Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association

Be Prepared For Adventure!

Guide To Starting Your Own Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association Group. Traditional Scouting For The 21st Century

www.traditionalscouting.co.uk

16 1 FUNDRAISING IDEAS Group Subs Usually around £25/term, but work out what you need. Termly subs rather than weekly subs will help cash flow. Events Bag Packing

Coffee Morning

Gang Show, or production of Friends of the Forest or Jungle Book

Scout Restaurant—let the scouts design men- us, cook and run a restaurant for the night!

Sponsored Walks

Christmas Fair

49 Club

Easyfundraising.com (raise money through online shopping—great website, quarterly pay- ments)

Cash 4 Clothes

Charity Catalogues—e.g Yellow Moon, Webb Ivory, Suttons Seeds Grants Awards for All £10,000

Community Foundation

Parish Council

County Council

Tesco

Co-op

Sign up to Funding Central for weekly alerts of

2 15 SCOUT GROUP EQUIPMENT Welcome to the STARTER KIT LIST A sense of humour Leader uniforms , Record Cards, Certificate Book and Badg- Baden-Powell es for Investiture - from B-PSA Supplies (details via the website) Scouts’ Association. Books/handbooks (Section handbooks and badge books, PAR, Child Protection Policy—can all be downloaded from You are considering a step that many have the website) taken and I feel confident that you will enjoy Books—Friends of the Forest, Jungle Book, Scouting for your scouting with us. Boys Joining the B-P Scouts’ Association at any Union Flag age, gives the individual an insight into how First Aid Kit to live life to the full and be the best that Ropes/twine for knotting and whipping they can be, through the outdoors and the Paper, pens values in our founder’s original programme. Balls for games and badge work Starting a new group can be a daunting NEXT STAGE—Cub Compasses, whistles, local OS maps, map cases process, and if you need any further help 1st Star and Scout Staves, bow saws, axes after reading this booklet and our web- Second Class Parade flags for each section (B-PSA Supplies) site: ww.traditionalscouting.co.uk, just Storage boxes pick up the phone, or send us an e- Patrol/Cub Camping equipment mail, and we’ll help you any way we (Patrol tents, dining shelters, group mess tent, toilet tents, can. We are a friendly lot. camping toilets, tables, benches, water carriers, gas stoves, We are also a progressive organisation gas bottles, washing up bowls, kitchen equipment—pots, working with new ideas and technologies pans, utensils, lamps, groundsheets) that support our values, including being a democracy. This gives every leader the op- Don’t be afraid to ask to borrow some of this equipment to portunity to shape our future, but also the get started! Lots of local groups will be able to help you out. responsibility to support each other. MOVING ON- Pulleys, penknives So I am looking forward to seeing you at WARDS—Cub 2nd Lightweight camping gear (hike tents, stoves) many National events, working with you to Star and Scout First deliver our programme and joining with you Class in the adventure. Graham Rutherford Chief Commissioner

