THE ROVER SCOUT PROGRAMME

AGE RANGE AND ELIGIBILITY

v Youth between the Age 17 and 24 years are eligible to be trained as Rover Scouts.

v Youth who have not been Scouts must first gain Scout Membership Badge and be Invested as Scouts.

v Youth who have been Scouts and others on being Invested as Scouts will be called ROVER SCOUTS, prior to their Investiture as Rover Scouts.

THE ROVER SCOUT CREW

v The Rover Scout Unit will be referred to as ROVER SCOUT CREW and will be composed of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 24 members.

v The Rover Scout Crew will meet at least once a fortnight under the leadership of the Rover Scout Leader.

v A Rover Scout Crew may be divided into Patrols of 4 or 5, members, all of them having similar interests.

v Each Patrol will elect its own leader who will be called The Rover Mate.

THE ROVER SCOUT LEADER (RSL)

v A Rover Scout Leader must be at least 25 years of age and be prepared to go through the Rover Scout Leaders’ Training. He should have followed a Phase I Rover Scout Leaders’ Training and should be an Invested Rover Scout.

v On completing the Phase II Rover Scout Leaders’ Training (Phase II could be done anytime after 3 months of following the Phase I) he could apply for his warrant as the R.S.L. of the Rover Scout Crew.

v He should continue his training until he has gone through all the Five Phases of the Rover Scout Leaders’ Training and has obtained the Rover Scout Wood Badge.

CREW – IN – COUNCIL (C-I-C)

v The Crew – In – Council of the R.S.L. (assistant if any), the Rover Mates and the Invested Rover Scouts. Rover Squires may attend in small Rover Crews or new Rover Crews.

v The C-I-C should meet monthly or bi-monthly and plan out the Programme of activity for the months ahead. It will also be responsible for the discipline of the Rover Crew members and watch and guide the progress the Rover Scouts are making.

v The C-I-C should follow the Rover Squire’s preparation for the Initiation Ceremony under the guidance of the Sponsor and inspect the Record Book of the Rover Scout working for B.P. Award and advice and correct him where necessary.

THE ROVER SCOUT CREW MEETINGS

The Fortnightly meetings of the Rover Crew Could be conducted by the R.S.L. The Programme may include: Rally, flag break, religious observances, games, Scout activities, talks, discussions, debates, visits to places of interest, treasure hunts, quizzes, musical programme, practicing for a show or Camp fire, pioneering projects, physical activities, computer training, repairing mechanical devices etc., etc.

ROVER SCOUT TRAINING

The training of a Rover Scout will be in two Stages:

STAGE I - The Rover Scout Investiture

STAGE II - The Baden-Powell Award.

The syllabus for each of the 2 stages is divided in to 6 Areas of Activity “A” Commitment, “B” Culture, “C” Scout craft, “D” Health, “E” Society, and “F” Adventure.

PERIOD OF TRAINING

The training of a Rover Squire for the Rover Scout Investiture should be spread over a period of six months, but, Scouts who have won the District Commissioner’s Cord in the Scout Troop may complete the training in 3 months. All the 6 Areas of Activity, (“A” “B” “C” “D” “E” “F”) must be completed before the ROVER SQUIRE is invested as a ROVER SCOUT.

THE SPONSOR

Every new member Invested as a Scout in the Crew will be known as a Rover Squire and will begin his training for the Rover Scout Investiture.

The C-I-C will appoint a Sponsor, and Invested Rover Scout, for each Rover Squire, who will watch, guide and train the Squire in the requirements for the Investiture and present him to the C-I-C when he has satisfactorily completed all the requirements under the SIX AREAS OF ACTIVITY (“A” to “F”)

THE INVESTITURE

The Initiation of a Rover Squire into the Brotherhood of Rover Scouts is carried out at a special Initiation Ceremony after the Crew and the Squires to be invested have gone through a Vigil, which is a preparation including a Study of the Scout Law and Promise as an Adult, a Process of Self – Examination and a period of Meditation. The Vigil is best observed in the quiet hours of the night spread over a period of two to three hours and conducted by a person of exemplary character.

The Initiation Ceremony will be a solemn act of Dedication for sincere and loyal Service.

The Badge presented to the Rover Scout at his Investiture should be worn above his left shirt pocket.

