explorer

ine The magaazders r Scout Le for ExploreSeptember 2009 August/

Man in the mirror How diverse is your Unit?

Jumpers for goalposts

S E R U G I F N O I unch p T a k C c a p A t a peditions th

Games to give your meetings spice

ex Events and

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Your Explorer Scout Section Working Group Andrew Wellbeloved, UK Commissioner for Programme Gemma Veitch, Programme and Development Adviser

WELCOME

You have to laugh...

Contact them at: programme@scout.org.uk Explorer Scout Working Group, The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel: 0845 300 1818 ADVERTISING Senior Sales Executive: Tom Fountain tom@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258 Cover image taken at the Sun Run in Cheltenham, 4 July 2009 Photo: Paul Kubalek

The shades were out in force as a host of Explorer Units converged on Cheltenham to take part in the annual Sun Run and Moon Run challenges. Congratulations to Lewisham North ESU, who took home the Overall Sun Run title, walking 26 miles in 5:15:49.

Mel Brammer recalls when Explorers say the funniest things, and introduces another informative issue of Explorer.

Being an Explorer Scout Leader has much to recommend it, as you spend time with young people developing into adults. There’s also plenty of humour involved with this most vibrant of sections. We were going to be building shelters at the local campsite with the Explorers. An hour or so before we were due to meet I sent out a text message: ‘If you have a pen or pocket knife, please carefully bring it with you to Explorers tonight.’ One turned up with a pen!

As summer rolls on you’ll be starting to think about the Scouting year ahead.

This issue is packed with ideas and inspiration for you and your Unit. Here’s a taster: Moz from Wales gets us inspired to go AWESOME (there’s still time to get your applications in if you hurry). We also hear about a pretty awesome trip to Australia that some Explorers went on while we were all wrapped up in scarves and hats back here in the UK. If you think Explorers are too grown up(!) to enjoy games then think again, we’ve got some ideas they might enjoy. Planning next year’s Summer Camp?

Have you thought about the south west of England? Our guide shows that there’s plenty to do. Other topics explored include diversity, special needs, Young Leaders and values.

Make a contribution As always, get your suggestions, questions and stories in to us at scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk Remember to put ‘Explorer Scout Supplement’ in the subject line.

Contents 4 The great escape How one Unit went all the way to Oz

6 Mirror, mirror, on the wall Does your Unit reflect the local community?

8 Game time A choice of games to add to your repertoire

10 A spiffing adventure Blyton’s paradise could be your playground. Check out the south west of England

12 Making Units more inclusive Practical pointers for involving young people with special needs

15 Q&A Explaining Scout values to new members

16 Awesome!

Adventure camps don’t come much bigger than this

17 Resources A reminder of what you need, and what’s good to have

18 Moving on up Helping the transition between Troop and Unit

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The great escape While most of you were digesting your turkey dinner in front of a Bond film on Christmas Day, members of Bexleyheath ESU and Alverton ESU were jetting off for a three-week trip of a lifetime to Australia, writes Oonagh Hayes

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he 26 Explorers and 12 leaders were taking part in the three-yearly Australian Venture, which is hosted by a different state of Australia on each occasion. With almost one thousand Scouts from across the globe, the 2009 Escape camp was based in Fairbridge, Western Australia, which from 1913 to 1983 was home to thousands of British orphans who were sent there to learn how to become farmers.

Getting into it Escape gave the UK Explorers the chance to mix with international Scouts as they camped out in their chosen expedition units of 18 Scouts and two leaders rather than as a UK contingent, something which AESL Janet Frank found very positive. ‘The Australian Venture was a fantastic opportunity to work with Scouts from other countries, and to find out how Scouting works around the world.’

Explorers spent the initial week of the trip in Sydney where they had a surfing lesson, climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge and were treated to a sumptuous barbecue by the 1st Oatley Sea Scout Group. After an unforgettable New Year’s Eve they flew on to Perth before transferring to Fairbridge. On-site there was a swimming pool, high and 4

low ropes courses, video games, camel rides, jelly wrestling and a bucking bronco.

