explorer

The magazine

for Explorer Scout LeadersApril/May 2011

scouts.org.uk/pol

Whoops!When the plan goes pear-shaped

Worthing originalsFocus on the Young Leaders’ Scheme

THAT TASTES GOODTASTES GOOD

Marvellous morsels on the Mourne mountains

ExplorerSupp_AprMay2011FINAL.indd 1 09/03/2011 17:47

3scouts.org.uk/pol

Deputy UK Commissioner for ProgrammeGraeme Hamilton outlines his hopes for the

coming months – and asks for you to help

There is some further change in the supplement this issue as I find myself

writing for leaders, commissioners and supporters in all five sections for the first

time. This will be the pattern for the foreseeable future as I alternate with

the five Programme and Development Advisers, who will provide a section-

specific focus.

Supporting the range of different needs and challenges of five diverse sections

is not something to be taken lightly and certainly not without support. I rely

heavily on you sending in your thoughts, concerns, ideas and, most importantly,

success stories so that we can share these with others across the UK.

Please email [email protected] if you have anything to contribute.

We’re currently building a network of experienced leaders to form a support

team – all of whom will soon be deployed across the UK. In the months ahead

we’ll also look at how sectional support roles can best support frontline leaders.

I’ll be out and about too. Cumbria has already booked me for a joint Cub and

Scout leader session in May. If I cannot be at your event then we’ll aim to find a

willing person from the support team or staff at Gilwell Park.

I’ve recently attended the Development, Advice and Support day events in

Wales and Northern Ireland so I’ll be maintaining strong links all over the UK as

we work together to deliver a strong, effective and fun programme for every

youngster who has chosen to take part in the Scouting adventure.

There will be more in a future article about how we’re checking out what’s

good and what’s not about the programme and how you can give us your

thoughts.

One vision

Contents

Published by:The Programme TeamThe Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QWTel: 0845 300 1818

Contributions to:[email protected]

ADVERTISINGRichard [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

Contributors: Ian Wilkins, Laura McManus, Patrick Rooke, Sarah Baileff, Molly Fassbender

Cover image: Chlöe Chapman

For ease of reading, this supplement refers to all variations of ‘county’ groupings simply as County.

4 News and updatesWhat’s going on and what’s new

6 Camp cooking with candlesA Unit in Northern Ireland adventurously celebrate their fi rst birthday

8 Gateways and justiceMore ideas from the Join-in-Jamboree book

10 Flexi-timeWhy fl exible volunteering might be just what you need

12 When plans go wrongWe’ve all been there, but what happens when your programme plan goes out of the window?

14 Sussex successMaking the provision of Young Leader training crucial to growth

16 Give book, build bridgesOur partnership with Scout-led charity Bookbridge

18 Jamboree dreamsThe Saltires are Sweden bound, and Linzi is hoping to fi nd somewhere to plug in her hair straighteners

EPIC WIN AT EQUINOXScouts in Merseyside recently had to evade capture from Explorer Scout ‘hunters’ in the third annual Equinox Challenge. The event, which took place in Delamere Forest Park, was won by 1st Southport Scouts. The Merseyside Jamboree contingent were among the catchers.

WELCOME


3scouts.org.uk/pol

Deputy UK Commissioner for ProgrammeGraeme Hamilton outlines his hopes for the

coming months – and asks for you to help

There is some further change in the supplement this issue as I find myself

writing for leaders, commissioners and supporters in all five sections for the first

time. This will be the pattern for the foreseeable future as I alternate with

the five Programme and Development Advisers, who will provide a section-

specific focus.

Supporting the range of different needs and challenges of five diverse sections

is not something to be taken lightly and certainly not without support. I rely

heavily on you sending in your thoughts, concerns, ideas and, most importantly,

success stories so that we can share these with others across the UK.

Please email [email protected] if you have anything to contribute.

We’re currently building a network of experienced leaders to form a support

team – all of whom will soon be deployed across the UK. In the months ahead

we’ll also look at how sectional support roles can best support frontline leaders.

I’ll be out and about too. Cumbria has already booked me for a joint Cub and

Scout leader session in May. If I cannot be at your event then we’ll aim to find a

willing person from the support team or staff at Gilwell Park.

