Updated 17 April 2025

Scouting Activities and permits

There are hundreds of activities that scouts of all ages take part in every week. Some do have specific rules and guidelines to follow, such as needing a permit holder to lead them or to ensure that an external provider meets certain requirements. Contrary to what you may have heard there are very few banned activities and you don’t need a signed piece of paper for most things!

As a starting  point take a look at the running a section pages– designed to take you to all the information you need to run certain activities, or perhaps inspire you to try something new. Our County Activity Teams (click on logos on the right) can help with learning and / or obtaining permits to help you to deliver some of the more practical skills. Whilst we hope it is not needed do check that relevant insurance is in place.

Information about the use of minibuses and trailers (and local Cambridgeshire Groups who have them available for hire) can be found in the Minibus and Trailer FAQ

International activities and events are an important part of scouting and come in many forms, from an environmental game on a section night through to travel around the world.

The Scout Association has a range of partners who provide support in the form of everything from discounts to activities linked to a badge, and there is something for every age group. There are also national initiatives such as  “A Million Hands”

Support is available here in Cambridgeshire Scouts to help you deliver scouting for all, with advice on everything from adapting badge work to additional support. Please just Get in Touch

Further programme inspiration

Looking for ideas for activities, games, camps and meetings?

• take a look through the Scout Association’s programme planning tools
• if your Section uses On-Line Scout Manager did you realise there are lots of activities, games and plans on there too? Just search for the one you like and add it straight into your term programme, badge requirements and all
• visit our Resources page and see scouting owned places in Cambridgeshire to use for meetings, sleepovers and camps as well as resources you can hire or borrow (from minibuses to catering kit)
• consider some of the Things to do in Cambridgeshire that you can take young people to, all tried and tested by local leaders just like you – why not combine it with a camp or sleepover
• build contacts with other leaders in your Group and District. District meetings and events can be a great way to do so
• arrange to visit other sections across Cambridgeshire to see what they get up to – perhaps arrange some joint events or offer to swap an evening you can run with one they could run for you.
• invite older sections to run an activity for you – it shows young people taking the lead and acting as great role models it often covers badges for all involved
• if you use Facebook join your District group, join the Cambridgeshire Scouts Team Members group or search for groups such as such as 1st Facebook Beavers / Cubs / Scouts / Explorers

Please don’t forget if you have a great activity or event you have run why not add it to one or more of those sites / pages / groups so that others can use your experiences to expand their programme too!