Home and away (on expedition) The five-day expeditions on offer off-site were wide and varied and included: Perth Adventure Tour, 4x4 Adventure, bikers, tall ship sailing, climbing, abseiling and fishing, all of which were routinely described by the UK Scouts as ‘awesome’.

Janet said: ‘We had a brilliant group of people on the tall ships expedition who worked really well together. They were praised by the Leeuwin II crew for getting stuck into the cleaning duties and hauling sails even though quite a few were ill.’

‘Just like the Ashes’ When the units arrived back at camp after their main expedition, they were treated to an opening ceremony followed by live bands and a disco. The penultimate night of the Venture saw each of the Australian State teams battle it out in a variety of races and sporting events in the state versus state competition. The UK Explorers were invited to enter a combined Commonwealth team with Scouts from New Zealand and Canada and were delighted

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INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITION

to come out on top against the Australians in the fiercely contested competition.

The final 24 hours in Australia allowed the UK contingent a choice of either a boat trip across to Rottnest Island followed by mountain biking around the island or sailing with Waylen Bay Venturers, who they had met at Escape. Both groups then met up in the evening for a barbecue at Waylen Bay’s HQ.

Rate and recommend ADC Scouts, Chris Hayes says: ‘The Escape camp had been really well organised by Western Australia and all of the Explorers and Leaders had a great time down under. In terms of organisation both before and during the camp, I would say Escape was better than any other international camp I or others have been involved with. It’s a long way to go but a great event and I’d recommend it to anyone.

All of the leaders, at this stage, are hoping to go again to the next one in Tasmania in January 2012.’

John Morsley, Explorer Scout Leader ‘Whenever we’ve been to Oz, I’ve always found the Australian people very welcoming. The historical connection with the UK and with Scouting means that a trip to Australia is a guaranteed winner! The time we spent canoeing and sailing on the Swan River with the 1st Waylen Bay Sea Scout Group was relaxed and informal – Scouting at its best!’

The UK Scouts had to fundraise to pay for the trip with events including quiz nights and bag packing at local shops. They also managed to secure grants from local charities and their council.

more info The website www.wilddayz.com will soon be online with details of the next Australian Venture Camp in Tasmania in 2012.

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Mirror, mirror, on the wall With diversity one of the buzzwords of Scouting’s vision to 2012, we invite you to take a look in the mirror and think about how well Explorer Scouting in your District reflects your local community.

Look at the local community in the area of your Scout District • How many secondary schools are there? Are they independent or state schools? How big are they?

• How many different religions are represented in your community? What proportion of the population is made up of each religious group?

• What ethnic groups are there?

• What is the socio-economic status of the community?

• Approximately one child in six has some form of special need (whether temporary or permanent) at any one time.

• Gender – the balance of males and females is usually pretty equal.

How much detail you go into with this research is up to you. A quick snapshot is a sufficient start, but if you get interested then the Office for National Statistics (www. statistics.gov.uk) provides information on the different areas of the UK: www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk – England and Wales www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk – Northern Ireland www.sns.gov.uk – Scotland.

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DIVERSITY

Are local religious communities represented in your Unit?

Now look at your Explorer Scout provision • What percentage of 14-18 year olds in the area are Explorer Scouts?

• If you have independent schools in the area, do you have privately educated Explorers?

• Let’s say there are three mosques, a gurdwara, eight churches and a temple in your District. This represents a spread of religions – are they evident in your District Explorer Scout provision?

• Do you have Afro-Caribbean communities? Or Eastern European? Or Indian? Or Chinese? How many of your Explorers are from these communities?

• If your local community has a large proportion of families on income support or single parent families are these represented in Explorer Scouting?

• Do you have young people with disabilities or other special needs in your Units?

• Are half of your members female?

Are you getting the picture?

Too often Scouting is still seen as a white, middle class, male organisation. While the Regional Development Service is working with Districts and Counties to remedy this situation, and many Districts are showing the way for the rest of us, there is plenty of scope for the Explorer Scout section, being the most innovative and flexible in the Movement, to take the lead here.

What to do next Small steps can take you a long way, so try some of the following:

1. Put promotional Explorer Scout posters and leaflets (with local contact details on) in all your secondary schools. There may be teenagers out there who would love to join Explorers if they knew about it!

