Explorer Scouts are the Fifth and final youth section of The Scout Association.
On leaving Scouts or at the age of 14 they will join one of our District units until they are 18. All our members work with their unit leader and develop their own youth led programme under the guidance of our District Explorer Scout Commissioner.
The Unit Leader will encourage the young people to plan, develop and produce a quality programme incorporating the various Challenges and Badges that will help them achieve the section’s awards. The key to a successful unit is flexibility. This age range has many other commitments, like exams, that need to be considered and incorporated into their planning.
A great many National or International opportunities are available to Explorers like, The World Scout Jamboree which occurs every four years somewhere in the world. Sutton has many members who have attended or returned later as a contingent leader or to help on the International Service Team (IST). It is an opportunity like no other.
The Chief Scout’s Platinum Award is a chance to celebrate your progress, and take stock of how far you’ve come.
The Chief Scout’s Diamond Award is the highest of the Chief Scout’s Awards and the final step before the King’s Scout Award.
Test yourself with an award for every level of challenge.
The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime. Explore untrodden ground over a ten-day period, test your limits and get to grips with a new culture.
Young Leaders’ Scheme
Explorer Scout Young Leaders (ESYLs) are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.
All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit. Young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they’re working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Queen’s Guide Award.
The Scheme
The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme (ESYLS) is the learning programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and 4 missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section.
As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the Top Awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme.
Ready to start your journey to Explorers?
Click the button below to find your nearest unit, Select “Explorers” in the menu