I’ve recently attended the Development, Advice and Support day events in

Wales and Northern Ireland so I’ll be maintaining strong links all over the UK as

we work together to deliver a strong, effective and fun programme for every

youngster who has chosen to take part in the Scouting adventure.

There will be more in a future article about how we’re checking out what’s

good and what’s not about the programme and how you can give us your

thoughts.

One vision

Contents

Published by:The Programme TeamThe Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QWTel: 0845 300 1818

Contributions to:[email protected]

ADVERTISINGRichard [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

Contributors: Ian Wilkins, Laura McManus, Patrick Rooke, Sarah Baileff, Molly Fassbender

Cover image: Chlöe Chapman

For ease of reading, this supplement refers to all variations of ‘county’ groupings simply as County.

4 News and updatesWhat’s going on and what’s new

6 Camp cooking with candlesA Unit in Northern Ireland adventurously celebrate their fi rst birthday

8 Gateways and justiceMore ideas from the Join-in-Jamboree book

10 Flexi-timeWhy fl exible volunteering might be just what you need

12 When plans go wrongWe’ve all been there, but what happens when your programme plan goes out of the window?

14 Sussex successMaking the provision of Young Leader training crucial to growth

16 Give books, build bridgesOur partnership with Scout-led charity Bookbridge

18 Jamboree dreamsThe Saltires are Sweden bound, and Linzi is hoping to fi nd somewhere to plug in her hair straighteners

EPIC WIN AT EQUINOXScouts in Merseyside recently had to evade capture from Explorer Scout ‘hunters’ in the third annual Equinox Challenge. The event, which took place in Delamere Forest Park, was won by 1st Southport Scouts. The Merseyside Jamboree contingent were among the catchers.

WELCOME


4 Explorer April/May 2011

news and updatesReach the TopThe Queen’s Scout Award support resources for both participants and leaders/commissioners have been updated in light of the national presentation opportunities and eDofE. Download the resources from www.scouts.org.uk/qsa

Reach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopReach the TopThe Queen’s Scout Award support The Queen’s Scout Award support resources for both participants and resources for both participants and resources for both participants and

Question Time Got a burning issue that you want to

share? Or want to hear other points of

view? With a distinguished panel of

guests from the world of politics and

media, Scouts Question Time will be in

Leeds on 25 June for an afternoon of

discussion on the main topics of the day.

Whether it’s the effects of the

recession on your Explorer Scout Unit,

how changes to education will affect

you and your family, or even which

football team the panellists support,

Scouts Question Time is the place for

you to have your say.

We are expecting a lot of interest so

please email [email protected]

stating your name, Unit name and the

number of Explorer Scouts you want to

bring.

Get Young Leaders on the right roadThe Young Leaders’ Scheme has a proven track record of

keeping young people engaged in their Scouting journey, and

giving them the skills to make great adult leaders when they

reach 18. If you’ve not got the key resources for the scheme,

here’s what you need:

Young Leaders’ Essentials – The starting point for setting

up a provision, with everything you need to know.

Young Leaders’ Essentials Plus – The companion resource

for Young Leaders, which includes ready-to-use ideas of how

to run the modules successfully.

Keys to Success: Young Leaders’ Scheme – Tips on

managing the scheme for District Commissioners and DESCs.


Faith and awareness events June/July

June June: LGBT Pride Month 1-7 Volunteers’ Week (UK)

2 Ascension Day (Christian)

5 World Environment Day

6 Dragon Boat Festival

(Chinese)

8-9 Shavuot (Jewish)

12 Pentecost (Christian)

16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan

Dev (Sikh)

19 Trinity Sunday (Christian)

19 Father’s Day

20-26 World Refugee Week

22 World Interfaith Day

23/26 Corpus Christi (Christian)

28 Lailat al Miraj; The Prophet’s

Night Journey and

Ascension (Islam)

July 3 Ratha Yatra (Hindu)

5 Birth of Guru Hargobind

(Sikh)

5-11 Childhood Obesity Week

(UK)

9 Martyrdom of the Báb

(Bahá’í)

11 World Population Day

15 Lailat al Bara’ah; The Night

of Forgiveness (Muslim)

15 Asalha Puja; Dharma Day

(Buddhist)

19 17th Tammuz; fast day

(Jewish)

23 Birth of Guru Har Krishen

(Sikh)

25 Khordad Sal; Birth of

Zoroaster (Zoroastrian)

