Leader programme key
Emergencies
Backwoods
Pioneering
Air Activities
Hillwalking (navigation taster)
Camp / County event
Programme / Games
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This view includes leader-only detail (meeting plan and prep). The next meeting is highlighted automatically based on today’s date.
| Date | Outline | Adventure Skill Area - Stage | SPICES | Detailed activities | Leader prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 January | First Aid | Emergencies - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
View plan
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 20 January | First Aid | Emergencies - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 27 January | First Aid | Emergencies - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 3 February | First Aid | Emergencies - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Friday 6 February | County Camp - Ballyhornan ☁ | Camping - Stage 4-5 (plus Backwoods tasters) | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 17 February | No Meeting - Mid Term | - | - | View plan- |
Leader prep- |
| Tuesday 24 February | Backwoods ☁ | Backwoods - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 3 March | Backwoods ☁ | Backwoods - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 10 March | Backwoods ☁ | Backwoods - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Friday 6 March | County Event - Venture Ball, Beechlawn Hotel ☁ | Camping/Backwoods/Other: Not an Adventure Skill night (Social focus) | SocialEmotionalCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 17 March | Backwoods ☁ | Backwoods - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 24 March | No Meeting - St Patricks Day | - | - | View plan- |
Leader prep- |
| Tuesday 31 March | Pioneering ☁ | Pioneering - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 7 April | Pioneering ☁ | Pioneering - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Friday 3 April | County Camp - Hammock Weekend, Lisburn Woodland ☁ | Camping - Stage 4-5 (plus Backwoods tasters) | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacterEmotional |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 14 April | No Meeting - Easter | - | - | View plan- |
Leader prep- |
| Tuesday 21 April | Pioneering ☁ | Pioneering - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 28 April | Pioneering ☁ | Pioneering - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 5 May | Games Night (Adventure Skill tasters) ☁ | Air / Emergencies / Pioneering - Stage 4 taster | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 12 May | Games Night - Summer Kick-Off (light) ☁ | Programme night (supports Adventure Skills through leadership and teamwork) | SocialPhysicalEmotionalCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 19 May | Air Activities (fun build and fly) ☁ | Air Activities - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 26 May | Wide Games (Land-style) ☁ | Programme night (supports Adventure Skills through leadership and teamwork) | SocialPhysicalCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 2 June | Social Night (exams friendly) | Not an Adventure Skill night (Programme + SPICES focus) | SocialEmotionalCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 9 June | Emergencies (fun revision + outdoors link) ☁ | Emergencies - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 16 June | Air Activities (gliders and parachutes) ☁ | Air Activities - Stage 4-5 | SocialPhysicalIntellectualCharacter |
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Leader prep
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| Tuesday 23 June | End of Year Fun Night | Programme review (links to all Adventure Skills covered) - no badge stage | SocialEmotionalCharacter |
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Leader prep
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Tuesday 13 January
First Aid
View plan
- Quick warm-up: 'First Aid Relay' - teams race to correctly name 10 kit items
- DRABCD refresher - short scenario practice in pairs
- Bandaging station rotations: triangular bandage sling, pressure dressing, improvised bandage
- Role-play: "what would you do" cards (nosebleed, sprain, faint, allergic reaction)
- Wrap-up: reflection circle and one key learning each
Leader prep
- First aid kits (at least 2)
- Disposable gloves
- Bandages: triangular, roller, gauze (or clean tea towels)
- Scenario cards printed
- Stopwatch / phone timer for relay
Tuesday 20 January
First Aid
View plan
- CPR: demo of hand position, depth and rate; practise on cushions or mannequins
- Recovery position practise - pairs rotate roles
- Choking response demo - back blows and abdominal thrusts (theory and safe practise)
- Emergency call role-play: what to say, location, casualty condition
- Game: "CPR Beat" - keep compressions to a metronome or song beat
Leader prep
- CPR mannequins if available (or cushions for positioning)
- Printed recovery position steps
- Metronome app / playlist (100-120 bpm)
- Mock phone scripts / call checklist
