Canadian Scouts: Rovers


Figure 1.-- The 180th PCC Rovers are shown in a service project at Salvation Army Vancouver’s Harbour Light kitchen. Note the bright red uniform and the fact that this a mixed gender unit. The unit reported that "Helping in the soup kitchen was not the same as helping in the kitchen at home. We often take things for granted in our lives, food being one of them."

The Rover program is the final stage in Canadian Scouting and follows on to the Venturer (ages 14–17) program. This was essentially the British set up. Americans use the term Explorers. Following important program reviews for the Cub and Scout sections (mid-1960s), the Canadian Rover program was reviewed and substantial changes consuidered (1971). An important part of this review was 3-year experiment to allow young women to join the Rover Section. The BSA gavev each Rover Crew the option of voting to become a co-ed for the duration of the experiment. At the end of the 3 years, the 2,850 Rover Crews s in Canada enthusiasticallyn adopted a coed approach (1974). This was the first step in Scouts Canada becoming a fully co-educational organization (1998). Rover Knights are the Baden-Powell Scouts Association equivalent and is open to all adults 18 years of age and over. It is the final stage after Senior Explorers (ages 14–17), and is open to both genders. In actual practice, the term Knights is usually dropped and the section is referred to simply as Rovers. The outdoors is an central part of both Rover programs. Rovers participate in adventurous outdoor activities like mountain climbing, white water rafting, para-sailing, and much more. There is an imprtantn public service component. Rovers contribute to their local communities by organizing service activities such as food drives, park clean-ups, tree plantings, and other efforts. Rovers meet in units called a crew. They develop and manage their own program and activities under the mentorship of an adult advisor. Rovers adhere to the promise that is used in the Scout section onwards, and the motto 'Service'.

Organization

The Rover program is the final stage in Canadian Scouting and follows on to the Venturer (ages 14–17) program. This was essentially the British set up. Americans use the term Explorers.

Program

The Canadian Rover Scout program is designed for young adults 18-26 years old. The program continues the Venterurs program at the adult level, and stresses community service in addition to outdoor high adventure and vocational activities. The 180th PPC Rovers shown in Figure 1 are typical in taking on service projects that make a real differnce in thier communities and giving the Rovers a chance to grow as individuals and part of a team. Of course Rover Scouts are a source of highly trained adult leads for all of the Scouts Canada units. Many Rovers partipate in FOCUS (Future Of Canada United in Scouting), a "for-youth-by-youth" leadership program aimed towards Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts. We have found references to Rover Sea Scouts, and invite our Canadian readers to provide more information.

Program Review

Following important program reviews for the Cub and Scout sections (mid-1960s), the Canadian Rover program was reviewed and substantial changes consuidered (1971). An important part of this review was 3-year experiment to allow young women to join the Rover Section. The BSA gavev each Rover Crew the option of voting to become a co-ed for the duration of the experiment. At the end of the 3 years, the 2,850 Rover Crews s in Canada enthusiasticallyn adopted a coed approach (1974). This was the first step in Scouts Canada becoming a fully co-educational organization (1998).

Baden Powell Scouts

Rover Knights are the Baden-Powell Scouts Association equivalent and is open to all adults 18 years of age and over. It is the final stage after Senior Explorers (ages 14–17), and is open to both genders. In actual practice, the term Knights is usually dropped and the section is referred to simply as Rovers.

Activities

The outdoors is an central part of both Rover programs. Rovers participate in adventurous outdoor activities like mountain climbing, white water rafting, para-sailing, and much more. There is an imprtantn public service component. Rovers contribute to their local communities by organizing service activities such as food drives, park clean-ups, tree plantings, and other efforts.

Units

Rovers meet in units called a crew. They develop and manage their own program and activities under the mentorship of an adult advisor.

Promise, Law, and Motto

Rovers adhere to the promise that is used in the Scout section onwards, and the motto 'Service'.

The Rover Promise

On my honour

I promise that I will do my best

To do my duty to God and the Queen

To help other people at all times,

And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law.

The Rover Motto

Service.

Uniform

We don't have much historical data on Candian Rover Scout Uniforms. The current uniform consistis of a bright red uniform shirt, tan neckerchief, and audult tan pants.







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Created: 12::55 AM 11/5/2013
Last updated: 6:23 AM 11/12/2013