Explore Explorer activities, challenges, badges, outdoor activities, progression and practical skills designed for young people developing independence and outdoor confidence.
The King’s Scout Award is the highest youth achievement in Scouts. It is available to Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and is designed to recognise sustained commitment, personal development, service, adventure and leadership. It isn’t a badge that can be completed in a few weeks. The award involves a substantial programme of activities and…
The Explorer section is where young people can start taking much more ownership of their Scouting experience. The new Explorer Challenge Awards are designed around that idea. Rather than simply completing a series of short activities, Explorers choose a meaningful challenge, plan how they are going to tackle it, take action, review what they have…
Looking for a simple printable of the Scout Promise? This free printable is an easy way for Scouts to learn and practise their Promise at home or at their Scout meeting. The Scout Promise is an important part of being a Scout. Having the Promise printed out makes it easy to practise and provides a…
By the time young people reach Explorers, knot work can become much more interesting than simply learning a list of knots. The real skill is knowing which knot to use, why to use it and how to check that it has been tied correctly. That’s where challenges work particularly well. Instead of saying: “Tie a…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Shelter-building activities should take place in a suitable, supervised area following an appropriate risk assessment. Check for unstable trees and branches, steep ground, water hazards and other environmental risks before starting. Never encourage Explorers to climb trees, construct unstable structures or deliberately expose themselves to severe weather. Follow landowner requirements and leave…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Fire activities should only take place with appropriate adult supervision, suitable facilities, permission and a completed risk assessment. Follow your organisation’s current fire-safety guidance and any restrictions applying to the site. Keep suitable extinguishing equipment immediately available and never leave a fire unattended. The objective of advanced fire lighting is better judgement…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Navigation becomes a very different skill when the sun goes down. Familiar landmarks disappear. Distances become harder to judge. Paths can be more difficult to identify. Even a route that feels easy during the day can require much more concentration at night. That’s what makes night navigation such a useful challenge for…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Advanced navigation activities should be planned around the ability of the group and the environment you’re using. Set clear boundaries, use appropriate supervision and have a suitable emergency plan. Explorers should never be deliberately placed in a situation where becoming genuinely lost or unable to return safely is part of the activity….
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Advanced survival activities should only be attempted with appropriate adult supervision, planning and risk assessment. Activities involving fire, water, tools, remote terrain or exposure to weather require particular care. Survival training should develop good decisions and safe habits, not encourage young people to deliberately put themselves into dangerous situations. Explorer Scouts are…
A QUICK NOTE FOR PARENTS Explorer Scouts have opportunities to earn badges and awards by developing skills, taking on challenges, helping others and getting involved in adventures and activities. Badges aren’t simply rewards for being the best. They recognise achievement, learning, participation and personal development. The Explorer programme and badge requirements can change, so always…
