The 69th Ranger Scout Group is proud to serve as the Idaho Falls and Ammon, Idaho BPSF scout group. Founded in 2015, the 69th Rangers provide inclusive and affirmative traditional scouting activities, community, and service opportunities for families. Four scouting sections are open to all genders and ages and all focus on a traditional, open, and inclusive, outdoor program. We welcome everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion (or no-religion) 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.
Scouting is an outdoor movement and that is part of its character. Historically, the appeal of scouting has always been to that element of the vagabond, pioneer and explorer which is part of our nature, and is at its most evident in youth. BPSF retains scouting’s original focus on this aspect of the program; and encourages our scouts, parents, and volunteers to plan programs that take advantage of being out of doors, whenever and wherever possible, even here in alternately torrid/windy/wintry/rainy southeast Idaho.
About the Baden-Powell Scoutcraft Fellowship (BPSF)
BPSF is traditional scouting in the original 1907 model following as closely as possible the 1938 PO&R which was Lord Robert Baden-Powell’s last Program Organization and Regulations document that he participated in before his death. We update and modernize as necessary, but try to stay as close to the original as practical. Fully inclusive, affirmative and non-discriminatory of course.
BPSF follows the Baden-Powel Scouting Association model. BPSA is an international scouting method and follows the original principles and practices of scouting laid down by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907, which had been developed and refined in Scout and Guide Associations around the world for over 99 years. Our belief is that scouting’s original program remains universal, relevant, and adaptable.
In Traditional Scouting, changes are primarily for advances in
a) health and safety practices,
b) environmental concerns,
c) equity, and
d) lightweight camping technologies.
BPSA is a world-wide fellowship of affiliated National and Local programs. The 69th Rangers is affiliated with BPSF as our accrediting organization in the United States.
Our aim thus remains the same as when scouting was founded: to promote good citizenship, discipline, self-reliance, loyalty, and useful skills. BPSF is totally independent of, and not affiliated with, the Boys Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA or the BPSA-US, BPSA-CA or BPSA-UK sister organizations which are their own wholly separate legal entities.
BPSF is pending membership to the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS); and as such are not in competition with other American scouting associations, we are only their brothers and sisters.
BPSF works closely with the Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association of England (BPSA-UK) and the Baden-Powell Service Association in Canada (BPSA-CA).
BPSF is a volunteer-led organization with no paid staff. This approach keeps the focus on the scouting program and helps keep costs down to a minimum. Training handbooks will soon be available, along with support material. A range of international opportunities exist for our members through the World Federation of Independent Scouts.
Visit the BPSF (provisional) Base Camp Page for more info and resources on the BPSA program.