Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people
Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people
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1. Demonstrate how to choose, use and maintain the right equipment for a residential experience.
2. Demonstrate the most common practical skills used during a residential experience.
One of the first things you should consider when planning a residential experience is what equipment you might need.
If you have your own equipment you should check it before you leave. When checking you should make sure it is safe to use.
Equipment should only be used by those who know how to use it or under the supervision of such, following all safety precautions.
Training and practice are very important for your staff team.
This session is a series of practical sessions preceded by a session about planning equipment needs.
This can be delivered as specialist sessions by specialist trainers or as a series of bases.
It could also be incorporated into a series of activities that take place throughout a weekend. Timings listed are only an estimate. A whole skills day could cover most of these elements.
The session should incorporate some practical activity allowing participants to have a go. More activities can be included if relevant.
Split the participants into groups and using scenarios they have already planned for ask them to think of all the equipment they might need for their residential experience. Ask them to list these under the following headings:
After 15 minutes ask them to highlight what young people could bring as part of their kit.
The participants should link this task in with the other tasks/scenarios they have already planned for. This will help them in the progression of planning a residential experience. However the question could also be a generic one and used as part of the checklist process. If they are planning a real experience then the process can be run using the real life scenario.
Bring the participants back as one group, and ask them to feedback. Explain to the participants that when drawing up a list of equipment they need to think about:
Checking equipment before leaving
If they have their own equipment they should check it before leaving. Large items such as tents, ropes or canoes should be checked at least six weeks before. If there are any defects or parts missing this then gives plenty of time to repair or get new parts. Any equipment that is hired or borrowed should be inspected before it is taken. Any defects or faults should be noted and agreements made as to who will rectify it. This is especially important when hiring as it may affect a deposit being refunded.
Safety
They should ensure all equipment is safe to use. If in doubt have it serviced or dump it. Particular attention should be paid to gas or fuel and any life-saving equipment. It should be serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and checked by someone who is familiar with it. Individual items that are designed for specific purposes should not be used for anything else. Training should be given on how to use equipment.
Storing equipment
When returning from an experience, equipment needs to be put away properly and carefully checked so people can use them next time. Cooking utensils should be properly washed and dried so as not to attract vermin or bacteria.
A series of practical skills, safety and maintenance information sessions should be run on the following:
There are no specific trainer’s notes for the specialist sessions, but the following needs to be covered:
Safe use, maintenance and storage:
Stoves and lamps
Safe use, maintenance and storage:
Camping gas lamps
Safe use, maintenance and storage
Knives, axe and saw (this could be run alongside the fire session)
Safe use, maintenance and storage