Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fourth 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.
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.
Explorers start small but think big. They stand up for what they believe and make a difference on their own doorsteps, confident in the knowledge that their daily actions add up.
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.
Interested in developing your skills whilst helping to devlop the skills of younger members? The Young Leaders Scheme is one of the exciting elements of the Explorer Scouts Programme. It encourages youth members aged between 14 and 17 to support a younger section while developing their own skills.
Would you like to push yourself out of your comfort zone? As a member of the Scouts you can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as Scouting Awards where you’ll gain skills, make friends and achieve an Award that’ll set you up for life.
If you were a Beaver, Cub or Scout, you'll already know that being a Scout is all about completing awards at every step of the journey. As an Explorer, there are more chances to soar than ever before, as you'll be introduced to a whole new range of Top Awards, including the Queens Scout award, the highest award in Scouting.
There is a range of badges and awards available to young people in Explorers. Below is a diagram showing where each well-earned badge is to be sewn onto your Explorer shirt. Please speak to your leader about the exact uniform required as this can vary from group to group.
The first step to joining Explorers is to find your local unit on our groups page. All our groups meet on different days, fill in the contact form on your preferred group and we will be in touch to discuss your options.