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

WELCOME INTRO

Autumn already?

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

The beginning of the year saw the launch of the Scout Handbook, says Alasdair McBay and young people’s response to it has been fantastic.

Let’s hope it has inspired yet more Scouts to gain the Chief Scout’s Gold Award...

Front cover photo by Allan Baxter shows a Scout with Michael, a Young Leader from 64th Birmingham

THE GOLD FILE

Jordan was awarded the Chief Scout’s Gold Award in July 2009.

He is shown here walking by the Oeschinensee, near the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland. Well done Jordan!

As the leaves begin to fall, in this issue of the Scout Supplement, we ask Scouts to turn leaves of a different kind. They’ve been road testing the Scout Handbook – and deliver their verdict on page 14.

Support for young people The handbook complements the existing resources for Scouts which are all available from www.scouts.org.uk/shop • Scout Handbook - 300 pages of practical advice and activity ideas - £8 • Scout Badge Book - All the badge requirements for Challenge and Activity Badges - £3 • Scout Record Book - To record a Scout’s achievements during their time in the Troop - £1.96 • Scout Skills Cards - Quick and easy guides to key practical skills - £2 These last three items can be bought together for £5.00 as the Scout Membership Pack.

Additional Scout Skills Cards have been added to the series, specifically to support the Outdoor Challenge. They are available as a free download at www.scouts.org.uk/sponsors

Resources for leaders Early next year will see the launch of Troop Programmes Plus Two. This contains another complete year’s set of programme ideas. Meanwhile, we continue to hear that the Beliefs and Attitudes Programme Zone is the most challenging to deliver, so Troop Programmes Plus Two will focus on this - although not exclusively. Until next time . . . good Scouting to you.

Contents 4 The generation game Do Young Leaders play an active part in your Troop? Get some top tips here

8 Programmes on a plate This issue’s theme is volunteering

10 Meeting sparklers Wacky ideas to keep your programme fizzing

14 So what do you make of the handbook?

Will the Scout Handbook pass the Troop test? Find out here.

16 Build a Gateway A pioneering project to open doors into this great Scouting skill

18 Why Patrol camping works Louise Henderson suggests why a Patrol Camp is the ideal place for Scouts to discover their potential

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n o i t a r e n e g e Th game r Troop?

Do you have a Young Leader in you some If not, you could be missing out on mmer invaluable support, writes Mel Bra

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Young Leader in your Troop can be a huge bonus – with a little support they can make your life as a leader much easier. But not only that, once they reach 18 you’ll have a ready, integrated leader looking to take an appointment to join your adult leadership team.

How the Young Leaders’ Scheme works The basics: • Some Explorer Scouts may wish to help out with one of the younger sections. These are called Explorer Scout Young Leaders and belong to the District’s Explorer Scout provision.

They may also (and will be encouraged to) take part in other Explorer Scouting, which will allow them to work towards awards and activity badges while participating in their own Balanced Programme.

• The Young Leaders’ Unit may meet less frequently. The Unit will give each Young Leader the support and training to help them work more effectively with you.

• Young Leaders can complete eleven modules to support their work with the section. They must complete 4

Module A within the first three months of being a Young Leader, and will then be able to wear a Young Leader’s Badge. They will also have missions to complete, which will encourage them to make use of what they have learned.

What you can do After each batch of training the Young Leader is likely to be keen to use what they have learned within the section. It is important that this enthusiasm is harnessed – it is frustrating to a young person who has just given up an evening to learn all about Programme Planning (Module G) if they then find that they are not invited to your planning meeting and the most responsibility they are given is ticking the register and pouring the drinks.

Remember that while the Young Leader is to be treated as part of your team, and while you can delegate appropriately to them, they are still young people. They should not be abandoned to ‘get on with it’ and will need supervision and appropriate support as they increase the responsibility they take. Also, child protection rules still apply and you should still follow guidelines on the

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YOUNG LEADERS’ SCHEME

Young People First ‘yellow card’. If you are on a night away, the Young Leaders should have separate sleeping accommodation to both the section and the adult leaders. It is worth noting that a Young Leader is not included in ratios as either an adult or young person.

