scouts

The results are in! on Your verdicutt the Sco Supplement

ders r Scout Le0a10 fo e in z a g a 2 The m r 2009/January Decembe

!

G N I K O O C GET ide s n i s e p i c e r oods w k c a b c i t s a Four fant

System upgrade Goodbye Home Contacts, hello InTouch

EASY CHAIRS

Pioneering to make you sit up and take notice

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Your Scout Support Team Alasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section), Ed Wilson – Programme & Development Adviser

WELCOME INTRO

Practical support

Contact them at: programme@scout.org.uk Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818 Advertising Richard Ellacott richard.ellacott@thinkpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 8962 1258

‘“More Scouting skills” is the message we keep hearing in our conversations and surveys,’ says Alasdair McBay. We will therefore be providing more practical skills both through the supplement and in our work nationally Every supplement for the foreseeable future will carry a practical, back-to-basics feature which will describe a practical Scouting skill. Other exciting work in the pipeline includes a new Scouting Skills book, published in March 2010.

There is no doubt that the spirit of passing on practical skills was central to our Founder’s vision and is a key to the philosophy of learning by doing. It is also an excellent way of encouraging young people to have adventures outdoors.

However, there is an interesting debate to be had which we would welcome contributions from every leader – what is meant by practical skills in the Scout section in the 21st Century? A traditionalist school of thought would favour passing on the skills described by the Founder such as pioneering, tracking and weather forecasting. A Scout Leader today however, might argue that equally important is the use of Global Positioning Systems, the internet and finding practical solutions to international issues.

Do the two sit well together? Do we water our programme down by trying to cover so many approaches? What are the skills that Scouts should learn in 2010?

We’d love to hear your views at scout@scout.org.uk

A Scout from 1st Mill End Scout Group which recently benefited from an archery canopy courtesy of United House and Thrive Homes.

Contents 4 Scouts Outdoors We relive some of your 2009 adventures, camps and expeditions

6 Are you InTouch?

The replacement for the Home Contact system is here

8 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is young people

10 Meeting sparklers Put some pazazz into your programme with human knots, getting to know you games and more

13 The people have spoken!

The full results of our supplement survey

14 Cooking up a storm Great backwoods cooking ideas

16 Sit back and relax Pioneering projects to help you take it easy!

18 Why small teams work Louise Henderson explains why the Patrol System is the route to real responsibility

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Scouts outdoors As the year draws to a close, we catch up with some of your 2009 adventures in the outdoors

Under cover Some Ilford Scouts showed that traditional skills are alive and well this year by spending a week camping and backwoods cooking. Almost every Troop in the District spent a day honing one of the most iconic Scouting skills: constructing a bivouac. Matthew Taylor of the 4th Ilford North Troop particularly enjoyed this activity: ‘One evening at summer camp we all went bivouacking. We collected fern for the roof and branches for the structure. Through a massive team effort we constructed three bivouacs. After clearing the insides of leaves, sticks, stones and brambles, we laid ground sheets, our sleeping bags and equipment ready for a sleep out.’

Close encounters As well as traditional activities, Scouts also got the opportunity to take part in some more unusual ones, with Scouts from the 1st Hainault Troop getting up close and personal with stick

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Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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YOUR ADVENTURES

My Scout Camp

by Jack

It’s Saturday morning, my first day. I am feeling extremely nervous and very unsure what to expect. I was also feeling sad and upset that I was leaving my family as I have never been away from home for a week before.

Things get better! insects, giant African snails and giant cockroaches at the ‘Bug Encounter’ at Colchester Zoo. District Commissioner, Cliff Everitt said: ‘Summer camp is a Scouting institution that is as popular today as it has ever been with the young people involved in the Movement. It gives the Scouts a chance to put into practice everything that they have learnt over the year at their weekly Troop nights and feel independent of their parents. It’s amazing also, to see how much the younger Scouts learn from the older ones in the course of a week. It’s this process that really keeps the movement alive.’

The others in my group make my stay very comfortable and we work as a team. There are so many good things about camp: speed boating, archery, shooting and swimming.

The only time I want to go home is when we do bivouacking as I feel uncomfortable, cramped and tired.

