{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"value":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/911252613","gridType":"embed","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAll of our sections run outside at our local country park.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe run in different locations every week around the city of Milton Keynes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe like playing in the rain and having fun.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESo we tend to try and be outside as much as possible. We run about 80 per cent of our meetings outdoors throughout the year, even in the winter. And we\u2019re really lucky we\u2019ve got a great team of leaders and lots of parents to help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re mad on traditional Scouting skills like: firelighting, knife work, pioneering, shelter building, navigation, backwoods cooking.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s always exciting, it\u2019s always different. And we\u2018re not just set in one place, so it\u2019s always like different activities, and that\u2019s really fun.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe can run our programme and deliver anything we want to deliver and just find a location that matches that. I think it makes it properly program led.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESo the three things we think about the most are: safety, weather and equipment. Obviously, we\u2019re in a public place, so we make sure that we\u2019ve got a much higher number of adults to supervise the children so that we can keep a really close eye on them.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EI like the nature and playing outside.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThe most interesting thing that\u2019s ever happened has been dealing with some escaped cows from the neighboring field, the kids absolutely loved that.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EObviously, safety is a massive thing. We put high vis on our neckers, because we knew we were going to be out in the dark. It makes the young people a lot more visible.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EWe\u2019re outside, all day long, even if there\u2019s rain, we\u2019re always outside.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s surprising actually, that the rain doesn\u2019t really bother us. We just pull our coats on.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EIn two years of running two sections, we\u2019ve only ever had to cancel three sessions.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EThere\u2019s so many benefits. Obviously there\u2019s the health... mental health, physical health benefits for our young people and our leaders of being outside all the time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESo when we first started the group, we could only have 15 young people and we had to meet outside. And this just seemed to work and we didn\u2019t see any reason to change it. We\u2019ve got bigger numbers, but we\u2019ve stayed with this format of moving around and being outdoors.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ESince we became an outdoor group, we\u2019ve grown massively. We\u2019re now the biggest group in the county.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EAnd young people also seem to really, really love it. Not always so much when it\u2019s cold and dark, but mostly they love it.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Video transcript"}]},{"quoteText":"The parents often stay and watch us doing our stuff. They see the leaders having so much fun which definitely encourages more of them to volunteer as they know they\u2019re joining a really good team. ","attribution":"Helen, GLV","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0 \u00A0\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003ETop tips to help with your planning\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHere are some venue options you might consider:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOffice spaces\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELocal parks\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECountry parks\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe coast\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECampsites\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPlaces of worship\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESchools\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHotels (some hotels have community spaces you can use for free)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFire stations\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESupermarkets\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECommunity spaces\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVirtually (this could be useful for programmes involving indoor cooking, especially if you can\u2019t find a venue with a kitchen)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can also base some of your \u003Cstrong\u003Eactivities around your local area\u003C/strong\u003E. You could plan a city treasure hunt, historical walk, urban or rural orienteering or beach cleans.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuild relationships\u003C/strong\u003E with other community organisations, local councillors, parish/town/county councils and local businesses. They might be able to help you find suitable meeting places, or a back-up option. You never know, it could even lead to improvements at the venues you\u2019re using.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re planning to meet in the same outside space throughout the whole year, ask the landowners if they\u2019d support you with shelter and lighting.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Be creative when looking for meeting places"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPlan your programme, decide where you\u2019ll meet, and book the venue well in advance. Sometimes, you might need to get permission to meet in outdoor spaces, so give yourselves enough time to plan and complete your risk assessments for each venue.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re meeting in different outdoor spaces each week, try to have a back-up venue you can use at the last minute.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember to think about the seasons and your available locations when planning your programme. For example, in the winter months, hiking, campfires, visits to other organisations, wide games or tracking with glow sticks would be great choices. In the summer months, when the nights are lighter, consider crafts, cooking, axe, knife, and map work.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Plan your programme in advance"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECommunicating with parents/carers is especially important, as they\u2019ll need an early heads-up about where you\u2019re meeting. It\u2019s a great idea to send reminders about location, timings and what young people will need to bring or wear. You might find it useful to speak with them and agree as a section or Group on the best way to communicate.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMeeting outdoors might encourage parents/carers to stick around during your section meetings. This might be a great opportunity for you to ask them to lend a hand once in a while. You might consider asking them to come to your section meetings once a term, for example, so you have extra pairs of eyes and ears when you\u2019re outdoors.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Keep parents/carers well informed and engaged"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EOpen and regular communication with your section team and across the Group is fundamental. This\u2019ll keep everyone up-to-date with what\u2019s happening, help with planning, and make people aware of any last-minute changes.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHave a conversation with your team to agree how you\u2019ll communicate with everyone, and what communication channel might work best for the team.