Something completely different…

Whether you are new to Scouting or have been a Member for many years, Explorer Scouts will be unlike anything you have experienced before. The Explorer Scout section contains senior Members of the largest youth Movement in the world. Over 28 million people, have taken the Scout Promise and are currently enjoying Scouting. Although there are many differences between Explorer Scouts and the Scout Network, the awards are the same. Members of both sections work towards the Queen’s Scout Award – the highest award in Scouting.

Not just another youth club…

Scouting allows you to take part in a varied programme of activities that help you to develop and achieve your full potential. It is based on a set of values, which are contained in the Scout Promise. You will make your Promise at the start of your time in the Section, along with the Scout Law.  As a Member you are given the opportunity to:

  • take part in exciting activities
  • make personal choices
  • take responsibility for others
  • work in groups
  • assess your personal values for living
  • make new friends
  • develop new skills
  • have a great time

How it all began…

Scouting has always been a dynamic and forward-looking Movement. In the early days of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell saw the need to provide a programme for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout section. Senior Scouts was developed to meet this need and the section continued to evolve over the years.  In 1967, Venture Scouting was formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout sections. During the late 1990s, it was decided that, in order to meet the changing needs of new generations, two new sections should be created for young people over the age of fourteen. Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds and the Scout Network for 18 to 25-year-olds were created.

What’s special about Explorer Scouting?

Explorer Scouting is designed to be flexible, in order to meet the physical, intellectual, and social needs of young people. Teamwork and leadership skills are an integral part of the exciting and fun programme that the section enjoys.  However, many young people have a hectic lifestyle, with commitments at school, college and work. Explorer Scouting is flexible enough to allow for these commitments, and the irregular attendance that can result.  Who runs the Explorer Scout Unit?Because as an Explorer Scouts yourself, you may not be able to dedicate as much of their rime to the Unit as you would like, the leadership of the Unit falls to the adult leaders. A good Leader will arrange relevant and exciting programmes, and will also find ways of involving Explorer Scouts in the creation and delivery of the Programme.  The overall responsibility for running the Programme for Explorer Scouts lies with the District. In the past, some Scout Groups felt they were 'incomplete' without their own Venture Scout Unit, but many of these Units were small and unable to offer an attractive programme. Because of their flexibility and range of activities, Explorer Scout Units should have more members and be very successful.

When can you become and Explorer Scout?

You may already be one! Explorer Scouts are usually aged between 14 and 18. It is possible, however, to join at 13 and a half and leave at 18 and a half.

Why is this?

The flexibility at both ends of the age range allows you to join and leave when it suits you. You may want to join Explorer Scouts at the same time as your friends or you may wish to join at the start of the school year. If you are already a Scout, you may wish to join when you have finished a particular badge or activity. Likewise, you can move on to the Scout Network between the ages of 17½ and 18½, with your friends or when you complete certain activities or awards as an Explorer Scout. 

What’s all this about Young Leaders?

The Explorer Scout section introduces the role of the “Young Leader”, which is aimed at recognising the contribution of Explorer Scouts within the younger sections of the Movement.  Sometimes looked upon simply as helpers, Young Leaders now receive formal training within the Young Leaders Unit, to allow them to work with younger sections.    All helpers (aged between 14 and 18) working within younger sections are members of the Young Leaders Unit, in addition to their own unit, and are entitled to wear the Young Leaders Badge on their uniform.