Axe throwing

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity, follow these extra steps.

In your unit meeting place

• Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed. Make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose. Check the equipment is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was any damage. 
• Check you hold the relevant qualification, if one is needed, to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
• Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.

At an external venue

• Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know about any changes to your plans.
• Tell your commissioner.
• Check you hold the relevant qualification (if one is needed) to run the activity and let your commissioner know you plan to run it yourself. If you aren't sure, speak to your local adviser to check.
• Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the needs of your group.
• Get any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
• Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.
• Ask for a copy of the venue's safety guidelines and risk assessment.
• Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls, leaders and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity if a qualification is needed). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
• Consider the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions and plan the session accordingly.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity, follow these extra steps.

In your unit meeting place

• Check the guidance for having an external visitor at your unit.
• Inform the external qualified adult of the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
• Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
• Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity that isn't being provided by the external qualified adult, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
• Check any equipment you source or borrow is suitably insured and confirm what would happen if there was damage to the equipment. 
• Check with the owners of your meeting space that they are happy for you to run this activity. 
• Get a copy of the qualified adult's public liability insurance before you book them.

At an external venue

• Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
• Tell your local commissioner.
• Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
• Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
• Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
• Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
• Ask for a copy of the providers' safety guidelines and risk assessment.
• Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
• Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
• Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
• Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

The activity leader must have completed at least 5 hours of in-house training that covers the following:

• Range safety and set up including targets and stands
• Rules and risk assessments
• Types of hawks and axes
• Maintenance and storage
• Session types
• Practical time on the range

The activity leader should show you a copy of their training certificate as proof they have completed this. 

The activity leader should make sure that:

• The activity takes place in a designated area that is clearly marked out-of-bounds to all other people on site during the session.
• Girls are clearly briefed on the throwing procedure, where to stand when not throwing and how to retrieve their axes.
• All equipment is the right size and in good condition.

If you're using 2 or more targets then a range master must be appointed. They'll have overall control of all the targets while the activity leaders are working with those throwing. The range master would be responsible for controlling movement on the range and making sure that anyone waiting to throw is not being a distraction to those throwing.

Moving equipment to and from a throwing area should be managed by the activity leader.

The ratios below are given as a maximum. These must be considered as part of the risk assessment. This may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability or other factors.

Leadership team ratio

As this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult to child ratio is mandatory.

• Rainbow: Not a Rainbow activity
• Brownies: 1:8
• Guides: 1:12
• Rangers: 1 Girlguiding leader

Qualified adult/participant ratio

Each target axe throwing instructor can supervise a maximum of three targets. The group size for any one target should be no larger than five. For example, with one person throwing and four waiting to throw.

You must also have a range master if two or more targets are being used. A range master can supervise a range with up to six targets and two activity leaders.

Activity providers might use different ratios. If they do differ, follow the strictest ratio.