Programme support and what’s coming soon
The new year is well and truly underway. I’m starting to get used to the current world, but it’s still tough. I know that volunteers across the UK are working hard to keep Scouts going – thank you for all you’re doing.
We’ve heard recently that there’s just not enough out there for Explorer Scout Section Leaders and that it’s especially challenging to find lockdown-friendly programme content for Explorers. If you’ve found something that works well, please would you let us know? We’d love to share your ideas on a wider scale so more people can benefit.
What we’ve been working on
Over the past few weeks, we’ve developed some new badge pages, full of hints, tips, and suggested activities to help young people earn badges during this lockdown. There are ideas for Zoom meetings, as well as suggested activities (and a template email for parents and carers) so that not everything you do has to be through a screen. We’ve already covered the Beavers Health and Fitness Activity Badge, Cubs Astronomer Activity Badge, Scouts Naturalist Activity Badge, and Digital Maker Staged Activity Badge. Let us know what you think by clicking on the feedback button on each page.
Work has also begun on the programme for the new early years section. We’ve sent the structure to senior volunteers for approval, so stay tuned to find out more about the badges and awards the youngest members of our movement will be working hard to earn (and wear with pride).
Joining a new section is an exciting time, but you’ve told us that it can be a tricky one too, especially when we’re all meeting online. You’ve also told us that saying goodbye when young people move on doesn’t feel quite the same through a screen. That’s why we’ve put together some guidance for Investitures and moving on ceremonies, whether you’re in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, or Explorers. As always, we’d love to know what’s working for you – you can let us know with our new survey.
There’s no escaping the fact that lockdown is tough on young people. Despite this, Scouts told us that they want to keep taking action to help others and make the world a better place, starting with mental health. Over the past few weeks, we’ve updated the resources for Wellbeing Champions. Why not get involved and send it out to young people so they can make a difference as they earn their Community Impact Staged Activity Badge and The Great Indoors Badge?
And of course, we haven’t forgotten to update the activity finder. We focussed on adding content that works online for Scouts and Explorers (and ambitious Cub leaders) with Two truths, one lie and Scattergories.
Finally, you asked us to tell you more about the flexibility around badge requirements and timeframes in light of the pandemic. The team are on it – and we’ll have more for you soon.
What’s coming soon
We’re working away to add to over 1,200 activities already on the activity finder, designing something for everyone to deliver online with content for important events like Thank You Day.
If you’re one of the organised ones, St George’s Day may already be on your horizon. If you choose to celebrate, it’s up to you what you do – just make sure it includes everyone. We’re working on some resources to help you mark the day too.
We’re also making more science-themed activity bundles that bring together activities around specific themes to make it easier for young people to earn badges through their online sessions. We’d love your feedback on the pages we’ve already made for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and a Staged Activity Badge so we know what else we can do to help young people earn the badges that lead to their top awards.
Video calls are a wonderful way of staying connected, but they can be exhausting too. We’re working on resources that leaders can send directly to young people, including a new batch of Press-play-and-go videos.
We’re also working with the volunteers behind 1st Digital Scout Group and the Scout Content Scout Active Support Unit to host their content on a national level. It’s an exciting time for working together, as we’re also thinking about how we make it easier for great grassroots content to be shared nationally.
Finally, we’re thinking ahead to identify the sorts of activities we’ll need when Scouts can return to (socially distanced) face-to-face meetings.
We want to hear from you
Ultimately, we’re doing all this to make it easier for you. If you’ve got any ideas about anything I’ve mentioned in this blog (or about the programme in general) please do get in touch through the info centre.