Being an Explorer Parent
Help - I'm an Explorer parent!
Not only will your child experience changes when they move to Explorers, but you will need to adjust as well. Here are some of the changes which may impact on your life and some of the things to be prepared for.
Not a group anymore
Explorers are not part of a Group which your child may have been a member of. Explorers are part of a District wide organisation covering Brentwood, Shenfield, West Horndon, Doddinghurst, and Blackmore. There are currently three active Units who plan their own programme and meet in a number of locations. Whilst many young people choose a Unit to which most of the friends go, there is no formal link between the groups and the units so they sometimes choose on the basis of the most convenient evening.
Each Unit has a leadership team who form part of the District Explorer Team reporting to the District Explorer Scout Commissioner.
Different timings
Explorers tend to meet later than Scouts since they share the premises used by other Groups (often moving between different huts from time to time). Typically the evenings run from 8:30 to 10:00pm which can be a change for your child (and of course for you on the taxi service!).
The change will have an affect on your child - and the life of your family - so be ready for it. They will either cope well and demand a later bedtime for the rest of the week or they will struggle initially and there may be problems stirring them in the mornings. Kids are very resillient and they will recover - will you?
The big change
For many young people, the 14-18 year age range sees many changes in their emotional, social and physical behaviours. Co-inciding with a move to Explorers and a less structured, more self dependent form of Scouting may lead them to have minor crises! The Explorer Leaders are well used to the tantrums, parents having to ground youngsters and their experimentation with adulthood in all its forms.
At Explorers we aim to allow teenagers to act and be treated as adults by taking responsibility for elements of the programme, working together as a team, exploring their abilities (mental, physical, spiritual and social) to stretch them to their full potential. The aim of Scouting is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. As an Explorer Scout they will be able to take many opportunities - will you support them (and nurse the wounded pride when they fail?).
For those joining from outside Scouting, you may be surprised that they do not always wear uniform - however all Explorer Scouts need to have an Explorer shirt since there are events where uniform is a requirement.
Costs
Activities are not cheap - we are sure you have been asked to pay for school trips. However, we seek to keep the costs at a minimum - the leaders are all volunteers and are NOT paid. We aim to fund raise to ensure that the cost of events remains reasonable and the District has various funds it can draw upon for cases of hardship.
You will find that the costs of camps tend to be higher for Explorers - they eat more, want to go to more exciting places and want to do the more stretching activities. You will also learn (quickly) that things tend to get planned a shorter notice than you may be used to with school or Scouts - it is not unknown for Explorers to decide on one Wednesday that they are going to a large activity camp in 10 days, for them to sort out the bookings, food, tents, permissions, transport (remember the taxi service?) and go - they don't seem to have the same sense of need to know what is happening that we do!
We ask everyone to pay their subscriptions by standing order since they are collected centrally by the District (to cover insurance, badges, scarves, etc.) - details on the Money Matters tab under About Us.
Rules
There are a few rules which you, as parents, will need to know about and we (as the leaders) expect you to support us in enforcing these.
Alchohol - the rule is a strict one, under 18s within the Scout Movement may not consume alchohol at any Scouting event - anyone caught will be sent home immediately. The leaders also observe the same policy.
Smoking - there is no rule, but smoking is obviously prohibited in all the premises we use and in any tents. We discourage smoking at activities and at camp, especially near other people.
Drugs - the rule is simple, no illegal drugs at any Scout event.
Language - we accept that young people often utilise their teenage freedom to rebel and attempt to shock. Once warnings have been given, young people are expected to moderate their language, particularly if it could be offensive to others.
Sex - Explorers is a mixed section, however we provide separate sleeping accomodation at camp. If asked, any of the Leaders will answer young people's questions about sexual issues, however we do not provide sex education. Explorers is a "safe" environment for young people to develop relationships, however this should be no more than "petting".
General Behaviour - we know that hormones can lead to mood swings, etc., however we expect all the young people to behave with respect for themselves and for others and will not tolerate bullying, abuse, etc.
The Scout Law sums up nicely what we expect from all our Explorer Scouts:-
- A Scout is to be trusted.
- A Scout is loyal.
- A Scout is friendly and considerate.
- A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
- A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
- A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
- A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.