Explorers 14 to 18 years old

Explorers meet on alternative Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm.

Explorers are encouraged to lead themselves in deciding the programme and direction of the Unit, with support and guidance from Leaders.

Explorer Leaders hold various adventurous activity permits ranging from air rifle shooting to archery to hill walking. As well as attending nationally organised events such as Gilwell 24 (a 24hr multi activity event) and winter camp (a similar event held during the winter months), the Explorers also come together to take part in other activities such as mountain climbing, kayaking and paintballing plus many more activities as they are requested by the young people.

Every young person that joins Explorers is also invited to join the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in order to complete Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels going into the Scout Network age.

Every two years, Explorer Scouts have the opportunity to take part in an international camp. Every other one of these is a trip to Kandersteg International Scout Camp, where a permanent jamboree based in Switzerland takes place.

The Section also includes the Young Leaders’ Scheme, where young people are able to take on a Leadership role in one of the younger sections.

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 (ours certainly does at 5th Thundersley). Our Explorer section is called “Peake” named after the famous British astronaut Tim Peake, and they meet at 7pm to 9pm every other Thursday.

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. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. The process usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in and is known as being ‘invested’ into Explorers.

How to join

Interested in joining? Get in touch with your local leader using our finder tool. They’ll tell you more about where and when the group meets.

Not sure if you have time to fit Explorers into your week? Being a person is busy work, and being a teenage person is even busier. We get it. That’s why Explorer Units are generally more flexible than the other Scout sections, especially when important landmarks like exams roll around. Although most groups meet weekly, this isn’t always the case – some meet less frequently or run their activities on the weekend so that you can keep your weeknights free for other things.