;

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

New Team Member

We welcome Marylyn Evans to the National Programme Team (NPT) as National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts. Marylyn has extensive experience in the younger age, she, with her Support Team, is already hard at work with the Section and you can expect to hear from her soon - if not already! We wish her well and know she will give you first class support.

Review of 'Communication & Consultation' meetings

These regular meetings of ACCs/AACs in Chief Commissioner areas in England and Wales are due for interim assessment, being half way through the 3 years before formal review by the Committee of Council. We would like to know how you think they are going and where improvements are necessary or desirable. Please send you comments to myself or Greg Stewart at Gilwell; or approach a support team or HQ person at the next round of regional meetings.

The National Programme Team (NPT) tries hard to respond to all issues raised but it could be you give a different importance to some items than the Support Team Member attending. If on rare occasions we don't respond to items raised in panel meetings, please would the panel Chair or Secretary take it as part of their role to chase these up by contacting the appropriate Gilwell Office before the next meeting. We don't miss much but you never know!

One improvement, which can be made with advantage, is to include young people in these meetings, particularly Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network. It is essential we do more to enfranchise our Youth Members and this is a direct way of achieving this - not every regional meeting includes them at present. If we are to achieve this successfully, then the content needs to contain items of relevance to them. This means that the Section panels need to take responsibility for organising special sessions for young people - preferably with some fun ingredient. It is not HQ role to do this for you although we can give advice. There is an opportunity here for Scout Network representatives to 'look wide' and meet together outside their own Counties. This group can largely be self supporting, provided they know where they fit into the overall structure of the Regional meeting. A separate panel meeting might also be arranged to give support and guidance to those young people who are Nominated Young People to the Scout Councils (has your County / Area found such young people yet?). Some work to do here, I think.

Activity Badge requirements

We keep an accumulating log of all the points raised by those working with the new Programme. One such point is that some adults and young people say they would like the Section requirements for all Activity Badges to be in one place. With the present publications, a Cub or parent for instance, only has the name of the Badge and does not have the detailed requirements without asking a Leader. Clearly the information on Activity badges needs to be readily available to Leaders (it is in the Section Essentials and on Scoutbase UK) and the National Programme Team will certainly look at this but there does need to be a 'health warning' attached, and that is about keeping control of delivery of a Balanced Programme.

A fundamental point about the new Programme that not everyone has twigged is that the Programme is NOT a badge-driven scheme where young people move from award to award, like the previous progressive training scheme. It is about delivery of a Balanced Programme by a leadership team that dips into all the different Zones to achieve this over a period of time. The Leaderas job is to manage the Programme so that this balance is achieved. There is a risk, particularly when say Cubs collect Activity Badges by the armful, that the Programme they enjoy will lack balance because control of this aspect of the Programme no longer rests with the Leadership team charged with delivering it, but mainly with choices made by ambitious parents/carers or by individual young people who do not see a wider view.

So there is the danger. We need Leaders who, with a watchful eye on the development of the young person concerned, will want to suggest an appropriate challenge with balance. The emphasis lies in controlled delivery of a range of well chosen Programme items through the weekly Programme: awards and activity badges will flow naturally from that. This is particularly important for Beaver and Cub Scouts. More individual choice becomes possible as the young person develops a view of the wider world and can see consequences, as in the older Sections.

Amendments to Swimming Staged Activity Badge

Just in case you did not see this earlier in the year for Health and Safety reasons, amendments have been made to the Swimming Activity badge. Please make sure Leaders are aware of them. These amendments appear on ScoutbaseUK and are as follows

1. The depth for surface dives at all stages of the Swimming Badge is now reduced from 2 metres to 1.5metres.

2. In the Swimming Stage 1 Badge, the distance swim is now 25 metres and not 50 metres.

3. The final "swimming activity" requirement for all stages of the Swimming Activity Badge now reads: "Take part in an organised swimming activity" and so need not necessarily be with the Section where the young person is a member.

CheckOut ... the Programme

In the previous issue, I mentioned that this NPT project aims to support and monitor implementation of the Programme so that we can fine tune our approach in the light of experience of how it all works together. In April we asked Counties and Areas to give us a 'snapshot' of uptake and to contribute examples of good practice that we could share for everyoneas benefit. We have decided a 'Scouting' magazine article, to be produced shortly, will best circulate these items of good practice. Thanks indeed to those who sent in these real life examples.

In continuing this project, in 2004 we plan to visit a variety of Districts and Counties/Areas to see how the Programme is working out on the ground. As a first step, we will be refining sets of questions to direct at these groups. We will need your help in getting these questions right, so we will soon undertaking some consultation on this, perhaps via a web-based questionnaire - watch out for this and please contribute if you can.

