Outdoors

Outdoors = anything outside your normal meeting times and/or place

The Outdoors Team:

Outdoors Activities Adviser - Jayne Treadwell

Residential Adviser - April Deacon

Walking Adviser - Teresa Monks

Boating Adviser - Alison Dixon

Outdoors Qualifications Co-ordinator - Janet Parker

International Adviser - Deb Sutton

Queen's Guide Adviser - Lizi Moorcraft

Duke of Edinburgh Adviser - Vacant

Contact details for all Advisers can be found under 'Directory'

Adventurous Activity Policy

This new policy sets how you can get girls safely out and about having adventures. It outlines what's expected of leaders and you’ll be able to find out what is an adventurous activity using the new adventure for girls’ activity pages. These detail the qualifications required, as well as the safety regulations and activity ratios so you can safely take girls on adventures. Read the policy here: https://bit.ly/3o6cWoH

Going Away With Scheme (GAW)

Only those with the GAW License recorded on GO can take girls away overnight, so please check your GO records carefully to ensure you have all the modules listed. For leaders working towards the qualification, their GO records should show which modules are in progress. Speak to the County Outdoor Activities Adviser or County GO Coordinator for more information.

Leaders working on the GAW scheme will be supported by a member of the County GAW Mentor team. There will also be a ‘drop in’ style mentor session held towards the end of each term. Go to the What's Happening page or Online Booking System for future mentor session dates.

If you would like to find out more about the GAW scheme then why not ‘drop in’ to one of the termly mentor sessions for an informal chat with a mentor.

If you wish to start working for a Going Away With qualification then follow the qualification process below.

The Qualification Process

A candidate must have completed their Leadership Qualification AND currently hold an active role as a leader, commissioner or adviser to work on the residential qualifications.

From January 2021 leaders holding or working towards a GAW license must hold up to date A Safe Space levels 1-3.

1. Register and get publications

• Candidate fills out a registration form and send it to Janet Parker.  It needs to be signed by a commissioner.
• Can be scanned and sent electronically.
• Arrange purchase of the 'Going Away With Scheme' resource (essential).  The ‘Going Away With Guiding’ publication is also recommended but not essential.  Remember these are allowable expenses on the event/unit.

2. Working with a Mentor

• On receipt of the form Janet will pair the candidate with a mentor.
• The mentor will contact the candidate to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet for the initial meeting.
• The mentor will maintain regular contact with the candidate via email, phone or further meetings as required.
• All plans should be checked with the mentor and all applicable parts of the blue record book signed off prior to the event.
• Travel expenses for attending mentor sessions or meetings with a mentor are an allowable expense on the event/unit.

3. Event visit

• A mentor will visit the event and write a report.  Any major issues will be discussed with the candidate at the time.

4. Complete evidence

• This should only be writing up any additional notes, completing a full account sheet (including receipts) and writing up an evaluation report of the event.

5. Sign off by the Mentor

• When the evidence folder is complete the candidate will meet with their mentor at the next mentor session to have all modules signed off. The evidence folder can then be verified at the same meeting and returned to the candidate.
• Alternatively, the candidate and mentor can meet at another time to sign off modules and the mentor will take the evidence folder to the mentor session for verification.

6. Verification

• Folder to be handed to a Verifier at a county mentor session for final assessment. This is to ensure consistency and quality throughout the County.
• The candidate may be contacted for further information at this stage.
• If all is in order, the qualification will be signed off.  This step will normally be completed by the County Residential Adviser.

7. Badge and Certificate sent to Commissioner to present

• Janet will send the badge and certificate to the candidate’s commissioner to present at a suitable occasion.

8. Details of the qualification on GO

• Janet will inform the County GO Coordinator that the qualification is complete and the County GO Coordinator will update the candidate’s record.

Qualification Timescales

• Going Away With Scheme: 6-12 months
• Additional Modules, Travelling Abroad: 12-18 months
• Additional Modules, Going Away With: 6 months
• Lead Away Permit: 6-9 months

Timescales can be changed according to prior experience in discussion with the mentor team

What the Mentor does

• Meets with the candidate and checks plans, ensuring all aspects are covered.
• Checks and signs off evidence in the scheme.
• Source of help at the end of a phone/email.
• Answers questions regarding regulations for the residential event.

Residential Event Notification Form - Commissioner Responsibilities

• Leaders must use the current form from the Girlguiding website.
• May have issues if downloading using programmes other than internet explorer.
• Note timescale requirements.  Part 1 of the form to be submitted 12 weeks prior to the event and Part 2 at least 4 weeks prior to the event. In the event of REN forms being submitted late, please seek guidance and advice from County Outdoor Team as to whether the event can be approved.
• The license holder does not need to be the event coordinator.  However, the license holder MUST hold all relevant licenses and modules for the type of event.
• Check dates to ensure form is being submitted on time.
• Check DBS (CRB) has cleared for license holder and event coordinator and that they hold the relevant role on GO
• Check the venue is approved for the type of event by forwarding the form to your residential adviser.  If international, the form must be sent to the international adviser.
• Check ratios are correct, refer to the online manual for current numbers.
• Check maximum/minimum numbers are correct.  These are different when any assessment is required.
• Check the license holder has a minimum/equivalent to the Going Away With Scheme  for all sections listed.
• Check DBS (CRB) clearance for all over 18’s.
• Check at least one adult holds a current 1st Response or equivalent qualification.
• All over 18’s at a family camp need DBS clearance.
• Check listed activities meet with requirements in the Guiding Manual.
• Check a risk assessment has been done.
• Approve only if all information is correct. If there is anything you are not happy about – do NOT approve.

Sources of support

• Advisers – both county and division
• Guiding Manual
• Going Away With Guiding
• Other Guiding publications