‘To anyone who hasn’t tried Scouting before, I’d say come on up and have a go! I think that most people don’t really know that Scouting is about activities, friendship and meeting people from other countries. I’ve been in the Movement since I was a Beaver and I still love it!’ 

Explorers is the fifth section of the Scouting movement and follows Scouts.

Right from the time of Baden-Powell, there have been arrangements for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section, first with the Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections, and then Venture Scouts which replaced both in 1967.

During the late 1990s we decided that, to meet the changing needs of young people, there should be two sections for the over-14s: Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds, and the Scout Network for 18 to 25s. See Our Parents’ Guide to Explorer Scouts

A group of Explorer Scouts is called a Unit. Not all Units meet every week, partly due to activities, holidays, exams and the other commitments that cop up in a teenager’s life, and also because Explorers tend to get out and about at weekends more often that the other sections.

Explorer Scouts often get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in their District, not just their own Unit, so can take part in an even wider spectrum of activities.

There is also a range of ambitious badges and awards, through which Explorers can demonstrate their proficiencies and expand their interests, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

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