Explorers

Explorer Scouts are boys and girls aged 14-18 years and welcome everyone, including those completely new to scouting. An Explorer Scout Unit normally meets term time only for around 2 hours each week, and usually cover a much wider geographical area than the younger sections. With the demands on a teenager’s time, such as exams, each Unit creates a flexible programme that works for its members.

With support, direction and guidance from their Unit Leaders the Explorers are actively encouraged to develop and run their own programme of events and activities. This can vary from adventurous activities such as mountaineering or parascending through to life skills such as cooking or running a black tie fundraising ball.

There are a number of activity badges and ambitious top awards that Explorer Scouts can gain to recognise their achievements – these include the Chief Scout Platinum Award, Queen’s Scout Award (which could lead to parading at Windsor Castle) and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Some Explorer Scouts opt to become Young Leaders, to develop their leadership skills by helping to run the younger sections.

The friendships made last a lifetime, as do the amazing memories – like those made by the young people in the videos on the right (the top one was made by a Cambridgeshire Explorer Scout). Or take a look at the adventure at Gilwell24 as another example (yes that’s right – the challenge is to keep awake for all 24 hours of this Explorer Scout event). The skills and awards gained often prove an asset when progressing to work or Sixth Form and beyond.

To mark turning 18 Explorer Scouts can then become an adult volunteer, and join Network too.