How does world Senior Scouting work?
William H. Sills (whs@idcnet.com)
Sun Jan 25 23:20:36 1998
Gee, anyone is not only welcomed but is encouraged to "stick their oar in..."!
We are trying to learn more about each other, our programs and their organization.
Some, like me, are starting, even after 50+ years, from "ground zero! We need all
the information we can get. <VBG>
The UK where Rovers began and the USA both abolished their Rover programs. Why
did the UK drop its Rovers?
Almost all Scout Leaders in the USA no longer know about Air Scouts and
Rovers. Most don't even know we still have Sea Scouts (Sea Explorers) Sooo. what
do your Rovers do, ie what is their program? Do Rovers have older leaders or are
they internally led by their members? What are your Rover units called. The Rover
Scout Crews in the USA were run by a Senior Crew Leader, Deputy Senior Crew Leader
and their "patrol like" subdivisions were run by, I think, Crew Leaders! Is that
how it works in other countries?
YISS;
Bill Sills
James Moore wrote:
> Bill,
>
> I hope I'm not butting in on your conversation, but I'll try and answer
> some of these questions from a New Zealand point of view.
> William H. Sills wrote:
> >
> > Queries:
> Why did Australia try to abolish (Swampies) Sea Scouts?
> New Zealands Sea Scouts, like all other countries are real
> traditionalists. Even if we wanted to Scouting New Zealand could never
> abolish Sea Scouts. About 8 years ago, the Association tried to
> standardise all Uniforms. The Sea Scouts got really annoyed and refused
> to co-operate because they didn't want to give up their Jersy's in
> favour of Sweatshirts.
> > Do you still have Air Scouts?
> We still have Air Scouts in NZ, and they are supported by the Air Force
> through things like meeting places (if there is a base near), tours, and
> flights to things like Jamborees etc.
> > What percentage of available youth are Rovers?
> Rovers always has been a small section, and there are only about 400
> Rovers (don't quote me on the numbers) in New Zealand. After finishing
> up in Venturers, Youth members are actively encouraged by the
> Association to take 3 years off before returning to Scouting as a
> leader.
> > What percentage of available youth are Venturers?
> NZ has over 1,000 Venturers - not many, but those who join usually stay
> in Venturers.
> > What are your numbers in comparison to the rest of the Australian BSA?
> I believe NZ has about 30,000-35,000 Youth Members (again don't quote me
> on numbers!). The highest amount of youth are in Cubs (8.5-10.5), then
> Keas (6.5-8.5), Scouts (10.5-14.5), Venturers (14.5-18.5) and Rovers
> (18-26).
> Surprisingly enough, most Scouts don't drop out during the transition
> between Scouts and Venturers, but while they are in the Scout Troop.
>
> > What would you suggest to make your program grow?
> SNZ is undertaking a major review of both the Scout and Venturer
> Sections. Hopefully this review (which is due out in June 1998) will
> highlight areas we need to work and and can improve in. By the time
> Youth reach Venturers, they are pretty much dedicated members - they've
> usually survived 7-8 years in the other sections before they reach us!
> > What support does "Senior Scouting" get from your BSA?
> Most people in senior positions in Scouting New Zealand have gone
> through the Venturer Section as Unit leaders, Area Leaders or National
> Commissioners, so they appreaciate Venturers, and understand what we're
> telling them. Per capita, the budget actually reverses where the numbers
> are. Per capita, Rovers has the biggest budget followed by Venturers,
> Scouts...
>
> > Did you ever have Senior Scouting advancement beyond the Queen's Scout Award?
> No, the Queens Scout always has been and always will be the highest
> award in Scouting in New Zealand. We're trying to work on a promotion of
> the QS, so it is reconised by employers. It seems that in the US, people
> are proud to say "I'm an Eagle Scout". In NZ, you'll rarely meet a
> person who'll tell you "I'm a Queen's Scout". We want to remidy this.
>
> Regards,
>
> James Moore
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