ROVER CEREMONIES St George is the patron Saint of Scouting, and nowhere in Scouting does this come to the fore as much as Roverìng. His flag, a red cross on a white background, adorns the altar at all ceremonies. The story of St George who slew the dragon may be a myth, but the same story appears in at least seven different religious denominations. This mighty dragon had made himself comfortable outside the village wall and demanded a young boy or girl once a week from the local inhabitants. If his hunger was not satisfied in this manner, then he threatened to destroy the whole village he could do such awful things quite easily with his flaming breath. One day it just so happened that St George came riding into town on his trusty stallion for his annual tour of inspection. The village chief informed St George of the town's plight, whereupon good old George set out, found the dragon, and slew the dreadful beast! He must obviously have done a few more of these good deeds to have been knighted,

but this is one of the best known. Throughout the ages good has been fighting against evil. Nothing has changed to this day, even in space they seem to be having problems, and mankind hasn’t even got there in large numbers yet! If we look upon St George as the good (guy) and the dragon as the evil (guy) and to extend the metaphor, no matter what the odds stacked against it, good can conquer evil. Rovers are, to some extent, modeled on King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and if one looks at the Rover motto "Service", as well as at the Rover ceremonies, one would think that Baden­Powell himself had been a Knight in the court of King Arthur. Rovers, partly due to the good service they carry out, are known as the Knights of the Scouting Movement. There are three basic Rover Ceremonies: Going­Up Ceremony (from the Troop to Crew); Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Squire and Rover Investitures. Not all Rover Crews have a Squire investiture

ceremony, but it is felt that you must let nothing go by without making something of it, as it is yet another step in one’s life. Rovers have always been traditionalists, and it is hoped that they will stay that way. If you are to perform the ceremonies, study them well beforehand, as you should know them by heart. Put emphasis on what you say and how you say it.

GOING UP This is a ceremony that covers the situation where a Scout has reached Rover age and is going to into the Rover Crew, The Crew is to visit the Troop to which the prospective recruit belongs. It may not always be possible for the whole Crew to be present at the ceremony, but clearly this is desirable. The two sponsors, together with the RSL must, of course, take part. The Troop falls in on one side of the hall in horseshoe formation, the TS in the opening of the horseshoe. The RSL and the two sponsors behind him face the Troop (see diagram) and the Crew, in full uniform, on the other. The Scout says goodbye to his Troop and if he is a Patrol Leader hands over to the new Patrol Leader, and then reports to his Troop Scouter or Group Scouter, who introduces him to the Rover Leader. TS : (name) having (x) years service as a Scout, is now old enough to become a Rover Squire. I recommend them as a fil candidate, and I trust you

will be prepared to accept him/her as a Rover Squire ". RSL to candidate: "Is it your own wish to complete your Scout training in the Rover Crew?" Candidate: It is RSL: Then the Crew is willing to accept you into their fellowship GS to Candidate: As Leader of the whole group I want you to know how glad we all are that you are taking this further stpe forward and we wish you happiness and success in your Rover Scouting. RSL: Rover Scouting is a brotherhood of the open air and service and I remind you that it is now your duty to prepare yourself for full membership of the Crew, to which end I now entrust you to your sponsors who will assist you in your efforts. (Sponsors shake hands with the candidate) Candidate, with sponsors either side of him,

performs an about turn, faces the Scouts , salutes them they salute him and give three cheers, the Troop yell, or applaud, The Crew then forms a circle including the recruit. The Rover Leader introduces the recruit and says a few appropriate words of welcome. The Crew then thanks the Troop for the new recruit, salutes and departs to the Rover Den.

THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES OPENING CEREMONY 'Once more we are gathered for the threefold purpose of our Brotherhood, to carry out the solemn Promise made at our investitures so that we may all follow the road of friendship and service, knowing that none may follow that way without Him who is the spring of service, the source and inspiration of all true manliness. (ShoRt pause): Let us stand in silence for a brief moment and consider how we have failed in our loyalty to Him, our Leader. (Pause): Do we all assembled here renew our solemn Promise of Service?" We do. " 'I ask all Rovers who wish to renew their Promise to place their right hands towards the Sword of Service. (Rover Mate withdraws the Sword with his hand and

