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, is safe.

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

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:

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

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

Your Group may have a copy of a Scout’s 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 that it be purchased as a Group resource.

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

Make a Nights Away Permit Application using the Scouts online system by:

Signing into the online system web address: https://membership.scouts.org.uk

Using a PC?
Click My Membership
Follow drop-down menu links on the left side of the page: select “Programme Support” > “Permits” > “My Permits” > “My Active Permits”
Select “Start a New Permit”.

Using a tablet?
Select My Membership
using the “Hamburger Button” pick “Programme Support” > “Permits” > “My Permits” > “My Active Permits”
o Select “Start a New Permit”.

Either enter “Nights Away” in the box adjacent to “Select Permit Activity” or scroll through the pages – it is currently on the 4th page near the end.

Once selected, complete all the sections.

The online form can be partially completed and then saved for up to 6 months. Once it's finished, please upload any supporting documentation, including the logbook if you have one, and submit it.

Attending a Scouting overnight event is not compulsory, so if you haven't done so, don’t be put off from applying. You may have been involved in camping, expeditions or similar activities with other organisations, or the NAA may suggest that you work closely with other Leaders, possibly with another Group, to gain experience. This will all be determined at the inaugural meeting.

If you have participated in such events, describe your previous experience in a way that your role and responsibilities can be interpreted appropriately. If you haven't been able to keep a detailed logbook of Nights Away events, please provide these details either by using the box provided on the online form (which has a 1,500-character limit). Alternatively, you can use your software to upload the details in MS Word, PDF, JPG, or a similar format.

You will be asked to nominate an accredited Nights Away Assessor. Unless you have a particular NAA in mind, please select “Internal Assessor” and either Ian Lund or Michael Holroyd.

Once it's finished, please upload your Nights Away Log (if you have one, or created one), and submit it, and NAA will get in touch with you.

You can track progress from within the “My Membership” section of the Scouts.org online system.

Your application will be reviewed, and you will be invited to an initial meeting, the primary objective of which is to figure out the best approach for obtaining your permit and to address a few key points on the Nights Away Assessment Checklist.

We will agree on the assessment process, which may be fully managed by the Bfd Sth 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.

We are always keen to visit you during the overnight event, although we 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 conduct a review of the budgets and discuss how everything went.