Explorer Scouts are Girls and Boys, usually aged between 14 and 18 years old. They make up the fourth Section of the Scouting family. There are many types of Explorer Scout Units, some may be linked to your local Scout Group, others may be based around different activities.
Hertfordshire has a strong Explorer Scout contingent across all its districts. Each district has its own way of providing Explorer Scouting within that district generally due to the topology of the district.
Not all Units meet each week, because you will often be out and about at weekends or in the holidays doing activities. There will be times when you will be busy doing other things such as exams, and being an Explorer Scout will have to fit around these.
As an Explorer Scout, you will get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in your District, not just your Unit. By doing this, you will get the chance to do many more activities, not just the ones your Unit organizes.
The best way to find out what Explorer Scouts get up to is to find your nearest group and go and see for yourself!
Uniform
Explorers wear a beige shirt or blouse, Unit scarf (or a Group one if there is a partnership agreement), and navy blue activity trousers or skirt with a Scout belt. They can wear an Explorer Belt and buckle if this has been awarded.
They are given their Explorer Scarf and woggle when invested.
The Explorer Scout Promise
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law
The Scout Law
A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
The Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Explorers – Chief Scout’s Platinum and Diamond Awards, and Queen’s Scout Award
The Diamond and Platinum Awards represent the highest levels of the Chief Scout’s Award, and both can be achieved when young people are Explorer Scouts.
Explorers can truly own and shape their top awards, choosing items from the International Community and Values (ICV) lists to complete, and planning what to do for their challenges. They can shape it to be valuable and enjoyable for them, achieving something they can be really proud of. Along the way, they will develop skills that could be very useful in later life, like planning and time management.
If an Explorer is completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, this can count towards their top awards. The Adventure Begins leaflet shows the links between the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the top awards in Scouting.
From the age of 16, Explorer Scouts can take on the fantastic challenge of the Explorer Belt and can also start their Queen’s Scout Award, the highest award for youth members. The Awards are progressive, so if they’ve achieved their Chief Scout’s Platinum or Diamond Awards, they will have a great headstart. As with all badges and awards, there is flexibility in the requirements, although with these top awards, any necessary adaptations should be discussed with the Commissioner who signs off the award.
Chief Scout awards are available for all the Scouting sections as they progress. Finally leading to the Queens Scout award which is presented at Windsor Castle.
Young Leaders
The Young Leaders' Scheme helps Explorer Scouts to develop and grow as individuals. It allows them to make a valuable contribution to their community and give service to others. The scheme also helps them fulfill the service elements of their awards. Young Leaders are aged between 14 and 18 years of age and work in a Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack or Scout Troop. In other words, they are Explorer Scouts whose Scouting also involves working with one of the younger sections. As such, the Young Leaders' Unit may not need to meet as frequently as the other types of Explorer Scout Units in the District however, they are encouraged to take part in the programme of activities run by other Explorer Scout Units or by the District.
For further details about becoming a Young Leader in Ware and District please contact Peter Raymen, ADC Development/Young Leaders. Email: adc.development@wareanddistrictscouts.org.uk
Or use our general contact form
