​Rover Scouting History
History of Rover Scouts Video by Colin Walker, UK Rover Historian, Thane (Independent) Rover Crew Scribe & Keeper of Gilwell Park
The Thane Rover Crew is based in Pontefract, Yorkshire. Their local members are also members of the Castleford and Pontefract SAS and they are also the Gilwell Park Service Crew.  They are very proud that their Patron is Lord Michael Baden-Powell, grandson of Scouting's founder. He has, on several occasions, been able to join with them at Gilwell Park and at their base in Yorkshire.  The Rover Motto is SERVICE and so members are expected to demonstrate this in their daily lives and as a Crew.  You can learn more about them at www.facebook.com/groups/3142819565760936

​A History of Rovering, compiled by Ken Pataky, Chief Rover Scout, R4LA, 2020

1917, Senior Scouts launched by BSA UK, originally ages 15-17.  World War I interferes with growth of this section, prompting reconsideration.
1918, Rovering/Rover Scouting was first announced by Chief Scout of the World, Robert-Baden Powell, replacing Senior Scouting.  Pamphlet, Provisional Rules for Rover Scouts, BSA UK, kept minimum age at 15, introduced uniform (campaign hat w/RS bar, thumbstick or alpenstock 4’6” to 5’ length, green shoulder straps w/yellow letters, Mate/Second, red garters, red/green/yellow shoulder knot w/6” ribbon), Rover Den.
1919, Small group of Rovers from East London become 1st campers at 52-acre Gilwell Park, just purchased by WFDB Maclaren and donated to BSA UK, just before 1st Wood Badge course was held there that same year.  Though it was donated for use by Rovers, Baden-Powell had greater plans for it to be used as a place to train Scouters.
1920, Ranger section formed in the Girl Guides, equivalent to Rovers, for adult women only.
1922, Rovering to Success, authored by Baden-Powell.  Set age of admission for Rovers to 17, maximum age of admission 22, no maximum age in program (never set during his lifetime).  In it, B-P wrote, “This side of the 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 good will.
1923, First Rover badge, Rambler’s, worn on epaulet, originally a silver replica of a piece of bramble, eventually became a cloth badge.
1928-1929.  B-P stated in 1928, “Rover Scouting is a preparation for life, and also a pursuit for life.”  Rover Scouting started in the USA with Crews forming in Seattle, Detroit, Toledo and elsewhere in 1928 and 1929, with Robert Hale starting a formal program in 1929 in New England, coordinating with the National BSA Council.

