Policy Organisation & Rules 

9.2.1 Nights Away Permit Scheme

9.2.1.1
All camping and residential activities within the United Kingdom are subject to Rule 9.2.

9.2.1.2
This includes all activities where it is intended that young people will sleep overnight and arrangements are put in place for this purpose, such as sleepovers, camps, Pack Holidays, and expeditions.

9.2.1.3
Nights Away abroad are subject to Rule 9.3.

9.2.2 Nights Away responsibilities

9.2.2.1
An adult leading a camp or residential activity involving young people under 18 years old must:

1. hold a valid Nights Away Permit

2. have the prior agreement of the young person's Section Team

3. have parental consent in which parents are informed about the activity, including which leaders are present

4. as a minimum, attend the activity during the time that provision is made for young people to be sleeping overnight. They remain responsible for the activity at all times

5. ensure the relevant notification is made, as per Rule 9.2.3.

An activity leader may be working towards their permit under the supervision of a permit holder, but the permit holder remains the Leader in Charge.

9.2.2.2
The District Lead Volunteer or Permit Approver is responsible for:

1. issuing of Nights Away Permits in accordance with the application, assessment, approval process and content of the appropriate factsheet The Permit must only be granted following the recommendation of a Nights Away Assessor (NAA). The level of the Nights Away Permit must not be increased beyond that recommended by the NAA without a further assessment by an NAA

2. suspending or withdrawing Nights Away Permits as per Rule 9.2.4

3. ensuring that all adult members who are present overnight at a night away activity are in date for their safeguarding and safety training which must be recorded on their membership record. This rule does not apply to helpers and other non-members attending the activity. This rule also does not apply to members of the Scout Network who are attending the activity as a participant and are not supporting or delivering activities for members under the age of 18

4. the standards of all camping and residential experiences taking place in the District and may cancel an activity, if judged necessary

5. appointing one or more Nights Away Assessors Guide (FS120804).

The County Lead Volunteer or Nights Away Assessors have these responsibilities for activities and permits issued at County level.

9.2.2.3
For large scale activities there must be a permit holder responsible for each residential group. There is no limit to the number of groups that a permit holder has responsibility for, but they remain responsible for the standard of the activity for each group. In addition, the permit holder must ensure the home Lead Volunteer is notified (Rule 9.2.3.13) and inform them of the total number of groups they are responsible for during the activity.

9.2.2.4
All groups undertaking a night away activity must have immediate access to someone who has a current First Aid qualification, minimum First Response. The level of First Aid competence required for each activity should be determined by the activity risk assessment. However, a full first aid certificate, as defined in First Aid (FS120052), must be held for those operating in remote environments, where travelling time is 3 hours or more (in the method of travel being used) to a point of refuge, including at least one of:

1. a road which carries a normal road-going ambulance

2. a building which is occupied such as a farm or harbour

3. another means of calling help such as a telephone box.

9.2.2.5
The permit holder is not required to hold a first aid qualification to gain their permit but must still meet the first aid requirements for their role as detailed in the Chapter 16 Teams Table.

9.2.2.6
Where a member holds an external first aid qualification which meets the requirements set out in the First Response syllabus this should be reviewed by an accredited First Response Trainer who should validate their first response within the membership system.

9.2.3 Nights Away permits

9.2.3.1
There are four categories of Nights Away permit:

1. indoor – for staying in a building that has built in lighting and cooking facilities, toilets plumbed into a waste disposal system (such as, a cess pit, storage tank or mains drains) and has running drinking water

2. campsite – for staying at a site that has toilets plumbed into a waste disposal system (such as, a cess pit, storage tank or mains drains) and access to running drinking water

3. Green Field – for staying at any site where any of the above facilities do not exist – for example, a summer camp on a farmer's field

4. Lightweight Expedition – for staying at any site for not more than one night before moving on. The core activity is a form of expedition, not residential, and all the equipment is transported with the participants. For example, King's Scout Award or Duke of Edinburgh's Awards hikes, expedition hikes, canoe expeditions.

9.2.3.2
Those holding a Green Field Permit may lead residential activities in the other three categories.

9.2.3.3
Those holding a Campsite Permit may also run indoor residential activities.

9.2.3.4
Those holding a Hillwalking Permit that includes lightweight camping in remote areas may also run Lightweight Expedition activities.

9.2.3.5
Nights Away Permits are not section-specific and Districts and Counties must not operate a policy of issuing only section-specific permits.

