;

Paper circulation to CC/ACs, ACC/AACs, CSNetC/ASNetCs, County/Area Advisers working with Sections, Special Needs, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Activities, and Headquarters 100 List

Roger Starr - National Commissioner for Programme
programme@scout.org.uk

It is good to say that the first issue of Programme Points has been well received and found to be useful. The prime purpose is to give support to those who the National Programme Team (NPT) are pledged to support -- particularly Sectional ACCs and AACs - but also others who need to be in the know, listed above. However, you tell us that there are others that could usefully be included. To reach these folk, we have decided to put Programme Points on ScoutBase, so that nearly anyone who wants to can read it. Those listed above will continue to receive paper copies.

You will know that Graham Coulson has been appointed as National Commissioner for Development as from 1st January 2003. His colleagues will miss him as Beaver Scout Commissioner. We wish him well and offer our wholehearted support and best wishes in the challenge before him.

A Search Group has been at work to find a successor and Marylyn Evans, DCC from Norfolk, has agreed to take on the role in the Summer. Further details about Marylyn will follow in due course. Thanks to all those who showed an interest in this post. Support Team membership remains unchanged for the present.

I am not sure how long we can continue to call the Programme "new". It seems that take up of the content is rapid. However, to help us gauge what is actually happening, we have asked County / Area Commissioners, and through them their Teams (you!) to help us take a 'snapshot' of the take up by April this year. By monitoring this, the NPT will be able to direct support where it is needed and share good practice and lessons learnt. Your support for this work - part of NPT's ongoing project. CheckOut ... the Programme - will be greatly helpful. The 'snapshot' is part of our plan to monitor implementation and success in a variety of ways, both now and into the future. We shall continue to support the old Programme and Venture Scouts until December if required. In the meantime please continue to report any difficulties you come across with the "new" Programme, however minor.

In some Counties/Areas, few moves have been made to set up the Network. Appointments appear not to have been made, or are in some places -- yes - ineffective. David Williamson in his column explains our fears but I want now to flag up that we have but a very short time to recruit those from last year's Membership before they disappear from the Scouting scene entirely. The responsibility here is explicitly that of the County/Area Commissioner: we have but one chance to get this right and any further delay may cause problems for the future.

The autumn round was very useful both to the NPT and, we believe, to ACCs/AACs and others participating. Most of you find the HQ contribution to your meetings to be worthwhile and we all benefit from the opportunity to meet one another. There have been significant improvements to the administration of arrangements, although there is still room for improvement.

For example, I am not confident that minutes/action points from panel meetings reach all members and the relevant National Commissioner (please send these directly to Gilwell for forwarding). The exchange of good ideas as a standing item on agendas is very good practice. I would suggest these meetings are not the place to plan events: a separate working group would be better. The NPT have made suggestions to CCs/ACs as to the ways that young people may contribute in a meaningful way to Regional meetings. We would also advocate that each ACC/AAC brings along a 'bright spark' -- a Leader who would be interested to see what goes on. Who knows what could come from this...

Good work is being put in to develop provision of easy-to-use programme material around the theme of the Environment. The idea is to encourage uptake of the Group Environment Award. A number of well known partners in this field are being recruited to help us deliver an exciting package, including programme themes and items, project work and a competition, all with Web-based support. We are also trying out a new method of distribution where you - the 'movers and shakers' - get a free copy so that you can 'sell' the material. A range of flyers and advertisements will appear to advertise the package to Section Leaders that will be available at a low cost in September for use in programmes during 2004. The package will have a long shelf life and will remain a resource to support the Award in later years.

The preparations for these events gathers pace, information is available on www.euro2005.org and www.scouting2007.org Each County/Area will be appointing a '2007 Agent' to focus our minds on the opportunities for us at these stupendous events.

Preparations are underway to provide Districts with material to support the Scheme after the Committee of Council approved it at its November meeting. This will empower adults to take young people (ie. those under 18) away overnight, rather as a driving licence permits holders to drive on all public roads. This will do away with the PC Form procedure and aims to increase camping and all other sorts of residential events in Scouting. There will be a special Event Passport to allow under 18's to lead these events with appropriate support and supervision. The advantages of the Scheme are that it will:-

• make it easier to take young people away by reducing red tape

• set clear expectations of what it means to run a residential or camping experience

• ensure residential and camping experiences are of high quality

• reassure parents that those leading an event have the appropriate skills and experience

• increase the confidence of adults by acknowledging they have the appropriate skills

• keep Commissioners informed about what is happening in their area

• allows some events to be led by young people, appropriately supervised and supported

• be simple to operate

The timetable for introduction is:

District and County/Area Commissioners will receive information packs with full supporting material in the spring and they will want to share this with you. The Scheme will operate alongside the existing PC Form system until September 2004 when the latter will cease. POR will be revised accordingly.

