Pathfinder Scouts Association


The Pathfinder & Rover Explorer Scouts' Association is an independent Traditional Scouting Association in the United Kingdom, with International branches. The Association's training programme runs along the lines of Baden-Powell's original Scouting for Boys, upholding the traditions and practices set out by B-P, using the 1938 Boy Scouts' Association Policy Organisation & Rules as its basis.

The Crossed Arrows

Along with the Fleur-de-Lis, the arrow has been a long used symbol within Scouting.
The British Boy Scouts used the arrow symbol as an important part of their badges. In the Gloucestershire Chronicle dated 19 November 1910, Capt.L.C.Hobbs, The BBS Gloucester Commissioner, gave the following response when asked why every BBS badge has an arrow running through it:
"An arrow, forms an important part in the British Boy Scout badges, because an arrow is used for indicating direction; and, as this the duty of a Scout, the arrow is an appropriate symbol. An arrow is also straight and true: sharp and quick-qualities all Scouts should possess."
At the 1929 World Jamboree in Arrowe Park, Baden-Powell presented four Golden Arrows to representatives from the four corners of the Globe, saying "Carry it fast and carry it far".
In modern heraldry, crossed arrows have come to represent friendship, peace, unity, and cooperation.
It is for these very reasons, that we use the crossed arrows within our association.

Organisation

Sections

Beavers

Beavers are the youngest and newest section in Scouting, although some Groups do not operate Beaver colonies as they were not part of Baden-Powell's original concept. Beavers was one of the initial names Baden-Powell considered for the Wolf Cub section. The programme serves six to eight year olds, and is based on the Canadian Beaver Scout handbook Friends of the Forest.

Beaver Law and Oath

The Beaver Oath is:
I promise to do my best,
to obey my Leaders and my parents
to love God and to be a good Otter.
The Beaver Law is:
A Beaver is always busy and bright
is a friend to all and helps other people
by doing a good turn every day.
Motto: "Beavers" - Always Busy and Bright

Beaver Uniform

  • Cap: Grey, with pale blue piping, with Beaver's head badge in front.
  • Scarf: Of the Group colour, worn with a Group ring or a loose knot at the throat.
  • Jersey: Grey, sleeves down or rolled up at the discretion of the B.S.M.
  • Shorts: Dark grey.
  • Stockings: Dark blue; worn turned down below the knees, with green tabbed garter showing outside.
  • Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
  • Shoulder patch: Small triangular path of cloth, sewn at the top of left sleeve, immediately below the shoulder, with point upwards.
  • Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on right shoulder or on both, according to the custom of the Group.
  • County emblem: Worn on the right breast.
  • District emblem: Worn on the right sleeve below the shoulder badge.

    Beaver Proficiency Badges

The general scheme of Beaver proficiency badges is as follows:-
Four special proficiency badges;
  • Brown Paw Print Badge
  • Blue Paw Print Badge
  • Green Paw Print Badge
  • Red Paw Print Badge
Two additional proficiency badges;
  • Beaver Safety
  • Swimming Beaver

    Wolf Cubs

In 1916, Lord Baden-Powell set up Wolf Cubs for the younger brothers of the Scouts who were desperate to join in the fun. Wolf Cubs are based around Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. Where a young boy brought up by a Wolf pack has to learn to develop to be a self sufficient man. Leaders take their names from the Jungle Book story.

Wolf Cub Law and Oath

The Wolf Cub Oath is:
I promise to do my best,
To do my duty to God and the King,
To keep the Law of the Wolf Pack, and do a good turn to somebody every day.
The Law of the Wolf Cub Pack is:
The Cub gives in to the Old Wolf;
The Cub does not give in to himself.
Motto: "Wolf Cubs" - Do my Best

Wolf Cub Uniform

  • Cap: Green, with yellow piping, with Wolf's head badge in front.
  • Scarf: Of the Group colour, worn with a Group ring or a loose knot at the throat. Ends to be tied with a 'Reef' Knot.
  • Jersey: Green, sleeves down or rolled up at the discretion of the C.M.
  • Shorts: Dark grey.
  • Stockings: Dark blue; worn turned down below the knees, with green tabbed garter showing outside.
  • Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
  • Shoulder patch: Small triangular path of cloth, sewn at the top of left sleeve, immediately below the shoulder, with point upwards.
  • Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on right shoulder or on both, according to the custom of the Group.
  • County emblem: Worn on the right breast.
  • District emblem: Worn on the right sleeve below the shoulder badge.