​Booklet published, Rover Scouts What They Are!, BSA UK, promoting Rovering with excerpts from RTS, mentioned 3 pamphlets preparing for Investiture (2nd ed. 1937).  Head Ranger Phyllis Bond from the Girl Guides published an article in The Guider, recommending that Rangers and Rovers “cooperate” together in many shared activities; cooperation leads to what was called “B-P’s Matrimonial Agency,” with many couples marrying and starting Scouting families like B-P’s.
1930, Once A Scout Always A Scout, Robert S. Hale, New England Rover Commissioner (BSA/USA), described a Rover program he implemented there based on BSA UK program and standards, as “experiments conducted there at the request of BSA (US).”  17 was minimum age; 18 recommended, with no upper limit.  Rovers designed own program, no badges mentioned.  Rover Scouting, F. W. W. Griffin, a sister volume to Rovering to Success, was written by a prominent leader in the UK Rovering movement (2nd ed., 1933).  Griffin is credited with emphasizing the Rover Quest.  Rovers were offered career training classes and provided extensive public service during the Great Depression, from 1930-1939
1931, 1st World Rover Moot, Kandersteg, Switzerland, with 3300 Rovers from 20 countries, as well as Baden-Powell.  B-P said of Rovers while there:  “Their arms are alpenstocks, their discipline that of goodwill from within; their service consists not so much of fitting themselves for war as in developing the spirit of universal peace.”
1933, Rover Scouts, by Gilcraft, an in depth manual for Rover Scouting (2nd ed., 1938).  BSA (US) National Council approves Rovering as a formal program.  Crews were led by a Mate and Second, with subdivisions into Teams led by Team Leaders.  Adult leaders were called Rover Scout Leader and Asst. Rover Scout Leader.  No distinctive advancement program; program was mostly based on senior Scouting program in USA, including Eagle Scout, Explorer advancements, Rambler’s award (unofficial).  No upper age set.
1935, 2nd World Rover Moot, Ingarö, Sweden, with 3000 Rovers from 26 countries.  Baden-Powell present.  Robert Hale, New England Rover Commissioner,  attended from the USA.  B-P met James West (BSA) at Schiff Scout Reservation, to help plan 1st BSA Rovering Wood Badge Course.
1936, Hitler bans Scouting in Germany and forces all non-Jewish boys to join the Hitler Youth.  The HY uses Scouting activities to lure the bosy in but then shifts training more and more to military drills, indoctrination, and preparation for war.  This upsets B-P deeply, as he was trying to promote international peace with Scouting and did not want Scouts to ever fight against each other.
1938, Last POR (Policy, Organization & Rules) by BSA UK issued during Baden-Powell’s lifetime.  Adventuring for Senior Scouts, a book published by BSA (USA), included a two-page reference to “A Rover Crew in the Group.”  Rover Scouting was introduced as a “skeleton program featuring service, friendship, progress and citizenship” for Groups with more Scouts over 18 than it can absorb in Scouter positions.  No upper age set.  Rovers build their own program of meetings, associations, literary affairs in which the high traditions of the Scout Oath and Law and Motto are dominant.
1939, 3rd World Rover Moot, Monzie, Scotland, with 3500 Rovers from 42 countries.  World War II began in Europe.  Many Rovers were called to serve and lost their lives during the War, against the dreams of B-P for peace.  Many Crews were suspended during this time.
1940, A Rover Scout Investiture, BSA CA, expanded version of Rover Investiture, adding more Knight symbolism, Christianity, kneeling on 2 knees.
1941, Chief Scout of the World, Robert Baden-Powell, died in Kenya.  The USA joined the Allies in World War II after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  B-P's worst fears are realized as the world plunges deeper into the war and many Rovers serve in the military and lose their lives.
1946, The Presentation of a Rover Scout, BSA UK, compilation of 3 pamphlets, previously released separately during Baden-Powell’s lifetime (prior to 1937):  The Scout Law & Promise Interpreted for Rovers, The Vigil of a Rover Scout, and Investiture of a Rover Scout.
1948, Plan for Rover Scouts, BSA UK, updated POR to add Progress Badge (lanyard between left shoulder and left chest pocket), temporarily retired Instructor’s Badge, removed Practical Training Strip training, set maximum age of training stage to 25; over 25 became service stage.
1949, 4th World Rover Moot, Skjak, Norway, with 2500 Rovers from 40 countries.
1952, BSA (US) National Council stops chartering new Rover Crews.
1953, 5th World Rover Moot, Kandersteg, Switzerland, with 4168 Rovers from 41 countries.
1956, Rover Scout Organisation & Training, by BSA UK, included POR updates ending Rovering at 24yo and adding Project Badge (replacing Progress Badge), Service Training Star, and Scoutcraft Star to Rambler’s Badge, leading to Baden-Powell award, the newly minted highest award in Rovering.  Changed Rambler’s Badge requirements to remove 100-mile hiking requirement and replace with being competent to instruct two SS badges plus completing a single 4-day expedition organized by the Rover w/a Team of his Crew.
1957, 6th World Rover Moot, Sutton Coldfield, England, with 3500 Rovers from 61 countries.
1961-62 (Dec-Jan), 7th World Rover Moot, Melbourne, Australia, with 969 Rovers from 15 countries.  The last moot named Rover Moot and the last World Moot for 30 years.
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1963, The Crew Scouter’s Handbook, BSC.  Comprehensive guide to Rovering in Canada.
1965, Rover Scouts -- what they are and what they do, BSA UK, (final amendment, originally published 1958), included last POR updating Rovering before APR ended program in UK and USA.  Included Appendix “Reception of a Rover Squire” ceremony.  BSA (US) National Council stopped re-registering Rover Crews, forcing any that wanted to continue to register as Explorer Posts (effectively setting upper age limit at 21).