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Decide how you\u2019ll communicate as a team"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf every section meets in the same place throughout the same evening, it\u2019ll save you moving equipment from one place to another.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf your sections are meeting in different places, it\u2019s useful to keep your equipment in boxes that you can easily store and move around.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach section could have their own set of basic equipment for their meetings (such as pens, paper, scissors), saving volunteers from making extra journeys to collect equipment before each meeting.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Organise materials\u0027 and equipment\u0027s logistics"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWork out what equipment you have, when and how often you\u2019ll use it, and how much storage you need.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhy not consider having a storage container near the places you meet most regularly? You could use rented storage, a cupboard at an office or local school, or a parent or volunteer\u2019s garage or shed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might also be able to borrow camping equipment from other groups, your District or the County/Area/Region(Scotland) to save you storing your own.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Think outside the box to find storage options"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0 \u00A0 \u00A0 \u00A0 \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003ELearn from the experts\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0 \u00A0 \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"We\u2019ve grown from 70 to 220 young people. Because we are outdoors, we\u2019re not restricted by the size of a hall. We\u0027re the biggest Group in the County.","attribution":"Helen, GLV","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"cards":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Half outdoors, half indoors","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this group, from April to October, Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet outdoors at a local Deer Park. This makes them visible in their community, which helps with recruiting volunteers and attracting young people.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":null,"title":"Half outdoors, half indoors","image":"/media/19195/squirrels-with-volunteer.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.1133252386734281,0,0.04298502487917521\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dadf67f59e51b0","imageFocus":"","imageId":34801,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":null,"gtmId":null,"gtmClass":null},{"type":"Image top","cta":"Programme led venues","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis group was designed to meet without a permanent venue since its start in 2021, they use a mix of venues: from office spaces to local parks. Their programme is reversed: wide games and hikes in winter to keep warm, and crafts in summer, when there\u0027s more natural light.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":null,"title":"Programme led venues","image":"/media/20187/a-leader-playing-a-game-and-chasing-some-beavers-on-a-field-with-her-arms-open-wide.jpg?cc=0,0.01576007004790667,0,0.14055019350469672\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daee45b5661050","imageFocus":"","imageId":36346,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":null,"gtmId":null,"gtmClass":null}],"gridType":"cardStack","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"cards":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThis group found themselves venue-less after their Scout hut roof was blown off in a storm. They\u2019ve used their local surroundings to adapt their programme, doing beach cleans and history tours in town, or meeting at a field nearby.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Responding to the unexpected","image":"/media/18269/beaver-in-bush.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.1563102635526033,0,0\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae1a0eb2a0ef0","imageFocus":"","imageId":33435,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":null,"gtmId":null,"gtmClass":null},{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESince 2018, this group has been meeting outdoors at a local countryside park. It rents a small office space at the park\u2019s coffee shop for indoor meetings and storage. To minimise rent expenses, all sections meet on the same day, which also helps with retention rates.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Outdoors all year round","image":"/media/14014/210510_squirrels_0618.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db34ea3a42a780","imageFocus":"","imageId":27043,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":null,"gtmId":null,"gtmClass":null}],"gridType":"cardStack","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"Request support from Growth and Communities Team","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Growth and Communities Team can support you with starting a section.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Local Support","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/growing-scouts/direct-support/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"Helping you get started","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read tips from Girlguiding","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGirlguiding volunteers share their hints and tips on finding alternative venues for their meetings.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":null,"id":null,"url":"https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/finding-a-new-venue-for-your-unit/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Tips from Girlguiding","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Plain","cta":"","body":"\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/growing-scouts/furthering-reach-toolkit/\u0022 title=\u0022Furthering Reach Toolkit\u0022\u003EFurthering reach toolkit\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/\u0022 title=\u0022Grants and funds for your local group\u0022\u003EGrants and funds for local groups\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/activities/\u0022 title=\u0022Activities\u0022\u003EIdeas for your programme: Activity finder\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safety-in-the-programme/\u0022 title=\u0022Safety in the programme\u0022\u003ESafety in the programme\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/\u0022 title=\u0022Planning and assessing risk\u0022\u003EPlanning and assessing risk\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.unityinsuranceservices.co.uk/scout-insurance/property-equipment-insurance\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUnity\u0027s equipment insurance\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"You might find useful","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"If you don\u0027t have a Scout hut to run your section or group, here are some top tips to help you run Scouts without a permanent indoor venue.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"03/07/2023","redirectUrl":"","id":47886,"nodeName":"Scouts without a venue","title":"Scouts without a venue","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Scouts without a venue","headerSubTitle":"Top tips for running a section or group without a Scout hut or permanent indoor venue","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffb4e5","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Safety in the programme","url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/safe-programme-a-z/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"If you don\u0027t have a Scout hut to run your section or group, here are some top tips to help you run Scouts without a permanent indoor venue.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80Nzg4NiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/growing-scouts/scouts-without-a-venue/"}