Welcome Module 17 Activities Outdoors

Aim To enable adults to plan and run exiting, safe and developmental activities outdoors for the young people in their section.

Objectives There are eleven overall objectives for this module: 1)Explain the importance of regular outdoor activities as part of the balanced programme. 2)Describe the role and responsibilities of Leaders, GSLs and DCs with regard to activities that do not require formal Activity Authorisations (weekly meetings, visits and trip, activities in Terrain Zero, Class C waters etc. 3)Explain how P.O.R. and activities factsheets detail the requirements and provide guidance on a wide range of scouting activities. 4)Plan suitable outdoor activities taking into account the age, experience and fitness of the group, any special needs, the activity involved and the anticipated weather conditions.

Objectives - 2 5) Undertake appropriate Risk Assessments before and during activities. 6) Explain the purpose and operation of the Home Contact and parental permission systems and be able to implement them for all appropriate activities. 7)Select adequate and appropriate clothing, footware, personal and group equipment for the activity and weather conditions. 8)Explain the importance of maintaining the correct adult to young person ration during all activities.

Objectives - 3 9) Manage a group during activities through the appropriate use of delegation, decision- making, group control and good communication. 10) Outline the difficulties of operating with both large numbers of young people as a single group, and the risks with very small groups. 11) Detail the emergency and reporting procedure to be implemented in the event of an accident or incident.

Session 1 – Why activities Outdoors? Task 1 In small groups within your sections, list the outdoor activities that young people can and do take part in.

Session 1 – Introduction to the Section and Programme Planning TASK - 1 In groups, prepare a five minute presentation for the rest of the group describing your Section to a non- Scouting audience. Refer to the relevant printed resources, such as your Section Essentials and Programmes.

Session 1 – Introduction to the Section and Programme Planning TASK - 1 Points to include: Section Age Range Section Theme (i.e. who the young people are, what they do and the link to the theme (such as the Jungle Book or the Beaver animal). Groupings of young people within the Section (Lodges, Sixes etc.). Decision-making in the Section (Pack / Troop Leadership Forum etc.) The Methods, Underlying Ways of Working and Programme Zones for the Section The Section’s programme planning processes.

Session 1 – Introduction to the Section and Programme Planning TASK – 2 In groups, prepare a role-play of one of your Section’s ceremonies. Use the relevant Section Essentials to find out how the ceremony is run.

Tea and Coffee

Session 2 Roles and Responsibilities

Adults have a number of different roles during a Section meeting, and the responsibilities that come with those roles vary accordingly. There are four main roles: Leaders Assistant Leaders Section Assistants Young Leaders

Roles and Responsibilities TASK - 1 In the same groups, and using the envelope provided, match up the abbreviations and descriptions with the name of the roles written in full.

Session 3 Games and Activities

Session 3 - Games and Activities TASK - 1 In groups, think of three examples of each of the following types of games. Individual games and activities Team games Competitive games Non-competitive games Indoor games Outdoor games

Session 3 - Games and Activities TASK - 2 In groups, with others from the same Section in Scouting, think up three emergency programme ideas. These are programmes that can be used at a moment’s notice; for example if a Leader falls ill and someone from outside the Group has to help out. Be prepared to briefly summarise the three ideas to the rest of the group.

Session 3 - Games and Activities TASK - 3 In groups, with others in the same Section in Scouting, produce a plan for a Section activity. Assume that the meeting is for 1½ hours. Try and use as many new ideas as possible, rather than ideas that you use on a regular basis. For example, if you decide to plan a meeting on a certain theme, try and choose a theme that is slightly unusual. If you want to run some games, try and thing up some games that you don’t usually run.

Session 3 - Games and Activities TASK – 3 You will need to think of the following: Are the games and activities suitable for the age range, and the facilities you have at your disposal? What equipment will you need? What are the Risk Assessment and safety considerations? If you are running outdoor activities, what will you do if the weather takes a turn for the worse? Does the plan cover the whole meeting? Are there any gaps in the programme? Does anyone have Special Needs that have to be taken into account? Does the programme have any cost implications?

thank you