Young Leaders are a superb investment. For a small support input (as you would expect to support any new member of your team), you will end up with a young person who is a confident member of your section leadership team. They can run games, understand the section, plan and run the programme, both inside and outdoors, deal with challenging behaviour, teach the young people new skills and do everything a leader can do, freeing your time, injecting fresh ideas, allowing you to run a more creative and exciting Balanced Programme for the Scouts.

Some do’s and don’t Do Find out which modules and missions they are doing and when. Once you know, ask them if they would like any information beforehand. Ask how it went and support them in trying out new ideas and skills.

pub, make sure that the Young Leader is not going to feel out of place and that you sit in the family area and offer soft drinks).

Do Keep in communication with the Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leader).

Their job is to support the Young Leader and to support you, and they will want to know if there are any issue’s that need resolving, and equally if the Young Leader has any strengths that they can celebrate.

Do Be understanding at exam and coursework times of year. The Young Leaders may need to take time out for revision, or may be more tired than usual (but still want to come). Exams should take priority (even over the District swimming gala!)

Do Find out whether they are counting being a Young Leader towards the service element of their Chief Scout’s Platinum or Diamond Award, Queen’s Scout Award or for the volunteering aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

>>

Do Find out who is expected to pay the training costs. In some Districts the Groups are asked to contribute to the cost of the Young Leader training. If necessary, be forthcoming with a chequebook to save the Young Leader the awkwardness of chasing money.

Do Ensure that your Young Leader is treated as a member of your team.

This means they should be invited to programme planning meetings and leader meetings (which should be at an appropriate venue – if you hold it at a

THE YOUNG ONE S Last year, over 1,000 14-18 year olds joined the scheme. There are now over 8,500 Young Leaders helping out ever y week.

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The generation game >>

‘Young Leaders are invaluable and can allow you to run a more creative and exciting Balanced Programme’ Do Show some appreciation for what they do. They appreciate a thank you just as much as you do, and are freely giving their time too.

Do Encourage them to join the Scout Network as they approach 18, to continue their own progress through the awards and participation in their own programme, but also talk to them about whether they would like to continue as a leader.

Don’t Have too many Young Leaders. If you are going to get the best from them they need to be supported, and to gradually take on more responsibility. If there are too many, you won’t be able to give them the support they deserve, and there will be too many to take on any responsibility, so will soon become bored and start losing interest. Three Young Leaders within a section seems to work well, as they build up confidence together.

Don’t Treat Young Leaders as children who can’t be given responsibility for anything or talk as though they aren’t there. They are young people, but they have chosen to come and give their time to help in your section and are undertaking training to support them in this.

We stongly recommend that Young Leaders should not return as a Young Leader to the Troop until at least six months have passed. This allows them to develop skills away from the Troop, take part in the Explorer Scout Programme and fully understand the Young Leader role. They can still become a Young Leader in a Colony or Pack and may decide to move to the Troop after a break.

more info www.scouts.org.uk Also, speak to your District Commissioner, District Explorer Scout Commisssioner or Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leader).

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Top 5 ideas from Programmes Online (August)

Ref

Activity name

Activity

38295

Spaghetti Wigs

Flag break

5 mins

N/A

41418

The UnNature Trail

45798

Quiz 2009

39393

Human Dominoes

Who volunteers?

10 mins

Co The

My role as a volunteer

20 mins

Co Vis visi

First aid

60 mins

Ou Ad Ser and

Raise money for charity

60 mins

Co Ser Tea act

Plant sale

60 mins

Co Ser Tea act

Flag down and prayers

5 mins

N/A

Conservation

Half-day

Co Ser Ac oth

481

Time

Zon

Man Overboard

g, This issue’s theme is volunteerin written by Tony Taylor

POP Programmes on a plate

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Zone/Method

Instructions

N/A

People generally volunteer for activities that interest them. Scouts as we know have a wide variety of interests. Our responsibility is therefore to show new people opportunities for volunteering and present the benefits of doing so.

Community Themes

Either as a whole Troop activity, or in Patrols, make a list of voluntary organisations in your area. Here are some suggestions to get the list started: St John Ambulance, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Girl Guiding, conservation groups and charity shops. Keep the list on display.

Community Visits and visitors

Each week, invite a volunteer from a different organisation to talk briefly about their role. Ask them to describe how they became involved, what they do, how much time is involved and what benefits their volunteering brings – both for them and others. Encourage them to answer questions from the Scouts.

