Hints and Tips
Joey Scouts
For older Joey Scouts, some of the practices described for Cub Scouts may be appropriate,
so be sure to look at them as well.
Adults working with Joey Scouts seek to give them an introduction to leadership that will be
built upon in successive age groups.
• Ask Joey Scouts to contribute their ideas for the program and to review the success.
They may nominate to lead or assist parts of the program – include this in the detailed
program documentation. Plan for an adult to work with these Joey Scouts in advance.
This could be 10 minutes in advance or a few weeks!
• Ask a Joey Scout to help an adult set up for an activity. Have the Joey Scout work out
that tables and drop sheets will be needed and how to set these up. Helping one or
more Joey Scouts to think of what will be needed for an activity, and how long it
should take, is teaching them to plan.
• Ask a Joey Scout to select a game, explain the rules and help oversee the game. It is
an introduction to leadership.
• Ask Joey Scouts if they have specific things they want to do or achieve. These form
part of their individual goals and progression pathways. The adult role is to help them
to develop their goals and help them to review and adjust. Joey Scouts can be
responsible for set up and pack up of activities - don’t just let the adults do it.
• Sometimes Joey Scouts will muck around, using up the allotted time for the activity.
When that occurs, involve the Joey Scouts in deciding what should happen: e.g.
should we pack up and forget the activity, or cancel something else on the program
to recover time. It is a learning experience either way. Natural leaders within the Unit
may reveal themselves, as they encourage their peers to not waste time. This
encourages the Unit to learn to work together to set up and clean up efficiently.
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Cub Scouts
Supporting youth requires being organised. Spur of the moment planning gives no
opportunity to develop young people.
Establish a rhythm of supporting that the Cub Scouts become used to. Here is an example
of how that rhythm might look:
End of Program Cycle - review
The last night of the program cycle includes a program review in Patrols. You will need one
adult per patrol to assist. Remind the Cubs the week before so that they can think of what
they want to contribute.
Between Program Cycles - Review past and Plan new with Unit Council
In between program cycles the Leader meets with the Unit Council to review and to plan the
details of the next program cycle.
Plan opportunities for Youth Leading
With a detailed program, the Patrol Leaders help work out what games, activities and
adventures Cub Scouts can be involved in leading or assisting. Don’t forget more
experienced Cub Scouts instructing newer ones.
Start of Program Cycle - circulate coming Cub Scout opportunities
Prior to a program cycle commencing, the program is shared and Cub Scouts who will lead
or assist are named so they can plan for it.
Lead up to each program - Support
Work two weeks ahead. A fortnight before their programmed responsibility, talk with the
nominated Cub Scouts to explain their task and ask them to think about it.
The week prior, meet with them again to help them to make or finalise their plan.
On the Program Night - Support and Review
Each week, just before the night begins, meet with the Cub Scouts responsible for activities
that week to ensure that they are ready. When the Cub Scout is actually running the game
or activity, an adult is standing by to help but avoids taking over unless it is absolutely
necessary.
At the end of the night, an adult spends a couple of minutes reviewing the activity with the
Cub Scout.
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Ongoing
Get into the habit of supporting your Cub Scouts to set and review goals for their personal
progression. Perhaps a ‘roster’ is set-up so that every three to six months each Cub Scout is
reviewed. That way, only two Cub Scouts are reviewed each week.
An opportunity for a Cub Scout to instruct others is a chance for the Cub Scout to reinforce
their own skills and knowledge while developing communication and leadership skills.
Rather than have the adults teach newer members how to tie a reef knot, let other Cub
Scouts do it - and support them in their efforts.
The task of setting up or packing up for each activity should be done wherever possible by
young people. Allowing Patrol Leaders to lead their Patrol or the whole Unit in the task
creates an opportunity to practice leadership. Immediately after, or by the end of the night,
an adult should review with the Patrol Leader to explore what went well, and what could be
done differently or better next time.
As an adult you have to strike a balance between the development opportunities for
individuals and the continuity of the program. You will always have a “Plan B” in case a Cub
Scout doesn’t rise to the challenge.
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Scouts
A key aspect of the Scout section is the transitioning of responsibility for the program. In the
Scout section, the Unit Council plans the program and adults might assist with the detail.
This is a huge learning opportunity. It takes some effort on the part of adults to mentor and
guide this process. When you have a young Unit, your role will increase. When you have
experienced Scouts to lead the process, your role will decrease.
• While Patrol Leaders help Scouts set and review their goals and achievements, adults
mentor them through this process.
• In the Scout section, adults are not necessarily present at all activities. You will need
strategies to remotely support and supervise activities.
• As an adult, you have to balance the development opportunities for individuals and
the continuity of the program. You will always have a “Plan B” in case a Scout doesn’t
rise to the challenge.
• Succession planning is a vital part of Unit continuity. Adults monitor the future
progressions and actively develop the next generation of leadership.
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Venturer Scouts
Venturer Scouts are responsible for planning and running the Unit. Adult mentoring ensures
that every activity has a learning outcome (even if it doesn’t go as planned) and that Venturer
Scouts won’t be sitting around doing nothing.
• The adult role changes when the Section lacks the benefit of experienced members
to guide the section. Nevertheless, the principle of young people planning their
program doesn’t change.
• For the many and varied activities enjoyed by Venturer Scouts, adults provide
guidance or assist in identifying suitable candidates who can provide guidance or
instruction.
• In Venturer Scouts, the Unit Council helps Scouts set and review their personal goals
and achievements. The adult role is to ensure this is done effectively and in a
supportive manner.