5. Symbols of the Rover Scout section The scarf is the most common symbol of Scouting worldwide. It is just one part of the uniform, which unites Scouts everywhere. It is often perceived that the uniform must still reflect its military background. However, “Military training and discipline are exactly the opposite of what we inculcate in the Scout Movement.” as B-P said on a Jamboree in October 1925. One of the most popular symbols within the Rover Scout section is the “thumbstick”with two prongs, similar to the two paths, which symbolize the decision of the young adult. Baden-Powell says “It is up to you to paddle your own canoe through life.”
Symbols could be different in every country, even in every Rover Scout Community, however the important part is that those symbols should, as mentioned before, encourage young adults to discover the reality of today’s world and to find their way in the journey of life towards happiness. During the JOTI 2008 (Jamboree on the Internet) young adults were invited to take part in the World Scout Challenge. One of the questions of the Challenge was related to Rovering: What should be the most important symbol of the Rover Scout section?. Here are some of the answers: • “The “thumbstick” is one of the symbols that B-P gave to the Rover Scout because the “thumbstick” shows the two paths in our daily-decision making wherein there are two paths to choose from like the ends of the thumbstick.” (Rover Scouts from Argentina, Panama, Australia and Philippines) • “The most important symbol of a Rover Scout for us is a star, because stars can lead our directions or journey in our life. A star is a light which means there is always hope in us because there is hope when the youth are involved.” • “The most important symbol in Rovering should be the fleur-de-lis.” (Rover Scouts from Sweden and the United Kingdom) • “The important symbol of Rovering should be circle..because it would mean that the service of a Rover Scout has no end...”
“as a rover, you have to remember that in crossing the threshold from boyhood into being a man you are no longer learning to carry out the scout law, but are actually using it for guidance of your conduct in life.” baden-powell
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