Dean Smith - County Training Manager

Dean Smith is the County Training Manager (formerly Assistant County Commissioner for Adult Training), a role that he has held since April 1998. This role involves being accountable to the County Commissioner for coordinating all of the structured adult training in Northamptonshire and maintaining a Training Team to deliver the training that is required.

Dean first joined the Northamptonshire Scout Association in 1979 when he was appointed Assistant Scout Leader at 1st Finedon (St. Mary's) Scout Group in Wellingborough District. In 1984 he became the Scout Leader in Finedon and then in 1985 took out the Warrant of Venture Scout Leader in the same Scout Group.

In 1988 Dean became the Assistant District Commissioner for Venture Scouts in Wellingborough District, an appointment he held for five years before being appointed Assistant County Commissioner for Venture Scouts in 1993 for Northamptonshire. In April 1998 Dean took up his present appointment.

Dean completed his Scout Leader training at Bromham in Bedfordshire and in 1985 was awarded his Scout Woodbadge. His Venture Scout training was completed at Gilwell Park and a second Woodbadge was awarded in 1986. In 1996 he was awarded a Group Scout Leader/ Commissioner/Administrator Woodbadge.

Dean was first appointed to the Training team in1987 and successfully completed a Trainers Basic course to be appointed an Assistant Leader Trainer in Northamptonshire. In 1994 he attended a Trainers Advanced Course and was subsequently appointed a Leader Trainer. Dean now holds training competencies in Presenting, Facilitating, Directing and Managing Training all of which were awarded in 1999. He is also an Assessor for the Scout Association competencies programme. He is currently studying for a Certificate in Education at Northampton College.

Dean has served on Group, District and County Executive Committee's and in 1996 became the Chair of the East Midlands Regional Venture Scout Team, a position he held until 1999. From 1997 to 1998 Dean was the Sub-editor for the Venture Scout Supplement in Scouting Magazine.

In 1987 Dean was awarded a Chief Scouts Commendation for good service and in 1994 the Medal of Merit. In 1994 he was also awarded his Scout Long Service decoration.

Dean is currently a British Canoe Union level 2 Coach and holds a Scout Association authorisation for water activities. He has previously been authorised in respect of Abseiling and Hill Walking.

In 1995, together with other leaders, Dean devised and launched the Northamptonshire Scouts Bwaise project. This project which is still current, has raised thousands of pounds to support the education of poor children in a slum suburb of Kampala in Uganda. In 1997 Dean led a expedition of 57 Scouts and leaders to Uganda for three weeks.

Currently Dean is a member of the East Midlands Regional Adult Training Team and represents the Training Team on the County Centre Management committee.