Tuesday 27 January
First Aid
View plan
- Burns: cool under running water guidance, cover, when to call for help
- Heat/cold injuries mini-quiz
- Bleeding control demo - direct pressure, elevation, when to use a dressing
- Scenario game: teams respond to 3 timed incidents with correct steps
- Debrief: what went well and what to improve
Leader prep
- Cling film roll, burn dressings (or clean cling + gauze demo)
- Bandages / gauze pads
- Scenario sheets + answer key
- Timer
Tuesday 3 February
First Aid
View plan
- Warm-up quiz (Kahoot or paper) covering DRABCD, CPR, burns, bleeding
- Triage game: colour-card priorities for multiple casualties
- Full scenario: group responds to an incident, leaders score teamwork and steps
- Review + Q and A
- Finish with fun first aid charades
Leader prep
- Coloured triage cards / bibs
- Scenario sheets + scoring sheet
- Quiz questions
- Small prizes (optional)
Friday 6 February ☁
View plan
- Arrival - site orientation and safety briefing
- Patrol campsite set-up - tents, tarp shelter, kitchen area
- Backwoods taster: knife and saw safety demo + small whittling activity
- Campfire cooking: foil dinners or simple stew, plus hot chocolate
- Evening wide game or campfire programme
- Morning: leave no trace, pack-down, quick reflection
Leader prep
- Kit list reminder + buddy check
- Patrol boxes (first aid, cooking kit, washing up kit)
- Weather plan (spare tarp, extra pegs, spare dry socks)
- Fire plan: water bucket, fire gloves, safe perimeter
- Activity permits / site permissions as needed
Tuesday 17 February
No Meeting - Mid Term
View plan
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Leader prep
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Tuesday 24 February ☁
Backwoods
View plan
- Safety brief: knives, saws, and safe circles
- Fire lighting methods: tinder bundle, feather sticks, cotton wool + spark
- Fire games: "tinder scavenger hunt" and "matchless fire challenge" (teams prep fire lays without lighting)
- Outdoor cooking demo: hot dog twists or bannock on sticks
- Leave no trace - ash disposal and site tidy
Leader prep
- Fire bucket + water + fire blanket
- Ferro rods / matches / lighters (leader controlled)
- Knives/saws (or confirm what scouts bring)
- Cooking kit + ingredients (flour, salt, water, sausages, sticks)
- Gloves, hand wipes, bin bags
Tuesday 3 March ☁
Backwoods
View plan
- Shelter builds: small patrol tarps, best-practice knots and ridgelines
- Game: "storm proof" - leaders add conditions (wind direction, rain, time limit)
- Compass quick refresher: bearings and pacing line
- Mini route: short navigation loop to find shelter challenge tokens
- Debrief: what worked, what to improve for camps
Leader prep
- Tarps, paracord, pegs
- Printed knot cards (bowline, taut-line hitch, round turn two half hitches)
- Compasses, pacing beads (optional)
- Token markers / laminated clue cards
Tuesday 10 March ☁
Backwoods
View plan
- Backwoods kit check: what goes in a day pack vs camp pack
- Water and hygiene: purification demo and handwashing stations
- Signalling: whistle signals and simple ground-to-air symbols
- Game: "lost in the woods" - patrols follow clues using symbols and whistles
- Short reflection on decisions and teamwork
Leader prep
- Water purification demo kit (tablets/filter)
- Whistles (or ensure scouts have them)
- Printed symbol cards and clue trail
- Hand sanitiser / wipes
Friday 6 March ☁
View plan
- Group meet-up and check-in point
- Agree boundaries and communication plan
- Social evening - represent your unit well
- End of night check-out procedure
- Follow-up: quick debrief at next meeting
Leader prep
- Consent forms and emergency contacts
- Transport plan and timings
- Leaders rota and supervision points
- Any required payments / tickets
Tuesday 17 March ☁
Backwoods
View plan
- Quick warm-up: backwoods bingo (kit items and skills)
- Food planning challenge: patrols plan a 24-hour camp menu on a budget
- Stove safety demo (if using) or fire cooking alternatives
- Game: "pack it right" - fastest correct pack with reasoning
- Wrap-up: link skills to next camp
Leader prep
- Menu planning sheets + pens
- Example camp stove or cooking kit (optional)
- Sample food labels / pictures
- Rucksacks + kit items for packing game
Tuesday 24 March
No Meeting - St Patricks Day
View plan
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Leader prep
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Tuesday 31 March ☁
Pioneering
View plan
- Safety brief for spars and rope handling
- Knots refresher: clove hitch, diagonal lashing, square lashing
- Build challenge: patrols build a free-standing tripod or A-frame
- Game: "lash-off" - best lash judged on tightness, neatness, teamwork
- Pack down and review
Leader prep
- Spars + ropes (enough for 2-3 builds)
- Printed lashing diagrams
- Work gloves (optional)
- Cones to mark build areas
Tuesday 7 April ☁
Pioneering
View plan
- Bridge basics: load, triangulation, and bracing
- Build challenge: small patrol "rope bridge" model or mini trestle
- Timed problem: move a ball across the structure without touching ground
