Young Leaders

“Young Leaders” are 14-18 year old’s who are part of the Leadership team of one of the younger sections in Scouting (Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts). They help run activities and games and generally contribute to the success of the weekly meetings, outings and camps.

Young Leaders’ Scheme

The “Young Leaders’ Scheme” helps Young Leaders to gain a better understanding of their work with the younger sections, more confidence in a leadership role and hence greater enjoyment and benefit from being a Young Leader.

The Scheme comprises of ten training “Modules”:

  • 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
  • Module G: Programme plans
  • Module H: Programme plans plus
  • Module I: What did they say?
  • Module K: First Aid

There are also four “Missions” for Young Leaders to complete as part of the Scheme:

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: Programme 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

All of the training is fun and worthwhile!

Module A is compulsory for all Young Leaders (as it provides vital information on the Purpose and Method of Scouting, Child Protection, Risk Assessment, etc…

All other Modules are optional, and count towards your Young Leader Award.

  • Modules A –  I last for 1 hour 30 minutes and are free of charge – we normally run these biweekly on a Wednesday evening.
  • Module K is a one day First Response course (for which there is a modest charge).