About
” 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 to the Community”
Above quoted from Policy Organisation and Rules (PO&R) SASA
The Phoenix Rover Crew is a District based Crew located in Benoni, Gauteng Area. It is aimed at young people over the age of 18, where the emphasis is to encourage an individual to look at the world around them and to improve their own circumstances, either by tertiary education or starting a vocation.
This view is endorsed by the founder Baden-Powell: “By Rovering I don’t mean aimless wandering, I mean finding your way by pleasant paths with a definite object in view.”
The origins of Rovering can be traced back to the time of World War I. The following extract was taken from the website: http://ca.geocities.com/crusaderrovers/history.html
Rovers began when older Scouts (in Britain) wanted a section that was more defined to their age and ability. They wanted to continue getting the benefits of Scouts but at a more advanced level. In 1916, experiments were held with older Boy Scouts and, in 1917, pamphlets were distributed to explain what Rovers were. Rover Scouts became the third official section of Boys Scouts that same year.
One of the goals in Rovers was to create happy, healthy, useful citizens. Rovers is about developing yourself as a person, through providing opportunities of leadership and a wide range of experiences which you probably would not be able to get otherwise. The main focus of the second goal is service to Scouting and the community in general. Rovers should be good examples for younger members of the community and Scouting.
The Rover programme was based on a Knighthood theme. The symbol of St. George, patron saint of Scouts, was important. St. George is typical of what a Scout should be. He epitomized the qualities of selflessness and both moral and physical courage which Baden-Powell saw as being among the aims of Scouting.
The Rover programme was basically an extension of the Scout programme. Rovers, however, tend to work in small, independent groups called Crews. Crews run themselves and plan their own activities. Often, this is misunderstood by members of the community and the Scouting organisation.
During one’s Scouting career, one is taught the three mottos of the three branchs: Cubs - “Do your best”; Scouts - “Be Prepared”; and Rovers - “Service”. The ideals of Rovering can be summed up by putting the three mottos together:
