Reasons for doing this activity:
- To discuss issues of leadership with Pioneers.
- To encourage Pioneers to actively participate in helping new leaders learn how to run the group.
- For adults to understand what Pioneers look for in their leaders.
What to do
Use large paper to brainstorm these and other questions as a whole group. Write down ideas under different headings.
- What do new leaders need to know about Pioneers?
- How do you run a Pioneer group?
- What are good games?
- What are the best snacks?
- How do you run a camp?
- What sorts of qualities do you need to have?
- What skills?
Explain to the group that they are going to contribute to writing a new leaders guide to Pioneers. Ask the group if they are aware that sometimes Pioneer leaders go on training courses run by Woodcraft Folk to teach them about how to organise Woodcraft Folk. You could also show them a copy of the Pioneer’s leader Book.
Divide them into small groups and get them to choose one or more headings. They could then write or draw everything they think a Pioneer leader needs to know about a certain topic. If you prefer, you could even make a short film.
Allow this project to take as long as it takes! If the group is running out of steam, perhaps you could finish it up the following week.
Once this guide has been made, make sure that it is shared with other leaders in your district and new leaders coming in!
Please don’t forget to record people’s thoughts and ideas throughout these activities, especially:
- Why members like coming to group
- What members think could be better about the group; and
- How things might be improved.