Please tell us what you would like to see in this publication. It is important that it is useful to you -- and a first step is to make sure it reaches you!

Your appointment

Could you therefore make sure that HQ knows about your appointment if you are new, and that the Programme and Development office knows your address and email details if you are online.

Don't forget that not only can you contact myself but also Greg Stewart (Assistant Director for Programme and Development), and the relevant National Commissioner via the P&D offices.

Roger Starr
National Commissioner for Programme

Graham Coulson - National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts
beaver.scout@scout.org.uk

By now you will have heard that I no longer head up the Section and I will have moved onto a new role as for Development. As with any new role we take on, there will many new opportunities and challenges, and I look forward to this, sound in the knowledge that all my time with Beaver Scouts will enhance my future work with regards to development.

For those of you who were able to attend the last round of Communication and Consultation meetings, then you will remember that reducing waiting lists is a fairly high priority piece of work. I would be most grateful if you could pass on how you are getting on to the office as soon as possible.

Some of you raised issues around the operation of Activity Badges and were thinking of running some 'Activity Badge days' for Beavers. Please, please first concentrate your efforts on ensuring that the Colonies in your Counties/Area are operating the Balanced Programme. Reassure them that if they are doing this properly, then the Activity Badges will fall out of participation in the Balanced Programme quite naturally.

It is important that we in this Section play an active part in ensuring that these two Sections are up and running within the County/Area. Why? Well, we must ensure that there are opportunities for our present Beaver Scouts to continue to experience an exciting and challenging Balanced Programme that stretches and develops them further in the older Sections. So get on the phone and nag your County/Area Commissioner about making this provision and if at all possible offer your help and support.

I hope you will indulge me while I take a moment to thank a few people on our behalf. It would not have been possible for me to have faced up to the challenges of being National Commissioner without the help of a number of people, especially National Beaver Scout Support or Core Team members in the guise of Marina Powers, Mark Lyddon, Nicola Beale & Gill Sharman. Also to the Beaver Scout regional reps and of course to Greg Stewart, Sarah Hobbs, Verity Steddon and Roger Starr, all of whom have been most supportive over the last few years. Of course all of you - and those in your life who allow you to do what you do for all our young people - have indeed played a part in helping me take the Section forward. I hope you will continue to do so in the future as long your own commitments allow.

That's all the news from me at the moment, apart from wishing Marylyn Evans well as she takes over this great Section of ours. With much love and happiness for the future.

Ian Railton - National Commissioner for Cub Scouts
cub.scout@scout.org.uk

Who said this?

'I can do the things at Cubs I can't do at school'.

I'll let you know at the end of this column - no peeping beforehand!

The Cub Support Team expands! No, we haven't all put on weight over Christmas -- instead, we've welcomed Graeme Hamilton to it! Graeme was appointed Assistant Area Commissioner for Cub Scouts for Greater Glasgow late last year. I was delighted with the appointment, as I've known him since we worked on the Millennium Pack together. His appointment came at a time when I was looking for an ACC/AAC to take on a role in the Support Team of assessing the support that we give to new Commissioners after their appointment. From my own experience, this was very much a case of being put in the picture about my own County - but not about the national issues that were affecting Cubs. Was it the same for you? Graeme's role over the next two years, therefore, is to look at what we currently do here, speak with newly appointed Commissioners and find out what they should receive to help them in the crucial early weeks and months of the appointment. It would be very helpful to Graeme if you have any thoughts on this subject if you could send them to him via the Cub Scout Office at Gilwell.

In the near future we are intending to provide support by promoting Pack Forums and Pack Leadership Forums. I've written about these in the Cub Scout pages of March's Scouting Magazine. After you've read the article, if you feel you could help us, or know someone who has particular expertise in these areas, then please contact me via the Cub Scout Office.

By the time you read this, members of the Team will have been on the road visiting Wales, and the North West and East Anglia Region meetings. As usual, we will be listening to your successes and hopefully help with your present problems. Whilst meeting you, we will be interested in hearing about your current Census Membership numbers. As you know, we have been losing on average 10,000 Cubs a year for the past five years. Yet at the same time, every County and Area has potential Members on waiting lists! Last year in some Regions we asked what was happening to these waiting lists. Were spaces being found for would-be Members in existing Packs, or were new Packs being opened to accommodate them? It would be really useful if you could bring your figures along to the Communication & Consultation meetings this year.

