Young Leaders and D of E Volunteering

Young Leaders

Our Beaver, Cub and Scout sections are all supported by a team of Young Leaders. These are young people aged between 14 and 18 who are members of Woodlands Explorer Scouts. They return to 1st Burnham and Hitcham each week to help the adult volunteers develop and deliver a fun programme for our sections.

They take part in the Young Leaders’ Scheme. This is a programme of 10 training modules and four Missions. The Programme gives Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to act as part of the section leadership team, and covers subjects such as a balanced, quality programme, Child Protection, First Aid and leadership skills. It is designed to help Young Leaders to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed in their current role, which can be built on if they decide to take on an adult appointment.

Places for Young Leaders at 1st Burnham and Hitcham are limited. We have between 8 and 10 Young Leaders working with us at any one time. Most of these Young Leaders have previously been a Scout at 1st Burnham and Hitcham or another unit. Young Leaders can start working in the Beaver and Cub Sections once they become 14, however to become a Young Leader for the Scout Section they have to have left Scouts at least 6 months previously.

DofE Volunteering

In addition to the Young Leader Scheme, we also offer the opportunity for young people to volunteer at 1st Burnham and Hitcham for a limited period of time as part of their D of E. The places available to do this are limited. The young person must be aged at least 13 and half before they can start to volunteer with us.

Some of those that join us go on to become permanent Young Leaders with our Section, but this cannot be guaranteed. We may be able to provide volunteering opportunities to young people that are not already members of Scouting, if we have the space, but they will have to become members of Scouts to participate.

Click here to enquire about volunteering as part of your DofE