Scout Leadership Course How to Guide

All courses require resources. These include land (an area to run the event in), people (to plan, manage, deliver, set up, clear up, cater, etc.), time (to plan and to run) and usually physical things (equipment, food, vehicles, etc.).

Understanding the Course Components

The Scout Leadership Course is both flexible and constantly changing. Most of the printed resources you will find on the scheme appear dry and often dated. There is no set format to the course – each one needs to be tailored to the participants needs and resources available. From our own training and from our work with young people, we know which presentation methods work best for learning and enjoyment. These should be employed throughout your Scout Leadership Course. Avoid “chalk and talk” sessions, sitting still for long periods, tasks requiring writing or reading in large quantities. Include practical sessions, skills based sessions and physical tasks that promote leadership, team work and thinking. Consider if an overnight stay is appropriate or if the course is better run over 2 day sessions. List out the sessions you are going to deliver, put them into an order and you are ready to find the right people to deliver them.

Establishing the Team

Which leaders in your District will be best for the course? If you know your leadership team, then you can identify those with spark, energy, specific skills or excellent communication techniques. Don’t overlook the younger leaders, older Scouts or Venturers, parents or local community members – all of which might give your youth members a different perspective on life. Read the sessions carefully as they often indicate the type of person who would be most appropriate to use.