Program Standards for Rovers

My new assignment this coming Scouting year, is the role of Group Commissioner for a Group which only comprises Venturers and Rovers. Preparing for this role, I thought I'd look at what the Program Standards were, compare them to what the Group is already doing and see where we can improved.

But there are no Program Standards for Rovers.

I have a few thoughts about why, but I thought I'd seek input here to see if it confirms them.

So, your thoughts on:

1) Why aren't there Program Standards for Rovers?

2) If you were to develop Program Standards for Rovers, what would you include?

The Scout Shop still has the Rover Program Hand Book which is a good BASIC beginning GUIDE to what you need to know...

Book - RoverSelling Price
$9.99Item#: 20780
Brand: National
Section: Program Books

You will find it at
http://www.scoutshop.ca/eSolution/catalogue2/?data=010205&template=1&path_spacer=%26nbsp%3B%26bull%3B%26nbsp%3B&num_cols=3&entry=40

Erroll,

Thanks. I plan to pick one up as soon as a Scout Shop opens.

My question also pertains to the fact that Scouts Canada has Program Standards for every other section posted on its website. It also frequently includes these in the Scouting Life magazine as a review for Leaders.

But there isn't a Program Standards document for Rovers. So my question is: why not?

The Program Standards help plan a quality section program for a year, and then are used as a tool to evaluate whether that plan is being carried out or not. They are based on activities that support the program goals and lead to the desired outcomes.

What makes Program Standards possible for a section is that a set of common activities, structures, and achievements exists for every section of that type across the country.

The exception to this is Rovers: there is no set of "Rover activities", nor is there a set structure to a Crew, nor is there a badge system for Rovers.

Rovers, within the context of Scouting, are challenged to be of Service to others. The form that that service takes varies with the interests of the individuals and the needs of their community. The young adults are free to choose, and to succeed or fail based on their choices.

The idea is to give young people an opportunity to become responsible adults by giving them nearly complete control over their choices in a small group, supported by trusted adults. Program Standards would remove much of that choice and control, which is what makes Rovering so useful for a young adult, just as a formalized badge system would.

In fact there is a badge system for Rovers. It's one badge called the Rambler. The requirements of which basically boil down to this: Go to another country, participate in a scouting activity there and come back and present it to your crew or other Scouting Group. Which then basically boils down to, if you have money you can get this badge. If you really want to see a Badge program for Rovers in action, go to Rovers Australia.

Yes, Rovers have no set structure aside from it's motto. But that shouldn't stop Rovers from going out and pardon the lewd comment, but servicing themselves as well as others. Rovers isn't just a way of plucking out new leaders for the cub pack or scout troop, but also a group where youth can get together and plan activities that they couldn't do when they were in Scouts or Venturers for whatever reason. It's also a group where you can be more lax on meetings and events, because of the tremendous amount of other things going on. Balancing often eighty hour weeks of school and homework and work, can be difficult for youth to handle and may need to step back from Scouting for a few years, but still would love the chance to go to the Jamboree that summer or even just being able to come out to the Scout camp to teach a session on knife or axe safety. Then once they've moved into their own place and gotten a decent job where they aren't scrambling for rent money every month, ask if they would like to come to a meeting and help out. I've seen this happen and these new leaders are enjoying it because they have the time and aren't stressing out about where rent is coming from or how they should be studying for their midterms. Remember Duty to self is just as important as Duty to others.

I agree with you, there should be program standards, and we should be keeping track of crews, but it never hurts to step back and see what they do first.

Makr, Chris,

Thanks for your thoughts. It confirmed what I'd been thinking and reading.

But the more I look into this, the more I ask: how can you know if you are being effective if you don't have a target? It's like the old story about the boy who was shooting arrows at the barn and then painting the bull's eye around the arrow - instead of aiming for a goal, you make your goal what you hit.

So here's my suggestion: could Rovers, Advisors and Area/Council/National participants develop a set of Program Standards that becomes a skeleton framework for the Rover program. The fleshing out of that program is still left up to the individual Crew, but at least they have a foundation from which to work.

Scouting has mission. The five sections are supposed to work towards the achievement of that mission in different age groups. Program standards ought to help people determine how effectively the mission is being achieved.

B-P described Rovering as "a brotherhood of open air and service". That definition provides a starting point for program standards: Is the crew program a brotherhood? Does it participate in open air activities? Does it provide service?

Liam,

A great start - especially starting where the youth are.

I would add to that skeleton some of the program standards included in other sections: planning, growth/retention and linking. A connection to the "shoals" B-P mentioned in Rovering to Success - of course with modern equivalents - might also be suitable.

I guess part of thinking is that Rover Crews feel they aren't as respected as other sections - often only looked upon as sources of Section Leaders. The development of a program standards would show Scouts Canada has the same expectations of Rovers as they do for any other section.

I have been collaborating with a Rover crew on creating a set of program standards for Rovers. (They do all the work, I poke holes in it.) We have found that they do fit well with the Rover section. Particularly the area of youth involvement. When we think we are done with it, I will submit it here and see what else can be improved. Perhaps at some point it can be widely used.

Keep in mind the Duke of Edin borough Award. The Gold standards are appropriate for Rovers, and they should at least be made aware of it, if not encouraged to participate towards earning the award.

Cheers,
Wayne