'Nights Away' Scheme support pack

All ACCs/AACs should now be aware of the new Permit Scheme aimed at making it possible for Leaders to mount high quality residential experiences and for more young people to experience them. No more Form PC! County /Area Commissioners and District Commissioners have all received copies of the comprehensive support packs. If you don't know whatas afoot, ask your Commissioner. The material will be available on ScoutBase UK too.

Census

No doubt you have all been pouring over the latest figures and drawing inferences. What strikes me is that while we continue to lose Members - albeit at a reducing rate - there are still very substantial waiting lists. It should also be noted that in a number of places and Sections our numbers are increasing. Perhaps we need to devote more time to opening new Sections and Groups, in targeted areas, rather than struggling to support failing operations elsewhere?

Clearly the figures for Explorer and Network Members are not quite right this first year. But here we not only have to go for 100% transition from Venture Scouting but think of all those other young people of this age and beyond who could be actively recruited into these new and dynamic Sections.

National Programme Initiative 2004 - 'Scouts Go Green'

We know that some Leaders find it tricky to support this aspect of a Balanced Programme and so have consulted and designed an exciting resource for this important Zone to enthuse Section Programme next year. In addition, it will provide ideas and resources for the Environment Group Award. Many national and international bodies in this field have contributed to what is a superb resource for all Sections. Please let Leaders know of this project so they can use it in their Zone planning for next year. ACCs/AACs will get a free copy to enable them to promote the material. Flyers alerting Leaders to the opportunity to buy into this exciting resource will be issued at the beginning of September and the resource will be available from the Information Centre thereafter. The pricing of this item will be very favourable and hopefully it will get into the hands of those that actually will use it.

Marylyn Evans - National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts
beaver.scout@scout.org.uk

Hello everyone! I am sure that you all join with me in wishing my predecessor Graham Coulson every success in his new role as National Commissioner for Development.

The Beaver Scout Support Team

We wish Verity well in her new role in Adult Support and welcome Jess Kelly as the new face at the office, supporting Sarah Hobbs. Joining Gill and Nicola are Simon Walsh, an ADC (BS) in London and Jeanette McCrindle, an ACC (BS) in Yorkshire. With Emma Wood providing you with consistently good Programme ideas in 'Scouting' magazine, and myself, there is a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to support you.

Waiting lists There are still some 21,000 young people on waiting lists of the age to be a Beaver but there are no opportunities for them to participate at the moment. This number is a reduction on last year, so keep up the good work, and let Jess (jess.kelly@scout.org.uk) know of any success stories - good ideas are worth sharing! For example, what about a satellite Colony to an existing Group meeting on a Saturday morning when it may be easier to find adults with time as they may not be working? Could another Colony be opened as an after school club? Beaver Scouting is too good for these youngsters to be missing out!

The Friendship Challenge

A number of you have been waiting some time for a link to a Colony in another part of the world via the International Links scheme. This is because there are relatively few countries in the world that have Beaver Scouts or their equivalent so why not try other methods of making contact with Scouting communities around the world? David McKee, from the International Department in his article in the November 2002 'Scouting' gave these ideas -

• Ask business men and women who travel as part of their work to look out for suitable contacts.

• Use people who have moved to your area from another country or have family connections.

• Check out existing links through twin towns, school links and faith community links.

• Visit a UK International Camp on their open day and link with some of the visiting Groups.

• Use contacts established by attending an International camp in another country.

There are Sections for 6 to 8 year olds in Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Slovenia, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, USA, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Logging In and Logging On

The Support Team are looking forward to meeting all new ACCs /AACs Beaver Scouts at Gilwell Park on 9 November at our first induction day for those new to the role. Please sign up if you can make the date. I look forward to meeting you at the Regional Communication and Consultation Meetings. Until then...keep beavering about!

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

Wonderful Day

'It was a really wonderful day'. 'I have come away feeling enthused and encouraged to move Cub Scouting on in the County'. These are just two of the comments we received after we ran our first 'Flying the Flag' Day for new ACC/AAC (Cub Scouts). It was held at Gilwell Park but we are looking at taking the Day out into the Regions in the future. During the day we looked at celebrating good practice, and sectional and national initiatives. The new ACC/AACs told us about their Counties/Areas and we looked at trends in the census figures. There was food, flags, loud music, laughter and freebies - just about everything anyone could want from an induction day!

Three in, three out

Since the last Programme Points, weave lost three Members of the Support Team. Marylyn Evans has become the National Commissioner for Beaver Scouts and we congratulate her on this appointment and look forward to working with her and her Support Team in the near future. Verity Steddon, our Programme and Development Adviser has moved to Adult Support and Mandy Draper our secretarial assistant has moved to the Information Centre. On behalf of the team, I thank Verity and Mandy for the work they have done for the Cub Section over the past year.