At the end of March, we will be holding our first 'Flying the Flag' Day, these being an induction to the role for new AACs/ACCs (Cub Scouts). This is obviously linked to Graeme's work mentioned earlier. Although the first one is being held at Gilwell Park, future ones may be held in different parts of the UK. At present, we have eight attending, which is a third of those invited. We'll let you know how useful participants found it.

It is now a year since the new Programme was first launched and probably about six months since many Packs changed over to it. We have had letters, emails and comments from meetings, both good and a very few not so good, about the Programme. Most comments have been about the Powerpack - its contents and 'stickability'. Many of you like the new format, some of you don't. Please bear in mind that the Powerpack is not intended to be the Cub Scout Handbook produced anew.

Several people have pointed out that unlike the Section Programme resource for Beaver Scouts and Scouts, Pack Programmes does not contain a Balanced Programme checker. This was a production oversight for which we apologise. This item will be included in subsequent reprints, but please feel free to download it from the Cub Scout pages on ScoutBase and add it to your file. At the same time, please can you inform the Packs in your Area or County of availability here.

Who said, 'I can do the things at Cubs I can't do at school'? You would have thought it was a Cub, wouldn't you - but it wasn't. It was said to his Group Scout Leader by a Cub Scout Leader who is also a Deputy Head Teacher. As I said in the Cub Scout pages in October's Scouting magazine, we need to make sure our Pack Meetings are NOT like school. They need to be 'worksheet-free' zones where the Cub Scouts are physically active and having fun through the magic of the Balanced Programme!

Linda Thelwell - National Commissioner for Scouts
scout@scout.org.uk

Winter is now well behind us and with the onset of spring, I am sure we are all looking forward to better weather, lighter evenings and more opportunities to get the young people out and about!

The thought of better weather takes my mind back to the weekend of 10 -12th January and the annual Scout Winter Camp held at Gilwell. If you were lucky enough to attend, I am sure you would agree that conditions turned out to be perfect. Although the temperature was freezing, we had crisp nights and clear blue skies with bright sunshine. What more could one ask for at a winter camp? Over 1100 Scouts and Explorer Scouts with 400 Leaders (some travelling large distances from such places as Wales, Cumbria and Leicestershire) were in camp. All were treated to a programme of activities around the theme of 'Hollywood and the Movies'. The weekend was hosted and supported by the Campsite staff and Service Crew at Gilwell Park. A fantastic atmosphere abounded during the whole weekend. One amusing point I share was on the Sunday morning when, feeling particularly cold, I noticed Scouts coming from the tuck shop eating of all things 'ice pops! I must be getting soft in my old age...

As I travel around the Country I see more and more Troops using the new Programme. I am delighted to report the feedback is that the content is very good and is easy to manage and implement. We now need to give our Leaders and Troops time to work with it and become familiar with how it's parts fit together. When talking with Leaders about the new methods of working, we all need to stress the importance of Troops visiting all the Programme Zones within a set period of time, say a year. This will ensure a Balanced Programme is given. In so doing, the Scouts will find that they are completing the Challenge Awards automatically. We also need to be stressing that if a Scout shows a particular interest in one of these areas they can then use the appropriate Activity Badge to take the experience further.

The ACC/AAC Scout Induction Day being held at Gilwell on Saturday 17 May 2003 is proving popular but we are still accepting applications. So if you have received the details and just not applied yet, it is time to send your booking off. If you would like to attend but have not received information, contact the Scout Office at Gilwell Park.

The Scout Support Team are conscious of how much is asked of Leaders. All are busy people with lots of demands, so we have been thinking of ways we can save Leaders time and effort. One idea is "Programme in a Box". Many of the ideas currently available require Leaders to go away and work out the details themselves. Our intention is to provide 'ready made' Programmes, which will come complete with all the necessary paperwork and backup material. For example, rather than just suggesting Leaders run a game of inter-Patrol Battleships, we provide them with a copy grid, the values of all the ships, a clear set of rules -- a complete set of what is required to run the game. We are very much at the design stage with the concept. Could I request that if you have a favourite Programme idea worked up, just sitting on your computer ready to go and you would be prepared to share with colleagues, then you send it to us at the Scout Office? How the new resource will look we have yet to decide, but all contributions will be gratefully acknowledged, and I will keep you informed of developments.

Administrative support for Air Scouting and Sea Scouting has been moved from the Activities Office to the Scout Office. We have recently appointed two new Advisers to the National Programme Team in these areas: Chris Shaw for Air Scouting and Daragh O'Malley for Sea Scouting. Either can be contacted through the Scout Office.

