Scouting staffroom type thread on Mumsnet?

[PerplexedOnceMore]

I've seen one for Guides on Mumsnet and was wondering if there was anything similar for the Scouting Movement?
I'm fairly new in post and would appreciate a place to go for advice, share some hints and tips etc.

Just Trustee meetings as needed... but we are a small group. We do all the planning, fundraising etc instead of separate committees like you are "supposed," to have.
And the annual district meeting but I have "childcare" issues. That might be wearing a bit thin now my youngest is turning 12 though.

Each term we usually have 1 trustee meeting, 1 leader meeting (whole group), 1 section planning meeting, 1 district cub meeting, and 1 or 2 camp planning meeting. Seems a lot e we hen written down - but some at at the pub, so it’s not so bad !

@Budgiegirlbob that sounds like the same amount for us.
They're all scheduled for this month so it feels like a lot. It might feel better to me if it were spread out across the term.

I've lost count to be honest, the formal ones are Trustee and Leaders meeting for our group. We have a planning session and an end of term session for Beavers, these are much more social. They are at the pub and the planning/debrief lasts an hour, then it's just chatting. The camp meetings tend to be similar and anytime we need to talk about GLV stuff we go to the pub (there are two of us in this role)
For the County events I do it varies but probably between 6/10 a year. Most are on Zoom for an hour.

@PerplexedOnceMore per term, we'll have one section planning meeting, one Trustee meeting, possibly one fundraising meeting if we have a particular event coming up (e.g. village Carnival, where there's lots of jobs to coordinate), possibly a camp planning meeting. Then there might be a District section leaders meeting. GLVs and Trustee Board Chairs would also have District-level check-ins. I personally have District training volunteers' meetings (but I chose to get involved with those). It can feel a lot sometimes, which is why a few Xmases ago I bought my fellow leaders this badge! (Sadly no longer manufactured...)

Gah, image failed...

I'm a scout leader.
Started as a beaver when my daughter was 6, she's now 12. I have told my leader that I will leave summer 2026, when my daughter is 13 1/2.
I am really not enjoying it. Children are great but my leader isn't. We've clashed.
I have been asked to get my night's away permit, but I can't see the point. And I have precedent to think that my work will not be judged fairly.

That's a shame. But I think if the love for it has gone, and (not to mince words) you're working with tossers, then it's definitely time to step away. If you want to continue to be involved in some way, but not as part of a Group, maybe there is a role at District you could take on?

Can I ask how you manage children who are consistently chatting when you're trying to explain an activity or similar?
It's such a small thing but it's really starting to grate on me as it's always the same children who I'm having to ask to stop their conversation.

In our pack, if a leader raises their hand, it’s the signal for the young people to also raise their hand and stop talking. If they see you with your hand raised, and carry on chatting, or start to chat when a leader is explaining an activity, then they get a yellow card and have to sit out of the activity for a few minutes (they might get a warning first). If it happens again they get a red card and sit out for the rest of the activity. If this keeps happening then we will chat to parents about it, but we’ve never needed to. It doesn’t work perfectly, but things are much better and less disruptive now we are consistent with this.

Every now and then we ask the cubs as a group to write a ‘Code of behaviour’ and sign it, and we ask them what they think the consequences should be for breaking the code. They’re much harsher on themselves than the leaders would ever be! But it helps with the rules to be followed if they’ve already agreed to the rules in the first place.

Thanks @Budgiegirlbob we do the hand in the air and have a Code of Conduct too. I was wondering about trying red and yellow cards so will suggest that to the other leaders. The guidance on how you administer them is helpful, thank you.
One of our very part time leaders claps a tune which is effective, but unfortunately I'm not rhythmic enough to be able to do this 😆

This is more a parent than a Scout leader problem, relating to my DDs rather than my Cubs...

DDs attend different Scout Troops, mainly for logistical reasons. They both recently got the same badge. The issue is... one had to do a LOT more work for it. I have to admit the other DDs troop does seem to hand badges out like sweeties... but its causing a bit of upset.

Without going into specifics of what they each had to do... what do your Scouts have to do to get their Expedition badge?