Outdoor and Adventure Service, Visits and visitors

Invite members of the Red Cross or St John Ambulance to show the Scouts how to perform emergency first aid. They usually have models for young people to be able to practise resuscitation.

Community Service, Team-building activities

Challenge the Scouts to raise some money for a charity. Encourage them to come up with ideas. At this time of year, Christmas fairs might be an opportunity to make goods for sale, such as Christmas cards. A sponsored activity such as climbing, using an indoor facility, might be popular. Scouts might also want to donate unwanted toys or food for Christmas hampers.

Community Service, Team-building activities

In the spring, plant seeds and grow them for sale. Each Scout could be responsible for the care of some of the seedlings while they are growing. You will need to plan when each type of seedling should be planted, but should be able to organise a mass planting evening to get started. Plants like tomatoes, courgettes or sunflowers can be sown from seed and then transplanted to individual pots. Cuttings from houseplants might be considered. Proceeds from the sale can be donated to charity.

N/A

Thank you for all the people in our community who give up their time to help others. Especially, thank you to our Scout Leaders who volunteer to give us plenty of activities. And also our parents who give up their time to support us in so many ways.

Community Service, Activities with others

Contact a local conservation group or ‘green gym’ to find out how the Scouts might get involved for half a day one weekend. Make sure that the group understands the age range and experience of the young people so that they are not expected to complete tasks beyond their capabilities.

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 ther array human chains – it can only be ano Walking potatoes, dizzy dragons and as of Andrew Corrie’s programme ide

Spud Sculpture Provide an assortment of potatoes of different shapes and sizes, plus a few extras in the shape of toothpicks, wood, matches, twigs, feathers and so on. Ask everyone to model figures of humans, birds and animals which must be able to stand on their own two (or four) feet.

Blind Dog Each Scout is given a blank postcard and a pencil. The Scouts are warned to take a good look at the card because they are going to be blindfolded.

Once blindfolded they are asked to draw a dog on their card. After this, tell them to put a collar on the dog, then a bone in front of the dog, then to draw a nametag hanging from the collar. The blindfolds are then removed and the amazing results exhibited to one and all.

Human Traits

Chinese Dragon’s Tail

Join Hands

Scouts line up, hands on shoulders of the Scout in front.

The first Scout becomes the head of the dragon, and the last Scout the tail. The leader calls out ‘one, two, three, go’. At the signal the head tries to catch the tail. If the head catches the tail, the tail becomes the next head. If the dragon breaks in two, the one causing the break becomes the tail.

The team links arms in a line. The two people at either end of the line each have a hand free to use for the activity. The other people can speak but not use their hands. The teams are given simple activities to carry out, such as: • tie a reef knot • light a candle • make a paper hat

Give each person a sheet of paper and a pencil, and ask them to write as many words as they can which describe the characteristics of teenagers. Some will immediately list all the good characteristics like honesty, sincerity, beauty.

Others will try to make up a gruesome list. Anyway it’s lots of fun and at the end of ten minutes the one with the longest list wins.

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Games and Activities

lers • colour in a simple shape • copy a simple shape • cut out a simple shape • tie a shoelace.

After each activity, swap the people who are at the end so everyone has a turn. At the end you could discuss how it feels to be in the different positions. Consider how being part of a team can involve being patient while other people perform a task.

The Four Poster Give each Patrol a long pole, three short poles, and two 2.5m ropes. Using only these materials, the entire Patrol tries to stay 30cm off the ground for 10 seconds without hooking their legs round anything. (The trick is to construct a tripod, lay the long pole on top, and use it to balance).

Paper Chain Give each Patrol a packet of gummed strips for making a paper chain. At the word ‘go’ each Patrol has to start sticking the gummed strips together to make a paper chain. The Patrol with the longest chain after five minutes is the winner.

Get Up! Scouts pair off. They sit on the floor back to back with their arms interlocked. At a signal they try to stand up.

This lends itself to tournament play. The winners play each other until only one winner remains.

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NATURAL ENGLAND INTRO

Go completely nutty this autumn!

