Adult leaders need to have a thorough understanding of how the Scout Method and the group’s operating structure aim to contribute to young people’s development, and how the way in which they are used influences the educational experience that the young people derive from the activities that they take part in. 

With appropriate preparation, this enables the adult leader to take advantage of the variety of opportunities that may arise in the local community, the young people’s ideas on what they want to do, particular needs that are expressed, etc. - which cannot be anticipated at national level -so  as to offer young people a rich educational experience that is really relevant to those particular young people at a given time.