To replace Verity we now have Jess Kelly. Jess has a good background in Guiding, holding two County appointments, so she will no doubt quickly learn a lot about our Section in the weeks and months to come. Lisa Kent has replaced Mandy and will be working alongside Jess. Finally, we welcome Peter Oliver who joined the team in the week that Marylyn was appointed National Commissioner. Peter is the ACC (Cub Scouts) for Merseyside and has joined the Team for two years to help us prepare for 2007. Recently he has also done some useful motivational work with his Countyas Leaders and we will be looking at how we can bring this to wider audiences around the UK.

Where's the Balanced Programme Checker?

In the last Programme Points, I advertised the Balanced Programme Checker as being on Scoutbase UK, but since then I have been asked several times where exactly it is. To go straight to it, type in: http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/6to25/cub/resources/books/pack_programmes-bpc.pdf. Not the easiest address to remember....

Beaver and Cub Fun Days

Did you attend these days at Gilwell Park in June? What a great time the Cubs and Leaders had in glorious sunshine! So much fun - aerial runways, bouncy castles, crafts, water slides, a technology centre and fairground rides for starters. The Support Team took the opportunity of showing off our brand new, bright yellow polo shirts (after all, we are the most vibrant section!) whilst we spoke to Leaders about all things Cub Scouting. The majority of those Leaders we spoke to like the Balanced Programme, although I meet two who don't. The Leaders all thought the Fun Day was superb, so thanks to Skippy (Campsite Manager at Gilwell Park) and his team for all their work. It was much appreciated by everyone there.

2007- only 4 years to go!

Yes, Scoutingas Centenary is just four years away and the planning has already started on the Join In Centenary publication. Representatives of all the Sections met in a Birmingham hotel in July to start planning these celebratory Programmes which will make exciting programme activities available to your Leaders for use in all 52 weeks of 2007. In January 2004, writers will begin to flesh out the bones that were laid down. If you think of yourself as an innovative and creative writer - or you know someone who is - and you would like to be considered for the Cub Scout writing team, please contact me via the Cub Scout Office before the end of October.

The Autumn round of Communication & Consultation meetings

The Support Team will shortly be out on the road again visiting the regional meetings in Taunton, London, Nottingham, Dudley, Middlesborough and London again and we are looking forward to being with you again. Last year we brought up several issues needing our joint attention and we are looking forward to hearing your views to help direct the Team in our planning. As a reminder, the main areas were:

• Acting upon the (downwards) trends in Cub numbers in your County/Area. What are you and your Team doing to encourage growth?

• Reducing waiting lists. How have you and your Team actively

  1. raised awareness of this issue; and

  2. reduced the lists?

  Bringing the Leaders' views of the Balanced Programme to the meeting

• Bringing the views of the Cubs themselves about the Programme to the meeting

• Promoting Pack Forums in your Counties/Areas.

Please remember that if you can't attend your regional meeting, please ensure that you are represented by another well chosen Scouter who can report back to you in detail.

Invitations

Finally, if you would like one of the Team to visit an event you're holding either in 2004 or 2005, please send your invitations to Jess in the Office as soon as possible so that we can check our diaries.

Many thanks!

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

Here we are at the start of another school year and for many the start of another chapter in the Scouting calendar. I certainly had a first class summer and hope all of you did too. August was a very busy month during which I took a short break to Europe to re-charge the batteries. I hope all of you also had the chance to take time out and relax.

The end of July and beginning of August was a very enjoyable time for me - I took the opportunity to visit all the International Camps in the U.K. It was hectic touring around the country: the first week I visited Norfolk, then Northumberland, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The second week took me to Kent, Windsor and Nottinghamshire. It was a journey well worth making, to see so many young people and Leaders, some from around the world, having fun with the common interest of Scouting. What exciting tales they all had to take home with them and I hope they will make the effort to keep in touch with each other.

Support for Self Review

As I talk with Leaders, it is encouraging to hear how many now realised what we mean by a Balanced Programme. This is achieved by Leaders visiting the different Programme Zones over a period of time, adopting a variety of methods of delivering the Programme and using our underlying ways of working. There are still Leaders who need help with this concept and it is up to you, as Assistant County/ Area Commissioners (Scouts) to help and support. You should also highlight the great advantages to Troops in using the Participation Awards and of course the Moving on Award to foster links.

Another area where you can give help and support to Leaders is with self review. This is new to most Leaders and I think for many, an area they find difficult - so they may be avoiding it. With your help, they can be encouraged to work through this process. It may be that you need to consider running workshops to help Leaders locally. Certainly the idea can be explored in your own meetings with ADCs. Self-review helps the Leader to look at the successes they have had and the activities and opportunities they have covered less successfully. It is a tool to help the Leader look at how they can offer better Scouting and should be done as often as suits the Leader. Most find annually about right! When a Leader reviews they should look at the range and methods used and offered, the views of their Scouts obtained through the Troop Forums, and the values on which they have based their Programme. In Troop essentials, there is a framework to help with the process of review (7.4 Self Review). This is only a suggested structure: it can be adapted to the individualas needs. You may like to look at 'Self Review in the Scout Troop' (FS315091).