Do you fancy taking your Scouts into the woods to hunt for one of England’s most elusive and threatened creatures? Then get involved in the Great Nut Hunt

H

ere is a chance for Scouts to turn detective and look for evidence of the sleepy Hazel Dormouse. Hundreds of people are already on the search, but more are still needed

to join in.

To help, a resource pack is available from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species at www.ptes.org/ greatnuthunt In partnership with Natural England, the organisation is conducting the third nationwide hunt for this mysterious mammal.

Discovering the natural world Natural England is also teaming up with The Scout Association to give young people opportunities to explore and discover the natural world, and are also sponsoring the new Scout Naturalist Badge.

Natural England: • gives inspiration to get out and explore some of England’s green spaces • offers novel activities and competitions to encourage us to discover the natural environment

• creates opportunities to take part in events around the country • provides resources to learn all about the natural world around us.

Get outdoors!

Scouts are invited to contribute directly to Natural England’s aim of getting ‘One Million Children Outdoors’ by visiting www.naturalengland.org.uk/millionchildren This is an interactive website where young people can explore farms, dive-in to England’s undersea landscapes, enter photo competitions, attend music festivals or even go on a healthy walk.

news flash Turn your Scout grounds green with the Big Wildlife Garden www.bwg.naturalengland.org.uk watch out for more details soon.

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o e k a m u o y o d t So wha ies start of the year and over 10,000 cop the at ed nch lau s wa ook ndb Ha The Scout people make of it? ‘It shows you how have been sold. But what do young s be the best book ever for Scouts? to do the stuff’ says one. Could thi

‘Full colour is always good – and appeals to everyone.’

‘Good six week log.’

about what you need and what has to be done to get the badge. We also like the part of the book that gives you advice about camping equipment.

On leadership The Scout Handbook is a great source of information to any Scout. It outlines how to become an Assistance Patrol Leader (APL) and a Patrol Leader (PL). At the moment one of the Scouts in my Patrol is trying to become my APL and this new book is helping him to become one.

H

ello, we are Cobra Patrol from 2nd Hucknall Scout Group. We had the privilege of looking at the new handbook - it has lots of good descriptions and is very eye-catching.

Compared with the last one, the handbook is very colourful and attractive and makes you want to read on.

It’s good to see we have pictures of girls in there as well as boys. We also enjoyed comments from other Scouts from around the country because you get to see other Scouts’ point of view.

The descriptions of the things you need to do to get the Challenge Badges is really detailed, and gives you descriptions of all the skills you need to earn the badges.

It gives you ideas for planning what you need to do to get the Challenge Badges and the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

We especially like the part about the Expedition Challenge which is quite a big part of the book. It tells you

‘The quotes from Scouts who have already done the badge are a good idea.’

‘Pictures are very good and the colour code is clever.

‘It shows the full information about the badges.’

‘More information on uniform and badges.’

‘Good how it tells you about the Union Jack.’

Room for improvement ‘I dislike how there is no uniform information in the new book. Maybe this is something to think about in the next edition, but apart from that I think the book is a big success.’

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RESOURCES

? k o o b d n a h e h t f o e more info Buy your copy of the Scout Handbook from www.scouts. org.uk/shop Priced £8

‘I like how they have ordered all the historical events’ ‘There’s loads of first aid information.’

‘The badge pictures and info is really cool.’

‘I li ke how they recommend activities for badges and tell you exactly what to do.’

‘It’s nice how it tells you other types of Scouting.’

And the leader’s view?

‘I’ve been a leader for 23 years and I have seen several Scout books come and go (some not very good) but the new one is fantastic. It’s easy to read and the terminology is simple enough for young people to understand. We tried it out in our Troop and gave each Patrol a book and asked them to follow it to accomplish part of their Challenge Award. They did this with no input from the leaders and it worked great.

This is the best book the Association has come up with yet!’

Ken Marshall, 2nd Hucknall Scout Troop scouts.org.uk/pol 15

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Build a gateway Pioneering is one of the great Scouting skills and is a superb test of teamwork as well as knots and lashing. This issue, we show you how to create a basic gateway – perfect for a camp or evening activity

A

good stock of pioneering equipment can take years to build up but don’t let a lack of equipment put you off. Many campsites have good pioneering stores of the major pieces required so you can start by obtaining the smaller items - ropes, light cord and staves that can be used in your meeting place.