2. Approach whoever runs DofE programmes in local schools (if they do it) and suggest that becoming an Explorer Scout Young Leader is a good way of completing the volunteering section. People who enjoy their time as a Young Leader may join the Unit.

3. Approach faith leaders at all the local places of worship and arrange a meeting with each. Talk about what Explorer Scouting is about and what it offers young people. Many still see us as a Christian organisation and not for them, so explaining that we are there for young people of all faiths may help to bridge the gap.

4. Ensure that any promotional material you use shows a diverse mix of young people, for example both male and female.

Once you get started you’ll find plenty of other small actions that can make a big difference to your Explorer Scout Unit. Enjoy the challenge and value the diversity! more info According to the Equal Opportunities Policy in Chapter 2 of Policy, Organisation and Rules: ‘The Scout Association is committed to extending Scouting, its Purpose and Method to young people in all parts of society.

All Members of the Movement should seek to practise that equality, especially in promoting access to Scouting for young people in all parts of society.’

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Game time You need them to fill time in your programme, and they love playing them.

Look no further for a treasure chest of games to add to your Unit’s collection

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xplorer Scouts, just like any other section, like to play games. Games were a fundamental part of Baden-Powell’s vision, as he knew that young people learn best when they are having fun.

Many of us, though, get stuck in a rut. One Explorer Scout Unit in Scotland had wound up playing the same game (Sticky Toffee) week after week, because the Explorers loved it. Eventually the leaders made a new rule – a game can only be repeated once in any month. They introduced some new games (which the Explorers loved) and now Sticky Toffee is one of many (and a less popular one) in the Unit’s new repertoire.

Ideas for games to play with your Explorer Scouts can be found on Programmes Online (www.scouts.org.uk/ pol), by searching ‘games’ on the internet or in many books out there. Some may need adapting to your numbers, venue or the age and interests of Explorer Scouts, but they are well worth experimenting with. Use different games for different purposes.

In coming issues of the Explorer Supplement two Explorer Scouts are going to share some of their favourite games for you to try. In the meantime you might try the following…

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Ball Game Giant Table Football (POL: 26957) • This game is like table football except that the Explorers are the players. Once in position the players are fixed and cannot move (except: the goalie can move from side to side along the goal line within the goal; the other players may spin or pivot on their non-kicking foot) • You will need something to mark the two goals and a large roll of duct tape or similar to be the ball • Divide the Explorers into two teams and then set them up in rows as on a table football pitch, so that each team has two or three attackers and two or three defenders, and if you have a larger number you can include midfield as well.

• Play!

Wide Game Search Party • Divide the players into two teams • They are told that a mad scientist (one of the leaders) has tried out a top secret potion on himself and gone

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GAMES IDEAS

•

• •

•

berserk. He has run out of the laboratory and is somewhere in the woods nearby Team one is told that they must quickly find the scientist and bring him back in so that the antidote can be administered Team two are told that they want to find the scientist and sell him to a foreign power to steal his secrets Both teams are told that the scientist has gone completely mad and is unlikely to cooperate (the leader playing the scientist can have some fun here, but may well be roughly handled) The winning team is the first to return the scientist to their home base.

More online An alternative, more complicated version of this wide game is available on Programmes Online (ID: 1501).

• The Explorer who starts the game is given a topic. They have one minute to talk about their topic without hesitation, deviation or repetition • If one of the other players thinks that the speaker has hesitated, deviated or repeated, they can interrupt (either by knocking on the table or sounding a buzzer) • If the interruption is deemed appropriate by the leader then the Explorer who interrupted gets a point and takes control of the subject for the remaining time. If it was inappropriate then the original player gets the point and retains the subject • The player who has control of the subject at the end of the minute gets an extra point • Play as many rounds as you like.

NB: This game was made famous by the BBC Radio 4 show of the same name.

Quiet Game Just a Minute • You will need a list of topics, a stop-clock and a list of players names (for scoring). Six players is ideal, but you can swap players in after each topic to play with more

GAMES GALORE

When did you last log on to Programmes Online? At time of going to press, there are 145 games appropriate for Explorer Scouts.

