Overview of the modules and missions

The 11 modules are fun and engaging training sessions designed to give Explorer Scout Young Leaders (ESYLs) the necessary skills and ideas to become excellent leaders.

The modules are:
Module A - Prepare for take-off (essentials and expectations)
Module B - Taking the lead
Module C - That’s the way to do it!
Module D - Understanding behaviour
Module E - Game on!
Module F - Making Scouting accessible and inclusive
Module G -What is a high quality programme?
Module H - Programme planning
Module I -What did they say?
Module J - Communicate it!
Module K- First aid masterclass

Who should deliver the modules?

Although the Explorer Scout Leader Young Leader (ESLYL) coordinates the training themselves, modules can be delivered by the ESYL themselves, or by someone with relevant experience, skills, and knowledge. For some modules you may wish to invite subject-matter experts from your District, County/Region or Area to deliver some or all of the modules, or to co-facilitate. For example, you may wish to invite a Safeguarding Awareness Coordinator to support elements of Module A, or a Youth Commissioner to support Module I.

Delivering training to ESYLs uses a different skillset to delivering training to adult volunteers. Bear this in mind when considering who might be best suited to deliver each session. Adults do not need to have completed training modules from the Adult Training Scheme in order to deliver the ESYL training.

ESYLs need to complete four missions to work towards the Scheme. Completing a mission is similar to completing the validation segment of the Adult Training Scheme. Each mission shows that ESYLs can put everything they have learnt throughout the modules into practice.

It's important that section leaders are aware of any upcoming missions, what they entail, and the ways in which they can support the ESYL in their section to complete them.

There is further guidance on supporting section leaders (SLs) to understand the Scheme later on.

Mission one - Game

Plan and run a minimum of three games with the section you're volunteering with. At least one game should take place indoors and one outdoors.

The games should be varied, incorporating:

• at least two different types of leadership style (Module B and Module C)
• three different types of games; for example some games may be more energetic and active, while others may be more creative or reflective (Module E)

To complete this mission, you could:

• run a game at the beginning or end of a section night
• run a wide game on a camp
• run a game that ties into a badge the section is working towards
• run a game that reinforces something the section has learned
• any other ideas, subject to agreement with ESLYL and SL

Mission two - Activity

Plan and run an activity (not a game) with the section you're volunteering with.

The activities should include:

• planning and organisation
• delivery
• gathering any equipment or materials needed

To complete this mission, you could:

• choose an activity badge to run as part of the programme, providing all of the information and materials required for the section to achieve this
• run a segment of the camp programme, such as a pioneering activity or obstacle course, planning the route for a hike, initiating some team challenges, or organising and leading a campfire
• record the ways in which your section’s programme activities could count towards different badges and awards
• run an activity for the section, relating to one of your own hobbies or interests
• any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Mission three - Programme planning

Take the section’s programme ideas to a programme planning meeting.

This mission should include:

• asking the young people in the section to contribute their ideas to the programme
• capturing the ideas and suggestions from the young people and exploring how these could be incorporated into their programme
• attending and contributing to a meeting (eg programme planning meeting, leaders’ meeting, District, County/ Region or Area meeting)

To complete this mission, you could:

• attend a section planning meeting
• plan and run a meeting (eg section planning forum or running activities from the YouShape resources)
• decide who should attend a meeting and invite them along
• organise and run a forum for the young people in your section, gathering their ideas and suggestions, and feeding these back to the section leader
• organise for someone to take notes, minutes or points of action
• plan and run the Sixers’ or Patrol Leaders’ forum, ensuring that the young people in the section understand how they can input their ideas into the section programme
• any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Mission four - Delivery

Take responsibility for organising and running part of the section programme.

This mission should include:

• planning and organising a selection of activities on a theme
• delivery of those activities
• evaluation and review of the activities with the section

To complete this mission, you could:

• plan and run a linking event with either the section above or the section below, working with the leaders of the sections above and below to arrange everything
  - plan an event, night or activity, ensuring it's appropriate for the age range of the young people, and is well-suited to the venue
  - include members of the section in the running of an evening
• plan and run a Challenge Award with the young people, ideally choosing one that either has not already been achieved by anyone in the section, or which has been achieved by the fewest members
  - plan the monthly, termly or yearly programme of activities needed to achieve the award
• plan a camp for the section (under the supervision of a leader with a Nights Away Permit)
• help the young people in the section to explore a particular topic, or to develop some specific skills
• any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL