B-PSA Federation of Canada
Encyclopedia
The B-PSA Federation of Canada was established in Victoria, British Columbia
in February 1996, originally 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.
, is a federation of independent provincial
Traditional Scouting
associations, 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 federation's by-laws and child protection policy. They are also required to take part in the democratic governance of the federation. The federation has currently 13 local groups.
(1908), The Wolf Cub's Handbook
(1916) and Rovering to Success
(1922). The association claims to use the same badge system, ranks and uniform that were worn by Scouts nearly 100 years ago, following a charter set down in their Policy Association Rules.
The main policy is Traditional Scouting – 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.
The programme is intended to develop a sense of duty, personal discipline and honour. Explorers in the B-PSA Federation of Canada practise traditional Scouting skills:
There are provisions for Seafarers (Sea Scout
s), and a Lone Scouting
plan for children living in remote locations who would otherwise be unable to take part in Scouting.
challenged the association and successfully argued that the word "Scout", in the context of a youth organization in Canada, is their trademark. Scouts Canada have also attempted to deny the B-PSAFC permission to use Baden-Powell's name as part of the 1999 action, and refused to accept B-PSAFC members as Scouts, stating of Scout associations that "every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting", and noting policy statements of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) which states "Only one national Scout organization can be recognised in a country."
The B-PSAFC stated Baden-Powell's original intention for Scouts Patrols to operate in a range of organisations and that there are two WOSM Scout associations in Canada. Scouts Canada contests 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.
Although the B-PSAFC, following Baden-Powell's 4th Scout Law
, aims to recognise and work with all like-minded Scouting associations, Scouts Canada forbade their members to join activities with members or groups of the B-PSAFC, citing missing insurance coverage, or permit them to use Scouts Canada properties.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
in February 1996, originally as the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association of Canada (B-PSAC), rejecting the perceived modernization of the Scout method
Scout method
The Scout method is the informal educational system used by Scouting. The aim of Scouting is character training with the goal of helping participants become independent and helpful,and thereby become "healthy, happy, helpful citizens"....
by Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
and sharing its aims with the other branches of the B-PSA.
Organisation
The B-PSA Federation of Canada, a member of the World Federation of Independent ScoutsWorld Federation of Independent Scouts
The World Federation of Independent Scouts is the non-governmental international organization which governs 82 affiliated Scout Organizations in 41 countries, with an estimated 200,000 members in 3562 Scout Groups...
, is a federation of independent provincial
Provincial
Provincial may refer to:* Provincial capitals, an administrative sub-national capital of a country.* Provincial examinations, a school-leaving exam in British Columbia, Canada* A provincial superior of a religious order...
Traditional Scouting
Traditional Scouting
The Traditional Scouting movement refers to a back to basics effort that returns Scouting to a scheme intentionally based on Baden-Powell's own model of Scouting; rejecting the world-wide trend to "modernize" Scouting in order to appeal to more youths. This movement is very popular in Canada and...
associations, comprising
- B-PSA British Columbia
- B-PSA Ontario
- B-PSA Quebec
- B-PSA New Brunswick
Membership is restricted to independent Canadian Scouting councils who follow the training programmes, ethics and morals of Robert Baden-Powell, and who accept the federation's by-laws and child protection policy. They are also required to take part in the democratic governance of the federation. The federation has currently 13 local groups.
Training programme
The training programme of the B-PSA Federation of Canada follows the model developed by Baden-Powell in Scouting For BoysScouting for Boys
Scouting for Boys: A Handbook for Instruction in Good Citizenship is the first book on the Scout Movement, published in 1908. It was written and illustrated by Robert Baden-Powell, its founder...
(1908), The Wolf Cub's Handbook
The Wolf Cub's Handbook
The Wolf Cub's Handbook is an instruction handbook written by Baden-Powell for Wolf Cubs and pack leaders. The book is based on the theme of the jungle, described in a children's book, The Jungle Book, written by Baden-Powell's friend Rudyard Kipling.-Origins:By 1913, Baden-Powell's Boy Scout...
(1916) and Rovering to Success
Rovering to Success
Rovering to Success is a book written by Robert Baden-Powell in 1922. It is focused on Rover Scouts....
(1922). The association claims to use the same badge system, ranks and uniform that were worn by Scouts nearly 100 years ago, following a charter set down in their Policy Association Rules.
The main policy is Traditional Scouting – 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
Wolf Cubs (Baden-Powell Scouts' Association)
Wolf Cubs, usually referred to as Cubs, is the second 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 seven and eleven, though exceptions can be granted. Individual sections of Wolf Cubs,...
. 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.
The programme is intended to develop a sense of duty, personal discipline and honour. Explorers in the B-PSA Federation of Canada practise traditional Scouting skills:
- lighting fire by friction
- navigating by means other than a compass
Scout Law
This Law is kept by Explorers from the age of ten. Adult leaders must renew their promise on regular occasions and are expected to continue to live according to the Scout Law:- A Scout's honour is to be trusted
- A Scout is Loyal to the King and to his officers, and to his country, and to his employers.
- A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others.
- A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs.
- A Scout is Courteous.
- A Scout is a friend to animals.
- A Scout obeys orders of his patrol leader or scout master without question.
- A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
- A Scout is thrifty.
- A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
Sections
The Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada has sections for each age range.| Section | Ages | Controlled by | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otters | 5–7 | Group | |
| Timber Wolves | 8–11 | Group | |
| 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. |
There are provisions for Seafarers (Sea Scout
Sea Scout
Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Depending on the country and the available water these activities are on lakes, rivers or sea in small or large ships. Sea Scouting...
s), and a Lone Scouting
Lone Scouts
Lone Scouts are members of the Scout movement who are in isolated areas or otherwise cannot participate in a regular Scouting unit. In order for a boy to become a Lone Scout, he must meet the membership requirements of the area's Scouting organization and have an adult counselor who may be a...
plan for children living in remote locations who would otherwise be unable to take part in Scouting.
Child protection
The BPSA Federation of Canada requires all adult volunteers to complete a police 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 B-PSAFC council.Controversy
The word "Scout" is no longer used by the Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada (B-PSAFC), after Scouts CanadaScouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
challenged the association and successfully argued that the word "Scout", in the context of a youth organization in Canada, is their trademark. Scouts Canada have also attempted to deny the B-PSAFC permission to use Baden-Powell's name as part of the 1999 action, and refused to accept B-PSAFC members as Scouts, stating of Scout associations that "every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting", and noting policy statements of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) which states "Only one national Scout organization can be recognised in a country."
The B-PSAFC stated Baden-Powell's original intention for Scouts Patrols to operate in a range of organisations and that there are two WOSM Scout associations in Canada. Scouts Canada contests the existence of two WOSM associations in Canada, clarifying their relationship with Association des Scouts du Canada
Association des Scouts du Canada
L'Association des Scouts du Canada is a World Organization of the Scout Movement "affiliated organization" through affiliation with Scouts Canada in Canada. The biggest difference between the two associations is the language spoken and the religion behind it...
to be one of an affiliation. Scouts Canada is the official WOSM organization which affiliates with the francophone organization.
Although the B-PSAFC, following Baden-Powell's 4th Scout Law
Scout Law
Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout Promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law...
, aims to recognise and work with all like-minded Scouting associations, Scouts Canada forbade their members to join activities with members or groups of the B-PSAFC, citing missing insurance coverage, or permit them to use Scouts Canada properties.