Join in olympics Explorer booklet

...

R E T S A F ...

R E G N O STR R...

E G G BI !

R E T T E B F O T I R I P S E H T E R O T U T N I N T E V GE D A G N I T R O P OUR S

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet-cover.indd 2

12/09/2011 16:55

CONTENTS Introduction 4 Bronze 6 Silver 18 Gold 28 Acknowledgements

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet-cover.indd 3

34

The London 2012 Inspire mark copyright Š London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd 2008. All rights reserved.

12/09/2011 16:55

Congratulations!

I know you’ve been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark for your sporting adventure, and that’s good. When we went to Singapore to bid for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we were always very clear that it wasn’t simply about competitive sport.

It’s about encouraging you as leaders to do things slightly differently, and to figure out what values the Olympic and Paralympic Games give you, in terms of friendship, respect, courage and determination. As Scouts, these are all the things that you will understand anyway.

You have a big head start on everyone, because if you’re involved in Scouting, you know that those are your values as well.

Good luck,

Lord Sebastian Coe Chairman, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

I am delighted to join Lord Coe in commending The Scout Association for Our Sporting Adventure, and very pleased that the Peter Harrison Foundation has provided support for this resource.

This project will give hundreds of thousands of young people the chance to share the adventure, fun and ideals of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

As a youngster in the 2nd Cheadle Scouts, I was introduced to sport and the outdoors through hikes and camps, where I learned teamwork, responsibility and leadership. I remember sailing on the Norfolk Broads, and my love of nautical activities continues today.

I hope that through this project, even more young people will take up the challenge and enjoy being involved in these great movements – Scouting and the Olympics and Paralympics.

Peter Harrison CBE Chairman, Peter Harrison Foundation

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 3

12/09/2011 16:49

INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO OUR SPORTING ADVENTURE

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring over 200 nations of the world under one roof in a festival of sport and culture, united by common values. To celebrate the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements, all Scouts are invited to compete in a series of activities and challenges – Our Sporting Adventure – which will run from 1 January to 30 September 2012.

ABOUT LONDON 2012

Between 25 July and 9 September 34 venues across the UK will host more than 300 events from Greco-Roman wrestling to synchronised swimming, and from archery to wheelchair tennis. The Games also coincide with the Cultural Olympiad, which will bring together art, film, music and theatre in a festival of events and celebrations all over the UK.

THE INSPIRE MARK

Our Sporting Adventure has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 Games.

The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be a part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities and skills. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in.

‘Winning and achievement inspires me. Every day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s important to always look ahead to the next test.’

Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medal winner, sailing

FASTE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 4

12/09/2011 16:49

HOW IT WORKS

Our Sporting Adventure is based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values. These are: Olympic Values • Respect • Excellence • Friendship Paralympic Values • Courage • Determination • Inspiration • Equality Just like at London 2012, Our Sporting Adventure is about working towards medals as part of a team.

There will be a medal table, which will chart the progress of your team and encourage you to push on for higher achievements. Though the activities have been designed to be done within your section, the medal table will allow Explorer Units to compete against Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs, Scout Troops and Scout Networks. There are some top prizes on offer for the highest scores as well.

GETTING STARTED

Here’s what you need to do to embark on your sporting adventure.

Go online to register your team before the competition starts in January 2012. Visit www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure and start planning your assault on the medal table.

5

3. Plan Decide which activities you want to do with your team. There are 28 bronze, 14 silver and 7 gold activities. Once 2012 arrives, have fun running them. Whenever you complete an activity, update your team’s record on the website. Bronze activities are worth 50 points, silver are worth 100 points, and gold 200 points. You could choose to focus on the seven more challenging gold activities as a way of getting more points, or you could incorporate the 28 bronze activities into your normal programme during the year. It’s up to you.

THE MEDAL TABLE

You’ll be able to check your progress online by viewing the medal table. Compare your score with other sections, or those in your District and County.

PRIZES

A prize will be available for the team with the greatest number of points. Full terms and conditions are available online at www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure

1. Pick your team You can compete as a single section or join up with another Unit to make up the numbers and gain medals. Come up with a fun team name or keep it the same as your Group or section name. Visit www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure 2. Register

ER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 5

13/09/2011 15:08

There are 28 bronze activities, each worth 50 points for your sporting adventure. If you want a steady entry into the competition, start here.

FEELING LEFT OUT?

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONE Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION Bend the rules and make a familiar activity unfair, to generate a discussion about the Paralympic value of equality.

TIME 2 meetings EQUIPMENT • Depends on chosen activity INSTRUCTIONS 1. Choose an activity that your Explorer Scouts will enjoy, such as building a freestanding flag pole, or putting up a Patrol tent. Lots of people need to be actively involved. Allocate the tasks but deliberately leave out a small number of people.

You could allocate everybody a task but give some a really easy task that they can finish in a very short space of time. At this stage do not explain why. When they ask what they should be doing, ask them to just hang around.

2. At the end of the activity lead a discussion about how those people felt and what they ended up doing.

• Did they feel frustrated they couldn’t join in?

• Did they try?

• Did they start messing around through boredom?

• Did this become distracting or annoying for the others?

3. Apply this to a team situation – if you are a team leader you need to be aware that boredom can lead to disruptive behaviour and frustration.

Make sure that everybody has an appropriate task allocated to them.

4. Take the discussion further into what other things could lead to difficult behaviour.

Brainstorm ideas, such as: • medical problems • emotional upset • anger or tiredness • feeling undervalued 5. Explorer Scouts should be encouraged to look at the situation in more detail.

• What is the underlying feeling?

• Is somebody feeling undervalued? Perhaps they thought they should be team leader?

• How could the team leader manage the situation in order to deal with the problem?

6. The following week the Explorers should present their thoughts and findings.

Note: Further normal Explorer Scout activities can be carried out but with one person in the role as a ‘difficult’ person, with one of the underlying problems as a cause. The team leader then has to try to deal appropriately with the situation to ensure everyone can participate.

‘When I was in Scouts I had a go at archery and enjoyed it. Ten years later I’m training for the London 2012 Olympic Games, hoping to qualify as part of Team GB. ‘My ultimate goal is to do something no-one else has ever done and defend an Olympic title. Embrace whatever you enjoy, because you never know where it’s going to take you.’

Tom Barber, Olympic archery hopeful

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 6

13/09/2011 15:08

PHOTO TREASURE HUNT

VALUES Inspiration, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Skills, Global DESCRIPTION The Olympic movement does not only inspire athletes to achieve great times and distances; it inspires the world around us. Set your Explorers on a mission to discover evidence of the Olympic spirit in your community.

TIME 1 hour – 1hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Cameras • Pens • Paper INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split your Explorers into even teams.

2. Ensure at least one team member has a camera or camera phone.

3. Give each team a list of pre-selected items you want them to take photos of on their hunt.

Make sure these are relevant to the Olympic or Paralympic Games; they could relate to the seven values, sport or competing countries.

4. Set the teams off on their quest to find and photograph the items. Give them a finish time and place to return to.

5. The team with the most photos on the list wins.

6. If possible, end the meeting with a campfire or closing ceremony, being sure to show the best photographs.

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 7

CRAB FOOTBALL

7

VALUES Respect, Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Crabs don’t play football, but if they did, they’d play it like this. Have fun with this kickabout, and see if the best footballers are still a class above when forced to play on all fours.