Log on today at www.scouts.org.uk/pol

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Get the most fashionable Scouting item of the season, available either embroidered or with i.Scout printed down the sleeve. scouts.org.uk/pol

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All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC0384837 (Scotland).

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A spiffing adve Enid Blyton cottoned on to the beauties of this part of the world and sent the Famous Five camping here. If you want to go exploring in the South West then our guide will jolly well help you plan

South West England Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset make up this fascinating corner of the UK. With beautiful surfing beaches, wild moorland and stunning rural idylls, where better to come to explore with your Explorer Scouts?

Getting there Plane: Exeter or Bristol Airport offer plenty of links to the rest of the UK Train: The Waterloo line comes in to Exeter, the main lines from Paddington or the North come through Bristol and Exeter and some trains take you all the way to Penzance.

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Road: The M4 crosses the top end of the region on the way to Wales, while the M5 will get you as far as Exeter.

Campsites Cranham Scout Centre. Cranham, Gloucestershire.

Indoor and outdoor accommodation and some on-site activities. www.gloucestershire-scouts.org.uk/cranham Brownsea Island. Off Poole Harbour, Dorset. Indoor accommodation and camping with plenty of on-site activities available on this truly historic island. Recreate the magic of Baden-Powell’s first camp here. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea Potterne Scout Centre. Devizes, Wiltshire. An indoor block and plenty of camping in a rural setting. www.wiltshirescouts.org.uk/potterne Buddens Campsite. Wareham, Dorset. A huge campsite with a lake and an array of on-site activities. Indoor

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Regional Review

venture accommodation available during the summer. www.buddens.org.uk Butchers Coppice. Bournemouth, Dorset. Wide variety of camping available as well as indoor accommodation.

Lots of activities. www.butcherscoppice.org.uk Blindmans Wood Scout Centre. Plymouth, Devon.

A range of camping, indoor accommodation and some on-site activities. www.blindmanswood.btik.com Nine Ashes Activity Centre and Campsite. Bodmin, Cornwall. Indoor or outdoor accommodation available. www.cornwallscouts.net/nineashes.aspx Braggers Wood Scout Centre. Christchurch, Dorset.

A vast campsite with two buildings offering a range of accommodation and on-site activities. www.christchurchscouts.org.uk/braggerswood

Activities South West Coast Path. All the way around the peninsular from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset www.southwestcoastpath.com Brownsea Island. A day visit to Brownsea Island is a must if you visit Dorset. Experience the venue of Baden-Powell’s experimental camp in 1907. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea

City Visits. The cities in the South West are all very different and worth visiting if you are on a week’s camp.

Exeter, Salisbury, Truro and Gloucester combine soaring cathedrals and pretty historic buildings with bustling shopping. Plymouth and Bristol are bigger and more happening. Bath’s Georgian architecture is stunning.

Outdoor Activities. Coasteering, surfing, caving, white water kayaking, hill walking, cycling, kite buggying and climbing – they are all on offer here. The best spots for surfing are the north coast of Devon and Cornwall.

Whitewater kayaking is available during the winter on many rivers on Dartmoor and Exmoor, check with the BCU for access arrangements. Kite Buggying is good at Woolacombe in north Devon where huge expanses of sand are exposed at low tide. Climbing is available either on sea cliffs or the tors of Dartmoor. Your best bet for caving is Somerset. For any outdoor activity ensure that the leader has the relevant permit or follow The Scout Association’s guidance when using a commercial operator.

Fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast. The coastline of Dorset and east Devon is known as the Jurassic Coast and is a World Heritage Site. Some truly gigantic fossils have been found here. The beaches will usually have information signs giving guidance on what to do. www.jurassiccoast.com Eden Project. St Austell, Cornwall. This amazing bubble of a greenhouse situated in a formerly disused quarry in Cornwall has to be visited to be believed. The aim of the site is to educate about biodiversity. Entry £5 - £7 www.edenproject.com Paignton Zoo. Paignton, Devon. Meet the zoo’s new tiger cubs this summer. www.paigntonzoo.org.uk

If you would like to recommend any campsites or activities for Explorer Scouts in your region then please email scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk with ‘Explorer Scout Supplement’ in the subject line.

