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 Nights away are an important part of Scouting from sleepovers to wild adventure camping, it is synonomous with Scouting and very much part of the active programme that is provided by the dedicated leaders in the Area.
In September 2004 the form PC system was discontinued and replaced by the new Nights Away permit scheme. Like a driving licence, the Permit allows competent adults who have demonstrated they have the right skills and attitude to lead events without seeking any further permission. There is no longer a requirement to supply
programme and other information three months
ahead of an event.
In September 2007 updates to the Nights Away Permit Scheme were announced following a review of how successfully the scheme had been implemented. As of 1st May 2008 these updates came into force.
| You can find a summary of those updates here |
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The information on this page is here to give an overview of the Nights Away scheme and provide resource links to aide in the Nights Away scheme.
Introduction
The Permit is credit card-sized and gives authority for an adult to lead Members under the age of 18 years on a nights away event in one or more of these four categories:
- Indoor – for any Sleepover, indoor Pack Holiday, youth hostelling or similar event.
- Camp Site – camping on sites where there are toilets, water and waste disposal facilities.
- Green Field – for camping where all facilities need to be provided by the camp team – for example, a summer camp on a farmer’s field.
- 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. i.e. QSA/DofE hikes, expedition hikes, canoe expeditions.
An individual who gains a Green Field Permit is entitled to lead nights away events in the other three categories. Similarly, where an individual gains a Camp Site Permit, they may also lead Indoor events. Those holding a Hillwalking Permit that includes lightweight camping in remote areas may also run Lightweight Expedition events.
Gaining a Permit
 An adult wishing to gain a Permit should first read factsheet FS120801 (Nights Away Permit Scheme - Applicants' Guide) and then download the application form from the links below.
This Application Form is to be used to apply for a Nights Away Permit in any category. It can be filled in online to be sent as an email attachment to speed up the process if required, or printed off and sent as a hard copy. Details of the different types of category permit it is possible to apply for can be found in the factsheet FS120800 Nights Away Permit Scheme.
All completed application forms should be sent direct to Mary Willicombe by post to 41 New Road, Rumney, Cardiff. CF3 3DB or email to nightsaway@catvog.org
*** Please note that applications are to no longer go to the District Commissioner or Area Commissioner. If you do you risk delaying your application unnecessarily. ***
| Guidance Notes on Applying for a Permit in CATVOG |
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| Nights Away Application Form |
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| Nights Away Continuation Sheet (If Required) |
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| Nights Away Frequently Asked Questions |
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Role of the Nights Away Adviser
The nights away adviser has three parts to their role and are more than simply there to assess permits! The role of the nights away adviser comprises of
- Carrying out assessments and provide recommendations for permits
- Supporting new Leaders through the process of gaining a permit
- Advising on and promoting residential experiences
As you can see that as well as assessing applicants technical ability against the 8 core skills they have a key role working with Leaders, Commissioners and campsites and activity centres to ensure that nights away events are taking place and every young person is getting the opportunity to experience such an event.
So if you are thinking about obtaining your nights away permit and need some help with getting yourself ready for assessment then get in touch and an adviser will meet you and guide you through the scheme and what you need to do.
Nights Away Training
 CATVOG Area runs a number of Nights Away training courses throughout the year split into two parts; one part concentrates on the pratical side of camping and is normally held as a residential weekend at one of the local campsites. The second part covers the administrative side of organising and running Nights Away events.
By attending the training course you will be given the skills to:
- Understand the role different types of nights away events have
- Understand the Leaders responsibilities
- Know the different issues of running indoor and outdoor nights away events
- Know how to plan and run a nights away event
- Have practical skills needed to run a nights away event
- Know the sections of POR for running a nights away event
For Nights Away training courses please browse the training section of the website or contact Lynn Thompson for more information.
Common Misconceptions
There are some common Misconceptions between nights away and Module 16, please take a moment to read the differences between a nights away permit and Module 16.
- There is no requirement to have done Module 16 to gain a Nights Away Permit.
- There is no need to get a Nights Away Permit to finish your Wood Badge training.
- Validating Module 16 does not automatically gain you a Nights Away Permit.
- However gaining a Nights Away Permit is one way of validating module 16.
The Event Passport
 The event passport is for young people under the age of 18 years wishing to lead camping or residential events (such as Patrol camps, Unit expeditions etc).
The Scheme encourages residential or camping events led by young people under 18 years, such as Patrol camps, Explorer Scout expeditions or overnight hikes. By using the Event Passport, a Leader can check the young person has the required knowledge and ability to lead the event. The Event Passport is valid for one event only.
As well as being available from the Scout Information Centre, nights away permit holders can download a nights away passport to use for young people led nights away events.
| Download a nights away passport |
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Nights Away Notification (Form NAN)
 For all Nights Away experiences all of the information below should be with your District commissioner (or appointee) SEVEN days before the event (in normal circumstances).
For all Nights Away held at facilities not owned or operated by Scouting, such as public or commercial campsites and youth hostels, the host District Commissioner must also receive a copy of the information, normally this should be FOURTEEN days before the event.
| Download Nights Away Notification (NAN) Form |
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Resources and Links
Links
| National Scout Activity Centres |
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| Scout Campsites and Activity Centres Directory |
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| Prohibited and restricted Camping Directory |
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| Association of Scout and Guide Centres |
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| Youth Hostel Association |
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Factsheets and Assessment Checklists on Nights Away
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The following activity factsheets are relevent to this activity.
| FS120000 |
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Risk Assessment |
| FS120072 |
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Youth Hostelling |
| FS120078 |
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Home Contacts |
| FS120072 |
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Youth Hostelling |
| FS20082 |
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Nights Away Information Form |
| FS120083 |
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Family Camps |
| FS120626 |
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Avoiding ill health at camp |
| FS120800 |
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Nights Away Permit Scheme |
| FS120801 |
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Nights Away Permit Scheme - Applicants' Guide |
| FS120802 |
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Nights Away Permit Scheme - Assessment Guide |
| FS120803 |
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Nights Away Permit Scheme - Commissioners' Guide |
| FS120804 |
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Nights Away Permit Scheme - Nights Away Adviser |
| FS250031 |
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Nights Away for Scouts with Special Needs |
| FS315071 |
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Scout Skills - Campsite Layout and Selection |
| FS315072 |
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Scout Skills - Camp Toilet |
| FS315085 |
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Scout Skills - Tent Pitching |
| FS315086 |
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Scout Skills - Types of Tents |
The following activity assessment checklists are relevent to
this activity.
| AC120990 |
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Assessment Checklist for a Nights Away Permit |
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Policy, Organisation and Rules
for Nights Away
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The following activity rules are relevent to this
activity.
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© Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Scouts 2010 
