New Scouting Organization has come to Skagit Valley

Formed in 2006, Baden-Powell Service Association (BPSA) is an independent and traditional style scouting association that perpetuates the principles and practices of scouting laid down by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907. Our aim is to promote good citizenship and wholesome physical, mental and spiritual development; and training in habits of observation, discipline, self-reliance, loyalty, and useful life skills.

In April of this year, the 425th Skagit Group of BPSA was formed and chartered to serve Skagit County, centered in Mount Vernon. BPSA offers a choice for those with curiosity, energy and independence of spirit. BPSA welcomes everyone – regardless of race, gender, sexual-orientation, faith or other differentiating factors. Our mission is to provide a positive learning environment within the context of democratic participation and social justice. We foster the development of Scouts in an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.

Because men and women work together in the real world, doing the same sorts of jobs, so do Scouts in the BPSA. Our group has four program sections, Otters (age 5-7), Timberwolves (age 8-10), Pathfinders (age 11-17) and the adult Rover program (age 18+). Our program is completely volunteer run and focused on keeping the cost-barrier to participate in Scouting low for all families and participants. We have no full-time or part-time paid staff.

BPSA is totally independent of, and not affiliated with, either The Boy Scouts of America or the Girls Scouts of the USA. We are not in competition with other American Scouting Associations, we are only their brothers and sisters. The BPSA offers a Scouting program that is part of the larger traditional Scouting movement under the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS) a traditional scouting movement across 44 countries.

People can find out more about BPSA and the 425th Skagit Group by checking out our national website, bpsa-us.org , or our local Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/425thSkagitBPSA/ . Folks are also invited to visit us at our booth at the Burlington-Edison Back to School Fair at Maiben Park on Saturday, August 23 from 10 am to 1 pm.