STAGE II – THE BADEN–POWELL AWARD (B.P. AWARD)

B.P. AWARD RECORD BOOK

A Rover Scout working for the B.P. Award must maintain a Record Book (not his personal Log Book) from the date he was invested as a Rover Scout for a minimum of 2 years.

In the first half of the book he will record every Crew Meeting he attended and every C-I-C he was present at. He will give the date of the meetings, their duration, and the important events of the programme. He should have attended a minimum of 24 Crew Meetings and 6 C-I-C meetings, to be eligible for the B.P. Award.

The Second part of the Book will be divided in to six parts. Each part having several pages for each of the Six Areas of Activity (“A” to ”F”). Under each Area of Activity he will explain how he set about the requirement, the notes he had written, the progress he had made, the programme he carried out, report on the journeys he made, a record of his achievements, of the expenditure incurred and Evaluation of his own effort.

ASSESSMENT OF B.P. AWARD REQUIREMENTS

Every requirement of the 15 requirements for the B.P. Award will be assessed by the Rover Scout Leader pf the Rover Crew or a B.P. Award winner appointed by the C-I-C (he may be a member of another Rover Crew.) He will sign the Record Book at the end of each requirement. These requirements may be attempted in any order.

When the Rover Scout has completed all the requirements for any Area of Activity (“A” “B” “C” “D” “E” or “F”) he will present his RECORD BOOK at the C-I-C. Once the C-I-C is satisfied the Chairman will place his signature to say the C-I-C had seen the Record Book and had accepted his report. When the Rover Scout had completed all the Six Areas of Activity and had them accepted by the Chairman of the C-I-C he will meet the Interviewer with his Record Book and a letter from the R.S.L. of his Rover Crew.

INTERVIEWER AND AWARD PRESENTATION

The Interviewer for the B.P. Award will be the A.D.C. (Training) of the District or a Trainer (A.L.T. / L.T.) appointed by him. The Interviewer will go carefully through the Record Book and make sure the Rover Scout has satisfactorily completed all the requirements. If satisfied he will give a letter

to the Chief Commissioner recommending the ROVER SCOUT FOR THE B.P. AWARD. This letter and the Record Book should be sent to the National Headquarters along with the completed application form for the B.P. Award, where the Assistant Chief Commissioner (Rover Scouts), or the Headquarters Commissioner (Rover Scouts) or in the absence of either a nominee of the Chief Commissioner will go through the Record and be satisfied that the applicant is qualified to be awarded the B.P. Award.

He will sign the form for the application of the B.P. Award and forward it to the Chief Commissioner, for his approval and the issue of the Award.

ROVER SCOUT UNIFORM AND THE WEARING OF BADGES

A Rover Scout will not wear any badge won as a Scout other than the Membership Badge and the President’s Scout Award (if he had gained the President’s Scout Award)

A Rover Scout assisting in a Cub Scout Pack or Scout Troop should not wear the President’s Scout Award Badge.

The winner of the B.P. Award may continue to wear it whatever position he may hold in the Scout Movement.

ROVER SCOUT PROGRAMME SYLLABUS THE ROVER SCOUT IN INVESTITURE

“A” COMMITMENT

1. Scout Law and Promise – Understand the Scout Law and the Promise as an adult.
2. Show that he has a regular commitment at a place of religious worship.

3.He should have read SCOUTING FOR BOYS (BALADHAKSHA VIDYAVA) and be well informed of World Scouting and the history of Sri Lanka Scouting.

“B” CULTURE

1. National Flag – learn about its origin, history, how and when flown. Understand it is the symbol of National Unity, Loyalty and Unselfish Service. Know how to venerate it and maintain it in good form.
2. National Anthem – Besides knowing it word perfect and being able to sing it with feeling and respect he should understand the deep meaning of the words and be inspired to be a loyal and serving citizen of Sri Lanka.
3. Know about the life of a respected person of his choice and give a talk on him for 15 minutes and say what he learnt for his own life from this person.

“C” SCOUT CRAFT

1. Should have won the D.C.’s Cord as a Scout. If not, complete all the requirements for the D.C.’s Cord in Scout craft section other than the Proficiency Badges.
2. Be able to train a new member to the Scout Troop or Rover Scout Crew in the requirements for the Scout Membership Badge.