TIME 20-30 minutes EQUIPMENT • 1 sponge football • Goalposts or chairs INSTRUCTIONS 1. Set up goals at either end of the playing area.

2. Get the Unit to pick two teams.

3. Everyone plays in a crab position, belly up on hands and feet. The main challenge is for players to stay in this position for the duration, so instigate a sin-bin for any persistent offenders.

4. Normal football rules apply from then on.

12/09/2011 16:49

AIR MILE OFFSET

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Global DESCRIPTION Getting to the Olympic Games requires air travel for many competitors, officials and members of the Olympic Family. It’s estimated this will amount to 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Run this activity to put your Explorers to the challenge of how these emissions could be reduced and offset.

TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Internet/research material • Atlas INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain to the Unit that there are athletes from 204 countries coming to the UK for the London 2012 Games.

2. Get them to work out the distance from each nation’s capital city to London, using the atlas.

Give them 20 minutes to do this, and encourage them to break down the task appropriately so that each member of the Unit has a manageable list of countries to research. You can get a list of the 204 countries that competed at Beijing from www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure 3. Use a carbon footprint calculator like the one at greenprogress.com to turn air miles into pounds of CO2 emitted. Add up all the miles the Explorers calculate in the time. What is the total amount?

4. Research what London 2012 are doing to help offset carbon emissions. Ask the Explorers what ways, other than travel, do we increase our carbon footprint? See london2012.com/ sustainability for more information.

5. Discuss with the Unit what you currently do in Scouting and at home to reduce your footprint and think of actions you could take.

6. Come up with a Unit pledge that can be a target to work towards. Display this in your meeting place and come back to it over time.

PASTA BRIDGES

VALUES Determination, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION This activity will require teamwork, problem solving and lots of pasta. See who can build the strongest bridge, using different types of pasta and sticky tape.

TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Different types of pasta (include lasagne and spaghetti) • Sticky tape • Measuring tape INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into teams and challenge them to create the strongest bridge, using only the pasta and sticky tape. Types of bridges could include: • Beam bridges • Cantilever bridges • Arch bridges • Suspension bridges • Cable-stayed bridges 2. Judge each team’s bridge on its strength and length. The team with the strongest bridge that stands up without human help wins.

STRON 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 8

13/09/2011 15:08

THREE-LEGGED MEETING

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Physical Recreation, Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION As if being an Explorer Scout wasn’t hard enough, see what happens when you force them to spend a meeting tied together.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Rope/string INSTRUCTIONS 1. At the beginning of your meeting, divide the Unit into pairs and tie their legs together at the ankle.

2. Run a regular programme and see how much harder it is for the Explorers to undertake the activities. At the end of the meeting, discuss how they had to work together to get things done.

Note: Hopefully this activity will engender friendship, but it could go the other way. If so, use your discussion activity at the end to understand how the Explorers needed to show determination and teamwork to overcome the obstacles created by being three-legged.

BROWN EYES, BLUE EYES

EQUIPMENT • Whatever you need to play a popular Unit game • Information about Jane Elliott

9

INSTRUCTIONS

Jane Elliott was a school teacher in Iowa, US when the civil rights leader Martin Luther King was assassinated. Shocked by the injustice of racial intolerance in her country, she devised an exercise within her classroom, where the blue-eyed and brown-eyed children were separated, given different rules and treated differently. Though somewhat controversial, the exercise became well-known and led to a career of diversity training, in which Jane Elliott demonstrates what being in a minority is like.

1. Arrange the Explorers into two or more teams, according to their eye colour.

2. Play a team game, giving one of the teams an unfair advantage.

3. Afterwards, have a discussion where the teams say how they felt.

4. Tell the Unit about Jane Elliott and the exercise she undertook in 1968. For further information, see tinyurl.com/browneyes-blueeyes (a page on the BBC’s H2G2 website).

5. As a Unit, discuss why Elliott may have done this exercise and why it caused so much outrage.

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION Inspired by the true story of Jane Elliott, an American teacher who had a dramatic response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, divide your Unit by eye colour and play unfair games before discussing how discrimination makes people feel.

TIME 45 minutes

ONGER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 9

12/09/2011 16:49

BLINDFOLD DROP VALUE Courage

PROGRAMME ZONES Physical Recreation, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Test your Unit’s navigational nous and survival spirit by dropping them at a secret location and challenging them to make it home.

TIME 1-2 hours EQUIPMENT • Blindfolds • Maps and compasses INSTRUCTIONS 1. At the beginning of your Unit meeting, arrange the Explorers into teams and blindfold them.

2. Take each team to a different unknown location and drop them there with all the equipment they will need to find the chosen finish point.

3. Give them a finishing time and location.

4. Make sure you have appropriate supervision and contact details for each group, in case they get lost or are running late.

MODERN MODERN PENTATHLON

VALUES Friendship, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Physical recreation DESCRIPTION The modern pentathlon at the London 2012 Olympic Games consists of fencing, swimming, riding, shooting and running. The event was devised by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, after hearing a story about a French soldier who had to deliver a message. This version is somewhat sillier.

TIME 1 hour

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Depending on the size of your Unit, set up a number of bases so that the five disciplines of your modern modern pentathlon can be completed by all.

2. Get the Explorers to compete at the following activities, giving the winner one point, second place two points and so on: • Twister • Limbo • Dizzy obstacle course (set up a simple obstacle course and get the Explorers to race it, after spinning around 20 times) • Staring contest • Tangram (timed to see who completes it the fastest) 3. The winner is the Explorer who has the least points after all the events are completed.

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

VALUES Friendship, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Global DESCRIPTION See if your Explorers can locate all the countries that are likely to compete in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

TIME 30 mins EQUIPMENT • Large blank map • Cards with the names of countries on them • Blu-Tack/pins • Atlas/internet access INSTRUCTIONS 1. Stick a large, blank map of the world on a wall in your meeting place.

2. Put the names of countries competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games into a box.

3. Explorers take turns to pick a country from the box and place it where they think it is on the map.

4. Go through the answers with them, moving incorrect countries to the right place.

5. Show them on an atlas or internet map so they learn the locations.

STRON EQUIPMENT • Twister game board • Stave or pole • Tangram or similar puzzle • Equipment to build an obstacle course.

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 10

13/09/2011 15:08

THE EGG IS YOUR FRIEND

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Friends, just like eggs, need looking after. The Explorers have to stop their friendship with an egg being smashed to smithereens when the time runs out and you drop it from a height.

TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Stepladder/ladder • Tarpaulin • 1 egg per three Explorer Scouts • Paper and pencils • Straws • Elastic bands • Sticky tape • Scissors Vary the list to change the degree of challenge.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into teams of three.

2. Each team is given an egg, which they can draw a face on and give a name.

3. Give them ten minutes to design an egg holder that will protect their egg from a dramatic drop.

4. After they have drawn their designs, allow them to take equipment and give them 30 minutes to make the egg holder.

5. Assemble the eggs in their devices, and drop each egg from the same height (top of the ladder or a suitable window overlooking the drop zone.

