The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association

Traditional Scouting for the 21st Century!

Senior Scouts Programme

Intro

Senior Scouts is where the action is!

With a programme specifically designed to be challenging it encourages individuals to ‘look wide’ and be adventurous. Much of the work they do is aligned to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme which can be found in that section of the menu bar. Seniors are encouraged to develop skills for life and to be self motivated. They must have a ‘can do’ attitude to progress through the programme.
Following their time in Senior Scouts they can then move on to become a Rover Scout or elect to become a Young Leader.
Senior Scouts have the same Law & Promise made by Scouts but their motto is different.

The Law

1. A Scouts' honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal to The King, His Country, His Scouters, His Parents, His Employers and to those under Him.
3. A Scouts' duty is to be useful and help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout, no matter to what Country, Class or Creed the other may belong.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol Leader, or Scout Master without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

The Promise

On My Honour I promise,
That I will do my best,
To do My Duty to God and The King,
To help other people at all times, and obey The Scout Law.

The Motto

'Look Wide'



The Admission Test & Investiture

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The Senior Scout Investiture
A young person becomes a Senior Scout by investiture, during which they makes or re‑affirm the Scout Promise.
To become a Senior Scout the young person must be between 15 and 18 years old.
Before being invested as a Senior Scout they must either hold the First Class badge; or complete the Admission Test.


The Admission Test

1. Understand the Scout Promise and Law in accordance with his age and development.
2. Have a knowledge of the life and work of B-P and the broad outlines of the history of the Movement.
3. Have sufficient knowledge to train a boy or girl of Scout age in the Tenderfoot tests.
4. With at least 3 other Seniors, one of which will make a report to the S.M.(S), go on foot across country or by boat, sailed or propelled by himself a total distance of not less than 22 kilometres, carrying his kit and sleeping out (in tent, hut or barn according to season) for not less than one night, lighting a fire and cooking for himself and his companion.
5. If not previously a Scout, the Scout must have spent a total of at least 3 nights away from home in the company of Scouts (if possible Senior Scouts) sleeping in a tent, hut or barn, or similar shelter.


The Venturer & Bushman Badges

Venturer Badge

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The Senior Scout should:

1. Complete an adventure journey as a member of a Patrol in which he shall play a leading part. The journey, which may be short in length, must include at least 5 "incidents" such as rescues, from fire or heights, compass work, night work, decoding.
2. Be reasonably proficient in 2 of the following. Each of the 2 must be selected from different groups, as under:
a. Boxing, fencing, wrestling, judo.
b. Rowing, riding, ice-skating, roller-skating, sailing, gliding, canoeing, car-driving and motor cycle riding.
c. Swimming, diving.
d. Gymnastics, tumbling.
e. Rock climbing, rope-spinning, caving.
f. Track athletics, field events, cross-country running.
g. Rifle shooting, archery.
3. Be able to perform 3 of the following:
a. Climb a tree to a height of 9m from the ground.
b. Vault a fence two-thirds his own height.
c. Throw an 18½m line to fall between 2 pegs 122cm. apart at a distance of 15½m. twice out of every 3 times.
d. Swim 18½m wearing clothes.
e. Climb a rope to a height of 4½m from the ground.
4. Make a journey of at least 32 km on foot or by boat, with 3 other Scouts, route must be one with which the Scout is not familiar and should, if possible, include stiff country. Sleep out, using only kit carried in rucksack.
The Examiner may set the candidate 1 or 2 tasks which require a specific report but no general log of the journey is required. The journey must be such as will constitute a definite test of determination, initiative, and self-reliance.
Or
Pass the Senior Scout Hiker Badge.
N.B. - All hikes must be checked by person holding B-PSA Safety on the Hills Certificate.


Bushman's Badge

The Bushman's Badge is a leather braid worn on the right shoulder.

Before being awarded the Bushman's Badge, a Senior Scout must:

  • Be at least 16 ½ years of age.
  • Hold the First Class Badge, the Venturer Badge and 2 of the following badges: Astronomer, Camp Warden, Forester, Hiker, Master Cook, Meteorologist, Naturalist, Senior Pioneer, Tracker.
  • Make their own braid. (The necessary materials and instructions are obtainable from the Equipment Department at H.Q. by Badge Secretaries).