Sponsorship deals on some Scout Activity Badges

The Fundraising Department at Gilwell Park have been working really hard to secure some exciting sponsorship deals.

Duxford Air museum have produced a website http://www.iwm.org.uk/education/edu-dux/scouts.htm offering help, support and Programme ideas to Troops which will help Scouts working towards their Ait training Badge.

Jessops are sponsoring the Photography Badge and have produced a free booklet to support Scouts working towards the badge, obtainable through the Information Centre.

Sea Scouts

Daragh OaMalley, Adviser to the National Programme (Sea Scouts) is trying to build a directory of all the Sea Scout Groups in the UK, including those which are not currently RN Recognised). While Gilwell hold records of all the Scout Groups in the country, we can only identify which Groups are Sea Scouts if 'Sea' is part of the official Group title.

If you have any Sea Scout Groups or Explorer Sea Scout Units in your County/Area that are not RN Recognised, we would be very grateful if you could send their Group name and the contact details, including if possible an email address to The Scout Office, Programme Department, Gilwell Park E4 7QW, or to scout@scout.org.uk

Welcome

Finally, I would like to welcome a new member to the Support Team - Alasdair McBay, ACC (Scouts) for Great London Middlesex West. Thanks for joining our Team. We look forward to working with you and know you will enhance the support we can give to the rest of the Scout Section around the UK.

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

Taking stock

It's now over two years since the structure of the two new Sections were revealed at the Manchester 14-25 workshop and over a year since the final launch of our new Programme. It seems appropriate to take stock of where we have got to with Explorer Scouting, bearing in mind that there are only four months left to incorporate all Venture Scouts into Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network.

I have been amazed and delighted with the very positive attitude that now exists in most parts of the country in respect of Explorer Scouting. It is clear to me that this new Section has been well received, both by Leaders and by our 14 -18 years olds. The initial anxieties regarding Partnership Agreements seem to have been largely overcome by a combination of a positive, pragmatic and 'can-do' approach to the process. Districts are beginning to understand their key role in the governance of the Section, although some work still needs to be done with Members of District Executive committees. Finance remains a problem, which many Districts are struggling with - it should be obvious that a sound financial foundation will be key to the success of the Section.

In the recent census, and on the basis of work done by members of my Support Team and staff at National HQ, we think we have a good idea of the real state of play in the big wide world out there. One third of Districts UK-wide have established a vibrant Explorer Scout provision and seem to have successfully tackled most of the issues. These Districts have appointed the right person to be the DESC (a nice round peg in a nice round hole) and many of those DESCs have had the opportunity to attend a DESC course. One third of District are getting there, and one third have barely got things off the ground. Although this yearas census figures do not give anything like the full picture, we do know that for the first time in decades, the number of 16 years old Members in The Scout Association has increased - surely a good omen for the future.

YL Scheme - News Flash

This has been so popular that we will shortly run out of copies of Young Leader Essentials. The scheme seems to have filled a real gap in our provision for our age range. The resource will be reprinted, with a few amendments, particularly to link in with the pattern of adult training.

In July this year, the Programme & Development Subcommittee approved the introduction of a badge for Young Leaders. This badge will be awarded after completion of Module A - Prepare for Take Off. The design of the badge has now been agreed and it should be available shortly. It will be in cloth and pin-badge forms, and will be available through the Badge Secretary process only. The pin-badge version is available both to Explorer Scout Young Leaders and to young people doing Duke of Edinburgh and Girlguiding UK service for their awards.

DESA support resource

This has now been written and should be available in September/October 2003. It is designed to explain to prospective DESAs (and DESCs and others) what the job involves and should prove to be a handy aide memoir. No DESA should be without one!

Factsheets

A number of new factsheets have recently been published. The factsheet on 'Finance' took longer to sort out than we had hoped, but it is now available on ScoutBase UK or from the Information Centre. Another factsheet to help District Executive Committees understand their role in Explorer Scouting is also available.

Induction days for new ACCs

Following on the success of the three induction days which we ran for ACC/AAC Explorer Scouts in 2003, we plan to run three more in 2004. Dates and venues have still to be confirmed.

Induction days for new DESCs

I have also tabled a proposal to run eight induction days for new DESCs around the UK. This proposal has still to be approved by the appropriate committees because of its budgetary implications. I will let you know whether this initiative is approved and when and where the days will run in 2004.

DESC courses

UKHQ has now run four DESC courses at Gilwell Park and one in Glasgow. There are still places available on DESC V in October 2003 - book soon to avoid disappointment. 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.