5scouts.org.uk/pol

NEWS

Gilwell Reunion 2011

Book your ticket to the Scouting festival of the year, Gilwell Reunion! The

event is open to all adults in Scouting and will host a variety of bases to

share activity ideas around the programme zones along with on site

adventurous activities, evening entertainment with some surprises and fancy

dress opportunities and ultimately the time to meet new and old friends and

have a great time at the beginning of the autumn term. To book visit

www.scouts.org.uk/reunion

CELEBRATE INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG PEOPLENominations for the Diana Award are open. The award recognises young people aged between 5 and 18 who work in groups to make their communities a better place. For more information or to nominate someone visit www.diana-award.org.uk. The deadline for nominations is 20 May 2011.

Be our supplement starsIf you would like the supplement team to visit your Unit to test programmes and write articles that will appear in future issues, please get in touch via [email protected]



Camp cooking with candlesCooking on a mountainside is not how most people would choose to spend their first birthday, but then not everyone’s cut out to be a member of the Spartan Explorer Scout Unit

When leaders of the 1st Jordanstown Scout

Troop took Scouts to Switzerland in

2009, they were faced with the prospect

of losing their older Scouts, as there was

no local Explorer Unit for them to join easily. Parents, who

had come on the international adventure, were duly

concerned about the lack of activities for their children

beyond the age of 14, and the commitment was made

there and then to start a Unit.

Grant your wishIt turned out that local people shared the desire to provide

youth activities in the community. A council grant was

matched by funds from the Scout Group, and the Unit had

a few thousand pounds to get started with. The name,

Spartan, came from the young people, who were fans of

movie 300; they also saw something of the Spartan spirit

in their ranks. ‘The people of Sparta were resolute in the

face of pain, danger or adversity,’ says Matthew, 14. ‘We

hope to emulate that will to succeed.’

‘Initially I was apprehensive,’ admits Robert Cullinan, the

Scout Leader who agreed to take on the mantle of

forming the Unit. ‘Now, I can’t see what all the fuss was

about.’ Robert wasn’t alone, as four of the 14 leaders,

assistant leaders and assistants that support the Scout

Troop agreed to muck in with Explorers as well.

The Unit meets fortnightly on a Friday night, but retains

consistent numbers through a novel approach. ‘We ask

each Explorer to sign a contract when they join, in which

they agree to 100 per cent commitment. Our motto is

“If you’re in, you’re in,” and in return they get our full

attention, an adventurous programme, and a group of

peers who want to be there. It’s much more enjoyable

that way.’

Birthday teaSo, back to the first anniversary programme, which took

place in the dead of winter on the Mourne Mountains.

The Explorers trekked there for a Christmas Cookout

Challenge. Their task: to plan and deliver a three-course

meal on a budget of £9, carry everything on to and off the

mountain, and leave no trace of their visit to the area.

The Spartan team that won the challenge came up with

what one of the judges called ‘a nutritionally balanced

masterpiece of noodles, chocolate and Brussels sprouts’.

Everyone enjoyed it, got to take the lead, and went home

full of beans (some literally).


7scouts.org.uk/pol

UNIT IN FOCUS

It’s programmes like this, often originating from the

daring minds of the Explorers themselves, that keep

the whole Unit interested. ‘As a Scout Leader, it can

sometimes be a challenge to get Scouts away from

wanting an overnight camp with games consoles and a

cooked breakfast. What I like about the Explorers is that

they’re not afraid to come up with something off the wall,

and then make it happen.’

A progressive programmeThe way the Spartan Unit was created means that every

Explorer Scout who’s ever been a member has come up

through the Group. This helps, as the leadership team

know the members, and can provide a programme they

know will stretch them.

‘Starting anything from scratch can be quite daunting,

but it helps that most of the members came up through

the sections and understand what we’re about. By this

age, the young people are fully capable of articulating

what they want to do and even do most of the planning,

so we’re now operating in more of a caretaker capacity,

which is great for the leaders and fuels the confidence of

the young people’.

Growing upDuring the last year, Spartan numbers have grown steadily

to the current level of 16. Everyone threw themselves into

the first challenge of mastering canoeing and kayaking

skills, achieving the British Canoe Union’s Paddlepower

Level 5 qualification with a local watersports provider

last summer. The ideas also extend to community

participation, meeting former Scouts at the local

residential care home and organising litter picks

in the town.

