chaPter - vii

the training oF a rover scout

After you have been invested as a Rover you will enter into the training stage. Remember what the Founder has said about Rovering-a continuation of the training in citizenship received as a Cub and as a Scout’. It provides further training for the development of good citizenship by forming the character of youngmen.

The Rover is expected to adopt and be governed by the following principles : 1. His promise of duty to God or his Dharma, as the case may be. through conscious effort to develop his own spiritual life and through the practice of his religion or ethical or moral code, as the case may be; 2. His promise of duty to country through earnest endeavour to secure proper knowledge of the Government of his country and through performance of his duty as a citizen; 3. His promise of duty to his neighbours through a logical development of the Scout Good turn, after proper preparation and training in some form of effective service to the country, he must first realise that his first service is-to his home and that it is his duty to establish himself in life and make every endavour to consolidate his position so that he is not a burden on others or the State. 4. His Promise to obey the Scout Law by the adoption of an ideal to be expressed in his actions and in good will, fellowship and clean living. 5. A Rover in furtherance of his progressive development shall under go practical training in the Scheme of advancement of a

Rover and shall participate in the management of the affairs of his Crew. * Refer to APRO Part II Rover Section

Four distinct purposes :

The training stage really has four distinct purpose: 1. The rounding off and in some sense the completion of training in Scout-craft. Which in this case means camping, hiking etc. (see the chapter on Scout-craft in Scouting for Boys’.)

2. The broadening of the youngman’s vision; leading him to see what the world has to offer, in helping him to secure his lasting interest, vocational and avocational. 3. The giving of spiritual and moral strength to the Rover to carry effectively the spirit of Scouting into the adult community. 4. The training of the youngman for service to the community both within and out side the Scout Movement.

individual training and collective training

The training of a Rover may be conveniently divided into two parts viz. Individual Training and Collective Training. The first part concern the training of the individual much of which is his own responsibility connected with the scheme of advancement of a Rover and the second part concerns with the collective programme of the Crew.

Rovering provides a programme for each Rover. Every member of the Crew has different interests and endeavours to develop these. Therefore, you have to set your own programme to suit your needs and interests choosing from a wide range of subjects. This means that you have to embark upon a series of quests designed to help you find yourself.

Your individual training in the Crew will be concerned with the principles and activities which are common to whole Crew. The Crew as a joint effort will help you to strengthen your ideas about your duty to God, duty to the Country, duty to the neighbour and the promise of obedience to the Scout Law.

The Crew will provide you opportunities to take part collective activities such as planned outings, training for service (first aid, traffic duty, fire fighting, civil defence etc.), visit to palaces of interests, visit of speakers and experts etc.

Thus you will advance on your personal development physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially for better service of your country.

the Basic training :

In addition to pursuing your own chosen Scout-craft and training for Service are considered formal basic training for every Rover.

As Rovers are a ‘Brotherhood of the Open Air’, you should train yourself for a high standard of camping and hiking. As a ‘Brotherhood

of Service’, you should train yourself for efficient service. Training in this direction is also essential for your individual development and for community service.

These activities can be taken up individually or with other brother Rovers as a Crew programme or as an individual programme.