Being an Explorer is all about discovering the world on your own terms and making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are. Alongside your new friends, you’ll master the skills that will make you feel stronger and happier in the long run, and try things you’d never get the chance to do at home or at school.
Whether you’re hiking to faraway lands or building a robot in your local town hall, you’ll have the freedom to choose what you’d like to do, and work together with adults to make it happen.

Ready to take on your next challenge?
Here you can find all the information you’ll need from joining Explorers to moving on to Network.

What are Explorers?

Explorers are an adventurous and go-getting group of young people aged 14 -18.

Led by adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe, they meet in Units. They master new skills, make friends, go on adventures and help make a difference to others around them. Take part in loads of activities and adventures to confidently stride towards their way towards their top awards – the Chief Scout’s Platinum, Diamond then ultimately the highest award in Explorers/Network: the Kings Scout Award. Earning this is a huge achievement.

Unlike the young sections, Explorers is run on a District level which allows young people from a wider area to get together to meet. 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 the local area they meet.

What’s different from Scouts?

Don’t worry if you weren’t in Scouts, Explorers is all about challenging yourself, making friends, and seeing what the world has in store. 

As you moves on to Explorers, there will be a chance to earn the Moving On award. This means that you can stay in your normal routine for Scouts but also try out Explorers at the same time. This normally takes about 3 weeks but can be longer or shorter and gives you a chance to meet the Explorer leaders and Unit before moving up.

Explorers gives you more opportunities and chances to master your skills or prove what you already know. You get even more opportunities to be independent, explore the world and prepare for your next steps in college, University or employment. There are also plenty of other opportunities like Camps, Expeditions, Jamborees and Camps abroad as well as schemes like the

Moving On to Explorers is very flexible, talk to your Leaders if you are worried and they can give you advice on how you can best move on to Explorers or having a longer transition period.

What is the Uniform?

The Uniform is a must have for any Explorer so they have something to put their badges on and show off that they are a part of the Scouting movement.
Explorers just need an Explorer Shirt but check with your Leaders about any local uniform requirements. You can often buy uniforms at local School Uniform shops or you can get it from the Official Scout Store. There are often other resources like badges books and backpacks that you can use to show you are proud to be an Explorer – but these are optional.

Sometimes we find it hard to find money for extra costs or activities. As Scouts, we understand and think that money shouldn’t be a barrier of entry to Scouting. We have our own District Hardship policy but check with your Scout Group to find out about theirs. Scouts are a community and we think nobody should miss out the experiences and skills they gain from Scouting.

Investitures and Ceremonies

An Investiture is a ceremony where someone makes their Scout Promise – some people call them Promise ceremonies. Each Group may do their investitures slightly differently but it is always a way to welcome someone into the Explorer Unit – ask your leader for details on how they run their ceremony.

You need a uniform and to know your Scout Promise. There are lots of different ways you can make your promise and it doesn’t matter what religion you are – everyone is welcome.

Units and Leadership Skills

Within their Unit, Explorers are part of a Patrol – smaller groups of Scouts who look out for one another. Scouts normally gather in these patrols at the start and end of the meetings – also sticking together on expeditions and trips away.

Explorers provides plenty of opportunities for young people to develop leadership and teamwork skills. The Duke of Edinburgh and Young Leaders schemes allow Explorers to take the lead themselves and help out in Squirrel Dreys, Beaver Colonies, Cub Packs and Scout Troops.