Activities are an important part of Scouting.
Activities provide young people with exciting opportunities for learning, building self confidence, developing teamwork and leadership skills, plus have fun !
Manager of the Activity Permit and Nights Away Schemes (MAPS)
If you currently hold an activity permit that you wish to renew or are interested in working towards gaining an activity permit, we can put you in touch with the relevant County Assessor.
Leader Resources:
Click here to read the Scout Association A – Z of Activities
Click here to read the guidelines to the Adventurous Activities Permit Scheme
Click here to read the latest updates from the Scout Association about changes to activity rules
Click here to read the Scout Association classification of Norfolk waters
Click here to read the Scout Association classification of Suffolk waters
The InTouch System
The InTouch system is the process used to manage communications at all activities and events within Scouting
Click to read: The InTouch System (FS120175)
Read Sara’s FAQ’s about the Activity Permit Scheme:
I want more information about the Activity Permit Scheme but don’t know where to look…
Click to read the Scout Association’s Factsheet about the scheme
Do I need a Permit to run tomahawk throwing…
Tomahawk throwing is not covered under the adventurous activity permit scheme because there is no National Governing Body at present. However People running tomahawk throwing must have specific tomahawk throwing knowledge and a minimum of one day’s (7 hours) practical tomahawk throwing experience prior to leading sessions.
Look out in county updates for upcoming courses.
Where do I find the classification of water in Norfolk…
See the guidance notes for Norfolk and Suffolk waters on this page or go to the Scout Association website to look further afield.
My District Commissioner says I have to complete my wood badge training to gain an activity permit…
This is not true and is deemed as “local rules” which is not allowed under the Activity permit scheme, as it restricts young people being able to access Adventurous Activities.
To gain a permit you need to have up-to-date safety & safeguarding training, completed module 1 getting started and to have a full role and be assessed by County Assessor for technical Competence.
Then be assessed by your District Commissioner for knowledge of scout association rules and personal suitability.
My permit has restrictions on it – Why…
Any permit can be restricted to personalise it to the level an applicant is at, or wishes their permit to be limited to. This allows an applicant to lead their activity within certain parameters.
They can then gain further experience, which could lead to a less restrictive permit in future, should they wish to get one.
This is rather than not allowing them any permit, and thus not giving them any opportunity to gain experience leading groups until they have the skills to gain an unrestricted permit.
Is the permit scheme compatible with National Governing Body Awards…
The permit scheme is solely for those operating in Scouting, and permits can be issued to restrict the activity to certain areas. NGB Awards, typically, apply across the UK. Conversely, the possession of an NGB Award does not mean that a person is suitable to work with young people, hence the checks that need to be made by the responsible commissioner – including the fact that we have certain activity-specific rules. We do, however, suggest that the training schemes offered by those accredited by NGBs are good places to learn skills.
Why does the permit holder not need to have a valid first aid qualification…
The actual need is to have accessible first aid cover for the activity, rather than attaching that requirement to the permit holder. So, for example, that cover could be provided by a second adult in a walking group, or be shore-based for water activities.
For young people working remotely, for example on expeditions, it is the young people that need to be trained in first aid, rather than attaching that requirement to a supervisor who is not immediately to hand.
Can a young person hold a permit…
Yes, there is no minimum age to hold a permit, whether personal, leadership or supervisory.
Perhaps the most typical example is where expeditions are being conducted. However, in these circumstances, the responsible commissioner may place restrictions on time, requiring perhaps that a responsible adult conducts daily visual checks on progress.
Any other questions…
Please email maps@norfolkscouts.org.uk