9.2.3.6
A permit holder may operate with members from another District or County following the normal approval of the relevant District or County Lead Volunteer of the members concerned.

9.2.3.7
Permit holders proposing to work outside their usual section should obtain guidance from the Nights Away Assessor before the activity takes place.

9.2.3.8
Permits must only be granted to members of The Scout Association.

9.2.3.9
There is no maximum age limit to gaining a Nights Away Permit.

9.2.3.10
Permits must be renewed at intervals of not more than five years.

9.2.3.11
Permits expire automatically if they are not renewed.

9.2.3.12
Assessment:

1. An applicant must be assessed by a Nights Away Assessor appointed by the District or County Lead Volunteer or Programme Team, who should recommend a level of permit to be granted

2. Assessments must be carried out in accordance with the process and content of the Nights Away Permit Scheme.

9.2.3.13
Notification and approval

1. The relevant home Lead Volunteer, or Nights Away Approver, must be notified before any nights away activity takes place. It is recommended this is at least seven days before the activity commences.

2. The notification must include all the information required in the Nights Away Notification Form (NAN), together with the activity's risk assessment.

3. The Permit holder must ensure that appropriate notification is made for each group they are responsible for.

4. Adult groups must notify their relevant Lead Volunteer or Nights Away Approver of night's away activities.

5. The activity must not commence until approval is provided in writing by the Nights Away Approver.

9.2.4 Renewal, restriction, suspension, and withdrawal of nights away permits

9.2.4.1
Any Leader who is alleged to have broken these activity rules must have their permit(s) suspended immediately by the District or County Lead Volunteer.

9.2.4.2
The relevant Lead Volunteer should promptly enquire into the allegation and determine whether the permit(s) are to be reinstated, modified, or withdrawn.

9.2.4.3
The relevant Lead Volunteer may at any time impose restrictions, suspend, withdraw, or not renew a permit provided they have reasonable grounds to do so. Any amendment of a permit's status is only valid if the record on the membership system is updated as appropriate.

9.2.4.4
A Permit automatically expires when a member leaves The Scout Association.

9.2.5 Nights Away Event Passports

9.2.5.1
A Scout or Explorer who wishes to lead a camping or residential activity must only do so after being issued with a Nights Away Event Passport. A Nights Away Event Passport is only valid for use with members of their own Troop or Unit.

9.2.5.2
Each Nights Away Event Passport must be issued for one activity only by a Nights Away Permit holder experienced in the category of camp or residential experience proposed.

9.2.5.3
Nights Away Event Passports must not be given to anyone aged over 18 and cannot be used for joint Explorer/Scout Network activities.

9.2.5.4
The Nights Away Permit holder has responsibility for notification in line with Rule 9.2.3.12.

9.2.5.5
The Nights Away Permit holder must provide support during both the preparation and the activity itself and be satisfied that the young person has the required abilities. But the Nights Away Permit holder is not required to attend the activity.

9.2.5.6
Nights Away Event Passports guidance (FS120085) is available.

9.2.5.7
Nights Away Event Passports may be downloaded from the Brand Centre.

9.2.5.8
Members of teams responsible for running Scout campsites or activity centres who hold a permit may issue site-specific Nights Away Event Passports for an extended period (up to a maximum of 12 months) covering multiple service activities for those under 18 years working on projects on their site.

9.2.5.9
The home Lead Volunteer must be informed of those under 18 years working on service team projects at Scout campsites and activity centres, but a separate Nights Away Notification form for each occasion need not be completed if a range of dates is specified. Each Nights Away Notification form submitted must be clear on who is the Nights Away Permit Holder.

9.2.5.10
When leading a Scout Network residential activity, a passport or permit is not required, but notification (Rule 9.2.3.12) is. The activity leader must have first-hand experience of camping or residential activities and be familiar with The Scout Association’s appropriate resource material.

9.2.5.11
As part of the planning process parents must be informed if no leaders are going to be present. Parents must be informed what supervision arrangements are in place for a residential activity where an Event Passport is being used and be satisfied with those arrangements before consenting to their child taking part.

9.2.5.12
For adult to young person ratios on Nights Away activities, see Rule 4.3.10.

9.2.6 Family nights away

9.2.6.1
The permit holder is responsible for the overall camp and must ensure that all The Scout Association's rules are followed regardless of the presence of parents or other adults.

9.2.6.2
Further information is available about Family Camps (FS120083). Other guidance is given in the publication Nights Away.