6. If some survive, you could repeat the process with less protection or increase the height.

7. Have a discussion about how friendships sometimes are fragile and need looking after.

SCOUTING FOR ALL

11

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships, Skills DESCRIPTION Get your Explorers to take part in an activity, experiencing different barriers to show how disabilities may affect someone’s participation in Scouting.

TIME 1 hour EQUIPMENT • Blindfolds • Ear defenders • Slings • Wheelchair • Sandwich ingredients INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into four teams.

2. Each team completes a different activity, in which one team member simulates a disability.

Examples could include: • Playing a game of bowling blindfolded • Passing on a message wearing ear defenders • Making a sandwich with your arm in a sling • Completing a simple obstacle course in a wheelchair.

3. Spend ten minutes on each activity, swapping who experiences the disability every few minutes.

4. Afterwards, discuss how special needs, such as the ones experienced, may be a barrier to someone fully enjoying Scouting and what they can do to make sure everyone is included

ONGER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 11

12/09/2011 16:49

LIGHT PAINTING

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Use digital cameras with a long exposure to take pictures and draw with a light source.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Digital SLR cameras • Tripod • Flashgun • Torch INSTRUCTIONS 1. Find out about light painting and plan a meeting at night or in a darkroom, where the Explorers try to take artistic pictures. Search Wikipedia for light painting to get started. This could be a meeting led by one of your Explorer Scouts if they have an interest in photography.

2. Once they’ve got the hang of the technique, give them the challenge of making various shapes, such as rings, hearts and the Olympic flame.

3. Get all the images on one computer and show a slideshow. The Explorers vote on their favourite images, and you could get these printed to display in the meeting place.

EXTREME PANCAKE TOSSING

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Whether you run this activity near Shrove Tuesday or not, your Explorers will enjoy this twist on normal pancake tossing, which follows a sporting theme.

TIME 45 mins

• 200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water • 50g/2oz butter • Caster sugar • Lemon juice • Stove • Frying pans INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get the Explorers to make up enough batter for all of them to make at least two pancakes.

2. In teams, see who can flip their pancake the highest, fastest, furthest, through a hoop, etc.

3. Make time at the end to enjoy eating your pancakes. Or if they all end up on the floor, make a new batch.

Note: For a healthier alternative, use a spatula and oil in the pan and a selection of fruit toppings.

MYSTERY BOX

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION Can your Explorers summon up the courage to put their hand in the mystery box?

TIME 20 mins EQUIPMENT • Cardboard boxes with a hole cut out to put hands through • Newspaper • Objects for boxes • Blindfolds INSTRUCTIONS 1. Before the Explorers arrive, fill the mystery boxes with scrunched up newspaper and a mixture of different objects. Examples could include a toy snake, jelly, a tennis ball, flowers and a sponge 2. Get each of the Explorers to feel in the boxes and guess the items.

3. Give the winner a prize or a ‘scary’ booby prize for the loser.

STRON EQUIPMENT • 110g/4oz plain flour, sifted • Pinch of salt • 2 eggs

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 12

12/09/2011 16:49

EXPLORER TOP TRUMPS

VALUES Friendship, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Make and play a game of Top Trumps, featuring your Unit.

TIME 1hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Computer • Camera • Printer • Card • Pens INSTRUCTIONS 1. As a Unit, come up with a set of categories that could be used for your Explorer Top Trumps.

You could link it to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, or theme it on a particular time of year.

You could even do this activity after completing a mini-Games, with the different sports forming different categories. Other examples may include: • Speed of tent-pitching • Brightness of clothes • Leadership skills • Jumping height • Hand span 2. Take a photograph of each Explorer Scout, to be used on the card. Get a few Explorers to start making the cards using a simple template on a computer program.

3. While this is happening, the rest of the Unit participate in challenges so that their top trump score can be measured. Swap over the computer team and the game team so that everyone gets a score.

4. If your categories cannot be tested easily, get the Unit, or the leaders, to rate everyone.

5. Finish off the cards, print a few sets and get playing.

SPORTING LEGENDS

13

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships, Global DESCRIPTION Explorers will research past Olympic or Paralympic champions from different countries and make presentations to the Unit.

TIME One meeting, plus research time EQUIPMENT • Bag • Internet • Books/information • Cards with names of countries on • Creative materials • Paper and pens INSTRUCTIONS 1. In groups or individually, get the Explorers to pull the name of a competing nation out of a bag.

2. Explain that they are going to research a past Olympic or Paralympic athlete from that country and, later, tell the rest of the Unit about them.

3. The information could include details on their life, what sport they competed in and when and where they won the medals (if applicable).

4. Ask the Explorers to come up with a creative way to give their feedback, such as a poem, mime, sketch or poster.

5. Film the best ones, upload them to YouTube and share the link on the Our Sporting Adventure website for everyone to see.

ONGER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 13

12/09/2011 16:49

26 CHALLENGES

VALUES Respect, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Stage a mini-Games where the Explorers compete in 26 sports in one evening.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Balls • Hoops • Benches • Skipping ropes • Equipment needed for the events you plan INSTRUCTIONS 1. There are 26 sports in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Plan a meeting where the entire Unit compete in the same number of events in one action-packed competition. You will need to plan carefully so that you can fit everything in. Many of the challenges should be centred around a minute.

2. Set up the events before the meeting. These could include how many kick-ups in a minute, how many skips in a minute, obstacle courses and so on.

3. Some events may need to be done in small groups, some could be whole Unit challenges.

Arrange the Unit accordingly.

4. Start the meeting with an opening ceremony and then give everyone a schedule of the events. Warm up together and then begin the competition.

5. You will need people around to act as officials and record the Explorers’ times for each event.

6. After you’ve done all the events finish your Games with a closing ceremony. Play moving music and get a couple of Explorer Scouts to do an interpretative dance.

SKILL SWAP

VALUES Excellence, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Everyone has a talent, but some are more hidden than others. Spend a meeting sharing your skills, and thinking about what inspires Olympic and Paralymipc athletes to strive for perfection.

TIME 45mins – 1hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Explorers bring their own INSTRUCTIONS 1. You will need to give the Explorers notice of this activity at a previous meeting.

2. In turn, each Explorer stands up and shows off their skill to the rest of the Unit. This can be anything from dance to football skills.

3. Talk about what inspired them to learn this skill and why they do it.

4. Once everyone has presented, divide the Unit in half and allow them to pick another skill to have a go at. Swap over.

5. Have a discussion about why it’s important for Olympians to feel inspired to develop their skills.

What role does determination and courage play in perfecting skills for big competitions? You could use the article about Tom Barber in the October/November issue of Scouting to help.

Some of your Explorers may identify with the discussion, and be inspired to improve their chosen skill.

READY, STEADY, COOK

VALUES Friendship, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Skills, Global DESCRIPTION Rattle those pots and pans, and have a cook-off with Olympic-related food.

TIME 1 hour – 1hr 30mins

STRON 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 14

13/09/2011 15:08

EQUIPMENT • Stoves • Pans • Kitchen utensils • Cutlery and crockery • Ingredients INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into even teams.

2. Provide ingredients for a meal inspired by the Olympic Games – for example a Linford Christie Lasagne, Sally Gunnell Goulash or Kelly Holmes Curry.

