The adventurous activities permit scheme is designed to ensure that all those leading adventurous activities for young people within Scouting have the skills, experience, and personal suitability to do so. If you want to apply for an adventurous activities permit, fill in the form below.
The adventurous activity permit scheme is an enabling device, designed to ensure that all those leading adventurous activities for young people within Scouting have the skills and experience to do so without the need for external professional-level qualifications. It is designed to be as flexible as possible while at the same time providing a robust checking process for those leading these activities.
Everyone who leads an adventurous activity for young people within Scouting must hold an activity permit for that activity. (Different Rules apply when using external providers.) Details of which activities are classed as adventurous can be found in POR.
Although managed locally, the activity permit scheme is a national scheme, so once gained, a permit will allow you to run that activity in any District or County. As an internal scheme within Scouting, permits can only be held by members and associate members of The Scout Association.
In Portsmouth we will be running adult training for adventurous activities so you can get the chance to get an adventurous activities permit.
Tomahawk Throwing - Express your interest here
Location - The Gibson Centre
Date - TBC
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders (£30 for all other districts)
Start time - 0900
Duration - 7 hours
Spaces - 10
On this training day, you will learn how to safely set up, run, and teach tomahawk throwing safely. This activity is not permitted, but you will receive a certificate allowing you to run sessions.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding - Express your interest here
Location - Nautical Training Corps
Date - TBC | Coming Late 2026
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders
Start time - 0900
Duration - 2 days, 8 hours per day
On this training day, you will learn how to safely run a Stand-up Paddleboarding session in the appropriate environment and class of water. This is a permitted activity.
Rifle Shooting - Express your interest here
Location - The Gibson Centre
Date - TBC
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders
Start time - 0900
Duration - 2 days, 8 hours per day
On this training weekend, you will learn how to safely set up, run, and teach Rifle Shooting. This activity is not permitted, as this is run by the NRSA, who will then issue you an external qualification.
Crossbow Shooting - Express your interest here
Location - The Gibson Centre
Date - TBC
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders
Start time - 0900
Duration - 2 days, 8 hours per day
On this training weekend, you will learn how to safely set up, run, and teach Rifle Shooting. This activity is not permitted, as this is run by the NRSA who will then issue you an external qualification.
Archery Instructor - Express your interest here
Location - The Gibson Centre
Date - TBC | Coming Summer 2026
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders
Start time - 0900
Duration - 2 days, 8 hours per day
On this training weekend, you will learn how to safely set up, run, and teach Archery. This is a permitted activity.
Climbing Top Rope (1 rope) Instructor - Express your interest here
Location - Lyons Copse
Date - TBC
Cost - Free for Portsmouth Leaders
Start time - 0900
Duration - 2 days, 8 hours per day
On this training weekend, you will learn how to safely set up, run, and teach climbing for Top Rope climbing for up to 1 rope. This is a permitted activity.
