Submit your Nights Away Application Form to the relevant Advisor at the address. This must be done before any planning can take place.
You should include, where possible, documentation to back-up previous camps/overnight stays you may have organised or been involved with. Please note camps or parts of camps or residential experiences you have run rather than just attended.
Prior to starting the process of planning a camp you will need to arrange a meeting with the relevant Advisor so an initial assessment can take place. It is at this point that your current level of experience can be discussed, and the level of assessment required will be determined.
During the time you are working with the NAA to attain your Nights Away Permit you will be assessed on the 8 Core Skills:
1. Planning a Nights Away Event
2. Ensuring the effective administration of an event
3. Preparing and co-ordinating a programme of activities
4. Choosing and preparing the event team
5. Choosing, organising and maintaining the right equipment
6. Ensuring the health, happiness and safety of self and others.
7. Organising good catering
8. Making best use of the venue
Your Advisor will be assessing your input into the above stages, and that it is not just an “off the shelf” camp exactly as run in previous years by previous Leaders. You will not be required to reinvent the wheel, but ensure your personal stamp is put on the event.
Assessment is likely to take place at three stages – planning, during the event itself, and a follow-up de-brief afterwards. Only if you have shown competence in all assessed areas will you permit be recommended to the DC, further assessment may be required.
Your camp will be visited as part of the Permit assessment by either the DC, DC’s representative or an NAA either from the District, or if camping outside the District, a local representative.
Your Permit will be issued based on a mixture of prior experience and assessment. It is not envisaged that a permit will be issued on the running of your first camp, but an assessment based on a variety of previous experiences and your current level of skill.
As a Permit holder you will need to prove you are able to run and be responsible for all Sections at any location during a residential experience.
Given the level of responsibility that comes with the Permit, the assessment is not meant to be easy, however your Advisor will be able to help and guide you through all stages of the practical assessment, advising where necessary, with the aim of promoting quality residential experiences for all our young people across Wansdyke.
