To: District Commissioners
CC: County/Area/Island Commissioners, Region Commissioners (Scotland), Assistant County/Area/Island Commissioners (Beavers), County/Area/Island Teaining Managers, Assistant Regional Commissioner (Adult Training - Scotland), Headquarters Circulation List

Action required:  Please ensure that Group Scout Leaders are aware of this information, and that Beaver Scout Leaders receive support as needed.

Dear Colleagues
You may be aware that changes to the rules for Beaver Scout residential experiences were published in the January 2011 edition of POR.

Please note that it is now a minimum standard that Beaver Scouts be offered the opportunity to attend at least one residential experience a year.  Leaders can approach this in a number of ways such as District events, linking with another Colony to provide a residential opportunity, using the experience of other leaders in their Group or getting help from a Scout Active Support Unit. Of course, the requirement is only to offer the opportunity - it is not compulsory that every young person takes it up.

We have developed some support resources to help you and your leaders adopt the rules and make the most of the new opportunities and activities a Beaver Coloney can enjoy.

To help you respond to any queries, the following resources are already available:

• Summary of all relevant POR changes
• FAQs 
• Factsheet to support Beaver Scout residential experiences (FS155053)
• Nights Away resource (2010 edition) – available from Scout Shops
• Factsheets to support the Nights Away Permit

During 2011 you can expect to see a number of other items:

• Series of articles in the Beaver supplement offering ideas and easy approaches for residential experiences
• Workshops delivered by Headquarters or a local adviser on request to inspire and share advice on running a good residential experience
• Adult-only support events run at our National Centres to introduce the skills required to run Beaver Scout residential experiences and support you in your planning

If you have any questions at all please email the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 0845 300 1818.  We would also welcome any advice or suggestions you have for further resources that will be helpful to you and your local Colonies via the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Yours sincerely
Graeme Hamilton
Deputy UK Commissioner for Programme (6-25)