Their latest venture has seen everyone start climbing

and abseiling training at the superb outdoor facilities

of the Belfast Activity Centre, as well as developing their

expedition skills to prepare for their forthcoming DofE

Silver and Gold trips in the next few months.

Why do you love your Unit, and why should we? Tell us about your successes and challenges. Email [email protected] or find us on Facebook at www.scouts.org.uk/ESSonline

your unit here

If I were Chief Scout for a day, I’d organise a District tournament for all

Districts in the world. It would be whatever they wanted it to be, like

football, uni-hoc or a quiz. Connor, Spartan Explorer



Gateways and justice

The Join-in-Jamboree themes for this issue are Make a Change, Make a Difference and Scouting Skills. Remember to check out the full resources online at www.scouts.org.uk/joininjamboree

Build a Jamboree gateway with the help of other sections

1 hour Values and Relationships, Skills

Traditionally in the build up to World Scout Jamborees, Units pioneer and decorate a Jamboree gateway. Like an arch, it is decorated to celebrate the approach of the event. Everyone involved in the Unit, whether they are attending the Jamboree or not, then walks through the gateway, symbolising the start of the Jamboree journey.

Your Explorer Scouts can pioneer a gateway as a Unit. It’s very likely some Explorers in your Unit are attending the Jamboree and now is as good a time as any to polish off their pioneering skills too.

You could also invite Scouts from the younger sections to help in pioneering and decorating your gateway. Teach them some basic pioneering skills which they can use in their own section meetings. Involving the younger sections can also engage them with the Jamboree and what it is all about. They will be able to attend one in the years to come too, so get them enthused about it now.

Local projects in your community

Ongoing Values and Relationships, Community Service

Do your Explorers take part in any community projects as a Unit? Do they do anything to make a change or make a difference in their areas, both in and out of Scouting?

Discuss as a Unit what you already do to positively infl uence your community and think of ways in which you could continue make a difference to those around you.

You could volunteer on an environmental project, such as developing a neglected area of land in your area. You could also work with other people in the community by volunteering at a care home or children’s hospice.

Your Unit might prefer to take part in a fundraising initiative rather than a community project, which is just as good a way to make a difference to other people’s lives. To keep the Jamboree theme, you can always try and raise money locally for The Scout Association’s solidarity fund, which support Scouts from Sierra Leone, Armenia and Papua New Guinea develop their Scouting over a fi ve year period, as well as help them attend the Jamboree with the UK Contingent. Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk/solidarity.

World Fair Trade Day

1 hour Values and Relationships, Global

World Fair Trade Day is celebrated on 14 May 2011. It is observed internationally to recognise the importance of Fair Trade and celebrating its effect on providing equality for food producers and distributors in developing countries.

Your Explorer Scouts can engage with World Fair Trade Day, and not necessarily just on 14 May. Set aside one hour of a meeting to get involved. Your Unit could prepare a meal using only goods that have the Fairtrade mark. Get your Explorers to buy the food in a shop – is there a large price difference in comparison with foods that are not fairly traded? Does the shop stock more Fairtrade goods than not? This could provoke discussion on whether fair trade goods are affordable for consumers in the UK.

How do your Explorers feel about paying slightly more for some goods which are Fairtrade? Would they prefer to save money by buying non Fairtrade items?

By typing in ‘fair trade’ on Programmes Online, you can supplement your fair trade hour with some further games or information on how much agricultural workers in developing countries benefi t from being paid a fair and transparent price for the goods they produce.

www.scouts.org.uk/joininjamboreeExplorers

Join-in-Jamboree

Activity Time Zone InstructionsCr

edit

: Sim

on R

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9scouts.org.uk/pol

Build a Jamboree gateway with the help of other sections

1 hour Values and Relationships, Skills

Traditionally in the build up to World Scout Jamborees, Units pioneer and decorate a Jamboree gateway. Like an arch, it is decorated to celebrate the approach of the event. Everyone involved in the Unit, whether they are attending the Jamboree or not, then walks through the gateway, symbolising the start of the Jamboree journey.

Your Explorer Scouts can pioneer a gateway as a Unit. It’s very likely some Explorers in your Unit are attending the Jamboree and now is as good a time as any to polish off their pioneering skills too.

