Development Plan for Blaydon District Explorer Scouts - Enhancing Structure and Program Effectiveness

1. DEVELOPMENT PLAN Blaydon District Explorer Scouts (Version 6 – February 2013)

2. FOUR KEY COMPONENTS • Structure, Organisation and Administration • Retention • Recruitment • Moving On • Direct Recruitment • Programme     

3. STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION • Structure • Two District Explorer Scout Units • Existing District Explorer Scout Unit • Young Leader Unit (as required by POR) • Organisation • To better organise, coordinate and communicate within the section and with the rest of the District and County • Administration • To comply with the applicable rules under POR • Finance • To be coordinated between Explorer Scout Unit, Young Leader Unit and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group • Reported to District Executive on a regular basis      

4. STRUCTURE • To provide options for all 14 – 18 year olds in the District • Active participation in Explorer Scouts AND/OR • As a Young Leader • Supported by appropriate District Structures      District Executive Committee DESC DESA   District Explorer Scout Unit District Young Leader Unit D of E Group   

5. DISTRICT EXPLORER SCOUT UNIT • Continue to meet at Winlaton HQ • 7pm every Thursday • Linked to all Scout Troops in the District • Existing leadership team • Formalise Explorer Scout Forum for programme planning and organisation • By the Explorer Scouts, for the Explorer Scouts • Better supported by • District Executive Committee • District Explorer Scout Commissioner • District Explorer Scout Administrator • Other Leaders in District • Partnership Agreement needed with Winlaton Group • Use of HQ, equipment, meeting times, costs etc        

6. YOUNG LEADER UNIT  • Linked to all Groups in the District • Coordinate with Group Scout Leaders to identify the need/opportunity for Young Leaders • Provide on-going training • Regular programme of training (as required) • Fill-in / Follow-up training • Provide on-going support • Monitor progress • Answer questions / queries • Formalise completion of training and awards • Meet as required   

7. ORGANISATION • Improved communication between Scout and Explorer Scout sections • Maintain database of 13 year old Scouts • Direct communication to 13 year old Scouts • Direct communication to Scout Leaders • Improve coordination between Scout and Explorer Scout sections • Discussion and agreement on ‘Moving On’ • Coordination of Troop / District activities • Improved support and oversight from District Executive Committee      

8. ADMINISTRATION • Explorer Scout finances to come under District Committee oversight • Finance to be coordinated at District level by District Explorer Scout Commissioner • Regulator updates to District Executive at Committee meetings • Fulfilment of District Explorer Scout Administrator role    

9. RETENTION • Retention of existing Explorer Scouts comes down to three things • Programme • Programme! • PROGRAMME! • Also need to ensure effective links and moving on with the Scout Network  

10. RECRUITMENT – MOVING ON • Use list of 13 year old Scouts and communications with Scout Leaders to formalise Moving On process • All 13 year old Scouts to • Be invited to join Explorer Scouts • Receive copies of Explorer Scout newsletter • Be invited to join Explorer Scout Facebook Group • Older Scouts to be invited to appropriate Explorer Scout activities     

11. DIRECT RECRUITMENT • All 14 – 18 year olds in District not currently in Explorer Scouts to be • Identified • Invited to join Explorer Scouts • Invited to join Young Leaders Unit • Given the opportunity to take part in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award • Direct recruitment of other 14 – 18 year olds by Explorer Scouts to be encouraged • Leverage social contacts and networks • Organise activities suitable for ‘guests’      

12. PROGRAMME • Support forward planning of Explorer Scout Unit through • The use of Explorer Unit Scout Forum • Actively engage Explorer Scouts in Programme Planning • Coordination with Scout Troops • Dates and suitable activities • Focus with former Scout Groups to be around Young Leaders i.e. Group’s own Young Leaders, not all ex-Scouts • Leverage Explorer Scout badge and award scheme    

13. PROGRAMME • Leverage County Explorer Scout opportunities e.g. • Explorer Scout activities (e.g. Geoffrey Gordon Cup) • Camps (e.g. Frostie, Confido) • Moor House service team • Other adventurous activities (e.g. Outward Bound, Sail Training Bursary, Sanctuary) • Improve communication of programme via • Newsletter • Facebook group • E-mail lists • Website / On-line Calendar        

14. DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group • Provide the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme for all 14 – 18 year olds in the District • Open to members of District Explorer Scout Unit and Young Leaders Unit • Aligned with Chief Scout’s Platinum, Chief Scout’s Gold and Queen’s Scout Awards • Appoint District Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator • Leverage support from District Leaders with suitable skills and qualifications • Focus on expedition, preparation and assessment • Coordinate and support other sections of the Award    

15. 4 WEEK PROGRAMME