Traditional Scouting
Encyclopedia
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 certain parts of America
(BSA). The movement began in 1970 in Britain and is closely associated with the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association; although not all Traditional Scouting units are members of the Baden-Powell Scouts. Some of the other British groups are the Pathfinder Scouts Association
, the European Scout Federation (British Association)
and the British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association
.
In America, the term Traditional Scouting can also refer to "old-fashioned" Scouting in some form; as opposed to the Traditional Scouting movement.
The Boy Scouts of America
uses the term traditional Scouting to refer to the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing
membership programs as opposed to their non-Scouting subsidiary of Learning for Life
.
Traditional Scouting is based on Lord Baden-Powell's book Scouting for Boys
, often extended with the sources that heavily influenced "Scouting for Boys": Ernest Thompson Seton
's The Birch Bark Roll. and Daniel Carter Beard
's The Boy Pioneers: Sons of Daniel Boone, making changes only for advances in health and safety practices, environmental concerns ("Leave No Trace"), and lightweight equipment.
The Scouting movement has had many schisms since its inception and B-P was careful to state that he did not want to see lots of different organisations at the expense of Scouting in general.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
to a scheme intentionally based on 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 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
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 certain parts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
(BSA). The movement began in 1970 in Britain and is closely associated with the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association; although not all Traditional Scouting units are members of the Baden-Powell Scouts. Some of the other British groups are the Pathfinder Scouts Association
Pathfinder Scouts Association
The Pathfinder Scouts Association 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.-1982 - 2009:The 'Explorer Scouts' and...
, the European Scout Federation (British Association)
European Scout Federation (British Association)
The European Scout Federation is a Traditional Scouting organisation. It is a part of the other Scouting in the United Kingdom. Original test work set out by Robert Baden-Powell is still used...
and the British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association
British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association
The British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association was an early Scouting organisation that split from the main Scouting organisation, the Boy Scouts Association, in 1909...
.
In America, the term Traditional Scouting can also refer to "old-fashioned" Scouting in some form; as opposed to the Traditional Scouting movement.
The Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
uses the term traditional Scouting to refer to the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing
Venturing (Boy Scouts of America)
Venturing is part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young adults, men and women, from the age of 14 years old or 13 years old and completed eighth grade through 21....
membership programs as opposed to their non-Scouting subsidiary of Learning for Life
Learning for Life
Learning for Life is a United States school and work-site based youth program that is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America. It utilizes programs designed for schools and community-based organizations that are designed to prepare youth for the complexities of contemporary society and to...
.
Background
Traditional Scouting is not historical reenactment, but for the most part an attempt to follow the Scouting programme as it was before the 1960s. For all practical purposes in most of the former British Empire (with minor national variations due to climate and the influence of native cultures), this was how it had been played by Scouting's inventor, Lord Baden-Powell, while he was still alive.Traditional Scouting is based on Lord Baden-Powell's book 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...
, often extended with the sources that heavily influenced "Scouting for Boys": Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton was a Scots-Canadian who became a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America . Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
's The Birch Bark Roll. and Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter Beard
Daniel Carter "Uncle Dan" Beard was an American illustrator, author, youth leader, and social reformer who founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905, which Beard later merged with the Boy Scouts of America .-Early life:...
's The Boy Pioneers: Sons of Daniel Boone, making changes only for advances in health and safety practices, environmental concerns ("Leave No Trace"), and lightweight equipment.
The Scouting movement has had many schisms since its inception and B-P was careful to state that he did not want to see lots of different organisations at the expense of Scouting in general.
Differences
There are several differences between modern Scouting and the Traditional Scouting movement:- Scouting games, Patrol totems and calls, and advancement are based on standards rather than competition.
- Advancement is based strictly on the mastery of ScoutcraftScoutcraftScoutcraft is a term used to cover a variety of woodcraft knowledge and skills required by people seeking to venture into wild country and sustain themselves independently. The term has been adopted by Scouting organizations to reflect skills and knowledge which are felt to be a core part of the...
skills and Proficiency Badges: There are no Scout spirit, Scoutmaster conference, or Board of Review requirements. Traditional Scouting is analogous to a game played to teach Citizenship strictly through indirect methods. - Following Baden-Powell's advice, all leaders are volunteers, no one gets paid
- The inexpensive uniform is designed to be used as an outdoor method, rather than as expensive indoor clothing for "formal occasions." The Uniform should be a joy to wear in the wilderness.
See also
- Non-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisationsNon-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisationsNon-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organizations are Scouting organizations that are not affiliated to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the World Organization of the Scout Movement . The Scout movement has led to the formation of many Scouting organizations around the world...
- World Federation of Independent ScoutsWorld Federation of Independent ScoutsThe 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...
- Confédération Européenne de ScoutismeConfédération Européenne de ScoutismeKnown in English as the Confederation of European Scouts, the Confédération Européenne de Scoutisme was formed in Brussels, Belgium on November 12, 1978, and is based in Belgium. CES stresses the European dimension of their Scouting program and that CES provides the "authentic Scouting of...