Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the BPSA?
The BP Service Association (BPSA) is a registered organization whose mandate is to bring traditional scouting to the youth of Alberta. It is associated with, and works with, other individual associations that run traditional scouting groups in their respective provinces. Each association, or council, is independent of the others and typically operates under its own set of bylaws. Currently there are councils operating in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Ontario. To avoid duplication of effort some functions, such as the obtaining of insurance, are handled by a single council on behalf of the others.
OK…so you have insurance?
Absolutely! We have a very cost-effective general liability insurance package, with coverage for land and water activities for anywhere in Canada. Each group is provided with a copy of the insurance certificate and groups that have their own meeting halls can also request to have them covered as well. The policy also offers directors and officers coverage for the association’s executives.
Executives??? You have people working for you?
No way! The executives of each association, along with all group leaders and anyone else are all volunteers. There is no paid staff of any kind in any of the BPSA councils. This allows us to keep our registration costs extremely low and reduces a barrier that may prevent some people from participating.
Sounds fine so far but what exactly is traditional scouting and how is it different?
That’s a great question! Lord Robert Baden-Powell introduced the world to scouting way back in 1907. His methods and programmes were so popular and exciting the movement spread quickly around the world as youth just felt a natural desire to be a part of it. Over the years many scout associations made fundamental changes to how scouting operated in their countries. We feel that Baden-Powell’s methods were good enough as they were and didn’t need changing so the BPSA uses the traditional methods and programmes that our founder used. That said, the movement was introduced over a century ago and some things have changed but we preserve Baden-Powell’s original ideas in our programmes and methods while progressing with the times and keeping up to date with the latest technology, child protection legislation, first aid standards, and outdoor education safety.
Can anyone join?
The BPSA is fully inclusive to all. The local group, in conjunction with their sponsor, can choose to have groups or sections that are all male, all female, or co-ed.
Do you go camping?
Boy do we ever! Camping…canoeing…hiking…snowshoeing…the outdoors is our classroom and we spend a lot of time there. Each section in the BPSA uses the outdoors in an age appropriate manner. Our six year olds may go on 2-3 camps a year while our older youth may go on a weekend camp every month and a longer adventure in the summer.
Hmmm…this sounds suspiciously great. Let’s get back to the money – you said you keep your registration costs low but what about all the other things that typically come up?
Well, we try to be frugal there as well! Here are some examples:
- Uniforms and badges: we have an online store operated by volunteers that sells these type of things for just enough to meet costs. We have a policy (yes, a policy!) that the store is to make no profit from the items we sell.
- Books and manuals: we issue these in electronic format, free of charge, and you can print them only if you feel it is needed.
- Training: As a volunteer you’re helping the organization and we won’t charge you for it. Training materials are also provided in electronic format with any new amendments or adjustments provided in the same manner.
- Camps: Each group is different and goes on as many outings or adventures as they deem desirable. Groups will typically charge a reasonable event fee to cover food and transportation costs if fundraising hasn’t raised enough.
Aha! Fundraising. I knew it! Do I or my kids have to sell something?
That is entirely up to the local group only. Our associations are based on local autonomy and local initiative. It is the responsibility of the Group Auxiliary to raise enough community support to make sure that their children can participate in exciting programs. Field trips and camps do cost money but ALL the funds raised by a group in their community stay in the group to support the operations of the group.
Wow! This all sounds like a sweet deal! How can I find out more?
The first thing you may want to do to is dig deeper into this web site where you will hopefully find all the information you need. The next step if you need further details is to contact us directly and we’ll be happy to answer anything you need to know.