Queen's Scout Award Reception

The next QSA reception will take place on Saturday 6th December 2003 at the Guildhall in London. The following one will be in March 2004 . Please encourage your Queen's Scouts to come along - itas a great day to celebrate their achievement. Explorer Scout short sleeved shirts All of the various committees at HQ have now approved our proposal to introduce a short-sleeved uniform shirt for Explorer Scouts. The new shirt should be available from Outdoors in the next few months.

Eurojam 2005

Things are beginning to hot up! Eurojam is now clearly on the horizon and it looks like it could be a superb experience for our Scouts and Explorer Scouts. Now is the time to start planning for your Explorer Scouts to attend the biggest Scout event in Europe in over 10 years. The new website was launched in June this year at www.eurojam.org. It contains lots of information for potential participants and for potential Service Team Members.

Explorer Belt

In my circular to ACC/AACs in July, I asked for information about Explorer Belt expeditions. I am keen to assess how many Explorer Scout Units are planning to take part in Explorer Belt expeditions in 2003, 2004 and 2005. If you are planning one or know of one being run, can you let me know as soon as possible? Thanks.

And finally....

Support Team Membership

Our workload at HQ remains significant. I am keen to recruit two new Members to my Support Team. I am particularly keen to have at least one Explorer Scout Leader on the Team and possibly a young and enthusiastic Scout Leader to help us address some of the issues of linking with the Scout Section. If you have any suggestions of suitable people, please drop me a note in confidence at Gilwell Park.

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

Programme

Our key target is to have local and specialist Networks up and running no later than the end of this year all providing the opportunity to be actively involved. That gives us roughly three months to support Network members as they develop Networks providing opportunities to take part in a full and active Programme.

In Greater London SW, we have seen one local Network offering the chance to take part in a development project in Eastern Europe, another offers Dragon Boat Racing and a third offers mountain walking activities so members, no matter which Network they are part of, have the chance to follow a balanced and active Programme. Leicestershire invited some of the Network members who had attended their Liv camp to a Summer Ball, and West Lancashire took the whole idea of Networking one stage further by inviting Network members UKwide to their Easter event at Great Tower.

There has been some good distribution of information about Roverway this summer and for the Moot in 2004, but it is obvious that the information has struggled to reach those Network members where a Network structure and Network Commissioner are not yet in place. It is access to and uptake of Programme and activity opportunities that will attract people to join and stay in the Network: as the supporters of Network, we must spread the word on the wide choice of activities everyone has an opportunity to take part in.

Appointments

Obviously, for this transfer of information to occur successfully, each local Network requires to have a co-ordinator who is a member of the Network, and requires each County/Area to have a key person to develop what Network is offering and to share and to promote ideas. This key person, a County/ Area Scout Network Commissioner. There are still some gaps in appointments across the UK, which is making it difficult to 'network'. County and Area Commissioners are either appointing this key role at the moment or are finding an enthusiastic member to take this work forward. Training for the role is available at Gilwell Park - the fifth C/ASNC Course (open to Administrators and those who support Network) is being held from 14th-16th November 2003. Application details from Jackie.Johnson@scout .org.uk

Member details

Although things are getting much much better, there are still problems in Network Teams getting hold of Member details from Venture Scout Leaders, Explorer Scout Commissioners and District Teams.

This is one of the areas where we cannot afford to be parochial - we must explain why we need the details, and what it is we do with them. After all, we are not in the business of poaching - merely of offering the chance to take part in a balanced Programme to the advantage of all. A good idea could be to become involved in the National Programme Initiative 'Scouts Go green' with Groups and District Explorer Scouts units and also giving our Network members the chance to complete the Group Environment Award.

Network 'Accelerators' and The Support Pack

The Scout Network Support Team has identified a handful of more confident Network Commissioners and asked them, alongside Headquarters Commissioners for the Countries and Members of the Support Team, to become Network 'accelerators' working alongside Network Commissioners and their teams of Administrators and Co-ordinators offering support and promotion in their part of the United Kingdom.

These accelerators have a Support Pack to distribute to 'their' Network Commissioners, written by Network Commissioners and Administrators, which brings together useful material, including a series of 'top ten' ideas and all of the relevant factsheets designed to help develop and support the growing Network. The pack is designed to be flexible and useable in the 'real world' - make sure that you get in touch with your Accelerator to obtain your copy and to arrange a meeting. Copies of the pack will also be available for CC/ACs at the AGM and through regional meetings, to enable sections of its content to be explained.

Other support

Troll from Greater Manchester, is writing our SCOUTING MAGAZINE pages, providing continuous support and sharing of good ideas. We welcome him to this role. The other forum for support is the Network On-line Forum on Scoutbase UK which is open to warranted Network Commissioners and warranted Network Administrators. Details are available from scout.network@scout.org.uk along with your password.

