Leader’s Skills Weekend
Postponed to 2025
This is our annual event to provide leaders with practical skills and knowledge that’s outside the core training programme.
The event involves a number of practical training sessions offering the opportunity to not only learn and develop your basic Scouting skills but also time to network with other like minded leaders from across the county.
The weekend is run on a mix and match basis where you sign up for the sessions that are most use for you.
The descriptions below give a brief outline for each of some of the training sessions we intend to usually offer over the weekend, depending on uptake the sessions on offer are subject to change, if there are any sessions that you would like to see put on for the weekend, or you feel that you have the skills to be able to support the delivery of any of the sessions please contact the Learning Team.
Using a Map and compass
When undertaking a journey, we need to be able to find our way around competently, sometimes in unfamiliar territory. This session covers the use of different types of map and compass and how to effectively use them both together to navigate in a variety of areas
Preparing a Route Card
Route planning is all about getting from A to B, and taking into consideration all the different factors which may affect the journey. This session shows you how to create a good route plan by breaking down the journey into stages, calculating how long each stage will take to cover and finding the total travelling time using Naismith’s Rule.
Tent Pitching
There are a wide range of tents available to scouts to use on camp, ranging from mess tents, traditional large, heavyweight patrol tents which sleep up to six people to lightweight one, two or three person tents. This session is an opportunity for you to bring along a tent and that you are unsure about how to pitch and gain tips and tricks to pitch the tent to make the most of your camping experience.
Basic cooking on an open fire
Whether you are lighting the fire directly on the ground or using a raised, ready-made altar fire, it is always necessary to take time to prepare everything before you actually strike the match. This session takes you through the different kinds of fires you could build, and gives handy advice on lighting and extinguishing a fire safely, then leads you onto different cooking methods you may experience on camp, along with practical information on whether to use a stove or a fire.
Advanced cooking on an open fire for large number
Following your feedback from previous training weekends this year we will be offering a training session on how to cater for large groups (20+) over an open fire. For this session you will be preparing the evening meal for all attendees that have booked Saturday’s evening meal as part of the training event.
Basic Rope Work
All knots have a purpose and it is just as important to understand what that purpose is, and when the knot is used, as having the ability to tie it. This session talks about the types of rope available, along with instructions on teaching yourself and others how to tie a variety of knots, including lashings to support pioneering projects.
Pioneering Project
This session assumes participants have some basic knowledge of ropework and include working on building a large pioneering structure. The aim of the session will be the opportunity to construct a large pioneering project – selected on the day based on what participants of the session would like, options include: building a bridge, pyramid tower, swinging derrick or oil drum raft. This session will not cover the tying of knots, but the application of knots in creating pioneering projects. You will either need to be proficient in ropework, particularly square, diagonal and shear lashings.
Axe and Sawmanship
The axe is an essential tool for all camps where open fires are used. Like any tool, the axe or saw should only be used for its correct purpose, the safety guidelines followed, it should be properly cared for and should always be treated with respect. This session helps you choose the right axe or saw, tells you how to look after them and also has safety tips
Knifework
What camping kit list doesn’t include a knife of some sort? This session will provide an opportunity to learn about different knife types alongside basic knife care, maintenance and safety. The session will give participants hands on experience and guidance in a variety of knife skills to support you around camp from whitling and carving to using the knife for preparing firewood.