Royal Rangers
The Royal Rangers (RR) [ ˈrɔɪəl ˈreɪndʒəz ] are an international youth association that uses the scout method and has reached over 2.5 million children and young people worldwide since 1962 (as of 2012).
In Germany , the Christian scouts Royal Rangers with currently 412 active Outpost posts (local chapters) and 21,229 members as part of the Federal Youth Office of the Federal Pentecostal Churches recognized provider of private youth services .
The umbrella organization Royal Rangers International currently has 90 member states and around 200,000 young people. The largest national association is in the USA with around 4,500 regular posts and 125,000 members.
Content
The work of the Royal Rangers is characterized by two aspects: on the one hand by the scout method and on the other hand by the Christian missionary mandate . "Always ready" is the motto and primarily stands for the willingness to serve Jesus.
The development in the USA shaped the implementation of the scout method at the Royal Rangers, who are strongly based on the Boy Scouts of America . The Royal Rangers are therefore often classified as scoutistic by other German scouts . Due to the strong growth of the Royal Rangers in Germany, there have been numerous contacts with other boy scout associations in recent years, which has led to the takeover of various elements from the German youth movement . This is why the working methods of the German Royal Rangers now differ significantly from the American model, which, however, still remains recognizable in many elements.
In contrast to numerous non-European associations, the Royal Rangers work co-educational in German-speaking countries . The Royal Rangers' self-image provides for “creative experiential education through teamwork , fun and lots of action - in and with nature. In this way, the scouts can be challenged and promoted optimally and holistically . "
emblem
The badge of the Royal Rangers, known as the Royal Rangers Emblem (coll. Also Ranger-Stern or in Austria and Switzerland partly also called Royal Ranger Signet ), is embroidered by Royal Rangers as an embroidered cloth badge on the left arm of the driving shirt ( boy scout attire ) Worn 3 cm below the shoulder seam. It shows a stylized compass rose with the colors gold, red and blue. It thus differs from the two common symbols in the boy scout movement, the lily and the shamrock , although the lily is also officially used elsewhere by the Royal Rangers. You can only call yourself a bearer of the emblem if you pass the so-called entrance examination. This requires knowledge of the meaning of the emblem and the principles and rules of the Royal Rangers. The most important rule of the "Rangers" is the golden rule. It is based on the Bible verse Matthew 7:12: "Whatever you expect of people, do them too!" If you have successfully passed this, the patch is handed over personally by the Stammmleiter (the top leader of a tribe).
The Royal Rangers emblem was designed in 1962 by John Henry Barnes , founder of the Royal Rangers. The idea for the name "Royal Rangers" did not come from Barnes, but from the Reverend Charles Scott. The "royal" in the name means "royal". It makes it clear that the scouts belong only to God, their only King. In connection with the word ranger , this designation can be understood as a "royal gamekeeper", which also includes the call to the Royal Rangers to treat nature as a creation with care and benevolence .
The Royal Rangers emblem shows a total of 16 points in different colors, which have a certain meaning:
The four golden points represent the “four growth areas” of the Royal Rangers: physical, mental, spiritual and social. The four red points represent the "four basic truths of the church": salvation through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit as a giver of strength and helper, the healing of people through Jesus Christ and the return of Jesus . The eight blue points represent the principles of the Royal Rangers. A Royal Ranger is: vigilant, pure, honest, brave, loyal, courteous, obedient, spiritual.
promise
An important part of the Royal Rangers is the promise they make by heart during the entrance exam, at camps, regular meetings and other events. "With God's help I want to do my best to serve God, my community and my fellow men, to keep the Royal Ranger Rules and to make the Golden Rule my daily motto!"
history
The first Royal Rangers group was 1962 in Springfield ( Missouri ), USA, by John Henry Barnes in a community of the Assemblies of God founded. He wanted to create a program for boys' work in the Pentecostal movement on the basis of the boy scout method . In the same year another regular post (Outpost 2) was established in Warren ( Ohio ). The first groups outside the USA ( Australia and Latin America ) were founded as early as 1966 .
Germany
1980 John Henry Barnes visited the parish of Richard width in Bremen . A Royal Rangers pilot program was then started there. In 1981 Richard Breite founded the first German regular post in Bremen. The first National Training Camp (NTC) on German soil was held in the same year at Naumburg Castle near Frankfurt am Main with the participation of John Barnes, Fred Deaver and Dr. Jerry Shepert (all from the USA). This was also the starting signal for the Royal Rangers Germany, which was founded on September 20, 1981. Richard Breite was appointed federal manager in the same year.