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If an Explorer Scout who has a special need wanted to join your Unit, would you know what to do? Would you adapt your programme, your meeting place or your leader requirements? Nobody should lose out on any Scouting activity due to their physical or mental ability, so Michael Shanks and Mel Brammer look at how we can adapt our ways of working to make Explorer Scouting accessible to all

Making Units m Adapting games The key here is understanding that there is no such thing as a game for someone with special needs, rather it is the same game as for everyone else, but with a few minor adjustments. For example, for somebody with ADHD the game might need to be completely explained beforehand, or for a blind player you might need to use balls with bells inside. Most games can be easily accustomed to all groups of people. When playing games you need to remember that if you lower the expectations too far, both the young person with special needs and the rest of the Unit will get bored quickly. You need to find a solution that allows all to play together, to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

Adventurous activities Explorers with special needs are just as keen to join in with your adventurous activities as those without, but again, you might need to think about how to adapt them. One Unit goes canoeing, using Canadian type canoes. To make it more adaptable for those with mobility issues, the Unit got hold of some cheap picnic chairs, snapped the legs off and lashed them to the bench in the canoe so that the 12

young person could sit in with a helper behind. They’ve used a similar technique with sailing boats.

‘When our summer camp was at Gilwell the Explorers got the chance to do the 3G Swing, which was absolutely fantastic, the experience of a lifetime for some. The activity centre staff were excellent in the way they managed to think through safety procedures while still allowing severely disabled youngsters to have a go.

These sorts of activities are really important for young people who may be “institutionalised” in special schools and do not ordinarily get the opportunity to try this kind of activity.’

Awards and badges The awards and badges in Scouting are about personal best effort rather than a fixed outcome, and the requirements exist more to set the standard. The standards of effort expected of an Explorer with special needs should not be any lower, though the outcomes

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Good PRACTICE

s more inclusive might be. An example would be that a young person with special needs might struggle to do a hike of more than ten miles, but the achievement and effort put in might be equivalent or more than the young person without special needs who went on a 50-mile expedition.

‘When we did our Chief Scout’s Platinum expeditions, we did it partly on foot and partly on public transport. The Explorers (two in wheelchairs) spent five or six hours researching routes on trains and ferries to get from A to B. They bought the tickets, mapped it out and made sure the walking route in between worked.’

You might also consider using other modes of transport, particularly for young people with mobility issues. National Cycle track routes are usually good for wheelchairs, you can canoe in canals or horse ride. Whether or not you decide to go for a mixed ability team will be based upon the challenge being set by the expedition. You wouldn’t want half the team to find the expedition easy and the others to really struggle, so setting up a good team where

everybody supports one another, and choosing the challenge carefully will require a bit of thought.

For activity badges, you need to use your judgement.

It might be that you choose a badge from one of the younger sections over an Explorer one, or you may need to adapt the requirements to make it achievable while still requiring a similar level of challenge and effort. Both the Special Needs Team and the Activities Team at Gilwell Park will be able to help with suggestions, but if the Explorer Scout puts in the effort, then they deserve the badge.

Gateway Award The Gateway Award has been developed by Mencap and is specially tailored for those with special needs. There are three progressive awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold. It is based on several different elements: Hobbies, Service, Adventure Challenge, Lifestyle and Physical Recreation, and the participants choose the activities that they will do to achieve each part of the award. For more information see the Gateway Award factsheet (FS250047)

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Making Units more inclusive Camping Camping is one activity that can bring to light the broad range of special needs that might usually be overlooked.

An Explorer Scout might have allergies, asthma, bedwetting etc, which at a normal Unit meeting don’t feature on your radar, but on camp will need consideration.

Meeting place

For more information call the Scout Information Centre (0845 300 1818).

FURTHER HELP

Above all, never think that you are on your own! There is a team of people at Gilwell and all over the UK who can offer advice and ideas should you need them. There are also factsheets covering a large variety of topics.