Advance notice - adults only events

Rules for 'Nights Away' experiences and changes in Adventurous activity participation by adult (18+) groups will come into use during next year. Full help and support will be available from the Network Support Team as these changes come on-line.

Queen's Scout Award Reception

The next QSA reception will take place on Saturday 6th December 2003 at the Guildhall in London. The next will be in March 2004 . Please encourage your Queen's Scouts to come along - itas a great day to celebrate their achievement.

Regional Meetings and gatherings

The Scout Network Support Team values the chance to meet and work with Network Commissioners and Chairs of Network Committees at regional meetings around the UK. In most meetings, a Network Member from each County/Area attends meetings, and this is proving very valuable, particularly as regional support is so important to successful Networking. At this round of meetings, I will be aiming to be at all the meetings to pick up thoughts, issues, questions and the state of play as the final transition occurs. . We would like to share your good ideas and suggestions for good practice. Items for consideration and any formal recommendations made will be formally considered by the Support Team and they will report back to you after consulting more widely. This Autumn some of you will meet the new member of our Support Team, Hilary Merrington CSNC (Cheshire). Some will know her through her involvement in big international camps. We welcome Hilary at the same time as we say thanks to Robin Sharpe CSNC (Hampshire) who takes a break from the Team whilst he is working in Paris. Other people who you may meet include Adrian Wray from Leicestershire, Dan Wood from Avon and Tim Pike and Liz Clark from Gilwell Park.

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

Think back (if you are old enough!) to 1967. A brash new Section started, replacing its much adored - by those in the know - predecessor Sections.

It has been a great 36 years, and we all have our fond memories. We remember with great affection Viking Venture - madness on the high seas, followed by London Venture - with the fabulous night at the Royal Albert Hall, and so to European Venture which was just staggering in all that it achieved, with over 4000 Venture Scouts moving into Europe ....

We remember the fantastic effects on Membership, with over 39,000 Venture Scouts at the peak. We trailblazed the acceptance of girls - into Scouting.

But most of all - especially those of us that have been Venture Scouts - we remember our own Units with their activities and programmes. Certainly, Dudhope Castle in Dundee was never the same again after the Ben MacDhui Venture Scout Unit set up shop there! - a fabulous venue for our own fabulous Unit, with thanks to Mac, our Leader. But you will treasure your own happy memories, too.

So be proud of what we have achieved over the years. But be just as proud of the foundations we have laid for a great future, as it is nearly time to hand over the reigns to the next band of brash upstarts - to Explorer Scouting and the Scout Network.

They are going to be fabulous too, make no mistake. The green shoots of growth are already discernible in Explorer Scouting, and Scout Network will bring along the same magic very soon. It is not a bad thing to be changing but it is a necessary one if we are all to continue to be proud of Scouting and what it brings to those of a certain age - to those who are 14 and over.

So what does the hand over mean in practice?

Now that we are nearing the autumn of 2003, we need to ensure that the closure of Venture Scouting is properly completed, and that Explorer Scouts and Scout Network are fully supported and functional by 31st December this year - at the latest!

Please accept my apologies (and congratulations!) if the action points below are already completed/in hand in your locality. For others, they will act as an aide memoir:

1. ALL Venture Scout Units need to close by the end of 2003 - and all of the Members and recently ex-members should be helped to be transferred happily to Explorer Scouts or Scout Network, as appropriate.

2. Local and District Venture Scout Units (ie those Units that are currently registered as separate 'Scout Groups') must be formally closed, including cancelling their registration with Headquarters (POR Rule 3.20). Property and assets must also be properly disposed of (POR Chapter 13).

3. Even more importantly, ensure that all funds, property and other assets across the District which were deployed for Venture Scouting are appropriately allocated particularly for the use of adolescents in the development of Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network.

4. The current (and former) adult leadership of the Venture Scout Section is an invaluable leadership resource which needs to be redeployed to support Scouting. The appropriate phrase to remember here when you are working out who goes where is 'round pegs in round holes'.

5. We have a responsibility to all young people, so as well as ensuring the effective set-up of Explorer Scouts in your District, please ensure there are strong and effective links with the County/Area Scout Network. An effective Scout Network will enhance your work in your District, so it is important we strive for the very best provision.

Moving on

It is important to mark the closing - the "moving on" of Venture Scouting appropriately. Please take the time to bring together those who have been involved with Venture Scouting over the past 36 years to say with feeling 'THANK YOU for a good job, well done'. Things may be changing, but letas celebrate moving on, rather than commiserating.