THINKING POSITIVE Why not aspire to a scout minibus and HQ! 14 3

Leaders—Inspiring the Leaders in the B-PSA are trusted and ex- The Process of Starting a New Group Next Generation pected to operate safely. To aid them we By becoming a leader or adult helper in operate simple online procedures for Meet with your Area Identify a need the B-P Scouts’ Association you will be gaining permissions for camps, applying for warrants, or checking the require- Commissioner (AC) helping young people to be the best citi- Are there lots of children who could join your group? zens that they can be. ments for our adventurous activities, all After looking through this covered by world class, professional out- Identify leaders You don’t need to have any previous ex- guide and our website, we door industry insurance. You will be perience, just the motivation and commit- can offer you an induction You will need a minimum of two leaders to start a shown how to use this online system and ment to support young people and a little group and may decide you can only run limited sec- where to look for clarification on activity session to take you bit of get up and go to make things hap- tions at the start? requirements during your groups induc- through our policies, rules, pen. badges, and award system, Identify parental support tion. You will be offered a range of free courses health forms, uniform, You will need to form a Group Committee with a and experiences that will help you to record cards, insurance, While the daily management of the group Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. support this aim. They are great fun and activity requirements is as automated and simple as we can are tailored specifically to equip you with (qualifications etc), mini- make it, we also have a set of policies Identify a Meeting Place the skills, knowledge and confidence to bus permits, and answer which are relatively short and simple to Where and when could your group meet? run the programme for each section. all your queries about understand, which underpin the opera- tion of our organisation. You will be able getting started. Consider Resources The courses are: to get a copy of this via the members sec- Pre-Warrant Training Take a look at our starter kit list, and fundraising ideas tion of our web site or via your area com- Child Protection Training (annually) Second meeting with Warrant and Group Registration Process missioner electronically. It includes a rule Preliminary Training Course (Weekend) that there should be a minimum of 2 war- your AC. Your leaders will need to do a CRB check with the B- Wood Beads Camping Course (Week) ranted leaders at each meeting in order to For all the training and PSA, child protection training, pre-warrant training First Aid Course (1 day every 3 years) fulfil our child protection rules and to form filling, and to answer and provide references for the warrant application. Safety in the Hills, Training and Assess- safeguard leaders by having trained and trusted support. any more queries about Once you have 2 warranted leaders, we will be able to ment (2 weekends, equivalent to the the process and the Asso- issue a Temporary Group Registration, lasting one MLTE’s Walking Group Leader course, ciation. year, after which we will hopefully be able to renew it. with the addition of expedition skills) We also offer Bursary Funding for national Hold a Group Committee Meeting governing body qualification courses for As part of this meeting, you will need to agree at least activities such as canoeing, climbing, cav- 2 signatories for your bank account, which you’ll then ing, archery, mountain biking etc. need to open.

4 13

Rovers—Outdoors & Service Many Rovers are at university or move Advertise Baden-Powell first introduced Rover away for work but maintain their member- Scouting in 1918. There is no age limit, We have leaflets that you can tailor to your own ship of their Crew and join up with nation- simply a shared view that adults can group to help you recruit Beavers, Wolf Cubs, Scouts, al or international events by keeping in continue to grow and find happiness Senior Scouts, Rovers and more Leaders. contact via their Crew’s online network or through living their adult take on the through the facebook page ’Rovering To You will also need to find a fundraiser to get some Scout law and promise and enjoying Success’. cash into the bank! being in the outdoors. Our motto ‘service’ is taken seriously with I am Clive Gray and it is my privilege to many Rovers finding a real happiness Order Uniform and Badges be HQ commissioner for Rover Scouts. I through helping others in their communi- have been a Scout all my life and as a Leaders should have a uniform from the start—the ty or even supporting their own Scout group may like to pay for these to support the lead- Group as a Leader or Helper. ers. You will also need to order record cards to record So my best advice to you is to find adults the children’s progress, and a certificate book to apply in your area who are interested in, getting for the highest awards in each section, when they out and enjoying the outdoors together reach that stage. and join Rovering to Success on facebook. We can help you with the rest, including Third meeting with Plan a Programme working towards the Associations top your AC. Plan an exciting first night, and a programme for the award the B-P Award and you may even Your AC will come to your first term to enable the children to become invested retired Royal Marine Officer, hold a first meeting if possible, to and to give them a real taste of the fun and adventure number of outdoor leadership qualifi- of scouting. As the children join, their parents will cations, organise annual Rover adven- invest your new leaders need to fill in the B-PSA health form, and we recom- ture weekends, am setting up an expe- and formerly present their mend a gift aid form. Leaders will need to start record dition to sail to Antarctica and spend warrants. cards for them all and start to take orders for uniform time encouraging others to embrace life the same way. You only get one! early on , gives a sense of progression and belonging. Sign up for Training I enjoy seeing adults take on new chal- lenges and continue to grow. All our There are lots of training opportunities—first aid, awards are open to any age (except the Wood Beads, Safety in the Hills. It is also great to Gold DofE award which stops aged 25). grow a few Scout Leaders in the process! come to Area & National Camps to learn from others.

12 5

Senior Scouts—Look Inspiring Wide Camping, mountaineering, climbing, sur- Seniors is for male and female youths Over 100 years of vival, snow holing, caving, canoeing, aged 15 – 18. Their motto of ‘Look Wide’ kayaking, abseiling, forestry, pioneering, experience working with describes the sections philosophy; in sailing, travel abroad, teamwork, plan- which they are encouraged to actively young people, translated ning, and making life happen are all in a take control of their own management for today. days work for Senior Scouts with the sup- and programme. port of their leaders. It will thus come as The Baden-Powell Scouts’ Association’s no surprise that you are unlikely to find aim is to develop young people one leader who can do it all! through enjoying the outdoors and So, as your Seniors enjoy progressing learning traditional Scouting skills, sup- through their awards to gain their St ported by a progressive, democratic Georges Award, it will be important for and friendly organisation. your leaders to help them attend National and International events such as the Dis- We believe that our founder was right: covery Award, which is a four day self - True happiness can be found through supported expedition or join area activi- My name is Normal Boxall, the HQ Com- ties run by specialist, such as mountain helping others and an appreciation of missioner for Senior Scouts and I can tell leaders or survival experts. the outdoors. you that being a Senior Scouts is a great Finding the right leaders , with the confi- adventure! They make friends for life, dence to coach young people, know when doing things they never though they were We are a registered charity No. to turn to expert help and maintain the capable of and have fun all at the same 278525, have a child protection policy standards of the programmes we run, is time. that requires all leaders and helpers to my best advice as a priority for getting have a CRB check and are insured It has been my privilege to work with the started. through specialist outdoor insurers for young people and their leaders for many years to achieve a great range of goals all the activities we do. and awards (whilst overcoming whatever life throws at them along the way!) and I am particularly pleased that our pro- gramme is aligned to the Duke of Edin- burgh Awards Scheme, through to the Gold Award.

6 11 Progressive Programme Scouts—Be Prepared Scouts have the motto ‘Be Prepared’ and We run five uniformed sections for boys work through a progressive scheme of Hi, my name is Jay Dodson and I am the and girls across the age groups: skills learning, including planning and op- HQ Commissioner for Scouts. I have erating as a Patrol (a mixed age and expe- Beavers - 5 to 8 years old Scouted all my life and have a particu- rienced group of 6 to 8 led by an older lar passion for traditional outdoor skills Wolf Cubs - 8 to 11 year olds Scout). They run their own camps and such as pioneering, backwoodsmanship expeditions. Activities increase in terms of and the Patrol system. Scouts - 11 to 15 year olds adventure and include climbing, canoeing, pioneering and hill walking. Patrols consist of six to eight girls and Senior Scouts - 15 to 18 year olds boys aged 11 to 15, one of whom is the Senior Scouts operate with the motto Patrol Leader and another, the Second, Rover Scouts—18 years onwards. ’Look Wide’ and build on the levels of self who between them share the responsi- is to find leaders who are already com- Our programme is based on Baden- sufficiency and outdoor adventure oper- bility, with an adult Leader, for disci- mitted to taking their Scouts away at Powell’s original writings, reinterpreted ating on a global stage and can do the pline, activity planning and training weekends or in the holidays to do these for the 21st century, which progressively Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh less experienced members. things. Also, if they haven't got the skills builds practical, outdoor & social skills, Award. Leaders encourage the section to Most of the Troops activities will be run already, to sign up for Woodbeads training planning, teamwork & leadership ability manage their own activities through using Patrols including the planning as soon as possible and network with oth- and is reflected in our different approach- coaching. and running of Patrol camps, hikes and er leaders in your area to see what can be es for each section. Rover Scouts have the motto ’Service’ and entering local Area and National com- offered by working together. We are a The Beaver Scout motto is ‘Busy and are a fellowship of the outdoors, pushing petitions. friendly bunch and only too happy to help Bright’ and the closely supervised and their own personal development through each other out. It is essential for Scouts to take part structured activities develop social and adventure and volunteering . There is no in a range of outdoor adventures such My final piece of advice is to focus initially practical skills and an initial experience of upper limit to age and awards are based as camping, hiking, survival and cook- on the programme and the badge scheme the outdoors through games, crafts, on national governing body qualifications ing on open fires and thus my advice that is outlined in the Scout handbooks. It walks, sleepovers and fun. and the DofE Gold award. is written to reflect the areas that Baden- Wolf Cubs have the motto ‘Do Your Best’ Powell originally identified as key to a and join in with activities and games Scout’s development and has stood the based around the story of the Jungle test of time. Book. They are beginning to learn to per- I will look forward to seeing you at the form practical skills under supervision National Scout events that are organised and work as a team. They go camping, every year to take the pressure off Troop walking, and light fires as well as inter- leaders and share best practice. esting visits. Above all it is safe and fun.

