Traditional Scouting

"Traditional Scouting" has several different usages.

"Traditional Scouting" or the "Traditional Scouting movement" is used to refer to a back to basics effort that returns Scouting to a traditional style and activities; rejecting the trend of modernizing Scouting to appeal to more youths. Often this is based on Robert Baden-Powell's model of Scouting or his book Scouting for Boys. This Traditional Scouting style is very popular in Canada and certain parts of America (BSA) where William Hillcourt was an advocate. 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), formed in 1959, and the British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association, formed in 1908.

In America, the term Traditional Scouting can also refer to "old-fashioned" Scouting in some form, as opposed to the Traditional Scouting movement. ^[1]

The Boy Scouts of America uses the term traditional Scouting to refer to traditional programs of Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting and Venturing or membership programs as opposed to their non-Scouting subsidiary of Learning for Life.

Background

Traditional Scouting is often 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.^[2] and Daniel Carter Beard's The Boy Pioneers: Sons of Daniel Boone^[3], making changes only for advances in health and safety practices, environmental concerns ("Leave No Trace"), and lightweight equipment.

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 Scoutcraft 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.^[1]
• 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.^[1][4]

See also

• Non-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisations
• World Federation of Independent Scouts
• Confédération Européenne de Scoutisme

References

1. Traditional Scouting home page
2. The Birch Bark Roll
3. The Boy Pioneers: Sons of Daniel Boone
4. Traditional Scouting policies

External links

• Traditional Scouting home page
• Traditional Scouting awards and badges
• UK Pathfinder Scout Association
• Traditional Scouting and Guiding in the United States and Canada