3. Get each team to present their meal to you at the end of the night.

4. Award points for taste, presentation and creativity, then announce the winner.

5. Eat the remains, then wash up.

CHARIOT RACE

VALUES Determination, Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Skills, Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Challenge your Explorers to create chariots to race.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Pioneering poles • Rope INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into teams of five.

2. Challenge each team to design and build a chariot that will be able to carry one member of the group and race outdoors.

3. Teams must be able to carry their chariots.

4. Have a race outside with your chariots. The teams must carry a member on the chariot around a course or to a certain finish point.

5. This game will encourage teamwork and competitive spirit. Afterwards discuss which design was most effective and how the teams worked at the task.

THE LIFE AUCTION

15

VALUES Equality, Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Values and relationships DESCRIPTION We are all equals, no matter what we are like. Have a group discussion and a virtual auction of everyone’s personal traits.

See which ones go for the most, which ones are more popular.

TIME 1 hour – 1hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Pens and paper • Die INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get each person to write their name and some of their personal traits on separate sheets of paper.

2. Get a leader to be the auctioneer.

3. Give each Explorer Scout 500 units of paper money. Each Explorer then gets the chance to roll a dice to get some extra money. If they roll a 1 they would receive 100 extra units, 2 would receive 200 extra units etc.

4. In turn, pick a name and trait out, show the Unit and start the bidding.

5. Repeat this until all items are sold.

6. Afterwards, talk about each trait and why some were more popular than others.

7. Discuss how we are all judged by certain characteristics, which may not give a full impression of who we are.

Note: A fully worked version of this game is available on Programmes Online (www.scouts. org.uk/pol). Search for activity ID: 52514.

ONGER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 15

12/09/2011 16:49

WHERE DOES THE WASTE GO?

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Global, Community Service DESCRIPTION Running an Olympic Games is not just about building stadia and getting world class athletes to compete. You also need to build the infrastructure to back all that up. Visit a service facility to go behind the scenes.

TIME 1 hr 30 mins – 2 hours EQUIPMENT None INSTRUCTIONS 1. Set up a visit with a local service facility, such as a sewage works, recycling plant, power plant or water works. Remember to arrange an InTouch system before you go.

2. At a meeting before the visit, or on the way, get the Explorers to think about all the hidden facilities that need to be in place to run a safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.

3. Visit the facility, and encourage the Explorers to ask questions.

4. Get the Unit to think about the environmental impact of the London 2012 Games and what role the service you visited has to play in this.

5. At a later meeting, get the Explorers to share what they learnt from the visit, and what they feel they can do to reduce what they use, whether that’s waste, power or water.

VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES

VALUES Friendship, Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Use games consoles with sport events to have a virtual Olympic Games without leaving your meeting place.

TIME 1 hour – 1hr 30mins

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get your hands on as many consoles as you can for your meeting (Explorers are likely to own some, so ask around). More mobile consoles, such as Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect or Playstation Move are better than sit-down consoles for making this an active meeting.

2. Provide lots of different sporting games, such as Tennis, Bowling or even Wii fit.

3. Create your own virtual Olympic Games with medals going to the top three highest scores on each game.

BIN BAG FASHION SHOW

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Values and Relationships, Global TIME 1 hour – 1hr 30mins EQUIPMENT • Bin bags • Scissors • Safety pins • Masking or duct tape INSTRUCTIONS 1. Arrange the Unit into teams (fashion houses) and get them to design and make outfits made from bin bags. You can have magazines around to inspire the designs.

2. The teams select members to model the clothes.

3. Hold your fashion show. Some Explorers can choose the playlist, some can DJ, some can compère and describe the designs and some are models. Do this in front of an invited audience of friends and family.

STRON EQUIPMENT • Games Consoles • Screen/TV

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 16

BLIND ACTIVITIES

VALUES Determination, Courage PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION See what it feels like to do an everyday Scouting activity with a disability.

TIME One meeting

13/09/2011 15:08

EQUIPMENT • Depends on chosen activities • Blindfolds INSTRUCTIONS 1. Split the Explorers into groups of about five.

Blindfold one person in each group so that they can experience being disabled and being in a minority, which reflects reality. The rest of the group may give them conflicting instructions regarding the activity, which could be confusing.

2. Let each Explorer experience being blindfolded, and then finish up with a discussion about how the Explorers felt whilst blindfolded and while giving instructions.

3. Now blindfold all but one Explorer in the group, turning the minority into the majority to give them a chance to have a different experience, and to compare it with the first part of the activity.

4. Discuss how this change made them feel, and how they approached the activity this time round. How did the non-blindfolded ones feel?

QUIZ NIGHT

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Enjoy a fun quiz night about famous Olympic sporting events and people.

TIME One meeting

CHAIR SHOT PUT

17

VALUES Determination, Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Test the upper body strength of your Explorer Scouts, and see if they can compete with the Paralympic record holders for the wheelchair shot put.

TIME 20 minutes EQUIPMENT • Chairs • Shots or other heavy balls/weights • Measuring tape INSTRUCTIONS 1. Explain that there are different classifications for Paralympic sports, relating to different disability categories.

2. Tell the Unit that the Paralympic record for shot put ranges from 8.72m to 17.89m for men; and from 5.69m to 13.03m for women.

3. Go to a local playing field or other suitable outdoor space.

4. Get your Explorers to sit on a chair and throw the shot put as far as possible.

5. Measure where the shot lands and see if any of the Unit can compete with the Paralympians.

EQUIPMENT • Pens and paper • Laptop • Screen INSTRUCTIONS 1. Prior to the meeting create a quiz on an Olympic and Paralympic theme. Mix it up by having picture rounds, a music round and a mixture of multiple choice and trivia questions.

2. At the meeting arrange the Unit into teams and let them choose a team name.

3. H and out pens and paper to answer the questions.

4. Give out a prize to the winning team, and a sporting forfeit to the team in last place.

ONGER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 17

12/09/2011 16:49

SILVER

Silver activities require more commitment, and may take more time. But they’re worth 100 points each, so give them a go.

BALLOON SPORTS

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Physical Recreation, Community Service DESCRIPTION Link up with a local Beaver Scout Colony and run an Olympic-themed event for them, incorporating balloons in a number of innovative ways. Below are a few ideas for balloon games, but feel free to come up with your own.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Balloons (six per Beaver Scout) • Rope • Paper plates • Chairs INSTRUCTIONS 1. Opening ceremony • All Olympic Games have opening ceremonies.

Try combining the Beaver opening ceremony with the spirit of the Olympic Games. You could split the Beavers into teams at this stage, giving each one a flag.

2. Balloon hopping • See if the Beaver Scouts can blow up their own balloons – if they can’t you may need to have some ready.

• The balloons need to fit comfortably between the knees of the Beaver Scouts.

• Beaver Scouts line up at one end of the field.

Mark out a finish line at a sensible distance.

• Ask the Beaver Scouts to put the balloon between their knees and hop to the finish line.

3. Volleyballoon • Basic rules of volleyball, but using balloons.

• To make it more challenging, try adding more balloons to the court.

4. Balloon squash • Divide the Colony into pairs.

• Place a balloon between the Beaver Scouts at stomach level.

• The Beavers have to ‘hug’ each other and move sideways to the finish line without dropping the balloon.

• If they drop the balloon, they have to go back to the start.

5. Balloon badminton • Divide the Beaver Scouts into two teams seated on chairs, in two straight lines facing each other.

