Meeting timing and content is decided by the Explorers. This doesn't mean that nothing happens though! By now, our young people will have acquired lots of skills and this opens up even more adventurous opportunities.
Explorers can work towards their Duke of Edinburgh awards at the same time as earning their Chief Scout's Platinum or Diamond award, or working towards their Queen's Scout award.
The Young Leader Scheme
Some Explorers also choose to be Young Leaders in order to share their experience and knowledge with younger members. This gives them a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills in a safe and supportive environment.
The Young Leader Scheme aims to ensure that under-18s play a meaningful role in assisting with another Scout section (Beavers, Cubs or Scouts) and gain valuable skills and experience in the process. This role fits particularly well within schemes such as Duke of Edinburgh's Award or the Saltire Award, and contributes well to those qualifications alongside completion of the Diamond and Platinum Chief Scout's Awards.
There are two key documents for the Young Leader Scheme:
- Preparing to Lead - a 100+ page book detailing the scheme requirements and providing guidance for section leaders on implementation
- The Young Leader logbook - a 32-page printable giving brief details of each task and space for the young leader themselves to record notes and progress
The scheme itself consists of 11 Modules (theory) and 4 Missions (practical) which should be completed by the Young Leader:
- Module A - Prepare for take-off
- 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
- Mission 1 - Game: Plan and run a minimum of three games with the section you are volunteering with
- Mission 2 - Activity: Plan and run an activity (not a game) with the section you are volunteering with
- Mission 3 - Programme Planning: Take the section’s programme ideas to a programme planning meeting
- Mission 4 - Delivery: Take responsibility for organising and running part of the section programme
The modules are delivered by the District, usually over 1-2 training weekends so that the YLs can get together and share their experiences and interests. The Missions are to be achieved during the weekly meetings of the Section the YL works with and need the support of the Section Leaders/Assistants and the Group Scout Leader.
Module A must be completed within the first three months, and the YL should also receive a copy of the 'Orange Card' at this time (the Scout Association's safeguarding policy)