I make lots of new friends, try new food and talk more than ever before. The first thing I say to my Mum when I get home is: ‘I can’t wait to go next year!’ She replies: ‘I can`t wait either, as then I can get some peace and quiet!’ >>

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Scouts outdoors

>>

Godstone Scouts: New Forest adventure

By Mark Wiles For this year’s camp we went down to the New Forest to Ferny Crofts, not far from Beauileu. Although we had some heavy downpours, these were mercifully short, and the Scouts’ enthusiasm was never dampened.

Our first couple of days were spent settling in, with a couple of on site activities including archery and shooting, both of which were well run by the on site team. On Monday evening we embarked on a quick trip down to the coast to get a view of the Isle of Wight. It looked as if it was within walking distance!

We then paddled in the Solent, followed by catching dinner – the crab didn’t quite feed 14 Scouts! Tuesday took us out exploring the local area and wildlife.

Once we returned to camp, we enjoyed some further on site activities including the crate challenge and climbing. Wednesday we spent the day at Beaulieu Motor Museum, which also currently has a James Bond and Top Gear exhibitions.

It’s amazing how quickly the days go by - Thursday was mountain biking through the New Forest. We started well, but several of us got punctures. We also got caught in one of the week’s heavy downpours. However by the time we made it to our destination of Lyndhurst, the sun was back out and we could stop for a drink and an ice cream. Our final day was packed with a go on a zip wire, mega abseiling, a swimming session and finally our Gourmet Night. The Scouts had to make up a three-course meal on a budget, then serve the meal to the leaders, who judged each course!

more info Tell us about your adventures at scout@scout.org.uk

InTouch Our Home Contact system is being replaced.

The new system is called InTouch and, as Rob Lyon explains, it should mean increased flexibility for local Scouting

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lthough InTouch should make the lives of Scout Leaders easier through its flexibility, it is worth noting that it is a requirement for all Scout activities, including normal weekly meetings.

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What does it mean in practice?

When you take Scouts away, there is no longer a specific requirement to appoint a third party Home Contact to sit at home by the phone. Instead you will need to put in place the most appropriate system for any event, activity or meeting you run. This doesn’t mean lots of extra work, but should mean increased flexibility in the way you can manage your communications.

How will it be put in place?

InTouch will be implemented across the UK between now and 1

September 2010. Your District Commissioner will be able to let you know when your District will be moving across from the Home Contact system.

more info Full details of InTouch can be found in the Dec/Jan issue of Scouting, at www.scouts.org.uk/intouch and in the factsheet InTouch (FS120075)

Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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UPDATES

Join the treasure trail Geocaching is sweeping Scouting and Garmin and Blacks are offering discounts on GPS equipment to help you get started

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f you haven’t yet heard of it yet, geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game to find ‘caches’ that are hidden in water-tight boxes. The treasure could be coins, key rings, stickers or other goodies.

Visit geocaching.com to find out where your local geocaches are and all you need is access to the internet and a handheld GPS. Garmin and the outdoor store, Blacks, are offering the Scouts 10% off the Garmin eTrex and GPS 60 range plus a free book about GPS worth £9.99!* Visit www.scouts. org.uk/garmin or simply cut it out from this page and take it into any Blacks store.

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If you visit Blacks, Tiso, Ellis Brigham, Snow & Rock, Field & Trek, Go Outdoors or Nevisport and buy a Garmin Oregon or Dakota 20 you’ll receive a 50% discount on one of the new 1:50k regions of GB Discoverer mapping!

more info Visit www.garmin.co.uk/garmin-gbdiscoverer You can also visit www.scouts.org.uk/garmin to download the Hiker Badge resource packs and learn more about using GPS.

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Top 5 ideas from Programmes Online (October)

Ref

Activity name

Activity

46868

Using GPS in the UK

Flag break

5 mins

N/A

39393

Human Dominoes

45798

quiz 2009

Scavenger hunt

15 mins

43732

Blast Off!

Fit Ga

39091

Defend your area

How old do I have to be?

20 mins

Ex Be At Ga

Hot rice

10 mins

Fit Ga

There’s nothing to do?

30 mins

Co Tea act

Be ‘streetwise’

45 mins

Fit Vis visi

Scouting worldwide

45 mins

Glo The

Flag down, prayers

5 mins

Ex Be At Pra and

le, This issue’s theme is Young Peop written by Tony Taylor

POP Programmes on a plate

8

Time

Scouts June/July December2009 2009/January 2010

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Zon

Zone/Method

Instructions

N/A

Fit for Life Games

This game requires no preparation. Give each Patrol ten minutes to find and collect as many items as possible. Specify objects with names beginning with a certain letter or objects of a certain colour or material.

Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes Games

Arrange a quiz to find out if your Scouts know how old they need to be to legally have their own bank account, get a job or play the National Lottery. There is a website that contains all the answers and more: www.askthepolice.uk/conent/Q346 A printable citizenship quiz sheet can also be found on the CBBC website at http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1680000/newsid_1689900/1689957.stm

Fit for Life Games

The Troop members stand in a circle with one Scout in the centre. This Scout has to dodge a football thrown from the circle. Once the Scout is hit, he swaps places with the successful thrower. The winner is the Scout who stays in the circle the longest. For safety, the football must be thrown at the feet of the person in the circle.

Community Team-building activities

How often do we read in the local paper that there’s nothing for young people to do in their area?

Provide the Scouts with local directories, a local newspaper and Internet access. Challenge them to make a list of activities for young people locally and produce a week’s calendar of what they might do each day. At the top of the list will be the Scouts. Include other youth organisations, sports and special interest clubs, evening classes, cinemas and even a night in with their friends watching a DVD or playing computer games. The results could be sent to your local newspaper.

Fit for Life Visits and visitors

Older people might come up with statements such as,‘in my day you could play safely on the streets.’

Invite a local Police representative to talk to the Scouts about their personal safety when they are out and about by themselves. Make sure that they know the age range of their audience beforehand.

Global Themes

100 years ago Scouting was spreading across the world. Today Scouting exists in 216 countries. Provide each Patrol with Internet access. Their task is either to show where Scouting has spread or to find out about Scouting in one particular country. Their results should be in the form of a poster for display in your meeting place. One interesting starting point might be a search for ‘Scouts stamps’ on eBay.

Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes Prayer, worship and reflection

Lord, help us to remember our Scout Promise in our daily lives. We have promised to do our best at all times. To do our best to do our duty to our God. To do our best to do our duty to the Queen and all that she means for our country. To do our best to do our duty to other people by being trustworthy, loyal, friendly and considerate. To do our best to keep the Scout Law. To be considerate and show respect. Help us, and Scouts throughout he world, to act like a true family should.

For more great ideas visit www.scouts.org.uk/pol scouts.org.uk/pol

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e l k r a p s g n i Meet ir dreams and athe on a ping pong ball, share the Andrew Corrie invites Scouts to bre nt with woke up. There’s never a dull mome y the e tim the by es elv ms the e arrang our latest meeting sparklers . . .

Popcorn Everyone mingles around in the playing area. The leader then calls out a number and an object. Participants quickly form groups of that number, then use their bodies to make the object. For example, ‘Two, rocking chair!’ Pairs form themselves into rocking chairs. Once everyone has made their object, allow time for more mingling and then call next object.

Objects could include: washing machine, calculator, three piece suite, toaster, car, piano, fountain, old oak tree, tent, sheep, and how about ending with ‘Everyone, roller coaster!’

Tied in Knots 1. Everyone stands in a circle.

2. Reach out with their left hand and grasp someone’s hand.

3. Reach out with the right hand, and grasp someone else’s hand. Each player must be holding hands with two different people.

4. Challenge them to reform themselves into a circle.

It can work with any size group, but small to medium size groups work best. Once you get over nine people, split them into two groups. The groups must always have an even number.

Untying Knots 1. Take a long rope and tie one thumb knot about every three feet. There should be one knot for each person. If there are more than six in the group, it might be better to have two ropes.

2. Lay the rope on the ground or a table in a straight line.

3. Ask each player stand by a knot on the rope.

4. The players pick up the rope making sure they each have one hand on either side of the rope.

5. They have to untie the knots without letting go of the rope.

10 Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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lers

Games and Activities

4. A point is scored when the ball falls off the side of the table. The point goes to the person whose territory is where the ball fell off.

5. The winner is the person with the fewest number of points when a fixed amount of time is up.

Two Truths and a Lie Everyone sits in a circle. Each person prepares three statements, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. In any order, the person shares the three statements with the entire group. The object of the game is to work out which statement is a lie. The rest of the group votes on each statement, and the person reveals which one is the lie.

Continuum This is a ‘getting-to-know-you’ sparkler where the purpose is to get members of the group talking and learning things about each other The ideal group size is about 6-10 people. If there are more, divide them into two or more groups. Pick a theme and get the group to arrange themselves in order.

