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Discover what this means

The missions

Discover the four missions to complete as part of the Explorer Scout Young Leaders' Scheme

The four missions are designed to allow the Young Leaders to put the learning from the modules into practice. By doing so, they will gain confidence and become an integral part of the leadership team within their Section and Group.

Completing a mission is similar to completing the validation segment of the Adult Training Scheme. 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.

Mission 1: Game

Plan and run a minimum of three games with the section you are 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 (Modules B and 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, or
  • run a game that reinforces something the section has learned
    any other ideas, subject to agreement with ESLYL and SL.

Mission 2: Activity

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

The activities should include:

  • planning and organisation,
  • delivery, and
  • 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 3: 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 4: 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, and
  • 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 is 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.
Programme planning tool

With a bank of over 500 activities to support the Cub and Beaver Scout programmes, this tool can help Leaders and Explorer Scout Young Leaders plan their terms and sessions with goals designed to help our young members earn badges and achieve awards.

Try the programme planner >
The modules

Take a look at the 11 modules that are part of the Explorer Scout Young Leaders' Scheme.

Discover the 11 modules >