I would just like to bring a couple of things to your attention on the Air and Sea Programme. The Nautical Skills Activity Badges have replaced the previous Seamanship Proficiency Badges and although designed particularly with Sea Scouts in mind, they can be achieved by any Scout in any Troop with an active water-based Programme. The same is true for the Air Activity Badges. Please encourage Leaders to study 'Troop Essentials' and see how they can fit these badges into the Balanced Programme. Secondly, all Scouts - but particularly Air Scouts - need to watch out for special articles in Scouting Magazine over the next few months to celebrate 100 years of manned powered flight. The articles will include lots of airborne themes to support the Programme Zones. The new Aviation Skills Activity Badges support the Air programme but in this centenary year, wouldn't it be a good idea for every Scout to gain one of these badges?

Those of you familiar with the magazine will have noticed some changes in the Scout pages. Our thanks go to Steve Tupper who has produced our Sectional pages over the last few years and is standing down as sub Editor. He has given us many exciting articles to use and ponder over. We welcome Andrew Corrie (a Scout Leader and ACC (Scouts) in Greater Manchester) to the role and look forward to what will be an equally informative but different approach.

Since these pages were updated for the new Programme six months ago, we have been working to develop the Scout Section pages further. Keep logging on to keep track of useful new information as it appears.

The Scout Association and the British Mountaineering Council are now working in partnership. This will allow Members access to BMC membership, information, publications and services at much reduced rates. For further information email activities@scout.org.uk or info4scouts@thebmc.co.uk.

English Heritage has produced a free 12-page Leader's booklet to support this badge, along with a colourful A2 size promotional poster. To find out more about free admission to over 400 historic sites countrywide and other initiatives call 0870 333 1181 or visit their website www.HeritageEducation.net

The Scout Support Team, the Scout Office and myself are always pleased to hear from you via phone, email or letter. Whether you have good practice to share, or a problem where you need help, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Graham Haddock - National Commissioner for Explorer Scouts
explorer.scout@scout.org.uk

World Jamboree

I have just recently returned from the 20 th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand. Nearly 2300 Explorer Scouts enjoyed what can truly be described as the experience of a lifetime. As National Commissioner, I was most encouraged to see our new Section in action. What I saw left me speechless on several occasions:-

• witnessing 2500 Explorer Scouts and Leaders give a standing ovation to a breathtaking display of dancing on crutches and in wheelchairs by a group of disabled orphans left me in no doubt that we can make an impact on their development spiritually. I can't remember being so moved in the recent past ...

• seeing almost 400 Explorer Scouts on the stage at the closing ceremony left me in tears... and I am not ashamed to admit it. It suddenly struck home that what we are doing in developing this new Section WILL work. We have much to offer the 14-18 years olds in the UK, and our product is good. No, it is better than good, it is excellent!!

• I hope that the feedback you receive from your own local Explorer Scouts who attended will be as positive as my own. Make sure that you capitalise on the injection of enthusiasm for our new Section that has been generated to help make a success of Explorers UK-wide.

The Young Leader Scheme material was launched as part of the autumn Adult Support briefings and has been well received. All of the feedback has been tremendously positive. Several Counties and Areas have already used the material on YL training courses. Extra copies of the YL Scheme can be purchased from the Information Centre, priced £10:00. Factsheets for Explorer Scouts can now be downloaded from ScoutBase in Navigator File format. Recognition for completion of YL training modules should be recorded on Certificates of Achievement. In response to several requests, consideration is being given to the introduction of a YL badge to be worn on the uniform.

We have had several suggestions that the Navigator File could benefit from more content, particularly in terms of the requirements for Activity badges. To address this, we are currently preparing the Activity Badge requirements in a format that will fit into the Navigator File. These should be downloadable from ScoutBase in the near future.

The one-off newsletter sent to DESCs and ACC/AACs has been welcomed. I will continue to monitor the development of our new Section closely over the coming year and will assess the need here. At present there are no plans to make this a regular feature, but if needs be --then this can be reviewed.

Following a considerable number of responses to my request for a view on the need for these, I am pleased to report that our proposal to produce the shirts was approved both by the NPT and the Programme & Development sub Committee. The General Purposes sub Committee will now consider our proposal at their next meeting.

DESC II and DESC III, held at Gilwell Park in October and December were both resounding successes as was DESC Scotland (February 2003). DESC IV (April 2003) is now full. There are still places available on DESC V (October 2003) -- but book soon to avoid disappoint-ment. Discussions with the Adult Support Team are ongoing to determine whether we can fit any more courses in at Gilwell. In the meantime, the course material is freely available from the Explorer Scout Office if you want to run a course in your own patch.

The first Explorer Scout L1 course will be run at Gilwell Park during the week 9 th to 13 th June 2003. Please encourage your Explorer Scout Leaders to sign up soon -- places are going quickly.

Induction days for new ACC/AAC Explorer Scouts are planned for the Spring. Dates are available from Gilwell Park.

Work continues on this requested resource. I hope to have the finished product ready to use by April this year.

Oz Oscroft has now completed his term of appointment on my Support Team. Sincerest thanks are due to Oz for a tremendous amount of work over the past few years, both in terms of helping develop the Explorer Scout Programme material, and in being a valuable support for me. Mel Palmer from Devon has replaced Oz. Mel is currently the County Explorer Scout Adviser in Devon and has agreed to take responsibility for the production of the Explorer Scout pages in Scouting Magazine. Welcome aboard, Mel.

David Williamson - National Commissioner for Scout Network
scout.network@scout.org.uk

Yes, its up and running... For some of you, Scout Network will still be something on the drawing board or very new but in some Counties/Areas Network is already up and running, delivering an effective Programme devised by its members and arranged within a clear structure. For example, in August I was able to attend a Network Expedition for fifty to the French Alps run entirely by members of the Section. Again, at the end of November one of the first Queen's Scout Award certificates was presented by the Chief Scout to a Network member. The first Scout Network Colour Party and Readers are preparing to take part in the St. George's Day Parade and National Scout Service in Windsor in April this year.

Hopefully by April this year the structure will be in place in every County/Area in the UK to make Network provision a reality for all. There is a way to go in some places where Explorer Scouting is up and running BUT the Network is not: this is no use at all to our ex Explorers, Ventures and younger Section Leaders (Network is designed for them as well). It is not our aim to encourage people to change from Venture Scouting to the Network before they are ready, but there is a real need for Network to be a reality before support for the old Programme stops at the end of 2003. There simply must be somewhere for those who reached the top end of Ventures last year and have moved to college or university to go to. People won't be able to join something that doesn't exist! It is squarely the County/Area job to make sure that a Network is up and functioning asap, otherwise we are in grave danger of losing these people from Scouting altogether. We will not be forgiven if we missed this opportunity. We want a 100% transition, so make sure all of our existing Venture and Explorer Scouts and young Leaders can connect to an up-and-running Network NOW.

Now that we are moving out of the launch phase, there is a need to support the development of a sustainable, high quality Programme. In the midst of big flashy launch events, we mustn't forget that our members take part in Network to enjoy an active ongoing Programme. The new Balanced Programme works for Network just as well as for Explorer Scouting and we must make sure that our Members are aware of all it has to offer. In the Programme there are the personal Awards which give our members something tangible to take to college, university or job interviews. It is part of the Commissioner's role to make sure that members are up to speed with the all the possibilities that exist within Network -- once they know, I guarantee they will run with it!

One of the real pleasures of this role is to attend Network events and hear directly from Members what it is they want Network to become -- and now they have the chance to make it what they want. The range of opportunities already made available has been amazing. We've had:-

• the immense 'Twist' event in Scotland in September where a real sense of camaraderie was developed as Members tackled water activities on the Forth;

• an assault course;

• and a 'It's a Knockout' competition in a water park in the early hours;

• in Dorset a 'Rocky Horror' and Panto evening to launch Network and Explorer Scouting;

• and an investiture of the first GLSW Network Members held in the Admiral's cabin on board HMS Belfast on the Thames.

As we write this Programme Points, plans are being developed for 'Connected' a big event to be run by West Lancashire over the Easter weekend, open to all Network and SSAGO Members from the UK. It has given the Support Team a real buzz to see the Network at work, holding its first events and Conferences, producing activity ideas, and inventing programmes and structures -- efforts that will undoubtedly pay off.

To be able to attend the many Programme events and meetings around the UK requires a considerable team effort. Members of the Support Team eventually get parole for good behaviour so we will soon have some places on the Team to fill! If you know of Members or Network Commissioners or Administrators interested in working to support the Section in this way, pop their names into the Network Office at Gilwell. When suitable vacancies come along we will get in touch. Likely people need to be pretty mobile and have just a bit of free time! For those of you who prefer working from your keyboard, Network is always seeking sub editors to write the Network pages for Scouting Magazine. Ideally, such a person(s) would be actively involved in Network on their patch and be able to provide 'real world' advice and support to others.