Start with something simple like age, hair colour or height. Then move on to more interesting topics like north-south by location of birth. Or try some of these ideas: • the number of nights they have camped • months of the year by birthday • how many years they’ve been in Scouting • the time they woke up this morning • the number of hours since they last watched TV • the number of books they read this month.

Two Truths and a Dream Why not try this variation of the last game? Instead of a lie, a person says something that they wish to be true. For example, ‘I once met the Chief Scout.’ Which is the real dream or ambition?

Blow Ball You will need: a table - any size, and at least one ping pong ball (add an extra ball for every 4-5 players) 1. This game can be played with two to 20 people (if your table is big enough!).

2. Spread the players around the table. With four players, assign each person one side of the table. Otherwise, decide what space around the table is each person’s territory.

3. Put a ping pong ball in the centre of the table. No one is allowed to touch the ball. They have to move it by blowing on it. scouts.org.uk/pol 11

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Runner Up:

1st Nairn Sc

out Group

Ru n n e r

Up: 1st R

ogersto

ne Scou

t Group

Winner 10th Radcliffe Scout Group Manchester

R WINNE

Creative sparks The annual Chubb Fire Christmas Card competition has proved as popular as ever. Entries flooded in from Scout Groups across the UK, showing off their creative spark in igniting the message of fire safety

T

he competition was open to all Scout Groups in the UK, with entries produced by the Group as a whole around the theme of ‘Keeping safe from fire around Christmas and New Year’.

Amidst fierce competition, the 10th Radcliffe Scout Group from Radcliffe in Manchester was judged the best entry, with the design used as Chubb Fire’s Christmas e-card and sent to its customers and contacts over the Christmas period.

Cash prize As well as the chance to see their design as an e-card, the Group also received prize money of £300 to be put towards a Group outdoor activity. There are also two runners up prizes of £100 each, which were awarded to the 1st Rogerstone Scout Group,Gwent, South Wales and

1st Nairn Scout Group, Nairn, near Inverness.

Jane Garland, Chubb Fire’s Marketing Communication Manager, was delighted by the number of Scout Groups that got into the festive spirit early: ‘Their efforts are very much appreciated,’ she said. ‘Our annual competition enhances the support which we already give to the Scouting community and hopefully reinforces the fire safety message to families nationwide.’

Spreading the message of fire safety The competition comes as part of Chubb Fire’s ongoing support for The Scout Association and its commitment to spreading the fire safety message. Chubb is the long running sponsor of the Scouts Fire Safety Badge, which offers the Scouts some invaluable advice on fire prevention, detection and escape routes should a fire break out. Since its introduction in November 2003 more than 74,000 Scouts have received the badge.

Live demonstrations Since part of the badge requires Scouts to be able to recognise various fire extinguishers, and know what kinds of fire they should be used on, Chubb Fire also offers live fire demonstrations. These give Scouts the opportunity to try using fire extinguishers and fire blankets on a live fire in a controlled environment.

In 2009, Chubb Fire’s Training Officers toured the country to deliver these popular live fire demonstrations to over 200 Scouts nationwide. more info For further details on the fire safety demonstrations, competition and the Fire Safety Badge, visit www.chubb.co.uk/scouts

12 Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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SUPPLEMENT SURVEY RESULTS

The people have spoken!

up

When we ran an online survey in the autumn, nearly 150 of you shared your views on the Scout supplement. Too long? Too short? Not enough practical support?

We find out and let you know how we will be responding

T

hank you to everyone who gave us feedback on the supplement. While you had plenty of suggestions, the good news is that 85% of you thought the supplement was either useful or very useful. Of the regular articles, you found practical programmes ideas, the Meeting Sparklers, Programmes on a Plate and ideas for specific badges the most useful.

Encouragingly, there were lots of good ideas for new articles and features too. Here are the results in full:

Is the supplement the right size?

Not long enough, 46

Too long, 5

What would you like to see more of?

Just right, 97

110 109 88

66

68

71

107

92

Where can we improve?

77

44

22

16

0 Young people’s contribution

Expedition tips

Reports from Scout events and camps

Camp cooking recipes

Pioneering projects

Comment and opinion from experienced Leaders

Other: (please add)

What you’d like to see more of • • • • • • • • • • • • •

County and Headquarters adult recruitment initiatives Questions and answers from the Information Centre More quick programme ideas Awards Help with practical skills New ideas for backwoods cooking and skills training New spin on old ideas Diary of national events More details for the suggested programmes Special needs groups and suitable ideas for them Sharing ideas from successful groups More competitions and resources Basic skills

• ‘I find much of the information too general; I would like more detail.’

