Scout Nights Away permit: categories, notification and what to log
By a volunteer Scout leader
Updated 16 October 2026
3 min read
The Nights Away permit works differently from the adventurous activity permits, but the same habit pays off: a clear record of every residential you’ve led or helped on. Here’s what each category covers and what to note down.
Please note: this is practical advice from one leader to another, not official guidance. Always check the current Policy, Organisation and Rules and talk to your county or district assessor about their process.
The short version
- Nights Away has four categories: indoor, campsite, greenfield and lightweight expedition.
- A greenfield permit lets you lead any category; campsite covers campsite and indoor.
- Every event still needs a Nights Away Notification at least 7 days ahead.
- Log each residential: category, nights, numbers, weather and your role.
- You must be 18 to hold a permit, and permits last a maximum of five years.
The four categories
You need a Nights Away permit if young people will sleep overnight on an event you’re leading, including at your own headquarters and when taking under-18s abroad. The minimum age to hold a permit is 18.
| Category | What it lets you lead |
|---|---|
| Indoor | Indoor residential events only |
| Campsite | Campsite and indoor events |
| Greenfield | Any category of residential event |
| Lightweight expedition | Expeditions staying at any site for no more than one night before moving on |
The assessment looks at your technical and personal ability to run nights away experiences. Once gained, a permit can be used anywhere in the UK.
Notifications
A permit isn’t the only paperwork. Every event needs a Nights Away Notification as soon as possible, and at least seven days before it starts. Scouts is moving to a mandatory digital notification form for all nights away with youth members.
The notification tells your Lead Volunteer an event is happening. It isn’t a record of your experience, which is why keeping your own log is still worth doing.
What to log each residential
- Dates and number of nights.
- Category: indoor, campsite, greenfield or lightweight expedition.
- Venue, and for greenfield, how water, toilets and waste were handled.
- Numbers: young people and adults.
- Your role: permit holder in charge, or supporting another permit holder.
- Weather and anything that changed your plans.
Building experience
The most reliable way to build experience at a new level, or in a new category, is to support a current permit holder in their sessions. Take on more as your confidence grows, and log every session, noting that you were supporting and who held the permit. When you come to be assessed you can show exactly what you’ve done, rather than relying on memory.
If you hold a campsite permit and want greenfield, for example, log every greenfield camp you help on, including how the site was set up and run.
Don’t let it lapse
A Nights Away permit’s validity is set when it’s issued, up to a maximum of five years. Keep your log going between permits so the evidence is ready when you need it.
Log your next nights away session in Paracord
Free for one activity type, with unlimited logs. Export a PDF of your history for your assessor with Pro.