Small projects can be built from bamboo canes and light staves. Traditionally, staves are made from ash and tend to be expensive. Our Group uses hazel instead - these are available for the asking if you know a landowner with an old hazel coppice.

Avoid using wood that snaps easily like willow or poplar.

Larger spars can be purchased from garden centres where they are often sold as poles for pergolas. Check them

carefully before you buy. Spars can also be obtained from the Forestry Commission. Good luck!

Equipment • 8 x light spars 2.5m (8ft) long • 2 x light spars 2m (6ft) long • 4 x light spars 1.5m (4ft) long • Sisal • Large pegs or pickets • Troop name board

Method The sides of the gateway are made from two narrow trestles. As they will not be carrying a great load they should only need a single diagonal brace, which saves time.

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SCOUTING SKILLS

GATEWAY GALLERY A few examples of Scouting gateways; send your images to scouts@scout.org.uk

For more pioneering projects, please visit www.pioneeringmadeeasy.co.uk Thank you to Dave for permission to reprint this idea.

The sides are held upright by an additional spar lashed to the middle of the top horizontal spar with a square lashing. The position of this outer leg should be adjusted so that the sides lean outwards slightly and can stand on their own.

N

S

SCOUT SHOPS

EQUIPPED FOR ADVENTURE

Lash the two remaining spars across the top of the gateway and hang your name board from the front.

Useful hint Use a picket driven in at a 90 degree angle to the bottom of the outer leg and make fast with a square lashing.

Scouts Rugby Shirt

Scout Hoodie

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scouts.org.uk/shop 01903 766 921

Item code: 1025542R

The Scout Handbook

Item code: EAN 1026561

£8

Scout Leather Woggle Item code: 1027199

£1.47

The new fun Scout section leather woggle is ideal for an informal occasion.

The Scouts harlequin style rugby shirt, in a heavy knitted cotton, can be worn on a campsite or for other informal occasions.

The fit has been updated to allow more room for movement.

Sizes XS-XXXL Colour: Navy/cream

The hooded sweatshirt with the official Scout logo embroidery on the chest is great for wearing in the evenings or for cooler weather.

Sizes: XS-XXXL Colour: Navy

With 300 pages of practical skills, advice and ideas for adventure, the Scout Handbook is the perfect companion for young people aged 10-14.

With tips on getting all nine Challenge Badges, together with diagrams and full colour photographs, the handbook will help every Scout to go for gold and gain the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

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

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Why Patrol camping works What is our role as Scout Leaders? Should our success be measured by the numbers of young people who pass through our doors, or by the opportunities we offer? Louise Henderson suggest why Patrol camps are the perfect place for young people to reach their potential

S

couting offers young people the chance to develop self-reliance, team working and leadership skills, self confidence and much more.

It allows them to take those first steps away from the nest. We take in children at the age of ten and after four years turn out young people ready to move on into Explorers and take their meaningful place in the world. And the one place in the year where these opportunities abound is at Troop camp within the Patrol system.

Why run a Patrol Camp?

Now, as with anything really worthwhile, these camps are not always easy to run. It requires more from a leader to plan and execute a good Patrol based summer camp than it does to book up someone else’s ready made adventure.

But the benefits more than make up for the extra effort.

Just watch as your Patrol Leaders fearlessly step out to run their Patrol unaided during a week’s camp, cooking, cleaning, undertaking challenges and living as a single unit (although not always in total harmony!)

Watch them grow in confidence While at these camps, Scouts generally give their all and demonstrate that they have taken in more than you

realised. You may also see that they have much, much more to offer than you ever thought possible. It is a privilege to witness the transformation of dependant children into capable, competent, confident and independent young people. What’s even more incredible is that this transformation takes place before your very eyes in the space of a week at camp, especially in Patrol Leaders.

This is just a taste of what Patrol camping offers Scouts.

Trust your Scouts to break out of the bubble wrap of modern life that constantly whispers to them ‘be careful, let an adult do that for you, it’s too sharp, too hot, you’re not old enough, I don’t like the look of that – steer clear.’

Young people deserve the opportunities that we can give them. So go on, give it a try. Patrol camp. more info If you would like more help in encouraging youth leadership in your Troop download the new edition of Scouts Taking the Lead free of charge at www.scouts.org.uk/ takingthelead

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