1966, Chief Scout’s Advanced Party Report, BSA UK, ended Rovering in UK.  Formally marked the end of traditional Scouting.  Wolf Cubs renamed to Cub Scouts.  Removed “On my honour” and “at all times” from the Scout Oath/Promise.  Scout Law in UK rewritten to include 8 points.  “Be Prepared” set as motto for all sections.  Venture Scouts in UK installed (16 to 20) and Scouts age changed to 11 to 16.  Lone Scouts discontinued.  Maximum age set for Scouters & Commissioners (65).  Shorts worn only by Cubs.  Wearing of berets in UK made standard and more popular in US.  Numbers of Senior and Rover Scouts in BSA UK prior to APR stood at 55,206.  Venture Scouts and Girl Guides began to meet together.  Rovering/Rover Scouting continued in many other countries throughout the world to the present day, typically with age ranges from 18-25.
1967, BSA UK organization name changed to The Scout Association (TSA).  Completed changes suggested by 1966 APR.
1969, The number of Venture Scouts in TSA (UK) stood at 21,698, a loss of 34,000 senior and adult Scouts since 1966.
1970, Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association (BPSA), formed in the UK as a reaction to the changes implemented by the 1966 APR.  Reinstalled Baden-Powell’s original Oath/Promise and Law, original training scheme and rank/award system, uniforms, structure, mostly based on 1938 POR with a few additions afterwards but prior to 1966 APR (such as 1956 RSOT).  Baden-Powell Award set as ultimate award in association.  Lady Olave Baden-Powell, still Chief of the Girl Guides, approved the new organization and allowed BPSA to use her husband’s name.
1971, BSA (US) opened Explorers to girls, the first time they are allowed to join the organization.
1976, Girls admitted (optionally) into TSA Venture Scouts.
1977, Chief Girl Guide Olave Baden-Powell died.
1990-91 (Dec-Jan), 8th World Scout Moot, Melbourne, Australia, with 1000 Rovers from 36 countries.  World Rover Moot renamed to World Scout Moot, to allow for countries with young adult Scouts no longer called Rovers.  TSA UK allows girls to be members of all of its sections in 1991, though still optional.
1992, 9th World Scout Moot, Kandersteg, Switzerland, with 1410 Rovers from 52 countries.
1996, 10th World Scout Moot, Ransäter, Sweden, with 2608 Rovers from 78 countries.  World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS) formed by Lawrie Dring in Laubach, Germany, a Scouter with BPSA.
2000, 11th World Scout Moot, Mexico City, Mexico, with 5000 Rovers from 71 countries.
2002-2003, Reestablishment of Scouting for Rovers age of 18-25 by TSA (UK), called the Scout Network.  Girls admitted optionally.
2004, 12th World Scout Moot, Hualien, Taiwan, with 2500 Rovers from 85 countries.
2007, International Scout Fellowship (ISF) founded as a branch of WFIS, for any adult who want to contribute to growth of independent Scouting, no matter their Scouting backgrounds.  TSA UK makes inclusion of girls in all of its program sections (including The Scout Network) mandatory.
2010, 13th World Scout Moot, Nairobi, Kenya, with 1924 Rovers from 66 countries.
2013, 14th World Scout Moot, Ottawa, Canada, with 2000 Rovers from 83 countries.
2017, 15th World Scout Moot, Reykjavík, Iceland, with 5000 Rovers from 106 countries.
2018, BSA (US) opened Cub Scouting to girls and announces it will open ScoutsBSA (teens) to girls also in 2019.  GSA (US) files first of several lawsuits against BSA (US) for unfair competition.
2019, BSA (US) hosted the first World Scout Jamboree in the USA since 1967, including over 50,000 Scouts from 160 countries, held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in WV (created in 2013).  A Provisional Rover Brigade, calling themselves the Baden-Powell Corps and the Puma Patrol, was formed and became instrumental in the administration of the WSJ.  PP Rovers included members of the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the three countries hosting the WSJ, while BPC Rovers were open to any Scouts from any country attending.  The first provisional BSA Rover Crew outside of the WSJ, the Tidewater Rovers, was formed in Tidewater Council, in Virginia & North Carolina, to explore the idea of Rovering; ages were set at 21 to 34, with a focus on comradery and service, with meetings held often at bars.  Uniform set as Class B only; a purple WOSM t-shirt with the WOSM logo on the front and “Gilwell Park” with the axe/log logo on the back.  No apparent training or development program.  Organization setup includes a District Commissioner supervising the program, setup as a District within a Council, with a national affiliation with the Scouting Alumni & Friends (SAF) branch of the BSA.  Girls admitted to ScoutsBSA (BSA US) program and the Order of the Arrow.
2020, Rovering 4 Life Association founded by Ken Pataky, former Rover Scout with the former BPSA-US, to promote lifelong Rovering with minimal cost and restrictions, especially for establishing independent Rover Crews.  R4LA is a full member Chapter of the International Scout Fellowship (ISF), which is affiliated with the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS).  The Deep River Rover Crew was also founded by Ken Pataky under R4LA, using a composite model of a local Crew in North Carolina blended with a national/international Crew, using both in-person and virtual meetings.  Soon after, Sarah Bailey founded the Aspen Mountain Rover Crew in Utah.  R4LA held its First Rover Moot at Uwharrie National Forest, NC in October.
2021, First female BSA (US) Eagle Scouts are awarded. 

The 2nd R4LA Rover Moot was held at Raven Knob Scout Reservation, Mt. Airy, NC, in October, attended by the R4LA Chief Rover Scout and Commissioners.

The 16th World Scout Moot scheduled for Ireland was postponed until 2022 and then ultimately canceled, due to the COVID plandemic.
2023, 3rd R4LA Rover Moot planned for eastern Texas in October.
2025, 16th World Scout Moot, planned for Portugal.