So ... what is YOUR County/Area going to do in the remainder of 2003 (or early 2004) to recognise the past and celebrate the future? Why not put on a bit of a bash, inviting key people ("young" and "old", of course) who have been involved with Venture Scouting since 1967 - and those who have now moved on to be involved with Explorer Scouts or the Scout Network. Itas up to you whether it is black tie, uniform, or fancy dress. Whether it is in a restaurant, or your Civic Centre or at a "wacky" venue. Whether it is a reception or a dinner or an entertainment or ....Over to you - prizes for imagination! But please, please, please put on more than just a very small token of the old transforming into the new. It will help with transition, but above all it will be FUN!!

And finally ...

Finally, if I can be of any assistance - by phone, email or in person - please do not hesitate to call the 14-25 Office at Gilwell Park on 020 8433 7155.

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

Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show 2003 - 'One Step Further'

It was fantastic to see so many Scouters at the greatly expanded Outdoors Show at the NEC in Birmingham in March. An exit survey conducted by the Show organisers highlighted that Scouting ranked second only to the National Trust in members attending. This gives the clear message that outdoor activities remain a key to the provision of quality Scouting for young people. We are currently in discussion with the show organisers for our participation in the 2004 show.

Developing Activities

The two major projects ongoing at the present time are a review of the support provided for the Activity Authorisation Scheme and a more proactive role for how we market the resources we provide for activities. As indicated in the last edition, we have appointed two Project Leaders to lead these projects.

Gareth Beynon, a District Explorer Scout Commissioner, has been appointed to head up the review of the support for the Activity Authorisation Scheme. Gareth is currently working with National Activity Advisers for all activities subject to the Authorisation Scheme: this is a key factor in ensuring that we have a robust scheme. The Movement has also been asked to give their views on the current scheme (who knows better than those who actually use the scheme!). A request was made in the last edition of Talking Points for Members to make comments on their experience of the scheme. Make sure you have your say - there is still ample opportunity for you to make your comments known.

Andy Harris, a County Scout Leader, has been appointed to lead the Resources & Marketing Project Team. This small team of five people (a young person, two Leaders under 30 and one over 30) aim to look at the resources HQ provides to support activities in the Programme. One of the key elements of this work is around the "Urban Outdoors". The concept here is to provide information on activities that can take place in an inner city environment. There are lots of activities that take place on your doorstep - you just have to think a little 'outside the box'. Other elements that the Resources & Marketing Team are working on include the ScoutBaseUK 'A to Z of activities'. This will be a one stop guide for adults and young people to find out about activities they are interested in. Information available from the 'A to Z' will include a "How to..." guide which will detail exactly how to go about organising and running an activity.

Creative Activities

A broader range of creative activities has been identified as a key work area in the development of activities for young people. We are looking for people who can act as a contact point in a number of particular creative areas, especially with expertise and experience in a broad range of creative activities. We are particularly keen to hear from young people at the cutting-edge of creative activities development. So if you have experience or skills in any of the following the Activities Office would like to hear from you:- Circus Skills, Street Theatre, Video, Photography, Urban Art, Regional performances, Ethnic Music, Theatre work groups, Productions for the blind, Productions for the deaf.

Adult groups and Adventurous Activities

We took the opportunity to launch the new Rules and guidance relating to 'adult groups in adventurous activities' at the Gilwell Reunion in September. Whilst restrictions for having an authorised leader or supervisor on an adventurous activity will be lifted for over 18as out together, other safeguards will need to be put in place. In all, the revision aims to provide for a more 'adult' attitude. It will particularly benefit Scout Network and Scout Fellowship members, as well as those working towards gaining a formal authorisation in leading young people in an adventurous activity.

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

As many of you will know, my term of office is drawing to a close at the beginning of October. It has been an honour, privilege and a great joy for me to carry out the duties of National Commissioner for Special Needs. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the entire SN specialist network for the support you have given me. The workshop in May was a fantastic event that will be a highlight in my lasting memory of the friendship, enthusiasm and dedication of the team throughout the UK. I hope and trust that the young people with special needs either already in the Association or those who join in the future will enjoy the continued support of you all. I am delighted to let you know that I will be continuing to work in the special needs field as Special Needs Advisor to Scottish Headquarters. This will be a great joy to me as I have 'come home' to where my involvement with special needs started and I look forward to my new challenges.

Special Needs Workshop

The workshop in Birmingham was a great success and the enthusiasm and fellowship that ensued throughout the whole event was fantastic. A very big thank you to all who took part and particular thanks to the Special Needs Advisory Team for the hard work involved in supporting me and making the event run so smoothly to provide such a useful programme. I am sure the Special Needs Team will build on the success of this event.

Special Needs Essentials

The launch of this publication was met with great appreciation at the workshop. All ACC/AAC or Advisers (Special Needs) together with each Special Needs Group, should have received their free copy. If you have not received it, please get in touch with Jackie Martin at Gilwell (jackie.martin@scout.org.uk) who will send you one. Other copies can be obtained from the Information Centre for £8 inc. p&p.

