Crossbows

Includes: Crossbow Indoors, Outdoors, Adventurous activities, Sport

Age:
10+
Sport
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Take your aim

Loved archery but want to try something a bit different? Load up and fire a crossbow!

Overview

land theme icon.pngCrossbows use triggers to shoot bolts (a kind of arrow) at a target. It’s similar to archery, the crossbow will fire the bolt automatically.

When carefully supervised, this is a great alternative to traditional archery or shooting.

Crossbows are an adventurous activity and should follow the adventurous activity policy and procedures.

Approved: 05 October 2022
Version: 1.0

Content owner: Adventure team

Planning checklist

If you or another member of your leadership team is running the activity at an external venue/location, follow these extra steps:

  • 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.
  • Get a copy of the public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • 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 (if relevant).
  • 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 outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps:

  • 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.

You must have a qualified instructor to run this activity. Instructors must be 21 years old or older and hold one of the following:

You can verify the quality of a provider by checking it has one of the following endorsements: AALAAdventuremark or LotC Quality Badge for Adventure. AALA and LotC are not applicable in Northern Ireland, but Sport Northern Ireland confirm the implementation of Adventuremark as a suitable adventure activity accreditation scheme for activity providers in Northern Ireland. Otherwise, you can contact your local outdoor activities adviser to recommend an approved provider.

Make sure girls tie their hair back and remove/tuck in any lose clothing. They also need to remove all jewellery including earrings, rings and necklaces.

Crossbows should only be drawn or cocked when the participant is facing the target. Participants must not turn around or move when holding a drawn crossbow, or “dry fire” an empty crossbow i.e. without a bolt.

The activity does not have to take place on solely club premises. Many campsites and activity centres will allow temporary shooting ranges to be set up, provided they are constructed and supervised by a suitably qualified instructor who is a member of an established club.

Members may shoot only at targets. Targets must not be shaped like people or animals.

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

Leadership team: girl ratio

If this activity takes place outside of your usual meeting place the leadership team adult: girl ratio is mandatory.

Rainbows: Not a Rainbow activity

Brownies: Not a Brownie activity

Guides 1:12

Rangers: 1 Girlguiding leader

Qualified adult/participant ratio

The activity leader (qualified adult) should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants.

The number will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification, permit or the rules of their operating organisation as well as the risk assessment. This should take into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. The leader should assess the risk and any concerns must be raised to them.