“D” HEALTH

1. Understand the dangers of smoking, drugs, liquor etc., Also know the dangers of over-eating, over-sleeping, not taking a rest etc.,

1. Balanced Diet – Understand the necessity of a balanced diet – Know how to plan a balance diet and know what foods are unhealthy.
2. Understand the importance of having regular body exercise.
3. Know and understand the correct attitude towards the opposite sex.

“E” SOCIETY

1. Home environment – Have a thorough knowledge of his home environment.
2. Understand the dangers of gambling and betting.
3. Extremists and touts – know how to avoid being misled by extremists and touts and cheats.
4. Understand his part and position as a citizen of Sri Lanka.

“F” ADVENTURE

1. Should have won the D.C.’s Cord as a Scout. If not, should complete the requirements for the Adventure section of the D.C.’s Cord, other than the Proficiency Badges.

SERVICE

v Six months service as an Invested Scout after 17 years of age.

v If he has won the D.C.’s Cord he needs only 3 months service after he is 17 years.

ELIGIBILITY

v Before the Rover Scout Investiture he should have at least 6 months service as an Invested Scout.

v He could join a Rover Crew only after he is 17 years of age.

v If after 17 years of age he is still trying for his President’s Award, he could join the Rover Crew only after completing the requirements for the Award.

BADEN POWELL AWARD
(17 years 3 months – 24 years)

“A” COMMITMENT

1. Lead an exemplary life and do his best to live up to the ideals of the Scout Law and the Scout Promise.
2. Make a special effort to understand and learn more about his religion and give his service in some capacity or the other to a religious institution.
3. Improve his knowledge about World Scouting and keep it up to date. Know about Scouting in the neighboring Countries.

“B” CULTURE

1. Gain proficiency over a period of 6 months, in something new such as a craft, music or drama, amateur radio, building an electric circuit, writing a computer programme which does something useful, photographs etc., maintain a record of his progress or launch a self employment scheme and maintain record of the work done over at least a period of 6 months.

“C” SCOUT CRAFT

1. Should be able to instruct Cub Scouts in Scout Craft section in the Silver Star or instruct Scouts in the Substitute Scout Award section of the Scout Award.

1. Should have (after reaching 18 years of age) completed the Phase II Training Course conducted for Scout Leaders by the National or the District Training Team.

“D” HEALTH

1. First Aid – Having attained proficiency in the requirements for the Scout Ambulance Badge be able to train a Patrol of Scouts in First Aid up to (including) D.C.’s Cord.
2. With another Rover Carry out a health survey of a Scout Troop or Cub Scout Pack for a period of 6 months at least, maintaining systematic records of progress and improvement.

“E” SOCIETY

1. Follow a leadership training course organized by an accepted organization. Prior permission to be obtained from the A.D.C. (Rover) or if such person is not available in the District, any District official nominated by the District Commissioner.
2. Take part in a Family Education Course or a Seminar organized by a Family Planning Unit and submit records kept in a report form.
3. Give a talk for about 15 minutes at the Rover Crew Meeting on the tenth part of the Scout Law with special reference to Sex Education.
4. Get Counseled by a person (a counselor) on successful family life. Family planning and choice of a wife. The counseling to be done during a period of at least 1 ½ months under the guidance of the Rover Scout Leader.
5. Show that he is able to act as a Counselor in future using the knowledge gained according to section No.12.

“F” ADVENTURE

1. Organize a camp/hike for a Scout Troop or an outing/hike for a Cub Scout Pack. The report of this project to be submitted under the headings given below : choice of project, planning, implementation and evaluation, He must indicate what experience and knowledge he gained from this project.
2. Hike on foot 40 Km – 50 Km or by bicycle 100-120 Km or by boat 50-60 Km. This should be spread over for a Period of 3 nights. A complete report giving details of geography, climate, agriculture, industries, culturally or historically important places etc.,

SERVICE

2 years after Rover Investiture.

ELIGIBILITY

v The requirements for the B.P. Award should be attempted only after the Rover Scout Investiture.

v The requirements for the B.P. Award should be completed before he is 24 years of age.

v The Rover Scout should have attended a minimum of 24 Rover Crew meetings and 6 Crew – in – Council Meetings.

v From the date the Rover Scout was invested as a Rover Scout he should spread his training for the B.P. Award over a minimum period of 2 years and maintain a Record Book during this period.