Young Leader Missions

Below you will find

  • What the Missions are
  • How to complete them
  • The form to download and complete
  • Some tips and advice for making the missions a success

You can download all of this information in one large PDF file - the Young Leader Logbook

What are the Missions

Missions are an exciting part of the Young Leaders’ Scheme. This is your chance to put your training into practice and use what you've learnt in the modules. The missions will give you the vital experience necessary to become a good leader. You’ll build confidence and become an integral part of the leadership team within your section and Group. Evaluation of your performance along with constructive feedback forms a key part of the missions.

When you complete each mission you will get a leaf-shaped badge that changes your diamond Training badge into a circle

Complete all the training modules and the 4 Missions and you get the specials Young Leader Belt

Module A Badge

Mission badge

1 for each mission

All Missions complete

All YL Training + Missions Complete

Mission 1

Task

Run a variety of games: indoor, outdoor or as part of a camp (minimum of three).

To be included

      • At least two different types of leadership style (Module B, C).
      • Three different types of game, eg energetic, active, thinking, creative, etc (Module E).

Suggested activities

  • 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 that the section is working towards.
  • Run a game that reinforces something the section has just learned.
  • Any other ideas, subject to agreement with your ESL (YL) and Section Leader (SL).

When you think you've done this, fill out a Mission form for each game and send them to your Young Leader leader Mission Form at the end of this page

Mission 2

Task

Plan and run an activity (not a game) as part of either the section programme or a camp programme

To be included

  • Planning and organisation.
  • Delivery. Gathering any equipment or materials needed.

Suggested activities

  • Choose an activity badge to run as part of the programme, providing all the information and materials required for the section to achieve this.
  • Run part of a camp programme:
      • Pioneering activity.
      • Obstacle course.
      • Plan the route for a hike.
      • Team challenges.
      • Organising and leading a campfire.
  • Create a way to record how your activities are working towards different badges.
  • Run an activity for the section relating to one of your own hobbies or interests.
  • Any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESL (YL) and Section Leader (SL).

Before you start

You should consider before you start the activity: talk to your section leader or your ESL(YL) if you're not sure

    • What risks does your activity present and what controls or rules do you need to put in place? (Module A)
    • Do you need a qualified instructor for your activity? (Module G)
    • What equipment do you need? (Module G)
    • Can all members of the section(s) take part? Is there anything you need to consider or do differently to ensure that all young people can fully participate in the activity? (Module F)
    • Is the activity appropriate for the whole section? (Module C)

When you think you've done this, fill out the Mission form and send it to your Young Leader leader Mission Form at the end of this page

Mission 3

Task

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

To be included

    • Ask the young people in the section for ideas for the programme.
    • Attendance and contribution at a meeting (eg programme planning, District or County meeting, leaders’ meeting).

Suggested activities

    • Attend a section planning meeting.
    • Plan and run a meeting (for example, section planning forum).
    • Decide who should attend a meeting and invite them.
    • Organise and run a forum for the young people in your section, taking their ideas and suggestions and giving them to the Section Leader.
    • Organising for someone to take notes/minutes/points of action.
    • Plan and run a Forum for your section for two terms (this could be a Sixer or Patrol Leader Forum). Ensure 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 ESL (YL) and SL.

Before you start

You should consider before you start the activity: talk to your section leader or your ESL(YL) if you're not sure

    • What is your role in the meeting? (Modules G and H)
    • How are you going to ask the young people for their ideas? (Modules I and E)
    • How are you going to feedback the information? (Module I)
    • The logistics of the meeting: is the proposed date/location convenient for the majority of people? (Modules G and H)

When you think you've done this, fill out the Mission form and send it to your Young Leader leader Mission Form at the end of this page

Mission 4

Task

Responsibility for organising and running part of the section programme.

To be included

    • Planning and organising.
    • Delivery.

Suggested activities

    • Plan and run a linking activity/event with either the section above and/or below:
        • Work with the leaders of the sections above and below yours (if appropriate) to arrange a linking event/ night/activity.
        • Plan the event/night/activity, making sure it is appropriate for the age/venue.
        • Include members of the section to assist in the evening.
    • Plan and run a challenge award:
        • Choose a challenge award that either has not already been achieved or has been achieved by the fewest members.
        • Plan the activities needed to achieve the award on the monthly/termly/yearly programme.
    • 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 develop some specific skills.
    • Any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESL(YL) and SL

Before you start

You should consider before you start the activity: talk to your section leader or your ESL(YL) if you're not sure

    • What risks do your activities present and what controls or rules do you need to put in place? (Module A)
    • Can all members of the section(s) take part? Is there anything you need to consider or do differently to ensure that all young people can fully participate in the activities? (Module F)
    • How will you get everyone involved and handle different behaviour? (Module D)
    • What leadership style is most appropriate for the activity/ event you’re running? (Module B)
    • How are you going to plan a programme over a longer period? (Module H)
    • Is the activity age appropriate for everyone taking part? (Module C)
    • How are you going to communicate with the young people involved – written instructions, spoken explanation or demonstration? (Modules C and I)

When you think you've done this, fill out the Mission form and send it to your Young Leader leader Mission Form at the end of this page

Mission ‘possible’ – tips to make your missions a success

Use the information from the Young Leaders’ Scheme training modules that you have completed.

    • Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support.
    • Use resources such as the online Scouting magazine, ‘Prepared’, and the section badge and award books to get ideas for games and activities. These books are all available from Scout Shops, or you may be able to borrow them from adult leaders.
    • Work with your Section Leader and other adult volunteers to explain what you want to do with the members in your section. • Draw on your experiences in Scouting and visit other Groups to gain advice from other Young Leaders.
    • Try things out – the missions are a chance to be original and creative. What would you have loved to do when you were a Beaver, a Cub or a Scout?
    • Once you’ve come up with some programme ideas, practice them before you run them with the section members. You may need to adjust them to suit the size of your section, or meet the needs of young people within the section.
    • Always think about safety. Do you need to alter the game or activity to make it safer for section members? Remember that you can adapt the activity according to the age and abilities of your section members.
    • Your Section Leader should invite you to contribute to programme planning and leader meetings. If they forget, then ask to be involved
    • Record everything that you have done with your section in the following Mission Log sheets so you have the evidence to validate your missions. Supplement the notes here with any additional relevant information.

Remember When completing all off your missions, you should:

    • Use the information from the Young Leaders’ Scheme modules.
    • Do not be afraid to ask for help and support.
    • Have fun!

FORMS AND DOWNLOADS

MISSION EVALUATION SHEET

Mission Evaluation Sheet - Google Docs version

MISSION EVALUATION SHEET.pdf

Mission Evaluation sheet - PDF version

Young leader Log Book - PDF download has all the requirements and forms - click here