You could also invite Scouts from the younger sections to help in pioneering and decorating your gateway. Teach them some basic pioneering skills which they can use in their own section meetings. Involving the younger sections can also engage them with the Jamboree and what it is all about. They will be able to attend one in the years to come too, so get them enthused about it now.

Local projects in your community

Ongoing Values and Relationships, Community Service

Do your Explorers take part in any community projects as a Unit? Do they do anything to make a change or make a difference in their areas, both in and out of Scouting?

Discuss as a Unit what you already do to positively infl uence your community and think of ways in which you could continue make a difference to those around you.

You could volunteer on an environmental project, such as developing a neglected area of land in your area. You could also work with other people in the community by volunteering at a care home or children’s hospice.

Your Unit might prefer to take part in a fundraising initiative rather than a community project, which is just as good a way to make a difference to other people’s lives. To keep the Jamboree theme, you can always try and raise money locally for The Scout Association’s solidarity fund, which support Scouts from Sierra Leone, Armenia and Papua New Guinea develop their Scouting over a fi ve year period, as well as help them attend the Jamboree with the UK Contingent. Find out more at www.scouts.org.uk/solidarity.

World Fair Trade Day

1 hour Values and Relationships, Global

World Fair Trade Day is celebrated on 14 May 2011. It is observed internationally to recognise the importance of Fair Trade and celebrating its effect on providing equality for food producers and distributors in developing countries.

Your Explorer Scouts can engage with World Fair Trade Day, and not necessarily just on 14 May. Set aside one hour of a meeting to get involved. Your Unit could prepare a meal using only goods that have the Fairtrade mark. Get your Explorers to buy the food in a shop – is there a large price difference in comparison with foods that are not fairly traded? Does the shop stock more Fairtrade goods than not? This could provoke discussion on whether fair trade goods are affordable for consumers in the UK.

How do your Explorers feel about paying slightly more for some goods which are Fairtrade? Would they prefer to save money by buying non Fairtrade items?

By typing in ‘fair trade’ on Programmes Online, you can supplement your fair trade hour with some further games or information on how much agricultural workers in developing countries benefi t from being paid a fair and transparent price for the goods they produce.

Activity Time Zone Instructions

Traditionally in the build up to World Scout Jamborees, Units pioneer and decorate a Jamboree gateway.

PROGRAMME IDEAS



Flexi-timeAs Explorer Scouting experiences great growth, many of us are

looking out for adults to help. With busy lifestyles and so many

demands on people’s time, Laura McManus looks at how you can

encourage adults to support Scouting

Research has identified that the largest barriers

to volunteer recruitment are the time pressure

on adults coupled with real concern over the

demands placed on new recruits. Nearly 60 per

cent of those who don’t volunteer cite lack of time

as the main reason. Therefore we must approach

volunteering in a flexible way.

Developing the individualExplorer Scouts can take a much more active role in

writing and organising the programme than the younger

sections. Whilst initially it may take some time to get the

process started, involving them in the planning and

running of the Unit essentially means they do more and

you do less. It also helps Explorers to develop planning and

organising skills, and may even allow them to see how

great being a leader in Scouting can be.

What needs doing?If there was one thing you could have an adult help with,

what would it be? Try to think of a list of tasks that you

would like another adult to do, so you can concentrate on

running the Unit. These things may include:

• planning a Unit meeting or visit

• running outdoor activities

• organising a camp

• supporting expedition training

• Unit administration.

These tasks do not necessarily have to be done by

the same person; they can be done effectively as

part of a team. If you ask an adult to do one task

for a set period of time, evidence shows

they are more likely to say yes.

When Explorer Scouts turn 18, do you

encourage them to stay involved with

Scouting? 18 year olds have many

demands on them so why not ask

them to help the Unit when they can

rather than asking them to make a

regular commitment?

It’s all in the planningDo you find it difficult to make

time to plan each meeting and

often find yourself turning up to a

Unit meeting without a real plan

of what you are going to do? Is

there a parent or ex-Explorer that

shows an interest in what you do at

meetings, or who has an interesting

job? Could they organise a meeting or

visit around this?

Getting outdoorsIs there a parent of an Explorer in your Unit who

is a keen hiker or cyclist? Could they run an

evening outdoors taking


11scouts.org.uk/pol

Flexible volunteering

the Explorers on a night hike? Taking the Unit on a

hike requires organisation, so asking someone

else means that it isn’t something else you

have to do.