- Game: "engineer says" - leaders call constraints mid-build
- Review teamwork and planning
Leader prep
- Extra lashings and smaller spars
- Lightweight load test items (water bottle/bag)
- Ball or beanbag for challenge
Friday 3 April ☁
View plan
- Hammock set-up safety - straps, tree selection, height rules
- Shelter extension: tarp rigging for rain and wind
- Backwoods taster: fire lay types and cooking options
- Evening: campfire programme or low-light wide game
- Morning: leave no trace and pack-down checks
Leader prep
- Hammock safety briefing printed
- Spare straps/cordage and pegs
- Weather fallback plan
- First aid kit and headcount system
Tuesday 14 April
No Meeting - Easter
View plan
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Leader prep
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Tuesday 21 April ☁
Pioneering
View plan
- Build challenge: patrols create a gadget (flag pole, table, catapult taster)
- Constraints: limited rope, must include 2 lashings
- Test and iterate - allow 2 improvement rounds
- Game: "design brief" - leaders change requirement halfway
- Wrap-up: what would you do differently next time
Leader prep
- Spars and ropes
- Design brief cards
- Small flags/markers for testing
Tuesday 28 April ☁
Pioneering
View plan
- Patrol challenge: build a "human-free" object mover using poles and rope
- Timed task: move a bucket 10 metres without touching it
- Review: which knots/lashings helped most
- Short fun finish: knot-tying speed rounds
- Pack-down and equipment check
Leader prep
- Bucket/box for moving challenge
- Extra shorter ropes for quick rounds
- Equipment check list
Tuesday 5 May ☁
Games Night (Adventure Skill tasters)
View plan
- Warm-up: quick-fire "skill stations" (knot, first aid, compass)
- Game: capture the flag (short rounds)
- Air taster: paper glider challenge - longest flight and accuracy
- Mini first aid game: scenario charades
- Finish: patrol points tally and prize
Leader prep
- Cones and flags
- Paper and tape for gliders
- Scenario cards
- Small prizes (optional)
Tuesday 12 May ☁
Games Night - Summer Kick-Off (light)
View plan
- Icebreaker: human bingo
- Team game: "spider web" (ropes) or "minefield" (blindfold + guide)
- Short wide game outside if dry
- Mini reflection: what makes a good team
- Finish with snacks and announcements
Leader prep
- Blindfolds, cones, rope
- Simple prize
- Snack plan (if doing)
Tuesday 19 May ☁
Air Activities (fun build and fly)
View plan
- Safety brief: launch area and retrieving kites/gliders
- Build: simple kites or advanced paper gliders (templates)
- Flight tests: distance, hang-time, accuracy landing zone
- Competition: patrol tournament with points for teamwork and design
- Wrap-up: what design changes improved flight
Leader prep
- Paper, tape, string, straws/skewers
- Templates printed (optional)
- Cones for landing zone
- Wind check and indoor fallback build
Tuesday 26 May ☁
Wide Games (Land-style)
View plan
- Large wide game: "Manhunt" or "Zombies" with safe boundaries
- Short breaks between rounds to keep it fun and light
- Optional skills link: map boundary check and whistle signals
- Finish: debrief and patrol points
- Quick tidy and headcount close
Leader prep
- Boundary markers / cones
- High vis for leaders
- Whistles
- Simple rules sheet
Tuesday 2 June
Social Night (exams friendly)
View plan
- Low-pressure night: board games, cards, or quiz
- Short check-in: how exams are going (optional)
- Mini activity: "two truths and a lie" or "would you rather"
- Optional skills link: plan a future camp idea board
- Finish early if needed
Leader prep
- Board games / cards / quiz sheet
- Snack plan (optional)
- Idea board paper and pens
Tuesday 9 June ☁
Emergencies (fun revision + outdoors link)
View plan
- Outdoor scenario trail: 4 quick incidents around site
- Teams rotate, record correct actions, and score points
- Stretch goal: build a simple stretcher (poles + coats)
- Game: "first aider says" (Simon says with first aid actions)
- Wrap-up: link to camps and real situations
Leader prep
- Scenario signs + clipboards
- First aid kit
- Poles/blankets/coats for stretcher demo
- Timer
Tuesday 16 June ☁
Air Activities (gliders and parachutes)
View plan
- Build: parachutes (plastic bags, string, small weight)
- Test: drop time and accuracy to target
- Glider improvements: add winglets or adjust centre of gravity
- Competition: patrol points for design, flight, and teamwork
- Wrap-up: quick reflection and tidy
Leader prep
- Plastic bags, string, tape, scissors
- Small weights (washers/coins in taped pouch)
- Cones for landing targets
- Indoor fallback if weather is wild
Tuesday 23 June
End of Year Fun Night
View plan
- Big game night: favourites vote then play (dodgeball, capture the flag, etc)
- Fun awards: patrol spirit, most improved, best teammate
- Quick photo (if allowed) and thank yous
- Programme recap: what skills did we cover this year
- Finish: info for summer and next term
Leader prep
- Awards slips or certificates (optional)
- Prizes (optional)
- Any food/drinks plan
- Parent info message for end of term