It is very easy to hold back but as I have stressed, now is the time for the last of us to be making plans for the transition. There are loads of questions to be answered and ideas to think about: How many local Networks? How many specialist Networks and attached to what activity? Where to put the local Networks; finding out who the Network co-ordinators are; choosing how many and which other supporters are needed to help to get Network going; finding and planning with a Network Administrator; working out a promotional strategy; devising a new Members pack; developing your database and finding out where Members are living; developing relationships with local SSAGO groups; working out how the Conference will run and when; setting up the Queen's Scout Award procedure, etc. There could still be a fair bit to do, and - like Pandora's box -- I guarantee you won't know quite how much is to be done until you lift the lid!

In many Counties/Areas a useful crossover is develop-ing between involving 'young people' in the running of their County/Area as members of the County/Area Executive, and their involvement in developing representative structures within their own Network. There are also possibilities for Network representation at Region 'Consultation & Communication' meetings. Dan Wood and other members of the Support Team have helped devise a weekend workshop to develop personal knowledge and useful skills for those elected young people on the Council of The Scout Association or on County/Area Executives or on the Scout delegation to the British Youth Council.

The Network Support Team is beavering away producing the resources and support identified as needed on our travels and from the two Network Commissioner Courses held at Gilwell in 2002. There will be two more Courses on offer in 2003. At the County/Area Commissioners' Conference in November in leading discussion with a small group of CCs/ACs we were able to identify how their Networks had got up and running and share some good practice. Recent work has included providing advice, resources and factsheets to cover the procedure for the new Queen's Scout Award certificate and badge; the Criminal Records Bureau and equivalent checking for would be Members; and arrangements for transfers between Networks. These resources are available on the ScoutBase website. In addition, Tim Pike has been working with GirlGuiding UK and SSAGO to clarify and devise simple materials to help Network support the work of SSAGO clubs in universities. We promised an 'On Line Community' for Network Commissioners and this is now at the final stage. Looking ahead, focus groups of Network Members have been working with Liz Clark on ideas for promotional materials. With representatives of the Explorer Scout and Scout Support Teams, work has begun on developing a resource to help Members in decision making and in leadership roles.

Along with Network and International Team members, Craig Turpie is heading up the Roverway experience in Portugal this summer. Carl Hankinson is developing plans to promote the World Moot in Taiwan to Network Members in 2004. Note however it definitely is the time to promote the Moot NOW rather than in 2004! To register for information about the Moot, email moot2004@scout.org.uk and check out the website www.moot2004.org.uk

We have managed to get someone from the Support Team to every Region or Country meeting to date. We have found them really useful sounding boards -- which goes some way to explain the odd topics that we seem particularly interested in! It has been really good to see Network Members having a real say as at one consultation meeting in the West Midlands, where Network Chairs and Representatives worked alongside Network Commissioners, discussing the development issues facing the Network. The self help possibilities generated from these meetings is already bearing fruit - Network people in the East Midlands have also started working together to share support, advice, sharing Programme opportunities, events etc.

If you are new to your Network Commissioner or Administrator role, have not been receiving information from us, or need to be added to our list of Commissioners and Administrators, or just want to find a solution to your problem... contact the Network Office at Gilwell.

Hamish Stout - National Commissioner for Venture Scouts
venture.scout@scout.org.uk

Countdown to December 31st 2003

Scouting is for young people -- ALL young people. In these times of change, we need to do everything possible to prevent young people from drifting away from Scouting. Successful transition from Venture Scouting means 100% transition and that, in turn, means:

• 100% of Venture Scouts as at 2002 Census (and all who have joined since!) still to be Members in January 2004.

• 100% of all Leaders and Commissioners with Venture Scout in their role title still appropriately involved in January 2004 -- unless they have "retired" by mutual consent.

• We retain total focus on the needs of young people so that programmes are exciting and enjoyable, and they make appropriate progression in 2003, ie. Venture Scout Award, Queen's Scout Award, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Explorer Belt...

In this time of change we must, above all, keep the faith with our young people. Please, please plan for 100% transition -- and use the three checks above, even if you think that your transition is completed. If your Unit or District does not "score" 100% by these checks, what do YOU need to do to enable the 100% criteria to be achieved? The Venture Scout pages in Scouting Magazine will focus on transition, so keep an eye out for this practical advice

In some Units and Districts, Venture Scouting has come to a natural end, whilst in others transition has hardly started. For the whole of 2003, please ensure that wherever there is Venture Scouting it remains supported and nurtured, so that the 100% transition requirement can be achieved. This is the ultimate 'Win-Win' situation for everyone.

