Youth Shaped Scouting is a country wide movement that encourages Scouts to make sure they are getting involved with the way their Scouting is run. This usually has the biggest effect in Explorers in which Explorers are expected to take a frontal role in planning what they want to and occasionally running their own evening.
It usually is up to the choice of the Leadership Team of a Scout troop to decide on how they do it. We do it properly about once a year, with the PL’s and APL’s taking over the main part of the evening to give them a feel for what its like. We also tell them we won’t come planned with anything so its up to them to entertain the Scouts. Tonight was that night.
We took flag as normal and did a quick inspection before we handed over. There is a gap forming between 1st and 2nd place for the patrol point competition. I encourage every Scout to really get their uniform and hygiene in gear to score those, what are essentially, free points. Every point matters!
I was genuinely quite impressed with the overall organisation of the PL’s and APL’s as were the other leaders. Their team was divided into different teams which were responsible for different things. One team was responsible for running the game whilst the other teams got their bases setup for their larger activity. The PL’s and APL’s had organised a form of Scavenger Hunt where the Scouts had to find bases hidden around the grounds. These bases tested different skills such as concentration or Scout knowledge and each rewarded a key. Once a patrol had 3 keys they had to nominate 1 person to go solve a riddle. The riddle led to a prize in the fridge under the guise of something Centurion Scouts ‘stored’. Knowledge of inside jokes ultimately won the day. Sorry CJ you were so close!
It was all very well executed and we discussed everything that was done well and what they could have improved. We also let the Scouts give their feedback as well. The team also discussed how they found the planning process and what they thought they could have done better.
We will be definitely using some of the various ideas you guys had in the future! Well done!
Quick mention to Anna, who has been putting in work to catch up on some of her challenge badges. We most definitely encourage Scouts to do this if they feel like it. It means there’s a good chance we won’t have to chase the Scouts up about badges for their award come the time they leave us. Remember in addition to the challenge badges you need at least 6 activity badges.
Scouts: If you have any hobbies we would love to hear about them because we get to hear how awesome you all are and you may get a badge to boot.
If any parents would like any guidance on what the Scouts may be able to do of their own accord towards their award please ask!
Next week will be the last session this side of half term. We will be tackling some more advanced pioneering so we will be outside. (Weather permitting as always.)
Have a wonderful rest of your week and see you Friday!
Ellis