During an initial development phase of around five years, individual groups emerged throughout West Germany. In the second half of the 1980s the association experienced a strong boom. In 1986 the first joint federal camp with 112 rangers, 12 regular posts, took place in Tönebön am See, Hameln , under the motto “Jesus for us”. The first regular post in East Germany with the number 101 was founded in Leipzig in 1992. In 1993 the Stammposten 100 was founded in Berlin . In 1995, Gerd Ersfeld was unanimously elected and confirmed at the Federal Assembly, the meeting of the Federal Government of the Royal Rangers. In 1997 the first nationwide federal camp took place under the motto "Together" in Neufrankenroda in Thuringia with 3,800 participants from 150 regular posts. More than 10,000 participants came to the 2005 federal camp under the motto “Decision”, which took place again in Neufrankenroda. This made it the largest scout camp in Germany after the Second World War and the largest Royal Rangers camp in the world until then. This was once again clearly exceeded in August 2014 with the fourth federal camp under the motto “Departure”, when 14,839 registered Royal Rangers gathered on the site, which has now grown to 65 hectares. In March 2008, at the Federal Assembly in Troisdorf, Peter Lehmann was elected as the new Federal Head of the Royal Rangers Germany .
There are currently 413 active core posts in Germany with a total active membership of 21,171 Royal Rangers. Other Christian scouting groups are the Catholic German Scouting Association Sankt Georg (95,000 members), the Evangelical Association of Christian Scouts and Boy Scouts (47,000), the Ring of Evangelical Community Scouts within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (6,300), the Christian Scouts of the Advent Youth ( 3,500), the Christian Scouting Association of Germany ( Protestant ) (4,000), the Catholic Scouting Association (2,500) and the Baptist Scouting Association (1,400).
Switzerland
In 1981 there was a group from Switzerland among the participants in the above-mentioned NTC at Naumburg Castle . One of its members was Hanspeter Neck, through whose initiative and leadership the Royal Rangers Switzerland association was founded in the same year. This was the "official" starting signal for the RR work in Switzerland. Neck was named national leader of Switzerland in the same year. Between 1981 and 2005 the RR work grew and was widespread throughout German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino . In 2005 Royal Rangers International transferred the rights to the emblem and the name "Royal Rangers" to the Swiss Pentecostal Mission (SPM). The child and youth labor association youthnet spm represents the Royal Rangers on behalf of the SPM within Switzerland.
Various free church congregations work with Royal Rangers Switzerland. The Royal Rangers young troops see themselves as youth troop work and thus differentiate themselves from the secular scout associations.
The Royal Rangers currently have around 1,850 members in 47 active regular positions in German-speaking Switzerland.
The current national director is Markus Hediger.
Austria
In the 1980s, Hanspeter Neck came into contact with the Swede Sven Bengtsson, who was pastor of the Free Christian Congregation in Dornbirn at the time. In 1985 Bengtsson took part in an NTC in Switzerland. In the same year he founded Austria's first regular post in Dornbirn. It was not until three years later, in 1988, that the second core post was established in Bürmoos . Gerd Wassertheurer has been the national director of the Royal Rangers Austria since autumn 2011; Edwin Deliomini previously held this position for over two decades. In August 2013 the “Austria Pow Wow” (federal camp) took place at the Hafnersee . There are currently a total of nine active core posts in Austria with a total of around 300 members.
Structures
Since the Royal Rangers are organized in an independent international umbrella association, membership of the general association or a national association in the World Organization of the Scout Movement or the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is excluded by their statutes. Participation in events of the two major world organizations such as the World Scout Jamboree is therefore only possible by special invitation. The Royal Rangers Germany are a member of the Forum for Christian Scouts (FCP) and support the training of leaders in the Royal Rangers work in other countries.
The umbrella organization Royal Rangers International (RRI), which has existed since 2002, is divided into five global regions in addition to the USA: Africa , Asia and the Pacific (Asia Pacific), Europe , Eurasia , Latin America and the Caribbean (Latin America and the Caribbean).
The sub-organization Royal Rangers Europe (RRE) are currently 28 European nations with over 25,000 members; these are Albania , Belgium , Bulgaria , Denmark , Germany , Finland , France , Iceland , Italy , Croatia , Latvia , Luxembourg , Macedonia , Netherlands , Norway , Austria , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Sweden , Switzerland , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Czech Republic , Hungary and United Kingdom .
