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Young Leaders

An Overview

Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They're a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.

All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit.

The scheme

The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and four missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.

As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the top awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.

Who takes part

Although the scheme is usually taken on by Explorer Scouts looking for a new challenge, young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards or Queen’s Guide Award. They can do this by volunteering as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months (the time required for the Bronze DofE volunteering section).

The Missions

The four missions are designed to allow the Young Leaders to put the learning from the modules into practice. By doing so, they will gain in confidence and become an integral part of the leadership team within their Section and Group.

Mission 1 Game

Plan and run a minimum of three games with the section you are volunteering with. At least one game should take place indoors and one outdoors.

The games should be varied, incorporating:

at least two different types of leadership style (Modules B and C)

three different types of games; for example some games may be more energetic and active, while others may be more creative or reflective (Module E)

To complete this mission, you could:

run a game at the beginning or end of a section night

run a wide game on a camp

run a game that ties into a badge the section is working towards

run a game that reinforces something the section has learned

any other ideas, subject to agreement with ESLYL and SL

Mission 2 Activity

Plan and run an activity (not a game) with the section you are volunteering with.

The activities should include:

planning and organisation

delivery

gathering any equipment or materials needed

To complete this mission, you could:

choose an activity badge to run as part of the programme, providing all of the information and materials required for the section to achieve this

run a segment of the camp programme, such as a pioneering activity or obstacle course, planning the route for a hike, initiating some team challenges, or organising and leading a campfire

record the ways in which your section’s programme activities could count towards different badges and awards

run an activity for the section, relating to one of your own hobbies or interests

any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Mission 3 Program Planning

Take the section’s programme ideas to a programme planning meeting.

This mission should include:

asking the young people in the section to contribute their ideas to the programme

capturing the ideas and suggestions from the young people and exploring how these could be incorporated into their programme

attending and contributing to a meeting (eg programme planning meeting, leaders’ meeting, District, County/ Region or Area meeting)

To complete this mission, you could:

attend a section planning meeting

plan and run a meeting (eg section planning forum or running activities from the YouShape resources)

decide who should attend a meeting and invite them along

organise and run a forum for the young people in your section, gathering their ideas and suggestions, and feeding these back to the section leader

organise for someone to take notes, minutes or points of action

plan and run the Sixers’ or Patrol Leaders’ forum, ensuring that the young people in the section understand how they can input their ideas into the section programme

any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Mission 4 Delivery

Take responsibility for organising and running part of the section programme.

This mission should include:

planning and organising a selection of activities on a theme

delivery of those activities

evaluation and review of the activities with the section

To complete this mission, you could:

plan and run a linking event with either the section above or the section below, working with the leaders of the sections above and below to arrange everything

plan an event, night or activity, ensuring it is appropriate for the age range of the young people, and is well-suited to the venue

include members of the section in the running of an evening

plan and run a Challenge Award with the young people, ideally choosing one that either has not already been achieved by anyone in the section, or which has been achieved by the fewest members

plan the monthly, termly or yearly programme of activities needed to achieve the award

plan a camp for the section (under the supervision of a leader with a Nights Away Permit)

help the young people in the section to explore a particular topic, or to develop some specific skills

any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Modules

ESYLs undertake 11 modules as part of their training.

Note: ESYLs and Young Leaders volunteering from outside of scouting must complete module A within 3 months.

The modules are designed to be flexible and encourage innovation, so be as creative as you can! As long as the aim and objectives are met, they can be delivered in any way by anybody with the appropriate training or experience.

Module A - Prepare for take-off (essentials and expectations)

Note: Young Leaders aren’t expected to complete ‘Module A: Prepare for Take-Off’ until face-to-face meetings are resumed. All other modules could be delivered online. See more information on adapting the YLS during the the Coronavirus crisis.

Module B - Taking the lead

Module C - That's the way to do it!

Module D - Understanding behaviour

Module E - Game on!

Module F - Making Scouting accessible and inclusive

Module G - What is a high quality programme?

Module H - Programme planning

Module I - What did they say?

Module J - Communicate it!

Module K - First aid masterclass

For more information from the Scouts website Click Here

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