Angus

20 hours ago, dkurtenbach said:

"One-and-done" rank requirements and their partner in crime, the "no re-testing" rule, are so ingrained in our advancement-centered Scout culture that they will never be changed.  The only way to keep Scouts current in their skills is through practice and competition. 

Now, suppose an adult Rovering organization were to catch on, with BPSA-like "skill proficiency" badges that required annual or bi-annual re-testing.  The pride of the Scouter/Rover adults in their skills, and the cool badges to accompany them, could inspire (what else?) more new non-advancement awards that youth could earn - and re-earn on a regular basis.  

As I see it, the real value of a Rover organization would be the ability of adults to shed their leader responsibilities for a little while to gather together and be Scouts, to practice patrol method and focus on outdoor skill development, and along the way train new adult leaders by example and hands-on practice and war stories around a campfire.

Well said!  You have summarized it much better than I could have.  I cannot agree more, especially with your last paragraph.  So, how do convince national to bring back the Rovers?

6 hours ago, RememberSchiff said:

"The scout must re-pass all of his or her qualifying badges once between twelve and eighteen months of being awarded the badge, except in the cases of Ambulance Man, Senior Guide and Senior Signaler, which must be re-passed annually...

Should the scout fail any re-examination, they should cease to wear the George Washington’s Scout badge." ...3rd edition 2013 page 89

https://www.bpsa-us.org/pdf/BPSA-US-Pathfinder-Handbook.pdf

I like it!  ~RS

Agreed!  We need this in the BSA.   Too many scouts dont even know their knots.

You are welcome!  I think its only 20 bucks to join per year as a Rover.

https://www.bpsa-us.org/rover

I know several people that have dual memberships in both organizations.  You can actually enroll as a Lone Rover in the BPSA if you want to try it out.  That is what I am doing.  I have no intention of leaving the BSA just want to see what being a Rover is like.

I think bringing back Rovering is the BSA is a great idea and worthy of serious consideration!  Rovering, as originally envisioned by Baden Powell himself started at 18 and had no upper age limit.  I think this is the way it should be not ending at 20 or 25.  He wrote several books on rovering including Rovering to Success.  Currently, another scouting organization in the US, the BPSA, has a successful Rover program which has no upper age limit.   I also think going back to some of the basics of scouting would be a good move for the BSA.