• The object of the game is to pat, punch or kick the balloons over the team opposite while remaining seated.

• When more than one balloon is introduced at a time the score becomes unimportant.

• Change the Beaver Scouts from the ends of the teams to the middle so that all have a fair share of the game.

6. Balloon balancing • Arrange the Colony into teams, giving each team a plate and a balloon.

• Each team member has to balance the balloon on the plate and walk to the end of the room and back without the balloon coming off.

• They pass the balloon and plate to the next person. Repeat this until all members of the team have had a go.

7. Closing ceremony • Make sure to have a closing ceremony – perhaps sing some songs and have drinks ready for the (very tired) Beaver Scouts.

BIGGE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 18

12/09/2011 16:49

DON’T BOTTLE IT

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONE Global DESCRIPTION During the London 2012 Games over one million plastic bottles will be used. If you stood all those bottles end-to-end they would reach from here to the moon. London 2012 has set the goal of being a zero landfill Games, so all that plastic will need to be recycled. The premise behind this activity is to discuss with the Explorers the merits and benefits of recycling plastic.

TIME 1-2 meetings (this is a good activity to do on a residential experience) EQUIPMENT • Plastic bottles (Start collecting these a few weeks before you run the activity) • Sticky tape • One small cardboard box per six Explorers (should be the same size)

INSTRUCTIONS 1. A few weeks before you do the activity, ask everyone you know to collect all the plastic bottles they use and give them to you. Rinse them out before the meeting.

2. As the Explorers arrive, all the bottles are on the floor in the centre of the meeting place. They have to sort them into different types and sizes, eg drinks bottles, detergent, one litre, 500ml etc.

3. Tell the Unit about London 2012’s goal to be a zero landfill Games and how the quantity of plastic collected during the Games could reach to the moon.

4. Tower time – Arrange the Unit into groups of five or six. Give each group five strips of sticky tape about 15cm long and challenge them to build the tallest free standing tower. Give them 30 minutes.

5. Once the towers challenge is complete, give the Explorers ten minutes to get as many bottles as possible into a small cardboard box.

6. Visit a local recycling plant to recycle all of the bottles. (This could be your activity for ‘Where does the waste go?’ and get you a bronze medal)

ER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 19

19

12/09/2011 16:49

SILVER

FRIENDSHIP BANQUET

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONES Community Service, Skills DESCRIPTION Lay on a banquet for another Explorer Unit and make new friends.

TIME 2 meetings EQUIPMENT • Food • Tables and chairs INSTRUCTIONS 1. At one of your Unit meetings, explain to the Explorers that they are going to be planning and hosting a banquet for another local Unit.

2. The Explorers should plan the whole evening, including inviting the guests, decorations and planning and cooking the meal. Remind them that it is up to them to decide how to split the work. They may wish to base it around a festival or season, such as Chinese New Year.

3. Give them a budget to work from and get them to come up with the most extravagant evening possible.

4. On the night, use to the opportunity of meeting other Explorers to make new friends, share programme ideas and maybe even arrange another joint event.

FACE YOUR FEAR

VALUES Courage, Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships, Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION Support your Explorers in facing and overcoming their fears.

TIME 15-45 minutes as part of several Unit meetings EQUIPMENT • Paper and pens • Additional, depending on fears of your Explorers INSTRUCTIONS 1. At the first meeting, get each Explorer Scout to write down and discuss one thing they are afraid of, or something they have never tried before due to fear.

2. As a Unit, decide on a few of the things to attempt and help the Explorers overcome.

Plan to programme 15 minute ‘Face your fear’ activities into upcoming meetings.

3. If there are common fears, you may like to begin with these. For example, many Explorers may be scared of heights, so you could organise a climbing or high ropes activity, where each Explorer gets to push themselves to as high as they can go.

4. Remember to emphasise that the task is about courage and pushing yourself, not doing something against your will. The rest of the Unit should b e there to support the others.

BIGGE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 20

13/09/2011 15:08

CITIUS – FASTER

VALUES Excellence, Courage, Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Skills, Outdoor and Adventure, Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, which means faster, higher, stronger. For ‘faster’ challenge the Explorers to build a model vehicle that can be raced on land and water.

TIME One meeting EQUIPMENT • Pioneering poles • Rope • Wheels • Wood • Barrels • Tools • Screws/nails • Decorations • Cloth • Safety equipment (life jackets/buoyancy aids) • Any other materials you have INSTRUCTIONS 1. Hold a meeting at a place where you can plot out a racecourse that includes land and water.

2. Arrange the Unit into teams of four or five.

3. Challenge them to create a vehicle that can be raced across land and water and carry a minimum of one passenger.

4. Give them up to an hour to design and build their vehicles, and then race them.

5. Their vehicle will need to float, but also be light enough for the team to carry.

Note: Make sure you follow activity rules outlined in chapter 9 of POR. www.scouts.org.uk/por

ALTIUS – HIGHER

EQUIPMENT • Climbing equipment (if using an external provider, they will provide this) INSTRUCTIONS 1. Try visiting a Scout Activity Centre to try abseiling before embarking on your challenge.

2. With your Explorer Scouts, shortlist a number of tall buildings/structures in your area.

3. If you do not know someone with the relevant adventurous activities permit, contact your ACC (Activities) or Manager of the Activity Permit Scheme, who should be able to put you in contact with someone. You could alternatively use an external provider.

4. Follow the process outlined on www.scouts.org. uk/abseiling to ensure you are aware of all the necessary rules and safety measures.

5. Start approaching the owners of the buildings and explain what you are aiming to do. If any of your Explorers are afraid of heights, this could qualify for a bonus silver medal as part of the ‘Face your fears’ activity.

6. This could also be a good fundraising and media opportunity for your Unit. Contact your local Media Development Manager to try and get some coverage in the local media.

Note: Make sure you follow activity rules in chapter 9 of POR.

ER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 21

21

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Physical Recreation, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Challenge the Unit to abseil from the tallest building/structure they can.

TIME 2 hours

12/09/2011 16:49

SILVER

FORTIUS – STRONGER

VALUES Friendship, Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships, Skills DESCRIPTION The Unit devises challenges in teams which they compete in at a second meeting.

See how many points the Unit can get as a team TIME 2 meetings EQUIPMENT • Scrabble/Boggle set • Football • Some flags • Masking tape • Blindfolds • Three juggling balls • Elastic bands • Paper straws/bamboo canes • Stopwatch • Paper and pens INSTRUCTIONS 1. In the first meeting, arrange the Unit into teams.

2. Explain that the overall aim of the activity is to get as many points as possible. Make sure that you don’t say ‘per team’ or anything like that at this stage.

3. Each team then has to devise six five-minute challenges for the other teams, with a maximum of 100 points per challenge.

SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN, PARALYMPIC EQUESTRIAN What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Paralympic Games?

Having been to Athens and Beijing, the Games are such an amazing and unique experience. I would love to have my friends and family share with me in the biggest sporting event on the planet. London will be transformed so that Great Britain can be proud that the world’s eyes are on us.

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 22

4. The challenges can use the following equipment: • Challenge 1 – a Scrabble/Boggle set • Challenge 2 – A football and some flags • Challenge 3 – Masking tape, blindfolds, juggling balls • Challenge 4 – Elastic bands and paper straws/ bamboo canes • Challenge 5 – Stopwatch, paper, pens • Challenge 6 – No equipment.