Rovers point their right hands towards the Sword, making the Scout sign): LEADER : 'O God, who continues to be the Father of Mankind; Teach us to serve thee as Thou deservest; To give and not to count the cost; To toil and not to seek for rest; To labour and not to ask for any reward, Save only that we do Thy will. Amen I declare this meeting open CLOSING CEREMONY ROVER MATE "As this sheath protects the Sword, may God protect our Movement. LEADER : "O God, watch over Rovers everywhere, especially those of us gathered here tonight; watch over us during the hours of darkness,

through His name’s sake Amen

THE RECEPTION OF A ROVER SQUIRE This ceremony is used within the Crew for : ­ Newcomers to the Movement, including those who are returning to Scouting after a break of a year or two. ­ All persons, including Scouts, joining a District Crew. ­ Scouts joining a Crew in a different Group, The Crew is formed into semi circle, Rover Squires in the rear. The Rover Scout Leader, in the centre, is faced at six paces distance by the Candidate’s Sponsors. The Candidate is led by his Presenter lo a position midway between the RSL and Sponsors, facing the RSL, lf the Candidate has come up from another Group, then he should be presented by his former TS. All other Candidates should be presented by the GS, or in the case of District Crews, by District a Scouter. A Candidate who has not previously been a Scout must have passed his Membership Tests. The Reception Sponsor: I present you (name), a Candidate for

reception as a Rover Squire RSL: Are you statisfied that (name) will try to act up to a Scout’s obligations, including the doing of Good Turns, and is likely t obecome a worthy member of this Crew? Sponsor : ’I am'. RSL to Candidate : 'Rovering is a Brotherhood of the Open Air and Service. In seeking to join that Brotherhood, are you ready to improve your knowledge of practical Scouting and to pursue the open air life?" Candidate: I am RSL: Are you willing to train yourself for some form of Service to the Community? Candidate: I am RSL: Do you accept the way of life set forth in the Scout Promise and Law? Candidate: I do RSL: Thus assured, I now ask you to re­affirm the Scout Promise as a toke nof your sincerity and to mark your reception as a Rover Squire,

repeating it phrase by phrase after me: On my honour I promise That I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country to help other people at all times to obey the Scout Law RSL: I now receive you as a Rover Squire into the worldwide Brotherhood of Scouts. It is now your duly to prepare yourself for full membership of the Crew., to which end I now entrust you to your Sponsors, who will assist you in your efforts. (The Sponsors step forward, the senior Sponsor taking his place on the new Rover Squire‘s right, the junior on his left. The Presenter steps back, The senior Sponsor welcomes the Squire to the fellowship of the Crew in suitable terms, and then the three of them march the new Squire.)

THE VIGIL Strictly speaking this is not a ceremony at all, although in some Crews it is given ceremonial status, It is most important that the Rover Squire should be given the opportunity of conducting his self­examination or Vigil in his own way. He may prefer to think over the questions that appear in "The Presentation of a Rover Scout" in the quiet of the country, in the privacy of his own room, in Church, or perhaps during a weekend camp with his Sponsors. As this is a very personal matter the Rover Squire should never be forced to conduct his self­examination under artificial or uncongenìal conditions. The Rover Scout Leader may well need to offer advice on the location of the Vigil. However, experience has shown that an overnight camp in a quiet, attractive spot has enormous advantages for the conduction of the Vigil. Usually the Squire and his two Sponsors will drive into the country during an afternoon, hike a short distance to the chosen spot, conduct the Vigil around the

campfire during the evening and return next morning. The Rover Squire is expected to make all the arrangements.

THE INVESTITURE OF A ROVER SCOUT The Investíture as outlined by the Founder is printed in full below. The Investiture should normally be performed by the Rover Scout Leader, but if this is impossible the GS, or a Scouter who has himself been invested as a Rover, may take his place. It is suggested that it adds to the impressìveness and dignìty of the occasion if the Rover Scout Leader has a copy of the Ceremony bound in a suitable cover. He should, however, know it by heart. A fitting close to the Investiture is to finish with prayers. Suitable prayers can be found in the Scout Prayer Books. The Ceremony can be held in a church or chapel, in the open air, or in the Rover Scout Den. If it is to be held in the Rover Scout Den it has been found that it is most appropriate at the end of an programme. The investiture should never be held public; it is a solemn exercise of the Crew’s corporate life, hence the exclusion from the investìture of the Squires. More items of equipment are needed for this