Senior Scout Instructor

The Senior Scout Instructor Badge

The Senior Scout Instructor Badge is granted by the A.C. on the recommendation of the S.M.(s). A Senior Scout who is granted this badge will not wear either a Beaver or Cub Instructor Badge. Before being awarded the badge a Senior Scout must:

1. Hold the Bushman's Badge.
2. Have shown qualities of leadership and a desire to use these qualities, together with his Scouting knowledge to the benefit of the Wolf Cubs or Beavers.
3. With the approval of his S.M.(s) have completed a probationary period of one month and be prepared to continue, as an Instructor to a Wolf Cub Pack or Beaver Colony to the satisfaction of the G.S.M. and C.M. or B.M. concerned.
4. In the case of Wolf Cub Packs the Senior Scout must:
a. Have a knowledge of, and ability to instruct in, the subjects of the First and Second star badges and any two proficiency badges.
b. Show a reasonable knowledge of the Wolf Cub's Handbook.
c. Know the duties of the C.M. and other Pack Scouters and the difference between the Cub and Scout training methods.
Or In the case of the Beaver Colony the Senior Scout must:
a. Have a knowledge of, and ability to instruct in, the subjects of the Kitten Badge, the Four Footprint Badges and two of the other awards/ badges available to Beavers.
b.  Show a reasonable knowledge of the Beaver Handbook.
c.  Know the duties of the B.M. and other Colony Scouters and the difference between Beaver and Scout training methods.
Note: The badge will be surrendered within three months of the Senior Scout ceasing to be an Instructor.

Discovery Award

The Discovery Award


The Discovery Award is for Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts.
It is a 4 day expedition of hiking and adventurous Scout challenges which tests the participants' stamina
It is a National event that any Senior and Rover Scouts can participate in and consists of:
A four day expedition in difficult country, on foot or part by cycle.
Senior Scouts / Rover Scouts will be self sufficient and must be able to navigate to a high standard.
At the conclusion of the expedition a Log of the journey is required. Successful Senior Scouts / Rovers, will be awarded a badge and certificate.



St. George's Award

The St. George's Award


A St. George's Award indicates a thorough training in Scoutcraft and a desire to place that training at the disposal of the community for public service.  Before being awarded the St. George's Award, a Scout must:

1. Be at least 17 years of age.
2. Hold the:
a. First Class
b. Bushman's Badge
c. Ambulance Badge
d. Three Public Service Badges
3. In the opinion of the Group Council be setting a personal example of the Scout way of life.
4. Attend the St. Georges Award Assessment Weekend
5. In order to receive St. Georges Award a completed St. Georges Award Record Card must go to HQ Commissioner for Senior Scouts


Duke of Edinburgh's Award

In addition to the Senior Scout badge programme, young people can also gain their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. The Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards are available to Senior and Rover Scouts. Read more about the Silver Award and the Gold Award.

Badge Positions

The B-PSA believe that our uniform badges are there to fulfil two functions; to identify ourselves geographically/ by section and to recognise achievement.

Badges of attendance at events and camps or commemoration and celebration do not fulfil this criteria and are thus at the discretion of the National committee and will only be authorised for significant events and only for a 1 year duration. 

All badges obtained for attending camps, centenary or jubilee should now be removed from uniform and transferred to camp blankets.

Anyone wishing to wear a badge that is not supplied by B-P Supplies (Badges) or previously approved by the National Committee should put a request to the NC via their Area Commission.  Badges approved to be worn: 

  • Kings Scout Award
  • Kings Guide Award
  • Queens Scout Award
  • Queens Guide Award
  • British Legion Affiliation
  • WFIS circle of Friendship
  • WFIS Good Turn Badge
  • Pre 1990 B-P Award (now St George Award)
  • All Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Publications

The Camping Handbook

You can download a copy of The B-PSA Camping Handbook by clicking here.

 

Skills for Expeditions in Remote Countryside (SFEIRC) 

You can download a copy of Skills for Expeditions in Remote Countryside (SFEIRC) by clicking here.