District Leaders Skills Day

Whether you’re new to Scouting or have years of experience, this is your opportunity to learn, share and connect.

Join us at Squirrel Wood for a full day of practical skills, useful ideas and networking, designed to support you in delivering great Scouting for young people.

Event Overview

Leader Skills Day brings together volunteers from across Doncaster Danum District for a day of learning, development and shared experience.

With a wide range of sessions available, you will have the opportunity to choose the areas most relevant to you, build your confidence, develop new skills and share ideas with others.

The programme will include a mixture of practical activities and discussion based sessions. Some will take place indoors, some outdoors and some in the Drey. Sessions in the Main Lodge will run back to back throughout the day.

Alongside the learning, there will be plenty of time to meet other volunteers, exchange ideas and build stronger connections across the District.

Following the daytime programme, you can join us for an optional meal and Campfire Workshop. You can also sleep overnight with social in the lodge and enjoy breakfast with the team the following morning.

What to Expect

• Five sessions during the day
• A mixture of practical and discussion based learning
• Sessions suitable for different roles and levels of experience
• Opportunities to develop your skills and confidence
• Ideas to take back to your section, team or Trustee Board
• Time to meet and learn from other volunteers
• Lunch included
• Optional evening meal
• Optional Campfire Workshop
• Optional overnight sleeping with breakfast
• Lodge will be open for sleeping and social after

Choosing Your Sessions

When booking, you will select the five sessions you are most interested in attending.

We will use everyone’s choices to create individual timetables for the day. We will aim to allocate you at least three of your selected sessions, but you may also be allocated other sessions.

This will help us provide each Group with a broader range of skills across its volunteer team, allowing more knowledge and experience to be shared after the event.

Some sessions may not run if they do not receive enough interest.

Your final five sessions will be confirmed 21 days before the event, giving those delivering them enough time to prepare.

Available Sessions

Hikes Across the Sections

Discover how to plan and adapt hikes for every age group, from Squirrels through to Explorers. This session will cover routes, activities, safety and ways to keep everyone engaged.

An Introduction to SEND in Scouting

Develop your understanding of special educational needs and disabilities and explore practical ways to make Scouting more inclusive and accessible for every young person.

What Should a Trustee Board Actually Do?

Understand the responsibilities of a Trustee Board, how trustees support good governance, how to manage risk effectively and what makes a successful Annual General Meeting.

Planning a Great Programme with Online Scout Manager

Learn how to use Online Scout Manager to plan an exciting and balanced programme, track badge progress, organise parent rotas and reduce the time you spend on administration.

Starting Your Nights Away Permit Journey

Find out how to begin working towards a Nights Away Permit, what you do and do not need to know, what to expect from the assessment process and how to use the digital permit system.

Backwoods Cooking for Every Section

Explore practical backwoods cooking activities that can be adapted for different sections. Pick up ideas and techniques that will help young people safely prepare and cook food outdoors.

Branching Out and Achieving Your Wood Badge

Learn about Branching Out, how it supports your development as a volunteer and what you need to do to complete your Wood Badge.

Writing a Great Scout Award Nomination

Learn how to nominate someone for a Scout award and write a strong citation for a Good Service Award that clearly demonstrates their contribution and impact.

Risk Assessments Made Simple

Learn how to plan activities safely, identify and manage risks and complete an effective risk assessment. The session will include practical advice, useful tips and common pitfalls to avoid.

YouShape and Youth Led Scouting

Discover what YouShape means, why youth led Scouting matters and how young people can play a meaningful role in shaping their programme and Scouting experience.

Why Should Scouts Move On to Explorers?

Explore the benefits of Explorer Scouting and how Scout Teams can support a positive transition. Learn how Explorers helps young people continue their journey, develop new skills and access further opportunities.

Fire Lighting Skills for Every Section

Develop practical fire lighting skills and explore safe, age appropriate techniques and activities that can be used with every section, from Squirrels through to Explorers.

Daytime Programme

9.00am
Arrival, coffee, biscuits and networking

10.00am to 11.00am
Session one

11.15am to 12.15pm
Session two

12.30pm to 1.30pm
Lunch

1.30pm to 2.30pm
Session three

2.45pm to 3.45pm
Session four

4.00pm to 5.00pm
Session five

Optional Evening Programme

Meal and Drinks

5.15pm to 6.00pm

Stay after the daytime sessions for an informal meal and the chance to spend more time with volunteers from across the District.

The meal costs £5 per person and includes food and a drink. This must be selected when booking.

How to Run a Great Campfire

7.30pm to 9.00pm

Learn how to plan and lead an enjoyable campfire for any section. Explore how to choose songs, build atmosphere, involve everyone and bring your campfire to a memorable close.

This is an optional additional session following the evening BBQ.

Who Can Attend

• Adult volunteers aged 18 and over
• Open to new and experienced volunteers
• Maximum of 180 attendees

Key Details

• Venue: Squirrel Wood Campsite
• Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
• Arrival: From 9.00am
• Daytime programme: 10.00am to 5.00pm
• Campfire Workshop: 7.30pm to 9.00pm
• Daytime event: £5
• Optional Meal: £5 per person, including food and a drink
• Lunch: Included
• Overnight: Lodge or Camping
• Breakfast: Included for those sleeping overnight

Kit List

• Group neckerchief, which must be worn
• Suitable clothing and footwear for indoor and outdoor sessions
• Waterproof clothing
• Camping equipment if staying overnight

A full kit list will be provided ahead of the event.

Important Information

• This is an adult only event
• Some sessions will take place outdoors
• Session choices are preferences and cannot be guaranteed
• Your final timetable will be confirmed 21 days before the event
• The evening meal must be selected when booking
• Overnight camping must be confirmed when booking
• Further information will be shared as planning progresses

Booking and Payment

• All places must be booked online
• Session preferences must be submitted when booking
• The optional meal must be booked in advance
• Groups will be invoiced for any chargeable places booked
• Payment should be made by bank transfer before the event

Leader Information

• This event is designed for adult volunteers
• Sessions will be delivered by experienced volunteers from across the District
• Volunteers will receive their individual session timetable 21 days before the event
• Please make sure attendees understand that their preferred sessions cannot all be guaranteed