Explorers – 14 to 18 years

Try more. See more. Do more. At Explorers, you’ll stand on your own two feet, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fourth section of the Scouts. Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.

What do Explorers get up to?

Discover the world.

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.

Start small but think big.

Explorers start small but think big. They stand up for what they believe and make a difference on their own doorstops, confident in the knowledge that their daily actions add up.

Seek out the answers to big questions.

Explorers seek out the answers to the big questions, and to the smaller questions that don’t seem to matter but really should.

Most importantly, they say yes more often than they say no – whether they’re signing up for their first major hike across Europe, or writing their first line of code, or accepting the last of the toasted marshmallows.

Sound like fun? That’s because it is. All that’s missing is you.

Who leads Explorers?

How to join

Interested in joining? Not sure if you have time to fit Explorers into your week? Being a person is busy work, and being a teenage person is even busier. We get it. That’s why Explorer Units are generally more flexible than the other Scout sections, especially when important landmarks like exams roll around. Although most groups meet weekly, this isn’t always the case – some meet less frequently, or run their activities on the weekend so that you can keep your weeknights free for other things.

Explorers is for everyone. If you have any questions about accessibility, have a chat with your local leader. By being upfront about additional needs from the start, we can work together to make sure everyone can join in the fun on their own terms. More information on specific adjustments can be found here.

Once you’ve had time to settle in, you’ll get your own uniform to wear during meetings and on trips away. Explorers usually wear a beige shirt or blouse with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their Unit or Group scarf. They might wear blue uniform trousers or a skirt, or they might save their uniform bottoms for special occasions like awards ceremonies and public events – choosing to wear something more casual with their shirt during the week.