What do Explorer Scouts Do?

Explorer Scouts are young people, 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.

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 actvities, not just the ones your Unit organises.

The best way to find out what Scouts get up to is to find your nearest unit and go and see for yourself!

What do they wear?

Explorer Scouts wear a full uniform. Scouting is a uniformed organisation and the uniform tells everyone that you are an Explorer Scout. The uniform consists of:

• Beige Long Sleeved Shirt
• Explorer Scouts Scarf
• Blue Activity Trousers
• Scout Belt

What badges do they have?

Explorers can gain a wide range of badges and awards.

	In the Explorer Scouts and Scout Network there are 3 main awards. These follow on from the main awards in the other sections. The Chief Scout's Platinum Award The Chief Scout's Diamond Award The Queen's Scout Award - The top Award in Scouting? You also have the chance to gain the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.
	But that's not all! There are about 20 Proficiency Badges that you can complete at any time while you are an Explorer Scout. These cover some of the scouting skills that you may be interested in as an Explorer Scout, including Air Activities, Water Activities and Mountaineering.
	When you are ready to move into the Scout Network there is a moving on award.
	Every Scout wears a set of badges to identify themselves. They have a Membership Badge to show they are in Scouting (you get this when you first join the scouts), a District and County Badge along with a group Name Tag to show where they come from.

Every now and then there are special events that allow you to wear a special badge for a short period of time. These normally stay on your uniform for around a year. When the time comes to remove the badge you can add it to your collection. Many Scouts keep a collection of badges and may even add them to a 'camp blanket' which makes a good talking piece when you wear it around the campfire.

How do I join?

Perhaps you know a friend who is a Scout...ask them if you can come along to a Unit meeting and see what all the fuss is about. Take a look at the directory page to find the nearest Explorer Scout Unit to where you live. You can either contact the unit directly through their contact, or contact info to give you any details you may wish to know.

Most units will be glad to let you stay for a night or two to see what it is like. You will need to bring your parent/guardian along so that a few forms can be filled in. If you enjoy Scouting ( and many people do!) you can find out how to become a full member from the leaders at your chosen group.

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

Scout Law

• A Scout is to be trusted.
• A Scout is loyal.
• A Scout is friendly and considerate.
• A Scout belongs to the world-wide 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.