    Wolf Cub Proficiency Badges

The general scheme of Cub proficiency badges is as follows:-
Two general proficiency badges;
  • One Star Cub
  • Two Star Cub
12 special proficiency badges for different subjects divided into four groups as follows:-
Character ;
  • Collector
  • Observer
  • Gardener
Handcraft ;
  • Artist
  • Homecraft
  • Toymaker
Service
  • First Aider
  • Guide
  • House Orderly
Physical Health
  • Athlete
  • Swimmer
  • Team Player
One additional proficiency badge, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges
  • Leaping Wolf

    Pathfinder Scouts

In 1906 and 1907 Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British Army, wrote a book for boys about reconnaissance and scouting. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys, based on his earlier books about military scouting, with influence and support of Frederick Russell Burnham, Ernest Thompson Seton of the Woodcraft Indians, William Alexander Smith of the Boys' Brigade, and his publisher Pearson. In the summer of 1907 Baden-Powell held a camp on Brownsea Island in England to test ideas for his book. This camp and the publication of Scouting for Boys are generally regarded as the start of the Scout movement.
The movement employs the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports.

Pathfinder Scout Law and Oath

The Pathfinder Scout Law and Oath are derived from the original Scout Law and Scout Oath:

The Scout 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 kind to animals.
  7. A Scout obeys the orders of his parents, Patrol Leader, or Scout Master without question.
  8. A Scout smiles and whistles in all difficulties.
  9. A Scout is thrifty
  10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
It is perhaps rather difficult to remember the different heads of the law. The following is easily learned and is a good way of memorising the headings:
Trusty, loyal and helpful,
Brotherly, courteous, kind,
Obedient, smiling and thrifty,
Pure as the rustling wind.

The Pathfinder Scout Oath

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,
To obey the Scout Law.
Motto:"Pathfinder Scouts" - Be Prepared.

Pathfinder Scout Uniform

The uniform worn by members of the P-RESA reflects that worn by Scouts prior to the publication of the Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report by The Scout Association in 1967.
  • Hat: Khaki hat, leather band round crown, and lace worn at the back of head and tied on the brim of the hat.
  • Scarf: Of the Group colour, worn with a Group ring or a loose knot at the throat.
  • Shirt: Khaki, with two patch pockets, and shoulder straps.
  • Shorts: Dark Blue.
  • Belt: Brown leather or web
  • Stockings: Dark Blue, worn turned down below the knee with green tabbed garter showing on the outside.
  • Boots or shoes: Brown or black.
  • Shoulder knot: Llama braid six inches long, half an inch wide, of Patrol colours, on left shoulder.
  • Shoulder badge: Indicating the Group, worn on right shoulder or on both, according to the custom of the Group.
  • County emblem: Worn on the right breast.
  • District emblem: Worn on the right sleeve below the shoulder badge.
  • Staff: Every Pathfinder, including a Sea Pathfinder, should be equipped with a natural wood staff, marked in feet and inches, to be carried on all appropriate occasions.

    Pathfinder Scout Proficiency Badges

The general scheme for Pathfinder proficiency badges is as follows:-
Two general proficiency badges
  • Second Class
  • First Class
44 special proficiency badges for different subjects as follows
The badges, the tests for which are marked with an asterisk must be repassed annually. Those marked with † denote public service badges:-
  • Airman
  • Ambulance*†
  • Artist
  • Athlete
  • Backwoodsman
  • Boatman
  • Canoeist
  • Camper
  • Civil Defence†
  • Climber
  • Coast Watchman†
  • Cook
  • Cyclist†
  • Electrician
  • Entertainer
  • Explorer†
  • Fireman†
  • Fisherman
  • Forester
  • Handyman†
  • Healthyman†
  • Interpreter*†
  • Marksman
  • Master-at-Arms
  • Missioner†
  • Musician
  • Naturalist
  • Oarsman
  • Pathfinder*
  • Pilot†
  • Pioneer
  • Public Health Man†
  • Quartermaster
  • Rescuer*
  • Rigger
  • Signaller*†
  • Stalker
  • Starman
  • Surveyor
  • Swimmer
  • Tracker
  • Weatherman
  • Wirelessman
  • World Friendship
Three additional proficiency badges, based on the holding of certain special proficiency badges
  • Scout Crown Award
  • All Round Cords
  • Bushman's Thong