The Gateway Award

The rebranded material for the Award is now available at both Gilwell and Scottish Headquarters, along with a Fact Sheet which gives details. The scheme operates bronze, silver and gold sections and is available to members from the age of 13 years. The new, junior section, for members aged 8-12, has not yet been launched and we have no indication on when it is expected.

Summer Camps and Expeditions

I am sure there will have been many successful camps or expeditions where members with disabilities will have enjoyed a great Scouting experience. My thanks to all Leaders of both main stream and Special Groups for giving members with special needs the opportunity to enjoy these experiences.

Regional Meetings

It has been a privilege to attend quite a few Regional Meetings and to hear of the many opportunities that take place to ensure young people with special needs enjoy their Scouting. The Regional meetings have been of benefit to all concerned. David Mehaffey and I would like to thank you for the very warm welcome we received.

I am aware many SN ACCs or Advisers hold more than one appointment. If you are not able to attend the SN panel , it would be very useful if another representative could attend these so that communication flows to all Counties and we can hear your news and concerns.

Special Needs training for Leaders

The new training Scheme is well advanced. Special Needs is covered in two modules: Module 7 covers basic awareness on Special Needs and explains the Associations Policies & Rules and Aims of inclusivity; Module 36 goes into detail, develops the theme of Disability Awareness, and helps identify methods of supporting and including Members with special needs. A third supplementary training pack is also being developed, aimed at providing training in caring methods and procedures for dealing with profoundly disabled Members.

The future

Sue Burton takes over from me as National Commissioner on the 1st of October. I wish her all the very best in taking over this very important part of our Scouting provision. Many thanks for all your support and my best wishes to you all for the future!

Welcome to the final part of Programme Points - looking at the operation of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Scouting.

County and District Advisers

As the new Sections start operating the new Programme, many are taking the opportunity of enrolling young people in the Award. In England, only County Advisers are able to obtain Record Books. It is essential that a system is found in every County that enables young people to receive their Record Book quickly after they decide to enrol. In many Counties there are also District Advisers for the Award who can assist with this process.

Suggested roles for both County and District Advisers can be found in Factsheets FS120302 and 120308 respectively. Following the successful training course for Advisers in May, further courses will be offered and these will be publicised via County Advisers.

Getting the paperwork right

There are few barriers to young people completing their Duke of Edinburgh's Award whilst undertaking their Scouting activities. However, it is essential that their Record Book is completed whilst undertaking each Section of the Award, and that all the boxes are completed. This means Awards can be approved quickly, without the need to return them for checking. It is essential that the date of enrolment is entered at the beginning of the book. Note that many useful forms are now available directly from the Awardas website (www.theaward.org) as well as from County Advisers.

Undertaking Service in The Scout Association

As stated in the last edition, the Young Leaders Scheme now offers suitable training for young people under 18 wishing to undertake their Service Section with The Scout Association. This is the training that all under 18s should take, whether Members of the Young Leaders Unit, or non members assisting with a Section for a fixed period of time. There has been some confusion regarding this arrangement but the published guidance stated simply is :

"Members of The Scout Association between 14 and 18 wishing to assist with one of the three younger Sections must enrol with the Young Leaders Unit in order to receive the training and support it offers. They should also have an opportunity to participate in other opportunities offered by the District. Young people who are not Members may assist with a Section for a fixed period of time for the Service Section of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and are required to participate in the training offered by the Young Leaders Unit. They are not entitled to take part in the rest of the Explorer Scout Programme unless they become a Member of the Explorer Scout Section."

The Young Leaders Scheme should provide an excellent opportunity to recruit young people into Scouting they will see what is available to the Explorer Scouts who are also completing their Service Section.

D of E training for Leaders

Many Explorer Scout Leaders wishing to run the Award in their Section are looking for further support and training. Please note that the Regional Duke of Edinburgh's Award Offices offer excellent one-day courses for adults wanting an introduction to the Award. To find out dates of courses in your area, please contact your nearest Regional Office - details can also be found on the Awardas website under the opportunities area.

Free material

There is plenty of free material available to support the Award, especially if you are just starting out running the Award in your area. County Advisers are able to obtain this material free, but there is a small charge for postage. You can also sign up for free copies of the Award Journal on their website, plus an email service of the latest opportunities.

Gateway Award

The Gateway Award, which is suitable for young people with learning disabilities, has recently been relaunched by MENCAP. The Gateway Award is structured in a similar way to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and can be run in parallel. More information about the Gateway Award can be sought from local MENCAP contacts, by contacting their National Office on 0121 707 7877 or through their website www.mencap.org.uk/gatewayaward

Any finally

Support for running the Award is available from County Advisers, and from Headquarters. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, please contact the appropriate Country Headquarters. In England, please contact the 14-25 Office at Gilwell Park.