The key responsibilities of any Senior Scout and particularly all forms of Patrol Leader are:

P – Plan and run games and activities.

A – Assist new Scouts.

T – Take the lead in ceremonies.

R – Ready your Troop and help leaders.

O – Organise and help with the programme.

L – Learn by doing and have fun!

 

We’ve put the following links and information together in one place as a helpful reference for you as you continue your journey is Scouting and help nature the spirit of Scouting amongst others.

 

Camping

Before you go to a campsite, do what you can to research the site in advance:

  • where is the water supply?
  • where are the toilets?
  • where is your allocated pitch?
  • where is your supply of fuel?
  • what hazards exist?
  • what [special] rules apply?
  • what is the weather forecast?

You may be able to find photos online or get a good idea using the satellite view of GoogleMaps.

When you arrive at camp, think about prioritising:

  • WATER. Camps run on it. Secure your water supply and get heating enough for immediate cooking, drinking and hygiene needs.
  • HAZARDS. Are you safe from risk of flooding, windfall & debris, and lesser hazards such as noise (getting a good night of sleep is important).
  • PITCH. As level as possible, making the best of the location for camp objectives – whilst accommodating all the canvas you need.
  • SHELTER. Get immediate shelter up – such as a tarp or cooking shelter, then sleeping canvas / hammocks, etc.
  • FACILITIES & SUPPLIES. Ensure everyone is familiar with toilet facilities and sources of firewood – especially before it gets dark.

Remember!

  • Things take longer and have more risks when it is dark. Have torches handy and be as familiar as you can with the site in advance/before dark.
  • Don’t get wet if you can avoid it – use coats and shelter effectively. Stuff that gets wet risks staying wet for the remainder of your camp.

Scout Adventures published this helpful guide for setting-up and managing a camp pitch.

For patrol camps, page 13 (onwards) of this guide gives good guidance. See page 17 onwards for help with being ready for camp inspections.

 

Food, Cooking & Washing-up

The more self-sufficient you are – such as if you’re hiking, the more complex this becomes.

This general video on cooking and cleaning on a DofE Expedition is a useful baseline.

Have a look at this helpful video on camp and expedition food – aimed at those on Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.

See page 20 (onwards) of this guide for guidance on patrol cooking kit, and this resource from SHQ is insightful too.

TRANGIA

This is a guide to using a Trangia.

Here’s a video on Trangia set-up.

And here’s a video on using a Trangia gas burner.

CLEANING

It’s super-important!

This video has some useful tips on washing-up whilst backpacking or when you don’t have “normal” washing facilities. These tips are also handy.

Alternatively, here’s a video that goes into a bit more detail. And here’s an absolute minimalist approach.

 

 

Packing and tent care

Follow this fail-safe guide for packing your Vango Force 10 at the end of camp.

For patrol tents, page 7 of this guide has a helpful guide.

For dining/cooking shelters, page 11 of this guide will be useful – particularly for how to pitch your guylines.

 

Backpacks: packing, carrying, fitting & kit

Familiarise yourself and your patrol with how to pack your backpack, how to stay organised, and how to adjust the fit with this guide.

In terms of what kit you require, ensure you follow the list provided with the OSM event for the specific camp. Here’s a helpful video, aimed at Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme starters.

Think you can manage without a sleeping mat? Watch this and understand why the right sort of sleeping mat and bag insulation are critical to a good night of sleep.

 

Technology

It’s important to make the most of the opportunity for adventure and to enjoy time in Scouting without unnecessary distraction. Phones and other technology are there to support when needed – such as in an emergency, but should not be the centre of any Scouts attention.

Ensure you are familiar with our mobile phone policy and that you and your patrol abide by it. If a Scout does have a phone with them, they need to ensure it has enough charge to be used for it’s primary reason: in case of emergency!

 

The Scout values

The values provide everyone involved in Scouts with a guide for how to act. 

The five values are: 

  • integrity, 
  • respect, 
  • care, 
  • belief 
  • and co-operation.

The Scout Law

Originally written by Lord Baden-Powell, the Scout Law sits alongside the Scout Promise to create a positive framework that helps Scouts put the values into action.

The Scout Law:

  1. A Scout is to be trusted.
  2. A Scout is loyal.
  3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
  4. A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
  5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
  6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
  7. A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

This is the variation of the Law that’s for adult volunteers, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members.

The Promise

The Scout Promise is a simple way to help young people and adults keep the fundamentals of Scouts front of mind. It’s important that every member takes the time to consider and discuss its meaning before making the Promise and being invested into Scouts.

The Scout Promise: 

On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.

This is the variation of the Promise that’s for adult volunteers, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members.

 

Good Scouting

A good Scouts needs to demonstrate specific qualities – at all times, namely:

TRAITS

  • Responsibility: Takes responsibility for their patrol and ensures they are prepared for troop activities
  • Delegation: PL delegates responsibility to their Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) and more experienced patrol members, and chooses capable scouts to help with tasks
  • Communication: Clearly provides information to their patrol and listens to their needs
  • Preparation: Looks for and prepares for challenges
  • Equality: Treats each troop member equally and understands them as individuals
  • Leadership: Leads by example
  • Mutual respect: Builds a culture of mutual respect
  • Learning: Is prepared to make mistakes and learn from them
  • Patience: Has patience and understanding
  • Help: Doesn’t hesitate to ask for help and is always ready to give it – watching out for where it’s needed.

ACTIONS

  • Planning: Planning, leading, and evaluating patrol meetings and activities.
  • Managing: Keeping their patrol intact so they can work together and share responsibilities.
  • Readiness: Ensuring everyone in the patrol is ready for games and activities.
  • Support: Helping to get any equipment ready for activities and helping clear them away
  • Maturity: Demonstrates personal maturity & demonstrates good conduct
  • Conduct: Well mannered, takes personal responsibility

This forms the basis of our Leaders Challenge for the Personal Challenge Award of the Gold Chief Scout Award.

 

The Scout method

The method describes Scouts in action. It’s all about young people enjoying and ‘learning by doing’ in partnership with adults, based on the Scout values. The method is a framework for you to plan a quality programme and says that young people in partnership with adults:

  • Enjoy what they are doing and have fun. 
  • Take part in activities indoors and outdoors. 
  • Learn by doing. 
  • Share in spiritual reflection. 
  • Take responsibility and make choices. 
  • Undertake new and challenging activities. 
  • Make and live by their Promise. 
Situational Leadership