NIGHTS AWAY
Part of your scouting awards includes going on nights away events as an Explorer or Network member.
Each award level has a different total requirement amount, and this can include a combination of both nights in buildings and under canvas.
Any nights away on scouting events from your time as an Explorer (14+) count towards these totals, and they don't just have to be with your Explorer group - it could be as a young leader, or support member on a scouting event. We can even count your Hexnet training weekend towards your nights away.
However, the King's nights away requirements have recently been updated by Scouts, and so have a different set of rules. Unlike Platinum and Diamond, your practice and qualifier expedition nights can also count towards your award (if you completed them through Scouts) - and even your residential (if it was a scouting event). But, 12 of these 24 nights away must be from the age of 16+.
Platinum
6 Nights
(4 under canvas)
INCLUDES
training weekend
EXCLUDES expedition nights away from all award levels
Diamond
INCLUDES
training weekend
EXCLUDES expedition nights away from all award levels
12 nights
(8 under canvas)
King's
INCLUDES
all expedition nights away from all award levels & training weekend (if through Scouts)
INCLUDES
nights from your residential (if Scouting based)
24 nights
(12 under canvas)
(12 from age 16+)
HOW TO ACHIEVE NIGHTS AWAY
The simplest way to achieve nights away for your awards is to take part on camps that are run by your Explorer group!
However, this may not always be possible if your group doesn't currently run regular camping events. So to meet your award requirements, you will have to look into alternative options.
To help you with this, we've put together a list of ideas.
Attend Beavers/Cubs/Scouts camps as a Young Leader
Other Scouting sections may be able to take you as a Young Leader on their camps. If you're not already a Young Leader, you could try getting in touch with some of the local groups to see if they would accommodate you on a weekend or summer camp. You can find all of the groups in the Hallam District here.
'Passported' for camping events run by Scout campsites, or other groups/districts
If your Explorer leader feels comfortable doing so, they may be able to 'passport' you to attend other Scouting events without the presence of the leader. There are many Scouting events which you could attend - here is a suggestion of a few for Explorer and/or Network members:
Hesley Wood Freezer Camp or Hesfest
Support scouting events as 'staff'
Larger scale scouting events also often take on members as 'staff' in various roles. When searching for these events, they may be called a 'jamboree'.
Attend a Camp Crew weekend at a Scout campsite
The local Scout campsites often run regular 'crew' weekends, where they ask volunteers to come and work on jobs to improve the campsite. Some of the local Scout campsites that might have crew weekends for volunteers include:
Whiteley Wood Outdoor Activity Centre