We deliberately have not pumped up the nation with talk of huge parties or other massive celebrations as Venture Scouting finally moves into a new era. Many of our Members will have moved on. But that said, it would seem to be a great shame for it to go out with little more than a whimper. So... what might your County/Area do to recognise the past and celebrate the future? Why not put on a bit of a bash, making it positive and fun, inviting key people ("young" and "old") who have been involved over the years -- and those now involved with Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network. Several such events are already in our diaries. Hamish or members of the Support Team would like to visit as many of these or other events as is practical, so if you are organising one -- or know of someone who is -- please get in touch via the 14-25 Office at Gilwell.

All of the key VS publications will continue to be available through 2003. Contact the Information Centre for details. As a reminder, they are:

• The Venture Scout Training Scheme
• Venture Scout method of operation leaflet
• Plan Ahead!
• National Record of Achievement + VS notes
• Things can only get better!
• The Executive File
• Getting Organised
• Explorer Belt Planning Guide
• Time Zone
• Getting Noticed
• Queen's Scout Award Support Pack for District Commissioners (assessing the Queen's Scout Award from the Venture Scout Programme).

Alex Minajew - National Commissioner for Activities
activities@scout.org.uk

It is great that when you do a web-search on the word 'activity' invariably ScoutBase and other Scouting web-sites pop-up. That goes to show the importance of activities to us and is one-step towards 'Shouting for Scouting'. So, what are we doing to take activities another step further?

At the time of going to press, we are preparing a stand for this greatly expanded show, promoting the idea that members of the activity community can go 'One Step Further' by supporting Scouting in the field of adventurous activities. Our guest 'star' is Andrew Cooney, the 23 year-old Scout Leader who recently became the youngest person to reach the South Pole, something that gained widespread media attention. We will also be using the opportunity to do some 'Shouting about Scouting' to the fifty thousand plus visitors expected. The event has been publicised in the February and March issues of Scouting Magazine, with a special offer of pre-event ticket prices, at the door, for those that turn up in uniform. It is likely that the whole of the National Programme Team who are meeting in Birmingham will call in too.

The volunteer team at Headquarters has been re-organised and restructured in a two-year plan towards being more expansive in supporting Scouting. We have appointed Project Leaders for Resources & Marketing, and Supporting Assessors, and are still searching for someone to lead the support of Creative Activities, in its broadest sense.

One immediate piece of work will be development of an 'A-Z of Activities' on ScoutBase, where the aim is to have a user-friendly and informative 'front end'. This will be supported by 'How to... guides' and technical support in the form of the traditional fact sheets. Following on from this will come packages targeted at certain key activity areas. The first of these will be 'Urban Outdoors' which will promote towns and cities as activities playgrounds. If you have any ideas to support this please get in contact with the Activities Office.

The recent Induction Workshops for newly appointed ACC/AAC (Activities) are proving to be valuable in fostering a stronger and supportive working relationship at an early stage of appointment. This is particularly important where the 'remit' of an ACC/ AAC extends over a large area.

Following the success of the 'Scout-led Activity Index' we have produced a similar factsheet for commercially led activities. Both are available on ScoutBase, or from the Information Centre. On the subject of commercial centres for adventurous activities, if you need to find one anywhere in the UK, visit the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority web site on www.aala.org under 'Looking for a Provider'. It has an easy to use search engine based on questions of 'where' and 'type' of activity.

The next specialist newsletter will include latest technical news and goings on in the activities world and is due to be published in April. This will be circulated to (in paper form) to all ACC/AAC (Activities) but will be available on ScoutBase for general consumption.

John Kitson - National Commissioner for Special Needs
special.needs@scout.org.uk

Here we bring you news and information on topics to help you support our Members with a disability. It is hoped that specialists will also find the contents of other Programme Points Sections useful.

variations Additional guidelines are now in place. These are designed to provide support for Leaders and Commissioners when dealing with Members with Special Needs. They involve the ACC/AAC at an early stage and provide for a formal review on a regular basis. The process, which has two strands, is as follows: -

1. When it is necessary and appropriate due to a young person's Special Needs the DC may, on the recommendation of the ACC/AAC (Special Needs) or Adviser, permit a young person to be in a Section outside of the normal age range. This permission will be logged on a simple form and be subject to annual review.

2. In Scout Groups where all Members have a disability, or are in hospital-based Groups, the DC may, on the recommendation of the ACC/AAC (Special Needs) or Adviser, authorise operation outside the standard age ranges. Good practice should ensure that any one grouping does not span more than six years in the 6-14 age range and ten years in the 14-25 age range.

Guidance notes on these procedures are being issued to DCs and ACCs/AACs and Advisers for Special Needs.

