The Basic Scout Leadership Course is the main course for Scouts working towards their Australian Scout Medallion. The course was re-presented in 2008 by the NSW State Mindari to update the content and course materials. This course is designed for 12 and 13 year old Scouts who have completed the Pioneer Award.

The Scout Leadership Course is run at a district or region level to provide leaderskip skills to Scouts. Resources to support Leaders and Commissioners in planning and delivering the course are available online.

Baggy's hints on running a Basic Leadership Course

Baggy has been personally involved in the writing and running of 8 Basic Scout Leadership Courses using the new materials over the last 6 months. Here are his top tips to think about before you start to plan your course:

1. The new material has been written using modern techniques and understanding. Course Leaders need to understand the material in depth before organising a course.

2. If you need help, ask for it! Your Regional Commissioner (Scouts) and the State Scout Team are available to give you advice and support in putting on an effective course. If you don't ask, you can't get!

3. This course is designed for post-pioneer Scouts - that is those that have completed the Pioneer Award. Generally, the participants will be 12 or 13 years old. The content and approach reflects this.

4. Scouts who are older than this are far more suited to the Advanced Scout Leadership Course.

5. The Course is best run at a District level, but some Regions, some Troops or a collection of Troops may choose to run the course. If you want to do this, you should always speak to your District Scout Leader or Region Commissioner (Scouts) before starting the planning.

6. The Course is best run as a residential, Patrol camping weekend. However, you can also run it as a non-residential weekend, indoor residential weekend or 4 evening course! The content varies slightly depending on your situation.

7. This is the course that is required for the Australian Scout Medallion. Therefore, you should be encouraging all of your post-pioneer Scouts to attend the course. Don't wait until they are 14!

8. Each Session has a choice of activities and presentation techniques. Course Leaders must work with the Session presenters ahead of the course to ensure the presentation techniques vary and compliment each other. A variety is needed.

9. Balance the program between physical, mental, creative, quiet and serious sessions - just like a Troop night.

10. Train leaders at the same time! Encourage attendance and participation from all leaders - new and long-serving alike. Everyone learns something new!

11. Don't Lecture - Facilitate.

12. Don't Teach - Inspire.

13. Don't break your Sessions to "burn of energy outside for a while". Include the games and energetic activities in the Sessions. If you aren't having fun all the time, you aren't doing it right!

14. All of the Session culminate in the final "Patrol Activities" Session. This uses the skills they have learnt to actually do an activity they choose, plan and manage for 1 hour of the program.

15. The Session on "Bullying and Other Issues" isn't really about bullying! That is just a lead into it. It is a chance for the Scouts to talk about any issue they may have in their Scout Troop. The Session should be facilitated by a leader who is not directly involved in the Troops with participants on the course.

16. There is only one post course project - and it is NOT connected at all to the Leadership Activity required for the Australian Scout Medallion. It is simply to report back to the Troop Council and have them invite the DSL or Course Leader to a Troop night to present the certificate. The badge is awarded on the course.

If you require any help or support in understanding the course materials or running your first Basic Leadership Course, please email Baggy at dspearoz@hotmail.com