Young Leaders update – June 2024
Allison Gamble
Lead for Young Leaders
My name is Allison Gamble, and I am the newly appointed Regional Lead for Young Leaders. I have been involved with the Young Leaders Scheme for over 15 years at district level in Derby East, Morningside, and currently Braid District. Young Leaders is a passion of mine, encouraging our next generation of leaders to gain skills that they can take forward into a leadership role.
Who and What are Young Leaders
Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.
All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit.
There are three types of Young Leaders:
- Explorer Young Leader – are Young Leaders that are also part of an Explorer Unit as well.
- District Young Leader – are Young Leaders that have decided that they are only going to do their Scouting as part of the District Young Leader Unit
- Volunteer Young Leader – are members of the public or Girl Guiding who have decided to Volunteer with Scouts for an allocated amount of time for either Duke of Edinburgh or their Top Awards. They are not a member of the Scout Association.
The Scheme
The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and four missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.
As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the top awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.
What can I do as a Leader?
Working alongside an Explorer Scout Young Leader (ESYL) opens up many great opportunities for a section. ESYLs can bring a range of different skills and experience to the section they support and can help invaluably with the planning and running of your section. This not only benefits your section but allows the ESYL to develop skills for later life, equipping them for successful careers, and to take on adult roles within Scouting.
More information on supporting Explorer Young Leaders in your section, click here
The best thing that you can do is encourage the Young Leader in your section to complete the Missions.
The four missions are designed to allow the Young Leaders to put the learning from the modules into practice. By doing so, they will gain in confidence and become an integral part of the leadership team within their Section and Group.
For more information on the missions, click here
If you have any questions about Young Leaders, then please email me on youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk
Young Leader's Day
We have a confirmed date for the Young Leader Day on Saturday 5th October at Bonaly.
We have a fantastic opportunity for Young Leaders from across the Region (all 7 districts) to come together, have fun and learn from each other. The event will be at Bonaly on 5th October 10am with registration starting from 0945, Finishing about 2030, please bring packed lunch, we will supply dinner (please advise of any dietary requirements, when you sign up). Cost will be £5. Young Leaders will need to sign up through their districts, we will let the districts know when registration is open. Places will be given to Young Leaders who have adult leaders attending to support the event.
Leaders are asked to note their interest by emailing allison.gamble@sesscouts.org.uk or Youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk. Ideally, we are looking for at least 2 Leaders from each of the 7 Districts.
If any Young Leader has ideas for activities they would like to see offered, please email Youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk.