The production of Special Needs Essentials is well under way and is on plan to be published in time for it to be launched at the workshop in May. This resource aims to be a comprehensive guide to the support available for Leaders dealing with Special Needs or considering welcoming a Member with a disability. The resource will bring together and replace various existing resources and will also launch a revision of all Special Needs factsheets, following a comprehensive review.

The Gateway Award is in the process of finalising a revamp of their Award material and will be available in May. An additional Section is being launched for younger members, probably in the age range of 8-12, and this is expected to be launched at the same time. We are planning to have a representative from The Gateway Award with us at our workshop in May to present the new material.

The planning is continuing for the workshop to be held in Birmingham on 17-18 May. The workshop will be focusing on the Programme and its accessibility for all young people, with Special Needs. It is primarily aimed at ACC/AAC (Special Needs) or Advisers and Leaders of Special Groups but is open to any Leader who may be interested. If you want to come and have not received details and an application form, please contact Jackie Martin or Lindsay Lock at Gilwell as soon as possible.

The first World Deaf Jamboree is being planned for 2006 in the Republic of Ireland. In preparation for this, the organisers would like to hold a special weekend meeting in 2003 for deaf Scout Sections from across the world. If you are interested in finding out more details of this event, please let me know and I will put you in touch with the organisers.

I am sure many Groups supporting Members with disabilities will be planning Nights Away events for the coming summer season. You might like to consider the following, Scout Holiday Homes Trust operates caravans in the UK suitable for people with disabilities. For journeys abroad we have a contact with a travel specialist who operates package holidays for people with disabilities. These are based mainly in Holland at present but can be arranged in most parts of the world. If you require a contact please let us know at the SN office at Gilwell. We would be very interested to hear of your plans and would enjoy the opportunity of visiting if invited and dates permit. I wish you all the very best for a great camping season.

Welcome to the part of Programme Points that is looking at the latest developments regarding the Award within Scouting. Quite a bit has happened since the last edition and a number of new issues arisen.

All County Advisers in England will have already received the Annual Census for 2003. The completion of this document is essential in planning future support and analysing progress across the Country. All census forms should be returned, either in paper or electronic format by the 11th of April. We have already agreed growth targets with the Award for the next two years which require 25% growth of Record Book sales and a doubling of the number of Awards gained. These targets will be split between Counties once the census returns are complete.

Again, all County Advisers in place will have already received details of a weekend training course being run by The Duke of Edinburgh's Award to assist them in their role. We hope all the places available to Scouting will be used, as it provides an excellent opportunity to learn about all aspects of running the Award within a County. If the course is successful, further oppor-tunities will be planned in other parts of the country.

There are a growing number of Access Organisations being registered across the Country. These are normally centres, such as Scout Activity Centres, who wish to issue credits for one section of the Award Programme. For example, a Scout Sailing Centre could issue Access credits to young people completing three months of sailing. If you know of a centre that may wish to participate in the scheme, please contact the Office at Gilwell for an information pack.

In the letter circulated to County Advisers in January, there was a description of the new Service section requirements for Explorer Scouts and others wishing to assist with a Section for their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This chart can also be found on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award web-site www.theaward.org or paper copies can be obtained from the Office at Gilwell. It is important to note that young people who are not Members of The Scout Association can assist with a Section for a fixed period of time for their Award, but they must complete the prescribed number of Young Leader modules. If these young people wish to have access to the wider Explorer Scout Programme within the District, they should join an Explorer Scout Unit in the normal way.

As the expedition season is almost upon us, please check that Units and Networks are aware of the authorisation procedure for expeditions. It is essential that Wild Country Panels are informed of Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions taking place in their patch. Also, International expeditions that are being used as qualifying expeditions must be approved by the Office at Gilwell. For the most comprehensive information on expeditions, please get hold of a copy of the Expedition Guide, available from the Scout Information Centre or Award Scheme Limited.

The Gold Award forms have been recently updated. This relates to the Award 2000 Programme. Please ensure you are using the latest forms that are labelled GA4 in the top right-hand corner. In each County, there should be a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adviser who is delegated part of the responsibility for running the scheme from Headquarters. In some Counties, there are also District Advisers who assist in discharging these responsibilities. Please ensure District Advisers are receiving the latest information, and that they receive a copy of Award Journal. The Journal can be obtained free by entering your details at www.theaward.org

Please remember to contact the Office at Gilwell if you need any help or advice - or, if you are in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, the relevant National Scout Headquarters. Members of the Scout Network Team are always keen to visit any D of E events taking place, so please let us know if you are planning something. We hope you have a good summer.