Would you like to learn new water skills by trained instructors, update existing skills, and give back to support the next generation, all at the same time? Well, you can at Longcraig. Enjoy Scouting by the sea! No previous Scouting experience, no problem!
Longcraig is a water-activities centre owned and operated by the Scouts and run entirely by volunteer staff. The centre operates from a purpose-built building situated in the corner of the Dalmeny Estate by Longcraig pier, South Queensferry. Our purpose is to provide adventurous activities based around the water for Scouts and Guides living in the South East of Scotland and for those visiting from other Regions. Longcraig is also a recognised RYA training centre and all our activity staff hold RYA and BCU qualifications as well as Scout activity permits. We take activity session bookings from Scout and Guide groups and can offer activities for Cubs to Explorers and Leaders.
We are seeking new adult volunteers who can support:
Skilled / qualified instructors/leaders:
Anyone who holds a recognised paddle sport, sailing or powerboating qualification is welcome to get in touch. We operate up to five evenings a week during the summer season, and every weekend, so we need a lot of volunteers to cover all of these. If you have a passion for sharing your skills with young people and helping them develop their own knowledge, then this would be an ideal role for you.
Some water skills:
As above, but we can help you develop your skills and experience first of all to gain a formal qualification, which you can then share with others once you have the confidence level needed. In the meantime, you would be able to gain some of that experience by simply helping out with some of our activities, as well as separate dedicated improvement time for yourself.
Land-based activities:
As well as our extensive water-based programme, we have a number of resources to support additional activities off the water which we can utilise either if the weather conditions are not ideal, or to supplement water activities on some occasions when we have to cater for large numbers. These can include indoor and outdoor activities, covering all ages of the Scouting programme. Ideal candidates might also help take responsibility for organising, maintaining and expanding this sector of our operation.
Support activities:
We can split these into three parts –
1. We have a small group who assist our water-based instructors with preparing and running safety checks for young people before they go out on the water; escorting groups to their boating activities as required; then assisting with folks when they come off the water to help ensure everything is cleaned, stored and that the participants get suitably warmed up and into dry clothes if necessary. This can also include kitchen support – we have a comprehensive kitchen facility which can provide hot drinks, and can expand to barbeques and even on occasion to meals and snacks.
2. The extensive support needed to just operate an activity centre – from running repairs to fueling up boats and the tractor, to mowing the grass, cutting roadside verges, and some straightforward painting, woodwork, electricals and any skills that people can bring to this support role.
3. The hands-on support also has the need for a team carrying out the supporting administration, helping with staffing, bookings or administration around training or just helping to keep on with the communication and publicity.
South East Scotland Scouts
71 Bonaly Road
Edinburgh
EH13 0PB
© SES Scouts 2022 | Scottish Charity SC010563
