This page is provided to assist those who wish to apply for their initial nights away permit, or those that require a renewal.
Please also refer to these Nights Away pages:
Nights Away Approvals – Hints and Tips
Nights Away FAQ

Applying for your initial Nights Away Permit.

It is important to understand that the Nights Away Permit Assessment is as the name suggests an assessment. If you are applying for a permit, you are expected to have the relevant skills and experience before applying. Although the assessors will often give some hints and tips, the assessment is not a training session.
It is strongly suggested that anyone looking for a permit, consider attending: Module 16 (Introduction to Residential Experiences) and Module 38 (Skills for Residential Experiences) learning module.

If you have attended Module 16 (Introduction to Residential Experiences) and Module 38 (Skills for Residential Experiences) learning module or you feel you ready have the skills and experience to apply for a permit. The process is documented below..

  1. Make yourself aware of the Nights Away Permit Scheme.
  2. Ensure you have a enough time. Many applicants underestimate the amount of time required to progress through the assessment process. Allow at least 3 months between applying for an assessment and the actual date you are think of holding the nights away event. Possibly longer in the summer, as the assessors are likely to be busy at this time.
  3. Contact an assessor to informally check their availability, then apply for your assessment via the membership system.
    This can be found under “My Membership / Programme Support / Permits / My permits / My active permits / Start new permit”.
    The current assessors are Leslie Button and Ian Mellor, they can be contacted here: by selecting “Nights away team”.
  4. Do not start planning, or booking any campsites until you have met with your assessor.

Applying for a renewal of your Nights Away Permit.

  1. If your existing Nights away permit is due to expire, or has expired, request a renewal via the membership system.
    This can be found under “My Membership / Programme Support / Permits / My permits / My active permits / Start new permit”.
  2. You will need to arrange to meet an assessor and go through the planning and implementation of a camp with him. Please have the following documentation available:
  • Programme
  • Menu
  • Budget
  • Kit list
  • Invitation to sent to parents
  • Risk Assessments
  • Ending accounts
  • Transport arrangements
  • Your groups/units accident reporting procedure
  • Your groups/units medication recording procedure