Each Explorer Scout group is different. We are a land based group and try to be active and innovative in our activities and camps which means lots of kit that needs looking after and organising. Some of the typical things that we do and that we can use help for, even if you can’t do them all are listed below.
We run typically 6-7 sessions a term in the Autumn and Spring terms in addition to three weekend activites, two winter camps and a summer camp. In the summer term we focus on traditional land scout actvities and meet every week.
Plan and organise evening activities and the programme which involves discussions, producing instructions sheets, making props and prepping for each session.
We keep a track of and maintain our camping kit. This involves ensuring everything is labelled, stored, clean and in good repair. After camps we usually have work to do to get things back in order for their next use. Periodically we look at key bits of kit.
There is quite a lot of communication to parents, most of which is via our email system, OSM and Tangles Events. We communicate with parents and scout about camps, outings, competitions and prep nights for things like camp, new scouts joining etc and we handle responses, questions and so on and try to make sure everyone knows what is going on.
We try to maintain an active social media presence and our website as a resource for information and visibility into what our young people are doing.
Our camps and outings are planned at least a year ahead. Currently we have bookings for overnight stays three years ahead as competition for facilities is so high. Planning a summer camp takes around a year, starting with a programme and planning food, activities, transport (there and back as well as at camp), location, permits, risk assessments, budgets etc.