Simple tasksAre you holding a

residential experience

soon? If you are, there

are many things that

you could ask the

Explorers to organise

themselves. Could a

small team of parents

organise the catering,

taking one meal each?

This is a simple task

that parents will

probably be more

than happy to do.

There are a number of resources to help you with encouraging adults to support the section in a flexible way.

tools to help you

Local experts can be enlisted to assist with simple or specialist tasks, such as the Jamboree on the Air

Young Leaders can take on more active roles in leading the Unit

It’s a recordIs there someone who could manage the Unit

administration for you? If you give them a copy of the

programme and attendance records, they can work out

which awards have been completed.

Adult rotasExplorer Scouts may not be as keen to have their parents

at meeting as the younger sections, so involving Explorers

who have just turned 18 to support the Unit may be a

more popular option. Over 40 per cent of new adult

volunteers come through the Movement, typically being

Explorer Scout Young Leaders who take on an adult

appointment when they reach their 18th birthday. Both

external research and evidence from within Scouting

indicates that these volunteers often develop a lifelong

commitment to the organisation, becoming the key

leaders upon whom Scouting depends.

Producing a rota listing the meeting dates and times

along with the focus of the meeting, then asking parents

and/or ex-Explorers to attend one meeting a term is an

excellent way to increase the number of adults that

support the Unit.



When plans go wrongHaving been an Explorer Scout Leader since the section formed, you'd think Ian Wilkins would have a smooth and efficient programme full of action and adventure. To give hope to new leaders, and a wry smile to experienced heads, he takes an askance view at some programme ideas that taught him valuable lessons

Let's go climbing!The background: The local university climbing wall is

open to non-students, but was closing to relocate, so

we thought we'd make the most of the chance and go

on the last night. I made sure everything was ready and

even rang them up the week before to check it would

still be okay. On the night, I get there a bit early, only to

find it shut with the holds already being taken off. With

nothing left to do, I had to cancel the evening, and send

the disappointed Explorers home.

Lesson learnt? Always, always, have a plan B, and

make sure your contact list is up to date.

Why do it? Sometimes I wonder why I bother, but

mistakes are natural and it all becomes worth it again

when the fun continues the next week. It’s also a good

learning opportunity.

You're allergic to WHAT?The background: I strongly believe

Explorers should be able to do more than

burn beans to the bottom of a billy by the

time they move on. So in the shop on the

way to Ready Steady Cook night, I decide it

should be Italian themed, buy pasta and tomatoes

for all the teams, plus other bits and bobs. As soon as

it’s all handed out, one Explorer tells me he’s allergic to

tomatoes.

‘Surely you mean you don't like them?’ I reply.

‘No, if I eat them, I spend the next two hours on

the toilet and come out in a rash.’

‘Oh.’

You're allergic to WHAT?The background:

wrong

As Justin started on the bouldering wall, the demolition truck edged nearer


Programme Planning

Does this remind you of anyone? What lessons did you learn the hard way? We’ve started a Facebook group for the Explorer Scout Supplement, so you can share your similar stories. Log on and find us at www.scouts.org.uk/ESSonline

ring any bells?

Lesson learnt? Collect important health information

when they join, and look at it!

Why do it? It's a life skill. They should cook on camp,

they'll have to cook on expeditions and will have to do so

outside of Scouting too (I live in hope). This means it's a

great programme idea to help prepare for the summer.

Blindfold dropThe background: Put the Explorers in cars, blindfold

them, and drop them off somewhere with a map,

compass and a finish location. Last time I did this, they

went across some army training land. Halfway through the

evening, we start hearing the crack of automatic gunfire,

and see flares floating down out of the sky. Yes, we'd sent

the Explorers through the middle of an army training

exercise. Whoops!

Lesson learnt? Pick your location carefully, do lots of

background research and be thankful they were firing

blanks!

Why do it? For a bit of competition, some Scouting skills

practice and memories that will last a lifetime.

As Explorer leaders, we need to try new things to stop

getting jaded and give the Explorers the enthused leaders

they need. I'm not saying don't plan, and risk assessment

remains a necessity, but it’s worth accepting that

sometimes it'll all go wrong and sometimes those are

the best evenings. All we can do is learn ready for

the next time.