• ‘Content is more important than length and the content is not always relevant to everyday Scouting in my group.’

• ‘The ideas in the supplement are not always helpful as our group has members who can’t manage everything able bodied Scouts can.’

• ‘16 pages is the most economical size for the supplement and saves paper!’

What happen now?

Your feedback is key if we are to keep your supplement useful and relevant. We’ll be introducing more of what you asked for (starting with pioneering and backwoods cooking) and will be working with the UK Adviser for Scouts to help address your other concerns and act on your ideas. your comments welcome If you have other suggestions or comments, it’s not too late. Let us know at scout@scout.org.uk

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Cooking up a storm As we look ahead to The Big Adventure...

Gets Cooking, why not let your Scouts have a go at rustling up these tasty treats?

14 Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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BACKWOODS COOKING

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hy not make life interesting and step out of the kitchen to cook up these gastronomic delights? All of the recipes are ideal for cooking outdoors, over open fires or in home made ovens. For information on cooking on open fires and ovens, please refer to the Scout Handbook, available to order at www.scouts.org.uk/shop

Vegetable kebabs You will need: • 12 new potatoes • 12 small onions • 12 button mushrooms • One red pepper • One green pepper • 12 small tomatoes • Butter or margarine • Salt, garlic and pepper to taste.

Method: • Prepare six thin green sticks from ash, hazel or willow (not holly or yew) and skewer the cleaned and prepared ingredients as desired onto them, leaving the tomatoes to one side.

• Melt some margarine or butter with some salt, pepper or garlic as required and brush it over the kebabs.

• Support the kebabs over glowing embers and cook for about five minutes turning occasionally. After this time add the tomatoes and cook for a further five minutes.

Angels on horseback You will need: • Two strips of bacon (per person) or substitute your own alternative ingredient • Grated cheese.

Method: • Sprinkle the cheese onto the strips of bacon and roll them up.

• Wrap them up in separate pieces of foil and consign to the embers for about 15 minutes turning regularly.

Potato puffs You will need: • 450g (1lb) cold mashed potato • Two eggs • One mug (1/2 pint) of milk • 15g (1/2 oz) butter or margarine • Seasoning to taste.

Method: • Beat the eggs and mix them with the mashed potato, milk and melted butter until you have a thick batter.

• Make into patties and bake in your oven like biscuits or on two layers of foil on a grill over your fire, turning once, until brown.

Hash browns You will need: (quantities are for four servings) • 1kg (2lb) potatoes • 60kg (2ox) flour • Two eggs • 30ml (1/2pt) milk • Seasoning.

Method: • Make a tray out of two thicknesses of foil and grease it well with butter and margarine.

• Grate the potatoes and spread them over the tray.

• Mix the beaten eggs, milk, flower and seasoning together and pour this mixture over the potatoes patting it down with a fork.

• Bake the hash browns in a reflector fire or in a camp oven. Alternatively, seal the food in foil and place it in the embers for 15 minutes or so. Serve with grated cheese. ...and for dessert:

Melon delight You will need: • One small melon • Two mandarin oranges • One red apple • 12 seedless grapes • Lemon juice and orange juice • Mint leaves and cherries for decoration.

Method: • Cut the melon in half and scrape out the seeds.

• Using a sharp knife, cut the melon flesh into cubes and put the pieces in a bowl.

• Peel and clean the oranges and put the individual segments into the bowl.

• Core a red apple and cut into thin slices, leaving the skin on and add this and grapes to the rest of the fruit.

• Mix the fruit together and add a dash of lemon juice or a spoonful or two of fresh orange juice and divide the mixture up between the two halves of melon skin.

To serve, place a red cherry and a couple of mint leaves on the top of each portion. scouts.org.uk/pol 15

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d n a k c a Sit b relax! r we present two ideas fo s, rie se g rin ee on pi w r ne practise In the second part of ou ur meeting place. Ideal yo e sid in ed ct tru ns co chairs that can be camp... for next year’s summer

Deckchair

Diagram A

You will need: • 2 x 2m 6ft) staves, 2 x 1.5m (4ft 6”) staves, 7 x 1m (3ft) staves

Diagram B

PROGRAMME LINKS

Why not ask your Scouts to complete this activity as part of their Outdoor Challenge, Outdoor Plus Challenge or Pioneer Badge?