5. E ach challenge is to last no more than five minutes.

6. In the second meeting, run the challenges and keep score.

7. At the end, the team with the most points are declared the winners, BUT… 8. Explain that they all failed the task, as the aim was to get as many points as possible. If they had worked together, and set challenges that they knew the others could easily complete and get the most points on, they would have got more points. Instead, they chose to compete against each other, and reduce the overall amount of points they got as a Unit.

9. Conclude the meeting by saying that we are stronger when we all work together (and listen to instructions).

What inspires you?

I have always wanted to push myself to my full potential in everything that I do. The pinnacle of my sport is winning a Paralympic gold medal, so that’s what inspires me to train every day. Having a goal at the end helps you focus.

12/09/2011 16:49

FIRE BY FRICTION

VALUES Determination, Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Teach a traditional Scouting skill that requires determination and patience. The Explorers attempt to create fire using a bowdrill.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Wood • String • Soap • Knife Note: All the wood and tinder will need sourcing beforehand or finding as part of the activity.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. The first step is for each Explorer to make a bow, spindle, spindle holder and baseboard. These need to be made out of dry, dead wood – hazel, ash, lime and elm work well.

2. The spindle looks a bit like a pencil – pointed at one end and rounded at the other. You can get a better grip on it by flattening out the sides and giving it a hexagonal shape.

3. The bow is a bow shaped piece of wood with a loose rope attached to either end.

4. The baseboard should be no more than 10-15cm

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 23

thick, with a burn hole cut into it in which the spindle will sit. Cut a slot so as to create a channel to place the tinder in.

5. To create a spindle holder cut a groove into a block of wood so that it can be put on top of the spindle to create the necessary pressure as the spindle turns.

6. Set it up as shown in the article from Scouting magazine (available in the resources section of www.scouts.org.uk/oursportingadventure) 7. Kneel down, with your foot on the base board to keep it in place. Place some tinder in the channel.

8. Apply pressure to the spindle via the spindle holder (soap acts as a good lubricant here), and push the bow from side to side in a saw like motion. The resulting friction should cause smoke to rise.

9. Continue with the sawing action until the smoke thickens and it looks like it is about to flame.

10. At this point stop and blow very lightly onto the tinder. With a little patience it should now catch fire.

11. Explain that the real trick with this technique is to master the pressure/sawing action as well as the light blowing to create the flame.

23

Note: There is an illustrated guide to this activity in the August/September 2011 issue of Scouting – see www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

12/09/2011 16:49

SILVER

BOAT ORIENTEERING

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Skills DESCRIPTION Your Explorers will probably be familiar with the basics of at least one water activity, so this is a great way to add some extra challenge to their boating activity. It’s just like orienteering on dry land, only in a boat.

TIME 2 hours EQUIPMENT • Depends on the type of boat used • Compass, map and coordinates INSTRUCTIONS 1. Find a local provider of water activities, this could be a local leader within Scouting, parent or local sailing centre. Book a session and explain the concept of boat orienteering.

2. This is a great way to encourage teamwork and exploration while getting your Explorers to practise the skills they’ve learnt.

3. If you do not know someone with the relevant adventurous activities permit, contact your ACC (Activities) or Manager of the Activity Permit Scheme, who should be able to put you in contact with someone. You could alternatively use an external provider.

4. Follow the processes outlined on www.scouts. org.uk/wateractivities to ensure you are aware of all the necessary rules and safety measures.

5. Work with your activity provider to plan the orienteering course. This could be a simple sketch of the water with simple markers on the map and then markers in trees, on boats and in the windows of visible buildings.

6. Get the Unit to the centre, arrange into teams, and give out the orienteering maps. You could do this as a race with a prize for the winning team.

NATUREWATCH

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Values and Relationships, Global DESCRIPTION Are your Explorers the next Bill Oddie or Kate Humble? Keep a sharp eye on nearby nature and reveal the ecological talents of your Unit.

TIME One month EQUIPMENT • Notebook or scrapbook • Pens, pencils, glue etc • Digital camera (optional) • A book or online resource to help you identify plants and creatures – take a visit to your local library to find something useful INSTRUCTIONS 1. Challenge the Explorer Scouts to keep a diary or scrapbook for at least a month, in whatever creative way they choose. The aim is to record the nature and wildlife they see each day. The content of their diary is up to them, but could include: • date and season • weather: sun, rain, cloud cover, temperature and wind • habitat: for example a diary based on nature in the back garden or a regular route the Explorer takes could include a sketch map of what they see • what they see, hear and smell: this is the most important part of the diary, where they record observations about their surroundings.

They should consider including descriptions, sketches, photos and small items such as leaves and twigs. They could also record what they like or dislike about their nature observations.

2. At the end of the month, gather together all the Explorers who have kept a diary and plan an action to make a positive impact on your local area in order to encourage wildlife. It’s important to take the Explorers’ ideas forward, but you could help to tidy a park, clean a pond, plant flowers which attract butterflies, keep bees or help to maintain a piece of woodland.

BIGGE Note: Make sure you follow activity rules outlined in chapter 9 of POR. www.scouts.org.uk/por

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 24

12/09/2011 16:49

NATURE NOSH

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION Nettle soup, berry jam or acorn coffee… There’s plenty in nature’s larder to make a backwoods banquet from. Challenge your Unit to feed themselves from the food they forage.

TIME One hour EQUIPMENT • Kitchen facilities • Gas burners or facilities to cook on an open fire • Large saucepan • Wooden spoon • Chopping board • Sharp knife • Ingredients for you chosen recipe • Wild food reference guide

2. Have some idea of what’s in your neck of the woods, and give the Unit the challenge of feeding themselves using what they can find.

Increase the challenge by cooking on open fires.

3. You could have some groceries to beef up their meals. For example, they could make nettle soup – get a recipe from www.scouts.org.uk/ oursportingadventure. Other suggestions are acorn coffee, pine needle or dandelion root tea and wild blackberry jam. Look online for more.

25

Note: While many wild foods are safe and tasty to eat, many others are harmful or poisonous. Before eating anything make sure you are 100 per cent certain what it is, and that it is safe to eat. If you are concerned about a medical condition, check with your GP before eating wild foods.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Hold your meeting at a campsite or in close proximity to some woodland. If planning the activity in managed land, get the landowner’s permission first.

ER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 25

12/09/2011 16:49

SILVER

TORCH RELAY

VALUES Determination, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION From 19 May to 17 July 2012 the Olympic Torch will travel around the whole of the UK. Over 70 days 8,000 torch bearers will carry the flame for a total of 2,400km. Your challenge is to walk this distance.

TIME 70 days EQUIPMENT • Maps and compasses • Personal expedition or hiking equipment • First aid kit and mobile phone • Camera or notepad • Transport timetables and information INSTRUCTIONS 1. Start by working out who is going to be involved in this challenge. You might need to work in a larger team to achieve your goal. This could mean combining with other Units in your District or County, or involving your linking Scout and Scout Network sections. You could even recruit other groups in your community, or get friends and family on board.

2. Think about how you could complete the 2,400km distance. Some ideas that you may consider are: • Record the total length of all the walks your team members complete between 19 May and 17 July. 240 walks of 10km each would cover the distance.

