Explorer Scouts

Young men and women from 14 to 18 are called Explorer Scouts - the 4th section of Scouting. Explorer Scouting allows young people to take part in life challenging adventures, meet up and have fun with other people of their own age, and to become Young Leaders.

Hello from Simon Fairless! (aka Buff's Blog)

As we approach the Easter break, many of us will be finalising the last preparations for a Summer Camp. In an ideal world we would all have the time (and money) to escape for 1-2 weeks on an expedition abroad or a big international Jamboree – and many of us are involved in this way over the summer period. However, for many of us, assisting our local Cub Pack or Scout Troop can be equally rewarding. Weekend activities away with ones Unit are to be encouraged, with the nights away slowly being ticked off the appropriate Dragon Award.

We do not use the “Passport” system enough and empower Explorer Scouts to plan their own overnight experience without the presence of leaders. Please make every effort this summer to maximise the time spent away camping.

It is good to finally see the Jamboree Selection process now at a close. For the participants, a hectic selection weekend last November has transformed into four Jamboree Units who are starting to meet regularly. For our adult applicants, the International Service Team selection process is now also at an end and some of our IST members are lending a hand with their local participant unit.

Enjoy the coming term – always my favourite time – and good luck on your camps and expeditions.

The X Factor

Scouting’s Young Leader scheme has been a success story since its launch a few years ago. It encourages Explorers to get involved with the younger sections and, by completing the 11 training modules, gives young people the skills and experiences to really make a difference. Team X has taken this conceptfurther still.

Any Explorer who is active as a Young Leader is automatically a member of Team X and can purchase Team X merchandise regardless whether you have attended a weekend event or not and can be ordered from the web site.

In the coming weeks, this website will be increasingly used to communicate with leaders, helpers and young people. News, information, opportunities and programme swaps will go out first via these pages (as well as the normal channels).

Please email the links to your own Explorer Unit web page to enable us to communicate more easily. (explorers@scoutswales.org.uk)