Method: • Prepare the first rectangular frame using 2 x 1m and 2 x 1.5m staves.

• The second rectangular frame is made up 2 x 1m and 2 x 2m staves. It must be narrow enough that it will fit through the first frame.

• Fit the two frames together and adjust the angle of the frames so that they will form a comfortable seat. Lash them where they cross. (Diagram A) • Prepare the back support by lashing the remaining 1m staves together to form three sides of a rectangle.

The points a and b should fit inside the first frame built, the other ends of these staves are lashed to the outside of the second, larger frame. (Diagram B) • Using heavy duty polythene or canvas to form the seat, stapling it firmly in place.

16 Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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PIONEERING

Camp chair You will need: • 11 x stout staves 0.9m (3ft) • 10 x stout staves 1.2m (4ft) • 30 light lashings Method: • The two side frames are built first using 4 x 1.2 m staves for each. The seat support bars need to be 0.45m (18”) up from the bottom of the uprights (a).

• Next, join the side frames using 4 x 0.9m (3ft) staves.

• Another 0.9m stave is lashed to the seat support 0.2m (8”) in front of the back tie.

• Lash 2 x 1.2m staves in place to support the back of the seat.

• Use the remaining 0.9m (3ft) staves in place to form the seat and back rest.

• If necessary, stabilise by lashing some diagonal bracing between the back legs.

WANT MORE OF THE SAME? Hundreds of step-by-step pioneering projects can be found at www.pioneeringmadeeasy.co.uk Thank you to the team for permission to reproduce these ideas.

Arrowhead Flashing LED Adult Scarf

Scout Tartan Lambswool Scarf

Item code: 1027389

£12

A Waterman Pen in a gift box, in the popular rollerball style.

Printed with the Scouts ‘be prepared’ logo. Ideal for your own use or as a gift.

was £12.23

£11

£15

Be Prepared Waterman Rollerball Pen

£22

Be Prepared Laptop Bag

Item code: 1027383

01903 766 921

Item code: 1024579

Item code: 1025810

With the Scout Arrowhead logo, the necker is perfect for wearing on a campsite, day or night.

Batteries are replaceable #1027403 at two for £1 Simple on/off switch.

A 136x30CM Lambswool Scarf woven in the official Scout Tartan (this is not a Scout Necker).

Each Scarf has a label sewn on to it stating it is the official Scout tartan.

Ideal for wearing on cold days or as a gift.

Suitable for laptops with a 15” screen size, with three separate compartments, the middle one being padded.

Handle or shoulder strap for easy carrying

All profits go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

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Why small teams work

How much time do your Scouts spend in their Patrols, asks Louise Henderson.

Is it just somewhere to stand at flag break or are they central to the Scout experience? Are you making the most of what Patrols have to offer?

Y

oung people are capable of incredibly mature opinions and actions when you place them in positions of responsibility. While we as leaders strive to be good role models for our Scouts, it is when we create good role models of their own generation that we have really succeeded.

Real responsibility For Patrol Leaders, the Patrol system allows them an unrivalled opportunity to take on a real leadership role, making real decisions with real consequences for themselves and others. As a result their successes (and failures) are all the more meaningful.

Mind you, even the best Scouts need help to be good Patrol Leaders. Scouts Taking the Lead is an excellent resource and provides a ready-made course of training.

On its own though it can only be of limited value. It is when Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders take what they learn and put it into practice that the experience is complete.

Leading by example Scouting is the perfect setting to prepare young people for adult life. We can give them the confidence to lead others,

to know that to lead isn’t always to have all the answers, that respect is the key to great leadership and that a good example is 99% of a good leader.

Have faith in your Patrol Leaders. Give them the training and the responsibility and they will reward you with a glimpse of the leaders of the future.

RECENTLY OVERHEARD . . .

Q. What are you most looking forward to about becoming a leader?

A. To take a new Scout and give them the skills and knowledge to become a Patrol Leader.

A good answer, but even better when you realise that it was actually given by a 13 year old to the question ‘What are you most looking forward to about becoming a Patrol Leader’! more info Download your copy of Scouts Taking The Lead at www.scouts. org.uk/takingthelead

18 Scouts December 2009/January 2010

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