• Take part in an expedition, where teams walk part of the distance over four days. For example, 4 teams of 6 each walking 100km would together walk the target amount.

• Plan and complete a long distance journey by public transport. Travel to interesting places and cover the total distance. For example, the distance to London from Edinburgh is around

530km. Three people making a return journey would cover the distance, with potential for lots of interesting stops en route.

3. Plan and carry out your journey. Keep a diary, blog or photo log of your travels to show people when you return home.

4. As part of your route you may want to make a visit to see the Olympic Torch relay itself. Details about the route and overnight stop locations can be found at www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay

SCOUT COMMUNITY WEEK

VALUES Respect, Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONES Community Service, Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Adopt an area of your community to make a positive difference while raising your profile.

TIME One meeting, or a series of meetings over the course of one week EQUIPMENT • Depends on the project INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get the whole Unit involved in thinking about a project that will improve your community. The young people should have a sense of ownership.

This will make them more likely to see it through to the end.

2. Before embarking, set yourself a measurable target of what impact your project will have on local residents, friends and family. Here are some ideas: Green spaces • Tidy your nearest park or community garden • Start a local beach clean project • Clear a cycle or footpath of litter

BIGGE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 26

12/09/2011 16:49

Conservation • Complete a wildlife audit • Set up bat or bird boxes in a conservation area • Create a haven for bees • Clean your local pond • Plant trees with your local council

Up your street • Offer to tidy residents’ front gardens • Organise a street party with Scout activities • Paint a mural over graffiti 3. If you’re struggling to agree on a project, pick the top three ideas and list the pros and cons of each to help you decide. Or why not ask your local community what they would like the Explorers to do? You could run a competition in your local newspaper or library.

Note: Scout Community Week (14 -20 May 2012) is a new, exciting national campaign to help Scouts across the UK raise money at the heart of their communities and support the valuable work of the Development Grants Board.

INDEPENDENT CAMP

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Skills DESCRIPTION The aim of this activity is for Explorer Scouts to plan, run and take part in their own weekend camp with minimum input from leaders. The camp should be run by Explorers holding an event passport, with no adults present.

TIME One weekend, plus time to plan/organise

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Information about event passports can be found in the factsheet Nights Away Permit Scheme – Applicant’s Guide (FS120801) 2. The camp should be themed around one or more of the Olympic and Paralympic values: respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

3. You could: • take part in new activities and help each other to conquer fears (friendship, courage, determination) • visit inspirational places, or places connected with inspirational people (inspiration) • compete to camp to an excellent standard (excellence) • try team-building activities (respect, friendship, equality) • visit another Unit near to where you are staying (friendship, respect) • incorporate some of the Bronze activities from this resource.

4. Some things for the Explorers to think about when planning: • Where will you go? When? Who’s coming?

• How much can you spend? How much of this is available for transport, campsite fees, food and activities?

• How will you get there? What will you take?

• What will you do on the camp? Do you want to do lots of activities, visit particular places, test your backwoods cooking skills, chill out?

27

Note: Make sure you follow the guidelines laid out in the Nights Away Permit Scheme.

EQUIPMENT • Usual camping equipment

ER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 27

13/09/2011 15:08

GOLD

Some things are worth their weight in gold. Can your team meet the challenge of these activities and stand on the top of the podium?

24-HOUR RACE

VALUE Determination PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Physical Recreation DESCRIPTION How far can your Explorers go when they need to make a quick getaway? Give them a day and some bare essentials, and see where it takes them in this exciting challenge.

TIME: 24 hours, as part of a weekend away EQUIPMENT (PER TEAM) • Tent • Food • Mobile phone • £10 • Camera • Sleeping bags and roll mats

BEN AINSLIE, OLYMPIC SAILOR What are you most looking forward to about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

It will be fantastic to compete in front of a home crowd, racing on British waters in the Olympic Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

What inspires you?

Winning and achievement inspires me. Every

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 28

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Separate your Explorers into teams of between four and seven and set them the challenge of getting as far away from the meeting place as they can within 24 hours. Before they go, remind them of the safety rules for such an expedition.

2. Explain what equipment they can take per team.

They could also take a camera with them to record their adventure and prove how far they got within the 24-hour period.

3. Ask them to get at least one signature from a local person to prove they went where they said they were.

4. On a map or chart, mark out each team’s progress and ask the Explorers to share tales of their adventures with the rest of the Unit.

Note: Make sure you have a supervision and communication plan with each group.

Hitchhiking is not allowed. Follow the activity rules in chapter 9 of POR.

day I go sailing I set goals; this can be the smallest tweak on a training day or the biggest push on a medal race day. It’s also important to always look ahead to the next test. That’s why sailing is such a great sport to be involved in, it’s very diverse with many different challenges.

Alongside the Olympic sailing I have also been involved in the America’s Cup; these two challenges have kept me fresh and inspired.

13/09/2011 15:08

SCOUTING SKILLS DECATHLON

VALUE Excellence PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Skills DESCRIPTION The decathlon is the ultimate endurance test of the Olympic Games. But there’s no need to be a long jump expert or a javelin champion to take part when you have an array of Scouting skills to test your mettle at this exhilarating weekend camp.

TIME One weekend camp, plus planning EQUIPMENT • Tents • Pioneering poles and rope • Knife, axe and saw • Altar fire • Maps and compasses INSTRUCTIONS 1. You should start your planning for the camp around 3-4 months in advance. You should refer to and follow the procedures for taking Explorers on a residential experience. Some key points during the planning stage: • Choose, visit and book a campsite, or consider a night or two at a Scout Activity Centre • Complete Nights Away notification • Produce menu and order supplies (online if possible, so it can be delivered) • Consider whether there is an interior alternative in case of bad weather • Connect with another Explorer Unit to explore possibility of a combined camping trip (optional).

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 29

2. The decathlon is usually a two-day event, so choose a selection of five Scouting skills activities for the Explorers to compete in per day.

Some examples are below, but if there are some activities you’re not familiar with, inviting along another Unit could expand the knowledge base.

3. In the meetings leading up to the camp, get your Explorers to start practising the skills you/they have chosen to compete in. Ten activities you could choose are: • Dome tent pitching • Mess tent pitching • Pioneering tripod • Make a sedan chair • Knife, axe and saw skills • Make an A-frame • Prepare kindling • Follow a bearing • Cooking contest • Wide games 4. Before the camp, divide the Explorers into different teams to compete in. Ask the Explorers who or what they’d like to represent. They could compete on behalf of a place, a well-known figure or a good cause, depending on the theme of the camp.

5. Keep a leaderboard of their progress and hold a presentation evening after the camp to recognise everyone’s achievements.

29

Note: Follow the Nights Away Permit Scheme and activities rules in chapter 9 of POR.

13/09/2011 15:08

GOLD

SCOUT INCIDENT HIKE

VALUE Equality PROGRAMME ZONES Outdoor and Adventure, Community Service DESCRIPTION Setting a challenge can be just as exciting as taking part in one. Test your Explorers’ planning skills as they devise an incident hike to teach Scouts the importance of the Olympic values.

TIME One meeting to plan, one meeting to deliver EQUIPMENT • Depends on the incidents your Explorers plan INSTRUCTIONS 1. Get in touch with a local Scout Troop with a view to arranging an incident hike for them. This will count as a bronze medal activity for them.

