Q. I have recently been advised how much the new resources are likely to cost and I am concerned that they seem more expensive?
At the time of writing we do not have the definitive figure for the final cost of all the resources that Groups and Units will need, to run the new Programme. This is because the print and design process is not complete. However, we have provided Counties and Areas with our best estimate and we believe it is unlikely that the resources will cost more than this figure. This amount was provided to Counties and Areas for budgetary purposes and the exact cost of the resources will be available at the Regional Launches. There is an inevitability that people will try and make comparisons between the old and the new resources. The new resources are completely new products and they differ significantly in style, format and content from those that they replace. All we can do is recommend that Leaders reserve judgement until they have seen the final products. We believe you will not be disappointed!
Q. I am interested in attending the Regional Launch. How do I apply?
All County and Area Commissioners have been advised of the number of places that they have at the launch in their region. This is worked on a formula that allows up to eight places for the County/Area team, plus one additional place for each District in the County/Area. Generally speaking, those attending the Regional Launches, will be members of the team that will deliver the local launches.
A different approach is being adopted in Northern Ireland, and advice on this will be provided by the NI Scout Office.
Q. Partnership Agreements seem bureaucratic. Can you offer any further advice?
The Partnership Agreement is not seen as a legally binding document, but is a way of ensuring that the partners involved have an effective working relationship to deliver Explorer Scouting. A number of Districts and Groups have already started to draw up Partnership Agreements and based largely on this experience the National Commissioner (Explorer Scout) Support Team have produced a useful factsheet and sample Partnership Agreement. Copies can be obtained by e-mail from explorer.scout@scout.org.uk.
Q. Is there any financial support available from any source to help with the purchase of the new publications and other resources needed to run the new Programme?
We believe that the more Leaders and young people that have access to the new publications, the easier it will be for Sections to get the new Programme up and running. Therefore, a discount will be available on all orders placed with Outdoors before 1 June, 2002. We hope to be able to announce the size of the discount shortly. We also know that a number of County/Areas and Districts, where they are able, are providing financial support to varying degrees. Obviously information on this will be available locally.
In addition, Gilwell Park is providing a fact-sheet with advice on what other funds and grants may be available to help with the purchase of the new resources. If you are not able to obtain a copy at your local launch you will find a copy on ScoutBase and, of course, the Information Centre will be able to supply you with a copy.
The Development Grants Board has available some funding in the form of a limited number of £50 vouchers available to aid Groups who are experiencing hardship in buying the new programme publications. If you think this applies to your Group or Section, please contact the Information Centre (0845 300 1818) for an application form, These will be available from 2nd January 2002. Each grant application will be considered on merit, and the voucher can only be spent with Outdoors (Scout Shops) on the new resources.
Q. Do we need to attend a local launch? Can we not just buy the new resources at the local branch of Outdoors, and get on with the new Programme?
We believe that the best way Leaders can find out about the detail of the new Programme is to attend a local launch. The launch teams will be able to guide Leaders through the process and answer any questions that they might have. The Local Launches will have available special discounts on all the new publications. It will not be possible to buy any of the resources over the counter at Outdoors or the local Scout Shop agents until the beginning of June.
Q. When will ScoutBase UK have the details of the new Programme?
ScoutBase will be redesigning the website during the spring of 2002 to accommodate the new Programme. It will not be possible to access these new pages until the beginning of June. This is to ensure that all Counties and Areas will have had the opportunity to launch the Programme locally, before the detail of the Programme is made widely available. ScoutBase has been an essential tool for the PRI Team to pass on information to the Movement over the last year or so. This high level of co-operation will continue to ensure that the Site Managers on ScoutBase have all the details of the new Programme so that it can go "live" at the beginning of June.
Q. We have a Group website. Are there any restrictions on when we can post the new Award requirements?
We are asking all Website managers to honour the information embargo that restrains ScoutBase. Having spent more than two years designing and evolving the new Programme, we believe that it is important that all Leaders have the opportunity to be introduced to it via the properly prepared Local Launches. If the full details become available on the net from the beginning of February, it will undermine the impact of the Local Launches that follow later in the season. We are therefore asking all GSLs to ensure that their Web managers honour this embargo. Details of the Awards should not be posted on any websites until the beginning of June 2002.
