Venture Scouts / Explorersin the Netherlands

Malta, May 2013

Marcel BaartmansSpelspecialist explorers

Age sections in the Netherlands

Age sections in the Netherlands

Activity fields

Challenging Scout Techniques

International Safety & HealthSocietyIdentity

Outdoors Expression Sports & Games

Progression matrix

Progression matrix – an example

Challenging Scout Techniques - Ropework

beavers Building a hut with weaving, tying shoelaces

cubsLearn the basic knots, like reef knot, eight knot, half hitch, clove hitch; simple application

scoutsLearning common knots used in pioneer objects, tie an hammock

explorersLearn more rare knots and ropework, splices and knots that can be taxed more heavily

roverscouts Twisting ropes, do complicated ropework

The Explorer Guide

The Explorer Unit

• 6 to 16 explorers• 2 mentors (not called leaders!)• Autonomy with self-government

- chairman- secretary- treasurer

• Unit number (started in 1958)

Key elements in the programme

• Responsibility!• Learning by doing in optima forma• Explorers make their own programme• Manage their own money• Plan their own summercamp• Mentors assist and support

Why self-government?

• Learn to cope with responsibility• Learn to divide tasks• Learn to take control• Everyone is resonsible for the result• Extra challenge in the programme

Aid for the programme

Progression system explorers

• Eight proficiency badges,

one per activity field• Three year badges • Four awards

Proficiency badges explorers

• Eight different badges, one per activity field

• Each badge consists of two parts:

content and presentation

• You choose your own project which has to be challenging for you.

• 1 to 3 months

• 25 sample projects per activity field or come up with your own idea

Proficiency badges explorers

Proficiency badges explorers

Year badges

• 3 years > 3 year badges• Requirements increase per year and linked to what you

might expect from an explorer in that year. For example:• 1st jaar: investment, organise 3 regular meetings, achieve 1

proviency badge, take part in weekend- and summer camp• 2nd jaar: discussion leader at three evaluation, co-

organizing a larger programme, achieve one other proviency badge

• 3rd jaar: achieve a third proviency badge, coordinate weekend camp and be co-responsible for summer camp, assist cubscouts leaders during 1 meeting, having been on a cummer camp abroard

Year badges

Certificate year badge

More badges …

• Four awards: – International Award for Young People

(Duke of Edinburgh Award)– Europe award– Nature award– Development award

Website

Challenges

• Implementation – Implementation in the local groups– Direct contact with explorers using social media– Youth participation on regional and national level– Convey vision to regional level– Streamline vision in all national activities– National explorer weekend:

Exxploraxxion