Pathfinder Scouts Association
Encyclopedia
The Pathfinder Scouts Association (PSA) is an independent Traditional Scouting
Association in the United Kingdom
. The Association runs along the lines of Baden-Powell
's original programme, upholding the traditions and practice set out by him in Scouting for Boys
.
These same ex-Commissioner Warranted leaders of the BBS, decided that they needed to set up the Pathfinder Scouts Association leaving behind the older name 'Explorer Scouts'. The PSA was set up for the second time and was registered as a Charity at Law in September 1993,.
In 1995 the founding and Chief Commissioners of the PSA were Steven Dudley-Coventry and Ray O'Donnell-Hampton. The number of groups fell after the death of Dudley-Coventry and the Association's Scoutmasters Court of Honour devolved its charitable status without consultation of the other commissioners. The Association was then officially wound up in April 1998, with the remaining badges being passed on to the British Boy Scouts.
In 1999 Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and some of the older members of the previous association met and reestablished the Pathfinder Scouts Association which was registered as a Charity in October 2003 under the umbrella of the 'Rover Explorer Scouts Association' (RESA).
It began to gain membership and association from groups and lone members from around the world. They had membership and associations in USA, Canada, South America, Australia, South East Asia, Philippines, Russia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
RESA and the Pathfinder Scouts Association evolved as had been the plan in the early 1990s. Both were now active with PSA active mainly in the United Kingdom and the Rover Explorer Scouts Association being active with the older members (Rover Scouts) around the world.
Movement, the main policy is to follow Baden-Powell’s original ideas, as outlined in Scouting For Boys
.
, but written in verse:
The PSA Scout Promise
is:
's Advance Party Report
in 1969.
Provision is also made for Marine Scouts.
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...
Association in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Association runs along the lines of Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
's original programme, upholding the traditions and practice set out by him in Scouting for Boys
Scouting 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...
.
1982 - 2009
The 'Explorer Scouts' and 'Pathfinder Scouts Association' had been a combined independent scout association from 1982 and registered as a youth organisation in London. Fulham under the Charity 'Walham Green Youth Council'. In early 1992, some of the PSA leaders who had been members of Baden-Powell Scouts' Association (BPSA) joined the British Boy Scouts (BBS). After much consultation with the leaders of the BBS and the soon to be PSA it was decided to leave the BBS in that same yearThese same ex-Commissioner Warranted leaders of the BBS, decided that they needed to set up the Pathfinder Scouts Association leaving behind the older name 'Explorer Scouts'. The PSA was set up for the second time and was registered as a Charity at Law in September 1993,.
In 1995 the founding and Chief Commissioners of the PSA were Steven Dudley-Coventry and Ray O'Donnell-Hampton. The number of groups fell after the death of Dudley-Coventry and the Association's Scoutmasters Court of Honour devolved its charitable status without consultation of the other commissioners. The Association was then officially wound up in April 1998, with the remaining badges being passed on to the British Boy Scouts.
In 1999 Ray O'Donnell-Hampton and some of the older members of the previous association met and reestablished the Pathfinder Scouts Association which was registered as a Charity in October 2003 under the umbrella of the 'Rover Explorer Scouts Association' (RESA).
It began to gain membership and association from groups and lone members from around the world. They had membership and associations in USA, Canada, South America, Australia, South East Asia, Philippines, Russia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
RESA and the Pathfinder Scouts Association evolved as had been the plan in the early 1990s. Both were now active with PSA active mainly in the United Kingdom and the Rover Explorer Scouts Association being active with the older members (Rover Scouts) around the world.
2003 - Present
In October 2003 the Bedfordshire Pathfinder Scouts Association Members of 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 through the provision of Pathfinder Scouting activities. These include adventure, sport and other recreational activities."Views
In common with other members of the Traditional ScoutingTraditional 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...
Movement, the main policy is to follow Baden-Powell’s original ideas, as outlined in Scouting For Boys
Scouting 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...
.
Scout Law and Promise
The PSA Scout Law is derived from the original Scout LawScout 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...
, but written in verse:
Trusty, loyal, helpful;
Brotherly, courteous, kind;
Obedient, smiling, thrifty;
Clean in body and mind.
The PSA Scout Promise
Scout Promise
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. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to...
is:
On my honour I promise
to do my best to do my duty to
God and my Country
To help other people at all times
and to obey the scout Law.
Uniform
The uniform worn by members of the PSA reflects that worn by all Scouts prior to the publication of The Scout AssociationThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
's Advance Party Report
The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report
The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report was a publication produced in 1966 by The Boy Scout Association in the United Kingdom, intended to modernise the Scout Movement...
in 1969.
- Headwear: Beret, with the Association badge in front, or Campaign Hat.
- Scarf: Of the Group colour worn with a woggle or a loose knot at the throat.
- Shirt: In non Sea or Air Groups, a khaki shirt.
- Shorts or trousers: Khaki colour. Most Scouts now wear trousers.
- Belt: Brown leather, Official pattern.
- Socks: Any plain colour, worn turned down below the knee
- Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
- Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on the right shoulder.
Provision is also made for Marine Scouts.