Young Leaders

Who are Young Leaders?

Young Leaders are volunteers aged 13.5 to 18 who assist Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts Leaders in the planning and running of the weekly meetings and occasional activities such as expeditions or camps. It is a fun way to support the local community whilst developing new skills and inspiring the younger generation.

You do not need previous scouting experience to become a Young Leader. You only need to meet one of the following criteria:

• An Explorer Scout taking part in the Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme;
• A member of Girlguiding UK, aged between 13.5 and 18, undertaking the volunteering requirement of the Girlguiding UK Award;
• A young person, aged between 13.5 and 18, undertaking the volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE)’s Award.

For the latter two, the volunteering period is limited to the volunteering requirements of the Awards.

What training and support is there?

All Young Leaders have to attend a training session (Module A) within 3 months of starting. This gives you an overview of scouting, as well as an understanding of our key safeguarding and safety policies.

Everyone is then encouraged to make the most of the further training modules available. These are designed to equip you with the necessary skills to become an organised, impactful and empathetic leader.

Throughout your volunteering, you will always be supported by the adult leaders, they will guide you and help you make the most of your experience.

How can being a Young Leader benefit me?

Firstly, being a Young Leader is great fun and very rewarding! You can help take the lead and deliver some amazing activities for the younger members, giving you a chance to make a positive difference in your own local community.

If you take part in the Explorer Scout Young Leader’s Scheme, you will earn various badges, certificates and awards – including the one you can wear on your uniform if you decide to become an adult volunteer once you turn 18.

The skills and experiences you gain are invaluable and can be a real asset in everything from applying for college/university places to jobs. Not only will you have some great things to include in personal statements and on application forms but also some brilliant examples to use when answering interview questions, plus, of course, some ideal people to name as referees. Being a Young Leader can really help you stand out from the crowd.

If you’d like to join us, please feel free to get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

Please contact us via youngleaders@csg-scouts.org or use the contact us form.