Sussexsuccess

The Young Leaders’ Scheme offers young people the opportunity to give back to Scouting by assisting in the younger sections, but it can also form a key part of a Scout District’s plan to grow. Sarah Baileff visits a Young Leader Unit in Worthing to find out how important the scheme is

‘The best thing about being a Young Leader

is picking up and sharing ideas for

activities’ says Iain, a 15-year-old Young

Leader from the Worthing Unit, which is

setting an example at investing now in the adult leaders of

tomorrow. ‘We also get to meet others our own age,

which is important,’ he adds.

As 45 per cent of Scouting’s adult volunteers were

involved with Scouting as a young person, it makes a lot of

sense that we invest time and effort into ensuring that our

Young Leaders’ Scheme is properly run and supported.

Explaining the schemeIn 2009 West Sussex Scouts decided to focus

on providing a structured and high quality

Young Leaders’ Scheme in the County and the

setup in Worthing exemplifies this approach.

The Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leader) Mike

Hudgell and County Development Officer, Mark

Guy, have a development plan for the Unit

which provides a structure and timescale to

ensure things are monitored and reviewed on a regular

basis.

The County have also produced a resource, Your Guide to Being a Young Leader, in which any young person

joining the scheme can find out everything about it, from

contact details to options at 18.

Seventeen-year-old Lucy explains how the things have

improved since the Unit began in 2009: ‘It’s much better

now. Before, only Module A was run once a year. Now we

have the chance to do all the modules, as well as going on

trips and doing things as a Unit, so the social aspect is

much better’. It’s good to hear from the members

themselves that the extra support is appreciated.

Programme goldmineWhile the Young Leaders tackled some

activities in the Global Zone, I took the

opportunity to speak to Mike about running

the Unit. ‘We meet every two weeks. We aim

to provide every module in a year and Module

A four times a year. There’s a Facebook group

Programme goldmineWhile the Young Leaders tackled some

activities in the Global Zone, I took the

opportunity to speak to Mike about running

the Unit. ‘We meet every two weeks. We aim

Mike Hudgell


15scouts.org.uk/pol

YOUNG LEADERS

for the Unit, which is an effective means of

communication, and we have our own webpage on the

District website.’

Mike is clear that Young Leaders are a valuable resource

for Groups and should be treated as such but is aware that

they are still out to have fun. They certainly seemed to be

having fun during my visit, trying out a mine simulation

game. This was linked expertly by Mike and Rick to some

thought-provoking issues and the Young Leaders

discussed how this and similar activities could be adapted

to appropriately suit the different sections they work with.

I asked Mike about plans for the future and he showed

me the Unit’s 2011 development plan. The Unit will be

trialling a mission report back evening where Young

Leaders can review their missions with their peers. There

are also plans for a resource specifically for the parents of

Young Leaders and information for section leaders.

Keeping them movingThere is a clear focus too on transition to adult leadership

and/or Network as Mike and the team are well aware of

the importance of maintaining their involvement with

Scouting as far as possible.

This message has hit home with Lucy: ‘Young Leaders

gives me the opportunity to put something back’ she tells

me, ‘and I intend to be an adult leader in the future’.

Iain agrees that he too might make the step into adult

leadership in the future. After meeting these enthusiastic,

supported Young Leaders in Worthing, I can only say

Scouting’s future looks very promising indeed.

Guide SpySee Worthing’s Your Guide to Being a Young Leader at www.tinyurl.com/worthing-yl

Young Leaders participate in District events, such as the raft race (left); Bear Grylls pays

Worthing’s Young Leaders a visit at camp (top right); building a spaghetti and marshmallow tower (bottom right)



8-10 JULY 2011WWW.GILWELL24.INFO

Copyright © 2011 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers 306101 (England and Wales)

42 - 11 AC Gilwell 24 Scouting Advert.indd 1 23/02/2011 15:08

Give books, build bridges

Molly Fassbender launches Scouting’s new global programme partnership with Bookbridge, a small charity set up by Scouts in Germany

Bookbridge aims to create partnerships with

local communities in developing countries,

to improve young people’s access to English

language education. The focus of the

partnership is a big book collection in June, which will also

be backed up by activity ideas on Programmes Online.

Try the following activities with your Unit to raise

awareness of the potential your bookshelf holds to

support libraries in developing countries.

