts can earn the Bushman's Cord (with variations for Air and Sea Scouts) and the St. George's Scout award, which takes the place of the Queens Scout award in The Scout Association. Rover Scouts are able to earn the Baden-Powell Award.

The requirements for these badges, and the overall designs of the award badges, remain true to the original Boy Scouts Association requirements and designs, with the stars on the original awards being replaced by the initials B and P, and the word "BOY" being replaced by "B-P".