Q. I have explained the new system to my Scouts and they are concerned that they are going to be thrown out when they get to 14. I am afraid we might lose them from the Movement all together.
It has never been our intention that Scouts should feel that they are being thrown out of their Groups when they are 14. There is flexibility in the age ranges so, while a Scout could move to Explorer Scouting at 13½, they may decide they would prefer to stay with the Troop until they are 15. Some Explorer Scouts may decide that they wish to retain their links with their Group by becoming a Young Leader with the Beaver Scout, Cub Scout or Scout Sections. (It is recommended that Explorer Scouts do not work immediately as Young Leaders in the Troop they have just left, but allow a period of about six-months to elapse. They may of course work with another Troop during this period, or in another Section). As they will be first and foremost Explorer Scouts, this means that they will still have access to a full programme of activities arranged by the District as well as the satisfaction of working within a Group context. There are a small number of Groups, who currently have a strong 15 plus membership and therefore may well be able to support an Explorer Scout Unit. If this is the case, onward progression into the Unit would be quite natural. Where a Group does not have a Unit, then the Moving On Award will give the Scout plenty of opportunity to get to know local Explorer Scouts and choose the Unit they wish to join. At no stage should Scouts be made to feel that they are not wanted in the Group, but young people will, however, need to be encouraged to look wider, to seek new opportunities and challenges. This will be an important part of their development.
Q. We are concerned that if we encourage our Scouts into the District Explorer Scout Unit we will lose any chance of them returning as Leaders for our Group.
Many Groups pride themselves on being able to bring young people right through the Group and to eventually become Leaders within that Group. For some this situation will not change, particularly if the Explorer Scout Unit is "in partner-ship" with the Group. If, however, the Group does not have a Unit attached, it is still possible to retain links with your "old" Scouts, either through the Young Leader Scheme or by inviting them to be part of traditional Group activities such as the summer camp or the winter firework party, etc.
Q. My Group Treasurer is very concerned about how much money the Group will lose in subscriptions as we will be losing our older Scouts. What should I tell him?
Some Groups who are losing older Scouts to a Unit run elsewhere may see a drop in their income. However, it has to be kept in proportion. Part of that income collected as subscriptions, would have been to meet the Annual Membership Fee, which now no longer needs to be paid by the Group. Equally some of the other expenses that the young person would have incurred, such as the cost of badges and certificates or subsidies for activities, etc., will no longer need to be met. The net loss to the Group is, therefore, not as large as immediately thought. If a Venture Scout Unit is replaced by an Explorer Scout Unit the young people's subscriptions will be paid to the District, but the Partnership Agreement will identify the proportion of the subscription that District will pass to the Group to cover the expenses that are being incurred, such as the use of the hall, heating, lighting, equipment, etc.
Q. Why do I need to be part of the Scout Network when I am already fully involved in my Group?
All Warranted Leaders under the age of 25, are automatically members of the Scout Network. But that does not carry with it a requirement to attend regular meetings or a specific number of activities. It is an opportunity for young Warranted Leaders to continue with their own personal training and development and to take part in a wider range of activities and opportunities than might otherwise have been the case. This may entail gaining skills that they can use within their own Group. Alternatively, it may provide opportunities to meet other Young Warranted Leaders (or Network members without Warrants) who have particular skills that could be used for the benefit of their Group.
Q. Our Venture Scout Unit is fine. Why do we need to change?
Without doubt there are a number of very successful Venture Scout Units around but at the last Census there were only 19,000 Venture Scouts in the whole of the UK, compared with 40,000 ten years ago. This figure needs to be compared with a current membership of 128,000 Scouts. Despite its many strengths, Venture Scouting is not serving the age range as well as it might, hence the advent of Explorer Scouting. Some Venture Scout Units will continue until 31 December, 2003. Most Venture Scout Units will comfortably make the transition into Explorer Scouting (or into the Scout Network) sometime during the next two years. Those Units that already provide a successful and dynamic programme will find the transfer very easy.
