Explorers is for young people aged 14 to 18
Our Explorers meet Wednesdays 7:00-9:00
Try more. See more. Do more. At Explorers you’ll get the chance to dream big, find your place in the world and make memories to last a lifetime.
Who are Explorers?
Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fifth section of the Scouts.
Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.
What do Scouts get up to?
Discovering the world
Being an Explorer is all about discovering the world on your own terms and making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
Alongside your new friends, you’ll master the skills that will make you feel stronger and happier in the long run, and try things you’d never get the chance to do at home or at school.
Whether you’re hiking to faraway lands or building a robot in your local town hall, you’ll have the freedom to choose what you’d like to do, and work together with adults to make it happen.
Starting small, thinking big
Explorers stand up for what they believe and make a difference on their own doorstops, confident in the knowledge that their daily actions add up.
Seek out the answers to big questions
Explorers seek out the answers to the big questions, and to the smaller questions that don’t seem to matter but really should.
Most importantly, they say yes more often than they say no – whether they’re signing up for their first major hike across Europe, or writing their first line of code, or accepting the last of the toasted marshmallows.
Sound like fun? That’s because it is. All that’s missing is you.
Awards & Badges
Did you know that as well as hiking, healthy eating and camping badges, our Explorers can develop skills in fundraising, science and mechanics?
Our activity badges allow Scouts to demonstrate their love of various pursuits, and help them find new interests. They are awarded when our young people meet the requirements and show they’re an expert, or at least enjoy the activity.
We also have a number of Chief Scout Awards, which gives the Scouts a chance to take on ambitious tasks and try new things that prepare them with #SkillsForLife. Duke of Edinburgh awards are also part of the Scout program and can be achieved alongside the Chief Scout Awards. The Young Leader Award and the Explorer Belt are also available to Explorer Scouts.
Uniform
You don’t need a uniform to join. But once you’ve settled in, you’ll start speedily earning badges, and you’ll need to know where to put them!
What do Explorers wear?
Explorer uniform consists of a beige shirt with your badges sewn on and our groups coloured scarf or ‘necker’. There are lots of other optional accessories you can wear such as t-shirts, hats, hoodies, trousers or shorts, if you’d like to save your shirt for formal occasions. At formal occasions such as Remembrance Sunday Parade uniform also includes blue Scout activity trousers or school trousers/skirts.
Why is uniform important?
Wearing a uniform makes you feel part of a team. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and it gives you a place to show off all the brilliant badges you earn.
Where can I buy it?
Uniform can either be bought from the online Scout shop or a local supplier. If you’re stuck, ask adult volunteers to tell you more about what to buy and where to buy it. We recommend using the scout store.
Where do the badges go?
Promises and ceremonies
Every Explorer is unique, but they find common ground in their shared Scout values, and make a promise to stick by them.
Making a promise when you join the Unit is a way of celebrating these values. Every time a new Explorer decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Explorers.
The process usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in, and is known as being ‘invested’ into Explorers. Usually, the promise ceremony happens in a place you’ve chosen, or in a memorable place that means a lot to the group.
It could be held in your usual meeting place, or it could happen around the campfire, or it could happen on a boat sailing the seven seas.
Who leads Explorers?
Each Explorer Unit is made up of young people aged 14 to 18, led by adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe.
Within their Unit, Explorers are part of a Patrol – smaller groups of Explorers who look out for one another, and help each other grow. Explorers usually gather in their Patrols at the beginning and end of meetings. They might also stick together on expeditions or trips away, or during certain activities.
Can young people become leaders?
Absolutely. If taking the lead sounds like something you’d like to try for yourself, sign up for the Explorer Scout Young Leader’s Scheme to get some hands-on experience volunteering with the younger Scout sections.
The bigger Scout family
Explorers are part of the global Scout family. Closer to home, they’re part of their wider local Scout District, alongside Network members (aged 18 to 25). Some Explorer Units may have a close link with a Scout Group in a local area.
How to join
Explorers is for everyone. If you have any questions about accessibility, have a chat with us. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, we can work together to make sure everyone can join in the fun on their own terms.
On your first night at Explorers, you’ll be taking part in lots of activities, and should just wear something you feel comfortable in.
Once you’ve had time to settle in, you’ll get your own uniform to wear during meetings and on trips away.
Explorers usually wear a beige shirt or blouse with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their Unit or Group scarf. They might wear blue uniform trousers or a skirt, or they might save their uniform bottoms for special occasions like awards ceremonies and public events – choosing to wear something more casual with their shirt during the week. More information on uniform can be found here.