ABOUT BSA

Working Towards a Better Tomorrow

The Botswana Scouts Association.

The National Scouting Organization of Botswana, was founded in 1936, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1958. The boys only Botswana Scouts Association claims a membership of more than 10,000 Scouts.

Scouts in Botswana grow up learning the outdoor skills from their parents and family. They use skills such as fire building and cooking, finding the direction of travel by use of the sun and stars, knots, pioneering, first aid and more, in everyday life.

Scout groups meet in local schools or in the outdoors in villages. Scouts have been involved in the self-help projects and other rural activities. Some of these long-term projects are poultry farming, beekeeping, wood and metalworking, and fruit and vegetable production.

Scouts often take long, adventurous trips into the bush. Their trips require much care, as there are numerous dangerous animals such as elephants and lions.

Adult male leadership is difficult in Botswana, as adult males do not associate themselves with children until they reach the age of 14. As a result of this, most leaders are women, teachers and clergymen.

Many Scout troops have their own vegetable gardens and are taught how to care for cattle, sheep and goats.

Program sections

Cub Scouts (6-11 years)
Scouts (12-17 years)
Rover Scouts (18-25 years)
Adult Scouts (26 & above)

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOTSWANA SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OPERATIONS

Botswana Scouts Association was officially registered with Registrar of Societies in December 1974. It was registered as a member of the World Organization of the Scout. Movement (WOSM) in 1968. Botswana Scouts Association is a non-governmental organization of young people that strives to build the characters of its members; with knowledge, skills; life lessons beyond the classroom to help them mature and succeed as they become adults. Scouting offers young people a variety of benefits such as learning by doing and leadership opportunities amongst others.

We wish to take this time to share with you a few updates on the BSA office operations.
The Office is happy to inform you of the approval of the BSA revised constitution by the
Department of Civil & National Registration Societies on 05 February 2018 and it is now in use

We therefore kindly request our members to abide by the new processes as laid down in
the constitution.

Registration process and pricing according to categories:

Group: Individual:

Lifetime membership - P 500-0 once off payment across all ages.
Please note that the registration and subscriptions fees are meant to sustain the daily operations of the scout office

(i.e. printing, photocopying, postage etc.)

BANKING DETAILS:
BOTSWANA SCOUT ASSOCIATION

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
MALL BRANCH
ACC: 0100150415300

Adults in scouting:
The main objective of adults in scouting is to deliver the scout program to the young people. Therefore according to World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) standards, when an adult wishes to join the scout movement, he/she should bring along a specific program which will benefit the young people.

1.2 We have a new program which requires some expertise from adult recruits and this program is called STEM (Science; Technology; Engineering and Mathematics). This program introduces youth to the discipline through exciting and fun hands on experience. As a result the adult volunteers will be required to offer their expertise in a particular field that they will share and impart skills to the young ones

1.3 The vision of the scout movement is “By the year 2023 scouting will be the world leading educational youth movement, enabling 100 million young people to be active citizens creating positive change in their communities and in the world, based in shared values.

1.4 Vetting Process:
WOSM standards require that all NSOs must adhere to the Child Protection Policy and the United Nations Charter on Child Protection. Botswana as a country also requires all organizations working with children to observe the Child Protection Regulations Act (Cap.28.04, 2015). Botswana Scouts Association’s Safe from Harm Policy also emphasizes the need to clear all the Adult Leaders before they are engaged with the young ones. It is therefore an official requirement for all adults recruited into scouting to go through a vetting process. The vetting process includes clearance by Botswana Police and also any other dues to the Association (i.e. outstanding debts etc.)

We would therefore appreciate your support in order for BSA to implement this new
registration process swiftly.

Yours in youth development.

Onalenna Mahlala(Ms)
Executive Commissioner