10 7

Beavers - Busy and Bright Wolf Cubs—Do Your Best

Sheena Dodson, HQ Commissioner for My second tip would be to sign your lead- Whilst in the Colony the Beavers learn the Cub Scouts. ers up to their first weekend leader train- ‘Friends of the Forest' story which is about ing as soon as possible. It really helps to a beaver growing up and moving onto be a get the ideas and knowledge to make Wolf Cub. your pack the place to be.

This story forms a foundation for them to Usually Wolf Cub Camp is the first experi- learn about their local community, county, ence any young person gets of camping country and the wider world by visiting (without Mum or Dad) with friends. They local public services and places of interest learn how to look after themselves and while having their first experience of being their belongings and help each other. Camp activities are well planned and su- in a team (we call them Lodges) As HQ Commissioner for Cub Scouts I rec- pervised by the leaders to ensure the Hello, my name is Lyn Tomlinson. I am ognise the key step change that is built Wolf Cups are kept busy, active, happy the HQ Commissioner for Beaver All of this goes towards ensuring Beavers into the Wolf Cub programme. In 1916, and having bags of fun!! A successful Wolf Scouts. As a beaver leader for 10 years achieve their four footprint badges for Lord Baden-Powell set up Wolf Cubs for Cub BEAMS: and also a Group Scout Master, I know Learning, Creating, Exploring and Discover- the younger brothers of the Scouts who what it means to run a group and a ing before aiming to achieve their Dam were desperate to join in the fun. Wolf Be Prepared - A healthy, active & alert Beaver Colony! I am sure you will soon Builder badge. Cubs are girls and boys aged 8-10 and are mind realise that while Beavers are our based around ‘Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Enjoy Life - A happy approach to every- youngest members (boys and girls aged They also get together with other Colonies Book’, where a young boy, brought up by thing you do 5-8), they live up to their motto of for fun days and are even able to go camp- a Wolf pack, has to learn to develop to be Achieve More - An opportunity to expand "Busy and Bright" and form the founda- ing or on sleepovers for a night which is an a self-sufficient man. Leaders even take personal goals tion of your future group. important step for their future in Scouting. their names from Jungle Book animals. Make a Difference - A chance to help & support others If I could offer any advice, when getting The best advice I can give you is to find Stay Safe - with an understanding of the started it would be to find leaders who leaders who enjoy this age group and world in which we live. are genuinely interested in the outdoors will take great care to ensure they offer and this formative age group and focus a varied and balanced programme initially on planning your programme including outdoor activities, learning around the progressive training that you camp fire songs, learning and sharing will find in the handbook. It is tried and and of course, playing team games. All tested and will stand your cubs in good of this is aimed at developing confi- stead while having a huge amount of fun. dence in a social and safe environment

8 9