Access isn’t always about removing physical barriers, but a large part of it is. How accessible is your hall? Would it suit someone in a wheelchair or someone with a visual impairment? In Scouting we should try our best to make sure all our facilities are suitable for everyone who might want to join – this doesn’t have to mean completely rebuilding your hall, but it could mean small adjustments to toilets to ensure there is space for a wheelchair, or more bright lighting to ensure someone with a visual impairment can move around easily.

There are grants available to help with adaptations to make your meeting place comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. These come through the Development Grants Board.

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Q&A

Explaining Scout values to new teen members

Our active and adventurous programme has lured many new members from outside the Movement. Now that we’ve got them, how do we get across the values side of Scouting and the principles behind what we do? How do I share the magic of Baden-Powell’s vision with teenagers?

‘I don’t really know the answer to this question, it’s really hard! One suggestion is that showing some videos clips can help, like the Scouting history part of the Centenary DVD, extracts from the Jamboree etc. This makes a good start at telling them who we are and why we do what we do.’

Heather Hale – ESL ‘We start and finish every meeting with the flag. We also talk about the Promise and Law and a bit about our history before we invest new Explorers. You can drop in some snippets about B-P at appropriate moments on camp or on a hike. For example, when preparing a campfire, talk about how B-P loved plays, yarns and singing. If Explorers moan about new members, explain that Scouting is for everybody, and refer to some of the underlying values. You can’t plan this, it has to depend on the moment.’

Mel Brammer – ESL

‘Having and discussing a code of conduct helps, because you talk about the Scout Law and Promise as part of it.’

Hannah – Explorer Scout ‘The welcome booklet in the Explorer Scout Membership Pack explains to new Explorer Scouts what Scouting is, including the Promise and Law.’ Gemma Veitch – Programme and Development Adviser

This was clearly a testing question as we got very little feedback on it! Any further thoughts would be much appreciated. We are now looking for some answers to the next question:

We have a large Unit, but how do you get busy teenagers to commit to activities on weekends or outside their normal meeting night?

If you can help with an answer to this question please send it to scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk with ‘Explorer Scout Supplement: Q+A’ in the subject line.

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Awesome!

Across the UK throughout the year there are amazing Explorer Scout events to go along to. One of them, AWESOME, takes place in September, and if you get your skates on you might just be able to book in for the big Welsh party. David ‘Moz’ Morris tells us more

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WESOME is back! The All Wales Explorer Scout activity camp offers Explorer Scouts a weekend of total outdoor adventure.

Run every two years, this event (the third) goes from strength to strength and is gearing up to be bigger, better and generally more outdoors than ever before.

Using the fantastic location of Glanusk Park, on the banks of the River Usk in the Brecon Beacons, AWESOME will offer true down-and-dirty outdoor activities that are not available at some other UK events.

Hot start AWESOME was first held in the Forest of Dean in 2005 when about 150 Explorer Scouts, mainly from Wales but from as far away as Leeds, set up camp on a boiling hot July weekend.

In fact it was far too hot, so we moved it to September and to the location of Glanusk for 2007. The 2005 venue had suffered from a lack of electricity as generators were banned, but this time we were fully wired up and the music played long into the night.

Awesome by name…

Ollie, 17, an Explorer Scout from the K2 Unit in Wrexham, was just one of many Explorer Scouts who went along and was impressed. ‘It was amazing, the name says it all!

There was loads of stuff to do: we prepared and ate 16

rabbits, did archery, shooting, team games and challenges.

At night there was a disco, karaoke, and a campfire. I met loads of Explorers from all over the country, but I can’t remember where – Cardiff I think!’

‘If you like getting muddy and wet, smelling of smoke, and dangling from heights (and what Explorer doesn’t?), then AWESOME is the weekend for you!’

Costing just £25 for Explorers and £6 for leaders, you get a lot for your money. Just some of the offered activities are survival skills, rock climbing, zip wire, open fires, as well as canoeing and rafting on the River Usk. The weekend is open to all Explorer Scouts from across the UK - and that includes Young Leaders who aren’t a member of a regular Explorer Scout Unit.