Association structure of the Royal Rangers Germany
The federal association of the "Christian Scouting Royal Rangers" is a work of the Bund Freikirchlicher Pfingstgemeinden KdöR (BFP) with its seat in Erzhausen and as such part of the federal youth organization of the BFP. This establishes the status as a recognized provider of free youth welfare .
Despite being anchored in the free church, the Royal Rangers Germany are not a member of the Association of Protestant Youth (aej). They are represented in the working group “ Young crowd and scout work” of the Association of Evangelical Free Churches (VEF).
Organizationally, the Royal Rangers Germany are divided below the federal level into
- 5 districts that turn into a total of
- 34 regions are divided.
- The main / main posts (local groups) consist of the
- Teams (small groups) that correspond to the clans in other scout associations.
The federal office of the Royal Rangers has been based in Winterbach in Baden-Württemberg since November 2009 . Before the move in September / October 2009, it was based in neighboring Schorndorf .
Association structure of the Royal Rangers Switzerland
Royal Rangers Switzerland is subordinate to youthnet spm.
Organizationally, the Royal Rangers Switzerland are divided into:
- 6 districts that turn into a total of
- 17 regions are divided.
- The main posts (local groups) consist of the
- Teams (small groups) and age groups that correspond to the structure of other young flock departments.
The Royal Rangers Switzerland office is based in Dietikon in the canton of Zurich .
Association structure of the Royal Rangers Austria
The “Royal Ranger Austria” are a branch of the child and youth work of the Free Christian Congregations in Austria.
The Royal Rangers work in Austria has been subdivided into regions since 1999 and organized on site as a regular post with teams.
Age groups of the Royal Rangers Germany
The Royal Rangers program distinguishes between four age groups, which are again divided into sub-sections:
- Explorer (4 to 5 years)
- Researcher (6 to 8 years old)
- Scout (9 to 11 years old)
- Boy Scouts (12 to 14 years old)
- Path ranger (15 to 17 years old)
Members over the age of 18 form the adult leadership of the association. This is trained in numerous courses, which deal with both general management issues and specialist issues relating to scout work. The adult leadership is supported by so-called junior leaders who, from the age of 14, can attend the JLTC (Junior Leadership Training Camp) as leader training. From the age of 16, a junior leader can lead his own team. Normally, however, this should be under the observation of an experienced leader, since from a legal point of view junior leaders are not allowed to lead teams. In Germany you are only allowed to do this when you turn 18.
Age groups of the Royal Rangers Switzerland
The RR program distinguishes between five age groups, which are again divided into sub-sections:
- Pre-starters (5 to 6 years)
- Starter (7 to 8 years)
- Scout (9 to 11 years old)
- Boy Scouts (12 to 14 years old)
- Path ranger (15-17 years)
- Royal ranger (18+ years)
The training of leaders is organized and carried out by youthnet spm. By completing the MLK (Mini Leader Course) at the age of 14, you can enter leadership.
Age groups of the Royal Rangers Austria
There are four age groups:
- Starter (6 to 8 years)
- Scout (9 to 11 years old)
- Boy Scouts (12 to 14 years old)
- Path ranger (15 to 17 years old)
literature
- Nils Ritter (Editor): The leader manual: for all junior leaders and leaders of the Royal Rangers . Christian Scouting Royal Rangers (Ed.). 5th, completely revised edition. Issum 2007
- Rainer Brose, Daniel Zabel (text): Growing through service: 30 years of Royal Rangers in Germany . Christian Scouting Royal Rangers (Ed.). 1st edition. Winterbach 2011
Web links
- Royal Rangers Germany
- Royal Rangers Switzerland
- Royal Rangers Austria
- Royal Rangers USA
- Royal Rangers International
- Royal Rangers Europe
Individual evidence
- ^ Chronicle on the occasion of the Royal Rangers 50th Anniversary 1962–2012 at the 10th National Camporama, held at Camp Eagle Rock, Cassville, Missouri, USA
- ↑ a b Highest trunk number assigned to a main trunk post: 535 ( Freiberg ); Information on public relations work by the Royal Rangers Federal Office, Winterbach, from January 24, 2018 (as of January 24, 2018); See structure & administration on royal-rangers.de
- ↑ a b 21,229 members; Information on public relations work by the Royal Rangers Federal Office, Winterbach, from January 24, 2018 (as of December 31, 2017); See structure & administration on royal-rangers.de
- ^ According to Doug Marsh (National & International Director Royal Rangers) of July 18, 2012 and www.royalrangersinternational.com , accessed on July 18, 2012; According to other data, 75 states: USA; Latin America and the Caribbean: 22 states; Africa: 10 states; Europe: 28 states; Eurasia: 7 states; Asia Pacific: 7 states (cf. www.royalrangersinternational.com ( Memento of the original from August 3, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove it Note. ), Accessed June 22, 2012
- ↑ Facebook fan page: Royal Rangers International , accessed on July 25, 2012
- ^ According to Doug Marsh (National & International Director Royal Rangers) of August 29, 2012
- ↑ Self- image see royal-rangers.de , accessed on February 9, 2010
- ↑ The lily is used as a design element and as an examination badge for the 12 to 14 year olds.
