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rovering - What it is?

The aim of the Scout Movement is to develop good citizenship among the boys and youngmen by developing their character, health, handicraft and skills and the spirit of service. This is accomplished by: 1. Training youngmen in habits of observation, obedience and self-reliance through training in wood-craft. 2. Inculcating loyalty and thoughtfulness for others by instructions and giving service to others. 3. Teaching youngmen about services useful to the public and handicrafts useful for themselves 4. Developing mental and physical power of the individual through whole some social contact and activities. 5. Leading the individual to develop spiritual and social values by example and association.

This is achieved through various interesting activities provided in the programme. The programme is mostly outdoor oriented and aims at making the youngmen efficient in the out-of-door, through camping, hiking and other out-door activities, and at the same time trains them to achieve self-reliant and self-discipline through self-education. In short it is a programme which provides them an opportunity for self-development through the help of adult leader and through the company of members of their own age group in the Rover Crew. It provides them opportunity of learning by doing, which is the main method of the movement, through good fellowship and sound guidance.

The programme deals with boys and youngmen of age group 3-6 Bunny and further till thirty five years. The boys whose age ranges from Six to Ten are called Cubs. Ten plus to seventeen are called Scouts, fifteen plus to twenty five are called Rover Scouts, (Training Stage) and twenty five plus to thirty five years are called Rover Scouts to service group. Thus the movement provide a progressive programme of activities and achievements and goes to develop the type of character which is needed in the youngmen of the country. # Please refer the APRO II for Sections and age.

Rovering which is the third section of the Movement, is a continuation of the training given through Cub and Scout sections in good citizenship as the final goal. The aim of Cub training with its motto ‘Do your Best’, is to prepare boys to become better Scouts when they reach the age. The aim of the Scout section with its motto, ‘Be Prepared’ is to prepare boys by training them in various crafts and skills and the aim of the Rover Section, with its motto “Service” is to prepare them to occupy their proper place in the society and to be service to the community, thus enabling them to take the country a step forward in development. Thus the motto of the Movement, ‘Do your Best’ to ‘Be Prepared’ for ‘Service’ can be fully achieved only if a youngman passes through all the three stages of training i.e. Cubbing, Scouting and Rovering. Hence the aim of Rovering, that it is a continuation of the training received in Cubbing and Scouting is established

the aim of rover Brotherhood

The founder Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell in his famous book ‘Rovering to Success’ described the aim of the Rover Brotherhood as: “Rovers are a brotherhood of ‘open air’ and ‘Service’. They are Hikers on the Open Road and Campers of the Woods, able to shift for others. They are in point of fact a senior branch of the Boy Scout Movement- youngmen of over fifteen years of age”.

The four main aims of the training in wood-craft are to develop these points:

Character and intelligence,

Handicraft and skill,

Health and strength, Service for others-citizenship

The Rover Brotherhood has spread to many countries.

It is not only a brotherhood but a jolly brotherhood, with its Camp comradeship, its badges, its secret signs, its uniform, and its ‘dens’ or meeting places all the world over.

Since it is a brotherhood of wanderers, you can, as a member of it, extend your travels of foreign countries and make your friendship there with other Rover of other nationalities.

This side of our Movement is not only interesting and educative but is going to make a real step in ensuring the future peace of the world through mutual goodwill.

If you have already been a Scout you will know pretty much what there is to know about it.

If you have not been a Scout, the first things needed are a pair of scout shoes and a scout heart. Then beg, borrow-or get hold of a copy of ‘scouting for boys’ from the nearest Scout troop or from the Head quarters Equipment Department. That will give you the details for hiking and camping for you to go upon. In series of “Camp Fire Yarns” it gives the details of: 1. Scoutcraft and Scout’s work. 2. Life in the open. 3. Camp life. 4. Treckking. 5. Wood-craft and Nature Lore. 6. Health and Strength. 7. Chivalry. 8. Life saving and dealing with accidents. 9. Duty as Citizens.

the aim of rovering is Brotherhood and service for others.

The object of the Rover Training is to enable youngmen to themselves as

Happy

Healthy Citizens

Useful and to give each his chance of making a successful career for himself.

It gives older boy the means of remaining under helpful influences at the difficult time of his life when he is just entering manhood.

It provides Scouting for youngmen with its joys back woodmanship and nature craft.

It help youngmen of over eighteen years of age, who may desire it, to train for warranted rank of Scouters or instructors in the Scout Movement.

It gives youngmen the opportunity of doing useful service for other on a recognised footing.

“By Rovering I don’t mean aimless wandering. I mean finding your way by pleasant paths with a definite object in view, and having an idea of the difficulties and dangers you are likely to meet by the way.”-B.P.

Rovering is an individual training experience for young men, carried out in a democratic setting with Scouting ideals governing the conduct of individuals and the group as a whole so that they may individually and collectively give practical expression of these ideals in their adult lives.

Programme ideals of the Bharat scouts and guides - rover section.

By the time a young man completes the full course of the Rover/ Programme he will be able to: 1. make scouting a way of life. 2. become an active and participating citizen. 3. improve skills, vocational and otherwise to be self dependent and useful to others. 4. emerge as practical person who has respect for himself and for others and their experiences. 5. realise that he has a responsibility in the development of his community and undertake Community Development Projects individually and collectively. 6. lead a refined religious life in service of man and God/

Dharma. 7. select in future, a right partner for a life of full understanding and adjustment and lead a harmonious life. 8. do all his best to project public property. 9. prepare himself to do his duty to country and develop love for

Universal Brotherhood i.e. peace and goodwill among human beings. 10. develope a positive attitude to undertake considerable risk for others, making the full use of his Rovering Skills and Values. 11. work for the upkeep of our National Heritage and Culture with love for Human values.

12. promote and participate in the developmental activities pertaining to National priorities like National Integration,

Population Education, Conservation, Sanitation etc. 13. become a Strategic Leader who loves to grow with the group. 14. have fair understanding of the World Affairs in general.