Being a Young Leader
The Young Leader Scheme is one of the exciting elements of the Explorer Scouts Programme. It encourages youth members aged between 14 and 17 to support a younger section while developing their own skills.
Becoming a Young Leader opens up loads of opportunities, both within Scouting and in the real world. You’ll gain new skills, work towards awards and qualifications and generally have a really fun time!
The Young Leader Award
With the support, direction and guidance of your ESYL Unit leaders, Section leaders and your District Explorer Scout Leader, you’ll be encouraged to lead your section, design your own programme and work towards the Young Leader Award. It’s one of Scouting’s Top Awards, consisting of Modules and Missions.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams
What’s in it for me?
Apart from getting to know other leaders, running fun games for happy Beavers, Cub or Scouts, going on even more camps and becoming friends with other ESYLs in the island’s Young Leader Unit, all the hours you contribute can go towards a number of other awards and qualifications. Volunteering with us will go towards your Welsh Baccalaureate, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Chief Scout Awards and the Queen’s Scout Award!
Training
To achieve the Young Leader Award, along with the belt and badges, you’ll need to complete 11 training modules and 4 missions. You can complete you training independently or with a group of other ESYLs – we’d definitely recommend doing it in a group!
If you’re intending onvolunteering for 3-12 months for Bacc or DofE, you’ll have to complete Module A, which covers safeguarding and POR.
There’s a logbook available to help you keep track of your training. If you want to start training, or want to register as a Young Leader, get in touch with our District Commissioner or our District Explorer Scout Leader (YL).
Training Modules
To achieve your Young Leader Award you’ll have to complete all 11 training modules.
Upon completing Module A, you’ll be awarded your Young Leader acorn badge! This can be worn on your uniform, just under your District and Area badges.
Module K (First Aid) can be skipped if the YL holds one of the following:
- Stage 4 or 5 Emergency Aid staged activity badge
- Explorer Scout Lifesaver activity badge
- A certificate of attendance for a British Red Cross, St John’s or Scouts First Response first aid course
If you’re a YL wanting to do the training independently the Module PowerPoints can be used as study material alongside the ESYL logbook – use them to answer the questions in the logbook. Enjoy!
Module A – Prepare for Take Off!
Module C – That’s the way to do it!
Module D – Understanding Behaviour
Module F – Making Scouting Inclusive and Accessible
Module G – What is a High Quality Programme?
Module H – Programme Planning Plus
YL Training Advisors are free to use the PowerPoints to supplement their training. Further support to help deliver the training can be found here.
Missions
The Missions are essentially the part of the award where you put everything you’ve learnt into action and prove you’ve been working on developing your leadership skills.
There are four Missions: one covers games, one covers activities, one covers programmes and badges and one covers planning. They’re simple to complete and you could easily complete one, two, or even three in one meeting you run for your section! Find out more here.
So, what are you waiting for? Join our growing group of young Scouting prodigies, get stuck in and have fun!
