Rovering

Rovering is the senior section of the Scout Movement in Canada, and most of the world.  It was founded in 1917 by members of the Movement who had grown to old to be Boy Scouts, but wanted to remain in organised groups in order to implement what they had learned in their Troops.  In 1922, the founder of the Scout Movement, Lord Baden-Powell, wrote the now infamous book Rovering to Success as a guide to these new Rover Scouts.  In it, he explains how true happiness in life is gained through Active Service to your fellow man (and ultimately to God) instead of through idle wandering.  This is why "Service" remains the Rover Scout motto to this day.

Unique among sections of the Movement, Rovering has had a strong tradition in Canada and at the 81st Hamilton Group.

As Rovers at the 81st Hamilton, we are first and foremost a group of friends.  If we ever cease to be friends, there is no point in Rovering.

"Scouting means you have things to do, and friends to do them with...  So get with it!  Get in on the Action!  In your patrol and Troop you'll have some of the best times of your life!"

What's with this quote?  It comes from the Canadian Scout Handbook (1987,) and at first glance is the geekiest quote ever.  Do we need an organisation to make friends?  No.  Those are people who join University Fraternities (at $100/friend, or so it would seem.)  The point is, as Rovers we are friends with a purpose, as well as the opportunity to do so many things that most young people don't have.  Who else has the opportunity to meet thousands of people with similar interests from all over the world at various jamborees?  What group of friends would take the initiative to plan a cross-country skiing trip to Quebec if they weren't encouraged by an Advisor, a National Council, and their peers?  And what parents would let their kids go on such a trip in other circumstances?  How many groups of young people have a desire for service to others?

There's a reason that there are 25 members of the Thunderbird Rover Scouts.  We have a purpose.  We are all friends, and that's the main thing.  But we all agree that we want to be something more than that.  Various weekends, we perform service projects, and do other fun stuff.  Moots are a big thing, because that's how you meet other Rovers - another one of the purposes of Rovering.

  Another thing we've been doing for quite a while is the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.  The Young Canadians' Challenge is an excellent programme tool, and has helped us to do a lot of things we wouldn't otherwise do.  That ski trip mentioned earlier was one, another was our 85 km hike down the Bruce Trail.  So far, one member has received the Gold award from HRH Prince Philip, another has received the Silver award, and two more the Bronze.  Currently, several others are working towards at least one of the levels.

Going back to organised activities, there are many organisations within Rovering which encourage participation in these events.  The most prominent in Ontario is the ORC.  The Crew has taken an active role in the ORC in the past, and will hopefully continue to support the Community.

Part of the ORC is the Battlefields Region Rover Round Table.  BRRRT supports the Crew in Battlefields Region.  (To be added to the BRRRT e-mail list, please send a message to brrrt@canada.com)

"The principal on which Scouting works is that the boy's ideas are studied, and he is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed."- Scouting for Boys, Lord Baden- Powell (1907)

In Hamilton, the Hamilton Wentworth Youth Network is designed to support all Youth Sections.  The Youth Network includes the Youth Committee, which includes one representative from every section and one representative from every Area.  These Youth Members help to develop programme for their members, and communicate these events to the members.  The ultimate goal is to increase membership - allow as many young people as possible to have the experiences offered by Scouting.  The Hamilton Rover Round Table is part of this network, and supports the many Rovers in Hamilton.  Click here to see the report to District Council explaining the new format of Youth Network.

There are many traditions within Rovering which have been developed by fellow Rovers with a similar purpose.

The Ten Quests of Rovering

"Questing" is an important part of Rovering.  It is through questing that Rovers develop themselves - challenge themselves to do something that they don't think they can do - and then do it.  The ten Quests of Rovering are:
 
Truth
World Scouting
Rover Errantry
The Younger Sibling
Beauty
Kindness to Animals
Conscience
Happiness
 
Personal Efficiency
The Spirit
 
    For more information on the Ten Quests of Rovering, please click here.

The Rover Flag

The Rover flag is the cross of St. George (white field with simple red cross) with a gold fleur-de-lis in the centre.  The fleur-de-lis bears the letters 'R' and 'S' on its right and left sides respectively, and a gold scroll underneath the fleur-de-lis is inscribed with the Rover motto - "Service."

Usually, a Crew flag will be embroidered with the name of the Crew, and under no circumstances can the flag be used by the Crew before it has been blessed.  This ceremony is usually performed by the Crew Chaplain.

The Patron Saint of Rovers

The Patron Saint of Rovers is St. George (also the Patron Saint of England.)  Baden-Powell chose St. George as the Patron due to his undying commitment to public service.  Legend has it that he slay many dragons that posed a threat to his people - always with a cheerful smile.  It is this way - cheerfully and happily - that we as Rovers are to serve our fellowman.

Click here for more about the Patron Saint.

The Vigil & Investiture

All Rovers complete a Vigil before they are invested.  This vigil comes after they complete their first Quest, as part of their Squireship Training.  During the vigil, the Squire is to think about why they want to be a Rover - what their personal purpose is, and how they can work towards that purpose.

At the Thunderbird Crew, the Squire completes requirements as outlined in the document So You Want To Be A Thunderbird?, and then lets the Crew know that they are ready for their vigil.  The squire will take a copy of the original vigil written by Baden-Powell as a guide, and contemplate what stage they are at in their Rovering, and in life.  The squire may take as short or as long as he or she would like.

"On my honour, I promise, to do my best, to do my duty to God and the Queen, to help other people at all times, and to live in the spirit of the Scout Law."

Finally, the Squire returns and tells the Crew if they are ready to be invested as a Knight of the Crew.  If they are ready, the investiture ceremony is lead by the Past Mates of the Crew.

The Crew is present, in a horseshoe configuration.  The sponsor (invested Rover who the squire selects to be their mentor through the squireship process) brings his/her Squire to the front, where one of the Past Mates asks if they are ready to be invested.  The ceremony continues with the pledging of the Rover promise (with one hand on the Crew flag, and the other making the Scout sign,) and the knighting of the new Rover with the Crew sword.  The sponsor also presents the new Rover with his/her epaulet boards to be worn on the new Rover's uniform, as a symbol of the passing on of knowledge and experience.  When all new members have been invested, the ceremony is closed with the Rover Prayer, and three cheers for the new Rovers.

The Rover Prayer

By the Spirits of the Just,
Made perfect in their suffering
Teach us in our turn, O Lord,
To serve thee as we ought,
To give, and not to count the cost,
To fight, and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not seek for rest
To labour and not seek any reward,
Save that of knowing that we do thy will
Amen.


Page last updated 16 May 2000.  (c) Thunderbird Rover Scouts.
visits to this page since 10 October 1999.