Ollie continues, ‘I’d definitely recommend it to people in 2009. It’s amazing, a great place to have fun with your friends, meet Explorers from all around the UK, try out a wide range of very well run activities, at night as well as in the day time. You won’t forget it. You will leave with a massive buzz and wanting to go back again next time.’

Book in If you’re inspired to head to Wales with your Explorer Scouts then get more details and book online at www.scoutswales.org.uk/awesome

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EVENTS

The activities ranged from skinning rabbits ...

If you are running or have run an Explorer event and would like to see it featured in Explorer then send details and photographs to scouting.magazine@scout.org.uk with ‘Explorer Supplement’ in the subject line. If you would like to put details of an event in before it is run, then please give plenty of notice as we have a very long lead in time, and the supplement is planned well in advance.

...to rifle sh oo

ting

Resources

Do you know your Taking the Lead from your Programme Plus? The table below serves to remind you which publications are essential, recommended or useful for each type of role in Explorer Scouting:

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E

R

R

R

U

E

R

R

R

R

E

E

R

R

DESC

E

E

E

U

U

E

E

R

E

R

E

U

E

U

DESA

R

U

R

R

ACC/AAC(ES)

E

E

R

U

U

E

E

E

ARC (ES/SN) (Scotland)

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E

R

U

U

E

E

E

R

R

R

The Troop Programme

E E

Troop Essentials

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ESL ESL (YL)

The Pack Programme

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Pack Essentials

E

The Colony Programme

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U

Colony Essentials

U

U

Nights Away

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U

D of E Award H andbook for Leaders

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U

Scout Network: Taking the Lead

Young Leaders’ Essentials

U

E

Scout Network Membership Pack

Explorer Scouts: Taking the Lead

R

E

Network Essentials

The Unit Programme Plus

R

E

Explorer Scout Badge Book

The Unit Programme

R

AESL

Explorer Scout Membership Pack

Unit Essentials

Unit Assistant

Role

E

scouts.org.uk/shop

R

R

R

R

R

R

essential - considered essential that an adult in this role has immediate access to this resource in order to fulfil the role

R

recommended - access to this resource will help an adult carry out this role more effectively

U

may be useful - an adult in this role may find it useful to access this resource from time to time

scouts.org.uk/pol

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16/07/2009 11:09

Moving on up The transition between Scouts and Explorer Scouts is a key period in any young person’s Scouting development, and historically has often been a point where people leave. How can the Young Leaders’ Scheme help?

W

hen a Scout decides that they want to do the majority of their Explorer Scouting as a Young Leader, and particularly if they decide to stay in the Group where they have been a Scout, there are a few things to bear in mind to assist the moving-on process: • It is recommended that a Scout should not return as a Young Leader to the Troop they are leaving within six months. This break allows them to see what else is on offer to Explorer Scouts and to mature before taking on leadership responsibility. It also gives the Leaders and the Scouts in the Troop a chance to adjust from ‘Fred’ being a member of the Patrol one week, and the very next turning up and expecting to be part of the leadership team. Even in rural areas where Explorer Scouting options may be more limited, Scouts should be encouraged to help as a Young Leader in the younger sections first, transferring to the Troop later if they still wish to.

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• It’s easy for a Scout to decide to be a Young Leader in their Group rather than move on to Explorer Scouts simply to stay in their comfort zone. Encourage them to try out the different Explorer Units and make sure the Scout Leaders are encouraging transition too. Becoming a Young Leader should be a positive choice, not the easy way out.

• Every Scout becoming a Young Leader needs to understand that they are now an Explorer Scout and part of the Young Leaders’ Unit in the District provision.

One way of doing this is for the ESL (YL) or the District Explorer Scout Commissioner to invest them, either at a meeting at the younger section or at the Young Leaders’ Unit meeting when they do Module A. • A Scout becoming a Young Leader should get a copy of the Explorer Scout Membership Pack, wear an Explorer Scout Uniform, and receive information about the District Explorer Scout Programme, camping opportunities and more, so that they can access more of what is available if they choose to.

Explorer August/September 2009

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14/07/2009 15:53

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13/07/2009 12:33

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06/07/2009 14:01