Explorers are young people aged 14 to 18. Explorer Units in Stourbridge District offer a flexible, youth-led programme, giving young people the freedom to choose activities that interest them and work towards some of Scouting’s highest awards.

Explorers are encouraged to take the lead, take on responsibility and get involved in wider Scouting locally, nationally and even internationally.

What do Explorers do?

Explorers have a huge range of opportunities open to them. A programme might include:

  • Expeditions in the UK and abroad
  • Hillwalking, mountaineering, water sports and other adventurous activities (depending on local provision)
  • Residential experiences and longer camps
  • Social events, camps and activities with other Units across the District, County or beyond
  • Leadership roles as Young Leaders with Beaver, Cub or Scout sections
  • Community projects and volunteering, often linked to awards
  • Skills for life such as navigation, first aid, teamwork, project planning and leadership

Explorers are involved in planning and running their own programme, so each Unit can develop its own character and focus.

Badges and awards

Explorer Scouts can work towards:

  • Activity and staged badges, building on skills developed in earlier sections
  • The Chief Scout’s Platinum and Chief Scout’s Diamond Awards
  • The King’s Scout Award (the highest youth award in UK Scouting)
  • The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Bronze, Silver and Gold), often linked with Explorer activities

Many Explorer activities count towards more than one award, helping young people to make the most of their time in the section.

Where and when do Explorers meet?

Stourbridge Explorer units usually meet on a Tuesday evening. In addition to regular meetings, Explorers can expect weekend events, residentials and longer projects throughout the year.

How to join

If you’re aged 14 to 18 and interested in joining Explorers:

  1. Use the form on our ‘Join Scouts‘ page and we will direct your enquiry to the Explorer Scout Unit.
  2. Find the Explorer Unit on our ‘Find a Group‘ page, navigate to their page and use the contact form to send them an enquiry directly.
  3. Head to our ‘Contact Us‘ page, complete the “Join Scouting” form and we will direct your enquiry to the Explorer Scout Unit.

A volunteer will then be in touch to explain what happens next and arrange a start date or visit. We’ll also let you know about any costs, how subs are paid and what support may be available if cost is a concern.

Adults and volunteering

Volunteers are vital for the support of Explorer Units, either working directly with young people or behind the scenes. You don’t need to be an expert in camping or outdoor activities, just willing to get involved.

Volunteering with Explorers can be flexible around work and family life. Whether you’d like to help out week-after-week or whenever-you-can, training and support are provided, and many roles can be shared between several people.

Volunteering with Explorers is a great way to:

  • Make friends, meet people and have fun 
  • Try new things and challenge yourself 
  • Learn new skills and gain experience
  • Positively impact your community 
  • Create vital opportunities for young people 
  • Make memories that’ll last a lifetime 

If you’re interested in helping we’d love to hear from you by completing our volunteer form.

FAQs

Explorer Scouts usually wear a beige shirt or blouse with a scarf (necker) and woggle. Leaders will confirm the local uniform and where to buy it.

Yes. Explorers is open to all young people aged 14 to 18, whether or not they’ve been members of Scouts before.

Subs and activity costs vary between Units and events. Leaders will explain any equipment needed for specific activities and can often help with loans or suggestions to keep costs down. If cost is a concern, please speak to us.

Units aim to be flexible and understand that Explorers are busy. Attendance is important, but programmes are designed to work alongside other commitments.

At 18, Explorers can move on to Scout Network (for 18–25 year olds) or into an adult volunteer role. District and County teams can help you plan your next steps.

All adult volunteers follow Scouts’ national policies on safety and safeguarding and complete appropriate checks and training. Young people’s welfare is always our top priority. Follow the link to read our Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

If you have any other questions about Explorers in Stourbridge, please contact us – we’re happy to help.