For many companies the traditional company section programme has been along the following lines:

Parade, Inspection
Opening Devotions
Drill
Badge Work
Closing Parade, Epilogue
Physical Activity and/or Club Night

Some companies were able to run a separate Club Night on another evening, but this was dependent on the availability of leaders and facilities.

Some companies find that a programme based on this model continues to meet their needs. Others find that it works well in the early years of the Company Section but endeavour to offer something different for their more senior boys. Whatever their current provision officers frequently say they are looking for new ideas for the Company Section programme.

This article attempts to summarise the sort of alternative activities, which companies may like to consider. Companies already use many, but hopefully there will be something new for everyone.

1. Some guiding principles:

a) Ask the boys themselves for ideas which would interest them.

b) Consider joining with another company, or a kindred girls organisation, for joint activities.

c) Look at the BB Seniors Boxes 1 and 2.

d) The Gazette gives ideas in each edition. Index for the last two volumes attached.

e) The "Youthwork Handbook", published by Kingsway, has many ideas and useful lists of resources, addresses etc.

f) A number of magazines are published regularly which give suggestions. Details of two:

(i) "Youthwork" ? specimen copy attached.
(ii)"CY" ? published by CPAS. **
g) Don't forget outside agencies such as the police, Red Cross, St Johns etc.

2. Teaching on the Christian Faith, in one form or another, should be an integral part of the programme. See the leaflet "Christian Input in the Company Section" in this series.

3. Many Sections take the opportunity of organising visits for sporting or other activities. Consider the following:

bowling
roller skating
ice skating
skate boarding
swimming
dry ski slope
karting
watersports
investigate other facilities available at your local sports/leisure centre
museums
tourist attractions
wall climbing, for further details contact
The Mile End Climbing Wall
Cordova Road,
Bow, London, E3 5BE.
Tel: 020 8980 0289

4. Consider the following ideas for activities in your normal meeting place:

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
CCPR National Pentathlete Award Scheme also covers outdoor sports
Dunlop Table Tennis Skills Award Scheme on?going sports competition, for individuals or squads video evening check the suitability!!
Make a video check for violence etc!!
Computer evening ? games, but check on suitability as some have evil undertones or are violent; alternatively use the boys' expertise to produce your publicity material etc.
Space age laser tag game for further details contact
Raiders of the Dark
1 Somersby Gardens
Gants Hill, Essex IG4 5DY
Quiz/food/musical evening, with or without games barbecue drama
Craft work ? usually associated with younger boys, but many of this age appreciate tackling more sophisticated activities. Visit a craft or hobby shop for ideas e.g. Craft World on the third floor of Harrison Gibson, High Road, Ilford. Tel: 020 8553 0005
third world issues ? contact the following for details: your church's missionary society TEAR Fund Christian Aid CHIME Worldwide produces its own material and publishes an 85 page catalogue including resources for 11-15s;
address: lla Upper Teddington Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey, KT1 4DL
Sleep?over in the church hall! Activities into the early hours, with a very early breakfast
On a more serious note consider having a discussion evening, using your own staff or bringing in others. Depending on what your lads are taught at school possible topics could include:
(i) information on drugs and/or alcohol: material available from:

a) Hope UK
25(f) Copperfield Street
London SE1 OEN
Tel: 020 7928 0848

b) Amethyst
57 London Street
Reading RG1 4PS
Tel: 0118 958 940

c) BB London District, and the Development Officer, have a copy of a drugs education video resource pack.

(ii) Money management; material available from

Credit Action
6 Regent Terrace
Cambridge CB2 1AA
Tel: 01223 324034

(iii) Sex education
(iv) Leaving home

5. Encourage your senior lad to attend "Firm Foundations" at Felden Lodge. Details in the Gazette.

6. Organise your own weekend away, not necessarily under canvas. Wonderful opportunity for fun and teaching.

7. Become involved in a local authority or conservation project.

8. Decorate your premises!