Nights Away Permit Applications

Apply For A New Nights Away Permit

Putting the “out” in scOUTing has always been of importance in the Scout Association. Nights Away events are of enormous benefit to our young members and we actively encourage it – but of paramount importance is that everyone involved is kept safe from harm.

1. What is a 'Nights Away Permit'?

Everyone who is responsible for a Nights Away event for young people within Scouts, is required to hold a Nights Away Permit for the type of event they are running. There is often a misconception that a Permit is granted for a single event whereas, in fact, once a permit has been granted at a specific level, the leader is permitted to hold Nights Away events at that level for up to five years. Additional support may be required in some circumstances, for example where a leader plans to run a camp for a Scout Troop, but only has experience running a Cub camp.

2. What are the Levels of Nights Away Permits?

Nights Away Permits are granted for overnight events at these levels:

a.   Indoor only

b.   Campsite (covers the holder when running indoor events)

c.   Greenfield covers the holder when running events in the other three categories (Lightweight Expedition, Indoor and Campsite).

d.   Lightweight expedition (holder of this permit, may NOT run overnight events in any of the other categories).
 

NOTE: Those holding a Hillwalking Permit that includes lightweight camping in remote areas may also run Lightweight Expedition events, However, holding a Lightweight Expedition Permit does not authorise those holding a Hillwalking Permit (without the remote camping authorisation) to camp in remote areas.

3. When should I apply for a Permit?

The process takes time. It is normal for applicants to have a specific overnight event in mind. That event should still be in the early planning stages so that your efforts can be properly assessed, and the Nights Away Advisor (NAA) can offer support and guidance where it is needed. You would be expected to have the role of Event Organiser or Joint Organiser. Within Mansfield District, normally, assessment is on the basis of one applicant per event.

4. How do I get a Nights Away Permit?

We want to ensure that both you as a Leader and those for whom you are responsible have enjoyable Nights Away experiences, but most importantly to make sure everyone, including yourself, are safe.

There is an assessment process. The main steps are these:

a. Familiarise yourself with all the Nights Away information available on Scouts.org. There is a raft of information available as well as rules governing Nights Away Events:

i. Read the information on this webpage:
  https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-permit-scheme/

ii.  Read POR sections relating to Nights Away 9.2 - https://www.scouts.org.uk/por/9-activities/rule-92-nights-away/

iii. Your Group may have a copy of a Scouts book entitled “Nights Away” which contains a treasure trove of information much of which is highly practical. If they have not, perhaps you could suggest it is purchased as a Group resource.

b. Complete a Nights Away Application Form and submit it to the Mansfield District Scouts Nights Away Team at icellis@hotmail.com The form is available for download from the “Forms and Resources” section on this webpage:
  https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-permit-scheme/
 

i. Your GSL or other Permit Holder within your Group should be able to help you fill in some of the sections; alternatively get in touch with the Nights Away Team via email.

ii. Provide a good level of detail when describing your experiences so that your role and responsibilities can be properly interpreted. (NOTE: where the application form asks for your “Role”, we are looking for the role you undertook at the event e.g., Event Leader, Event Organiser; Joint Organiser; Activity Leader, Supporter, Chief Cook etc. etc.)

iii. Training Modules 16 and 38 to do with residential experiences are valuable and, if you have completed these, please make a note on the application form.
 

c. Your application will be reviewed and you will be invited to an initial meeting, the main objective of which is to determine the best approach towards gaining your permit and hopefully to tick a few boxes on the Nights Away Assessment Checklist. We will agree the assessment process, which may be fully managed by the RSDA Nights Away Team, or another Nights Away Advisor (NAA) from the District. THIS IS NOT AN EXAM – the Nights Away Team are there to help you gain your permit.
 

d. We are always keen to visit you during the overnight event, although try to be as inobtrusive as possible – a good reason for giving us plenty of notice of your event.
 

After the event we like to carry out a review of budgets and also to discuss how it all went.

Greenfield and Lightweight Expedition Permits

To gain a Greenfield or Lightweight Expedition permit, additional assessment concerning untreated water and dealing with waste, including biowaste disposal is necessary. For the purpose of this review, “Modern Greenfield” relates to Greenfield sites where toilet tents/chemical toilets are used, whereas “Traditional Greenfield” involves setting up latrines.

During the assessment we will be discussing these topics and applicants should prepare in advance. We have provided a few weblinks that should prove helpful.

a)          CHOOSING A LOCATION:

I            Main considerations to do with land ownership, site selection and reducing risks and discomfort to campers, wildlife, water contamination and more. Also additional considerations if the site has been grazed by animals in the last month.

b)          WATER

I.                    The potential hazards of drinking untreated water – the sort of things that could contaminate water, and the risks of drinking it.

II.                  The effective  options for ensuring that untreated water is made safe to drink,

C)          WASTE DISPOSAL

I            There are very limited facilities for disposing of waste when on expedition or Greenfield camping and campers can generate a great deal of rubbish. When organising an event, consider the steps you could take to limit waste, or even achieve zero waste. For example: would repackaging be useful, and how you could minimise the use of  plastic, pot noodle, tins and more.

II.          How you would dispose of waste if you are unable to take it away with you.

d)          HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL

Biowaste including human waste is a source of bacteria and viruses. Steps should be taken to minimise the risk of illness and infection, as well as the to the environment and to biodiversity.
 

I.           Portable/Chemical Toilets:

§ Consider the best location for a portable/chemical toilet in your camping area, how it should be set up, and how frequently it should be checked/refreshed.
§ Assuming there is a flush toilet or biowaste disposal point, the measures you would put in place to ensure the contents of a portable/chemical toilet are disposed of safely and the portable toilet is made ready for reuse?
 

ii.          Digging a biowaste disposal pit.
The key considerations in in terms of location and size if you are to dig a pit for the disposal of biowaste material.
 

e)          Traditional Greenfield Camping – discussion about setting up a latrine; locations, layout, dimensions.

When setting up a traditional greenfield camp, the most common approach is for the latrines to be constructed using hessian or canvas partitioning to create separate compartments for urinals, the main “squat” toilet, and a separate washing area. It is in the open without a roof, and pits are dug for the main urinal and toilet areas. Discuss:
§ the precautions needed to ensure that the material from the pits would not contaminate water courses, spring, streams, boreholes etc.
§ the depth of any pits that are dug and how they should be filled in and marked, to avoid others using the same location.
 

Information references:

Scout Adventures: https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-05/Campsite%20-%20Factsheet_0.pdf

Leave no trace:

https://lnt.org

https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-properly/

Group Poop: How to Dig a Latrine to Dispose of Human Waste in a Large Group - Leave No Trace (lnt.org)
 

Wild Camping Basics:    https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/wild-camping-basics/#Choosing%20A%20Site

Govt Guidance              https://www.gov.uk/guidance/d3-waste-exemption-depositing-waste-from-a-portable-sanitary-convenience
 

Scouts Nights Away       Helpful Information is in the “Nights Away” publication available from Scout Shops (In the 2020 version pages 71. 72, 94)