Building a bookbridgeMany of us have books at home that we hardly ever touch

after reading them. Get your Explorers to complete task 1

at home and task 2 in your meeting place.

Task 1Find a large box and fill it up with books that you have not

touched within the last two years. Write down the

number of books you put in the box.

• Which of the books in the box will you seriously need

again? Take them out of the box.

• Would you miss any of the books if they were gone

tomorrow? Take them out of the box.

• Which of the books remaining in the box could serve

a child or a student learning English? Take those out

which you think would not.

How many books remain now? Write down the number.

How many more books that remain untouched might

there be in your household, in your attic or basement?

Which of the books that you used within the last two

years are you unlikely to use again? Add these to the ones

in your box.

What’s the final number of books in your box?

Task 2Ask your Explorers to bring their answers to task 1 to

the next meeting. Discuss the following points and make

calculations:

• How much work was it to fill your box of books?

• How many books in total could your Unit provide for

a library just by sending these boxes?

Going from your numbers, calculate how many books/

boxes you could send if you extended the effort to family,

neighbours, your school etc.

Help neededHopefully this shows how easy it will be to take part

in June’s collection. There is one more thing you could

do to help – join us on our book sorting weekend at

Sherbrooke Scout Campsite near Nottingham on 23

and 24 July. See www.bookbridge.org/scouts to sign up.

scouts.org.uk/pol

BOOKBRIDGE



Copyright © 2011 The Scout Association Registered Charity Numbers 306101 (England and Wales)


42 - 11 AC Gilwell 24 Scouting Advert.indd 1 23/02/2011 15:08ExplorerSupp_AprMay2011FINAL.indd 17 09/03/2011 17:50

kIt’s

Call Unity now on 0845 0945 703www.scoutinsurance.co.uk [email protected]

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, FRN 312976. Unity Insurance Services is a trading name of Scout Insurance Services Limited.

Unity can cover it

We offer a range of policies designed specifically for Scouting, whatever you need protecting, from property and equipment to travel and fundraising events. Plus, if something should go wrong, we’ll help you get reimbursed as quickly as possible.

Let Unity look after all your Scout insurance needs.

unity_scouting_page_v2.indd 2 4/3/11 13:54:45


As a flag-happy member of the Saltire Jamboree Unit, Linzi, 16 is ready to represent south Scotland in Sweden

My Unit is called the Saltires, which we

came up with along other suggestions

of names. It went to a vote and Saltires

won. I think it’s super as the Saltire

is the national flag of Scotland

The Unit becomes a ‘unit’We’ve met up as a Unit on several occasions now. We’ve

camped together, eaten Burns Supper, and increased our

understanding of our own culture and heritage. A visit to

Ayrshire taught us about the history of our national bard,

Robert Burns. We also had an Apprentice-style weekend

in Bishopton, near Glasgow, where we had to complete

many challenges around Glasgow. We all really enjoyed

this as it got us working as a team in our selected Patrols

for the Jamboree. The information we collected about the

‘second city of the empire’ was then brought back to

camp and we created presentations for the rest of the Unit

within our Patrols.

This was an important camp for all of us as we grouped

into Patrols, discussed rules and a code of conduct, and

were issued with our Unit neckies and badges. We really

did become a unit during this weekend.

Global citizenI am most looking forward to learning about cultures and

different ways of how Scouting works in many other

Wave your flag

It’s nearly timeFor all our Jamboree Dreamers, the dream will shortly become a reality. If you’re a Unit Leader, or going to Sweden as part of the International Service Team, you could share your expectations and preparations on the Explorer Scout Supplement Facebook group. www.scouts.org.uk/ESSonline

your flag

countries. This will hopefully give me a better

understanding of Scouting outwith the United Kingdom.

Keeping up appearancesMy luxury item would have to be my hair straighteners.

I just hope there’s a hairdresser on standby!

Dutch afterpartyOur home hospitality country is the Netherlands. It would

be great to meet some Dutch participants to learn some

phrases prior to our stay. I’ve purchased a Dutch phrase

book, so have already started learning some useful

sentences.


OBC_ScoutingSupp_FebMar11.indd 2 10/01/2011 17:10ExplorerSupp_AprMay2011FINAL.indd 20 09/03/2011 17:51

explorer

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