Ceremony than for other Investitures ­ here is a checklist; a small table; a St George‘s Flag (to cover the table); an ewer of water; a basin; a hand towel; a copy of "The Presentation of a Rover Scout"; a pair of Rover epaulettes; a Rover Scout hat/beret badge; a Prayer book; the Group or Crew Flag. THE INVESTITURE CEREMONY The Rover Squire, after selfexamination, is brought before the Rover Scout Crew, the Crew being in uniform. The Squire stands with his two Sponsors, one on either side before a table which is covered with a St George’s Cross, upon which is set a ewer of water and a basin and napkin. The Rover Scout Leader stands facing them behind the table and calling the Candidate by name says: RSL : 'Have you come with a desire to become a Rover Scout in our worldwide Brotherhood?" CANDIDATE ; 'I have" RSL : 'In spite of any difficulties you have had in the past, are you now determined to do your best to be honourable, truthful and straight in all your dealings; clean in what you think, in what you say, in all that

you do?" CANDIDATE : 'I am' RSL : 'Have you carefully thought what you are doing with your life?" CANDIDATE: I have RSL: 'Do you understand that Service means that at all times you will be good natured towards all other people, and will do your best to help them, even though it may not be convenient or pleasant or safe far you, and that you will expect no reward for so doing? CANDIDATE: 'I do' RSL: 'Do you understánd that by becoming a Rover Scout you are joining a Brotherhood in which we want to help you carry our your ideals, and in which we ask you to obey our Rules and carry out our motto of Service for others?" CANDIDATE: I do RSL: 'In ancient times it was the custom of those about to become Knighfs to be laved water, in token of the washing away of past misdeeds and as a sign that they were determined la commence afresh. Are

you willing to give such a sign, here in the presence of us all?” CANDIDATE: “I am" (The Candidate, or if more than one, each in turn, thereupon places his hands together over the basin; one Sponsor takes the ewer and pours water over them, whilst the other takes the napkin and dries the candidate’s hands) RSL: Understanding these things then, I ask you to reaffirm (or make) your Scout Promise, bearing in mind that you areexpected to interpret it from an adult’s point of view (The Candidate advances and at the same time one of the Rover: steps forward with the Crew or Group Flag in his hands and lowers it between the Rover Leader and the Candidate, who takes hold of the flag with his left hand and makes the Scout Sign with his right. The Crew also make the Scout Sign. The RSL and the Candidate then repeat the Promise, phrase by phrase, the RSI. leading: On my honour I promise

That I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country to help other people at all times to obey the Scout Law The Rover Scout Leader then takes the new Rover Scout by the left hand and gives him a buffet on the left should with the right hand, saying: RSL: I trust you on your honour to keep your Promise and give you the buffet which the knight of old recieved to remind you, as it did them, that you have one tender point, namely your Honour; nothing should be more quickly felt than an imputation against it.“ The RSL then hands the epaulettes to the Sponsors who put them on to the uniform of the new Rover Scout. After which the Rover Scout Leader presents the new Rover Scout with his badge(s) saying : RSL : "Let these epaulettes and badge remind you of your duty to your younger brothers, and of your

responsìbility, as a Rover Scout, to set them at all times an example worthy of your best self " The Crew closes in around the new Rover Scout, shaking him by the hand and giving him a warm welcome.

THE PRESENTATION OF A B­P AWARD This is a simple ceremony with the Crew drawn up in a horseshoe. The RSL will call the Rover forward and after saying a few appropriate words will fasten the Award itself on the left epaulette of the recipient. The Crew will then applaud. It at all possible the Certificate should be presented personally by the Chief Scout on a suitable occasion. Failing this, the Chief Scout’s Commissioner or the Area Commissioner will probably wish to make the presentation. The GS and the DC should be invited to be present. THE PROFICIENCY AWARDS The presentation of the Rover Proficiency Awards, eg the Scoutcraft Award, The Rambler's Award, the Project Award, the Scouter Training Award, the Civics Award, the Careers Award, the Sportsmanship Award and the Community Service Award can be carried out in accordance with the Crew‘s wishes.