2. Oversee your Explorers as they plan the route and arrange the incidents for the hike. Try to tie these in with the Olympic and Paralympic values, to gain a better understanding of them.

3. Some examples of incidents: • Simulated casualty. Stage a road or camp accident. Patrols have to deal with the situation appropriately, using their first aid training and knowledge.

• Obstacle course • Matchbox stuff. Give the Patrol (or each individual member) an empty matchbox and get them to fill it with as many different, identifiable, objects as possible within the set time.

• Pooh sticks • Taste test • Timed competition. See who can stand on one leg/hop on the spot/totally still for the lengthiest time.

• Lay a short trail • Kim’s Game en route • Silent mirror. Divide Scouts into pairs and ask one of the pair to mime an activity (you should pre-determine these on cards) for the other to mirror perfectly.

BETTE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 30

12/09/2011 16:49

ENTREPRENEURS

VALUE Inspiration PROGRAMME ZONE Skills DESCRIPTION At an Olympic Games which will be flooded with merchandise and innovative ideas, have your Explorers got what it takes to impress and the business skills to create and pitch an all-new product?

TIME One introductory meeting, followed by about four meetings of product development, culminating in the judging panel EQUIPMENT • Equipment to invent and develop products • Materials to produce marketing campaign INSTRUCTIONS 1. Divide your Explorers into three or four teams and explain that they have each been tasked with launching an all-new product that will be sold during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

They will have to pitch their ideas to local business leaders who will then decide which one has got what it takes to make it into production.

2. Over the next few meetings, ask them to make a prototype which they’ll have to show to the

judges. They should also produce a business plan, thinking about things like: • Who is the product aimed at?

• Where would it be sold • How would they advertise it?

• How much would it cost to produce and where would it be produced?

• How much would they sell it for and how much profit would they expect to make?

• What role would each Explorer take in the business?

They could also produce some mock advertising to get them thinking about the importance of branding, logos and packaging.

Encourage them to think outside the norms.

Could they, for example, use internet and social media to spread the message about their product?

3. Invite a panel of local business owners or parents along to a meeting one evening, where Explorers will present their prototype, business plan and marketing campaign to them.

4. Ask the panel to decide each product’s suitability and which one they believe would be the most successful.

TER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 31

31

12/09/2011 16:49

GOLD

WE HAVE CONTACT

VALUE Friendship PROGRAMME ZONE Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION Share stories, swap secrets and explore your competitive edge by getting to know your namesake Unit. Is a name all they share or is an Explorer Scout the same no matter where they live?

TIME At least 4 meetings EQUIPMENT • Internet access INSTRUCTIONS 1. Ask your Explorers to do some research to see if there is another Unit in the country which has the same name as yours. Explorers could post a shout out on the ‘Explorer Scouts – United Kingdom’ Facebook page or via Twitter, or do an internet search 2. Once contact has been established, arrange an event where both Units can get together and take part in activities, perhaps a weekend camp.

3. Before the event, run a meeting where the Explorers can get to know each other. Start with an icebreaker task, such as ‘Speed Scouting’. Each Explorer spends two minutes with an Explorer from the other Unit and finds out all about them before moving on. Do this until all Explorers have met each other. At the end of the task, all Explorers stand in a circle and are asked what they learned about each other.

4. Arrange some competitive events (with teams made up of Explorers from both Units to encourage friendship and team-building). You could use some of the Bronze activities so that each Unit has a chance to work towards a medal.

5. Record their progress throughout this activity and plan another meeting where everyone can meet up, share stories and discuss their similarities and differences.

6. Post any photos or feedback to the Our Sporting Adventure website.

7. Agree to hold a similar annual event to forge bonds between the two Units.

OUR SPORTING ADVENTURE DISTRICT WEBSITE

VALUE Respect PROGRAMME ZONES Skills, Values and Relationships DESCRIPTION Show the world the great work you’ve done and have a lasting keepsake of Our Sporting Adventure in this programme which turns your Explorers into media moguls.

TIME Throughout project

EQUIPMENT • Internet access • Other equipment depending on what Explorers want to do INSTRUCTIONS 1. Contact other Units and sections in your District and ask them to keep a record of their achievements in the various challenges.

2. With your Explorers, discuss how to set up a website and the kind of things which make for interesting content: • High quality, action-packed pictures • Engaging, inspiring copy • Eye-catching headlines • Easy to find information.

3. There are many online publishing tools which are free of charge. Good places to start include Tumblr, Posterous or Wordpress. Make Explorers aware of online safety rules and the importance of keeping the site within brand guidelines, to make the site look official. See www.scouts.org.uk/brand for more information.

4. As details come in, explain to Explorers the process of image cropping (some blogging systems have this built-in, but there are free online tools such as Picnik which can also be used) and text editing. When the website is updated, consider sharing the information via a Twitter feed or your Unit’s Facebook page.

BETTE 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 32

12/09/2011 16:49

5. When the challenges are over, ask your Explorers to compile a top 10 of their favourite activities/ funniest photos or articles and hold a special evening to mark ‘The best of Our Sporting Adventure’. Invite people from all sections and count down the ‘top 10’ offering small prizes for the most popular ones.

6. You can use this website when promoting your Unit or Scouting activities in your District.

BUILD A CANOE

3. Find somewhere to do your project, such as a workshop or a parent’s garage. You don’t want to be constantly removing your items from the meeting place if it can be avoided.

4. Spend several meetings working on your canoe.

5. Once it’s ready, test it on some class C waters.

Make sure you follow the activities rules for water activities.

6. If no further work is required, arrange the date for your race. Meet up and see whose canoe is fastest. Make sure everyone who’s played a part in the project gets a chance to paddle the canoe.

33

VALUE Courage PROGRAMME ZONE Outdoor and Adventure DESCRIPTION Sometimes you need a long project to fully satisfy that in-built desire to be captain of your own destiny. Does your Unit have the stamina to build a watertight canoe from start to finish, and the courage to race it against other Units?

TIME Several meetings EQUIPMENT • The Troop Programme Plus: Volume 2 (available from Scout Shops) • You will need to go shopping; see instructions for a full list INSTRUCTIONS This project is taken from The Troop Programme Plus: Volume 2, but is perfectly suitable for Explorer Scouts who enjoy detailed projects and water activities.

1. Get a copy of The Troop Programme Plus: Volume 2 from your Scout Leader or from www.scouts. org.uk/shop. You may want to consider doing this project as a linking activity with the Troop.

Also encourage other Units to take part in the activity, so that you have someone to race.

2. Gather all the equipment and tools needed to build the canoe, as laid out in the detailed instructions.

TER 442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 33

12/09/2011 16:49

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Scout Association would like to thank The Peter Harrison Foundation and The Freemasons’ Grand Charity for their generous support in developing this printed resource.

The Scout Association would also like to thank the Peter Cruddas Foundation for its generous support of Our Sporting Adventure as sole sponsor of the web pages and medal table.

Illustrations by Mehmet Ulusahin Photograph of Ben Ainslie © Lloyd Images Photograph of Sophie Christiansen © Kit Houghton © The Scout Association 2011 Charity numbers 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

442.4 Join in Olympics Explorer booklet text.indd 34

13/09/2011 15:08