Rovers
Be of service...
Rovers are the fourth branch of Scouting with a strong focus on community engagement and social inclusion. Rovers develops leadership qualities and encourages Crew Members to grow themselves and find their path in life.
Rovers is open to all young men and women aged between 18-30. Being a Rover gives you access to a world of adventure, excitement, and challenge! You also don’t have to have been a Cub or Scout or Guide to join Rovers.
Rovering can also enhance your CV and increase your value within the employment market as it not only expands physical abilities but also develops character skills such as leadership, problem solving abilities and independence, which are highly sought after within our current society.
Are you making a difference in your world?
Rover Crew
A group of Rovers is known as a “Crew” and each Rover Crew is different, tailoring its activities to the requirements of its members. Crews vary in size from a handful of members to as many as 20. Most Crews meet monthly depending on how active the Crew is. Becoming a member of a Rover crew will provide you with a challenge and the opportunity to develop your personal abilities, as well as learning plenty of new skills.
Crews also thrive on social activities such as harbour cruises, inter-crew activities, sailing, hiking, camping, Minute to Win it Challenges and national and international events known as “Moots”.
Crew Council
This is the organising body of the Crew elected by the Crew to organise and run the Crew for one year. The Council consists of a Rover Scout Leader, Crew Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and two or three Rovers. Only invested Rovers can be elected to this Council, and this is where all decisions are made. To be elected to this Council is an honour not to be taken lightly.
With no two Crews being alike it is difficult to set a standard, but here are a few pointers:
The Council must be aware of the needs and capabilities of the Crew.
The Council must not over-extend the Crew. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, and that is not what we are looking for. Whatever happens, keep the fun element alive.
Maintain democracy in the Crew. Arguments can always be settled if discussed in an adult manner.
The Council has judicial powers. Crew members acting out of line can be called to appear before the Council. This is the most unpleasant task a Council may have to perform.
Avoid your Crew Council becoming a secret society. Take all decisions, programmes and activities to the Crew through the Crew in Council.
What do Rovers do?
The Rover programme is built around four areas of development:
Personal – Grow yourself on a personal level, learn to construct a CV, get your driver’s license and find your spiritual path.
Movement – Develop an understanding of the Scout and Cub sections, involve yourself with running a Pack or Troop meeting/event.
Community – Review your community and establish how to improve it with an action plan, consider doing a community service project.
Leadership – Ultimately develop yourself to become a better citizen and leader in your Crew.
Rovers could be described as a fellowship of the open air and service. You’ll find there’s an extensive range of activities open to you, and socially, you’ll be mixing with a group of young adults doing the things you want to do. Every Rover Crew is different, and tailors its activities to the requirements of its members.
Outdoor activities such as bush walking; caving, canoeing, ski touring, rock-climbing and scuba diving are all important parts of many Rover Crews’ calendars. In fact, when it comes to Rover activities, imagination is your only limit. Rovers will develop your ability to lead other young people to adventure, and you will appreciate the value of helping other people. The word “service” is synonymous with Rovering.
The friends you make in Rovers will be lifelong friends. You will plan and manage your Crew’s activities, and learn the value of teamwork and co-operation. Rovering has so much to offer; you will find the decision to join an easy one to make.
Aims of Rovering
The Organisational Rules of SCOUTS South Africa state the following as regards to the aims of Rovering:
“Rover Scouting is a Brotherhood of the open air and of service, the purposes of which are: to provide encouragement for the self-training of Rovers in citizenship and service, to encourage Rovers to pursue careers useful to themselves, and to render service to the Scout Movement and the Community”.
Rover scouting offers a series of challenging awards, cumulating in the Baden Powell award. There is no formal programme but Crews are encouraged to establish their own, based on the needs and interests of their members, planned at their discretion.