- ↑ I remember the difficulty with the emblem. I was looking for something appealing with expressiveness and meaning. At 2:00 a.m., I woke up with an inspiration. I went to the dining room table, sat down and in a few minutes I completely drew the emblem - with colors for each point and the meaning for each part. It wasn't Johnnie - it was God! In: Article “David Barnes' memory of his father”, spring 1987. Translation: Klaus-D. Elfert, ROYAL RANGERS Stammposten 1, Bremen, Germany from "High Adventure" Spring 1987, Status: Royal Rangers 2008 URL: [1] ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (accessed January 1, 2009)
- ↑ Self-presentation of a tribe on pfadfinder-pohlheim.de , accessed on February 11, 2018
- ↑ royal-rangers.de Royal Rangers Promise , accessed on April 28, 2014
- ^ Bob Coupland: Providing adventures for boys. Tribune Chronicle, October 26, 2012, accessed October 26, 2012 .
- ^ Royal Rangers Federal Camp. Mega event with 10,200 participants (on approx. 45 hectares). The largest scout camp in Germany to date . Front page headline of scouting . Independent magazine for girl and boy scouts . Issue 3/2005. Deutscher Spurbuchverlag (ed.). Baunach 2005
- ↑ See website Bundescamp ; Retrieved November 30, 2014
- ↑ 2,500 Christian scouts at the world's first “Bundeshajk” , idea.de, article from April 29, 2019.
- ↑ Information from With God on a good path . In: ideaSpektrum . Edition 29/30/2009 of July 15, 2009
- ^ Royal Rangers Switzerland ; Retrieved September 24, 2014
- ↑ Highest strain number: 56 ( St. Gallen ), active strains: 47, inactive strains: 9; See master item search ( memento of the original dated December 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ; As of September 24, 2014
- ↑ The Royal Rangers Austria do not issue regular post numbers; Active strains: 9, inactive strains: 8; See royal-rangers.at , accessed on May 15, 2013.
- ↑ Impulse - Magazine of the Free Christian Community, issue 4/2012, p. 8f. ( Memento of the original from April 17, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 3.1 MB), accessed on July 18, 2012
- ↑ Cf. royalrangersinternational.com ( memento of the original dated August 3, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed June 22, 2012
- ↑ See ELC 2012 ve Slovinsku , accessed on June 4, 2012
- ↑ Cf. royalrangersinterantional.com ( memento of the original dated February 5, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed June 20, 2012
- ^ Statutes of the Christian Scouting Society Royal Rangers (PDF; 993 kB)
- ↑ Self-portrait of the Royal Rangers , accessed April 11, 2013.
- ^ District North, East, West, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria (cf. royal-rangers.de ), accessed on April 11, 2013
- ↑ Northern District : 6 regions; District West : 7 regions (W4 was merged with W5); East District : 5 regions; District of Baden-Württemberg : 11 regions; Bavaria : 5 regions, accessed on May 19, 2015
- ^ District management : Bern-Wallis, Mittelland Mitte, Mittelland East, Mittelland West, North-East and East; Retrieved September 24, 2014
- ↑ Regions ( Memento of the original from May 1, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. : Bernese Seeland, Bernese Mittelland, Bernese Oberland, Jura, Central Switzerland, Aargau East, Zurich West, Zurich City, Zurich East, Zurich Unterland, Zurich Oberland, Zurich Albis, North East A, North East B, North East C, East A, East B; Retrieved September 24, 2014
- ↑ Impulse - Magazine of the Free Christian Community, issue 2/2012, p. 3 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 3.5 MB), accessed on July 18, 2012
- ↑ Info about "Teams" from pfadfinder-pohlheim.de (accessed on February 11, 2018)
- ↑ Self-presentation of the Royal Rangers on page [2]
- ↑ Self-presentation of the Royal Rangers on the Royal Rangers Bürmoos page ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 271 kB), accessed on July 18, 2012