So one of our Scout troops has their expedition coming up in March. They have 2 meetings beforehand in which they are planning their route to and from a train station to the campsite, creating route cards, getting a kit list together. They have to let their leaders know what equipment they require so it can be booked out of stores. What meals are being cooked etc.
they are catching a train and they will hike a few miles (depends on route) to a campsite. Set up camp and cook their evening meal, I can't remember what the leaders are asking them to do as a challenge. Then breakfast in the morning, hike back to the train station and home. They will then present everything to the group leadership team, pictures stories etc.

My eldest did his last year.
Our District tends to run it annually as often you might only have 1 or 2 per Scout group wanting to do it.
Also this way, they get to know other Scouts.

They have a planning meeting followed by a practise hike. Then another planning meeting which includes an equipment check.
Shopping night for food - usually the week of the expedition - then the expedition itself.

They try and mix leaders & Scouts from other groups so you're not "helping" your own Scouts as the aim for the Scouts to do as much on their own as possible, just being followed and occasionally guided by the leaders.

Our District run it very simular to the Bronze DofE - most Scouts who do the Expedition go on to do their DofE Bronze and above as they are well versed in what to do.

So it appears that I will be going on my first camp this summer. I haven't camped for about 15 years and even then only at festivals, which I'm hoping will be somewhat different.
It's fair to say that I've gotten used to home comforts over the years.
What can I do in advance for myself to make things easier/more comfortable? I would like to enjoy the experience and feel proud of myself for getting out of my comfort zone, but at this time, I'm kind of dreading it.

I take my own coffee. (And let it be known obviously that others are welcome to have some).
Our group gives leaders their own tent and camp bed (although if DH is there for the overnight ratio he shares with me... we have different helpers during the day).

I sleep in joggers and a tshirt, and have an oodie style jumper for chucking on quickly so I can be out of bed in seconds if needed.

Definitely a camp bed - a cheap one is fine - absolute game changer for me.

Really good waterproofs

And accept that you might not get much sleep!

Ooh I hadn't even contemplated a camp bed. I might have to investigate that, thanks.

Camp bed - something to get a bit of height off the floor. Plus something soft on top.

Old school spider legged camp bed plus thermarest was my go to. These days I’d get the decathlon frame and mattress combo.

Think about getting up in the night - shoes, ‘clothes’ (fit for public pj trousers, t shirt and then a hoodie or fleece to put on was my go to).

also think about sleep. If you need dark, find an eye mask that you’re comfy. Knock off snoozeband is my go to for home. £10 off Amazon, blocks light and plays my podcasts.

I'm going to help run our Scouts section in future, as the leader has retired. I've only done Beavers up to now! I'm compiling a few ideas to reinvigorate the programme. What are your Scouts' favourite sessions?

@moggerhanger I have no useful advice for you, but I wanted to say how awesome I think you are in helping to keep the section running.
By Scouts age, the options for extracurricular activities are really starting to narrow down. If you're not sporty or arty, Scouts might be the only club they do, so it's really important for the children to keep these units running.

Aw thanks @PerplexedOnceMore ! I'm actually feeling a bit bruised tonight, as the outgoing Scout leader was a total arse to me on a trustee board Zoom earlier (long backstory, but I hadn't really realised just how much he dislikes me). So your kind words have cheered me right up!

Irony being that getting him a nice leaving gift, and making sure that plenty of District folk are at his last meeting as leader...yep, ended up being me sorting it out.

Ouch. I'm not surprised that you're feeling sore after that experience @Moggerhanger
In terms of Scouts sessions, my eldest really enjoyed some carpentry sessions, although it probably takes nerves of steel to run activities like that 😆

Please could someone point me in the direction of the official guidance on child/adult ratios, please?
We rely on what our GSL has told us, but it seems to vary depending on when we ask. I'd like to read it for myself so that I know we have it right. Thanks.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/4-local-organisation-of-sections-groups-districts-counties

Scouts.org.uk has basically all information you need on rules and guidelines about everything.

What training have you undertaken as even the basic level covers where to find this information? The website above gives info on thst as well.