Moving on

Download a 'What's After Explorers' flyer to hand to Explorers as they reach 18

Scout Network

All Members of Scouting aged 18-25 may become Members of the Scout Network. Whatever you choose to do in Scouting, be it take out a warrant or just dip in when you can, you can be a part of Network until you reach your 25th birthday.

The way Network Scouting is operated varies massively across Wales from Area to Area. In some places there are weekly meetings of local Networks covering a town. There may be Networks attached to a particular activity or campsite.

What does Network do?

The Scout Network is one of the five Sections of Scouting and so it’s there to do what all the other Sections do. The Scout Network provides access to a balanced programme for its Members and there is also opportunity to work on the Scout Awards culminating in the Queen’s Scout Award and at the same time the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. You may have already started these in Explorer Scouts.

There’s the chance to work towards the awards of National Governing Bodies such as the BCU stars in canoeing and kayaking. There is also the Explorer Belt, a ten day expedition in a foreign country which is extremely challenging, but very rewarding.

Most importantly the Scout Network gives 18-25s the chance to take part in activities with like-minded people of the same age, and have fun!

But there is no Network in my Area!

Are you sure? Check on the local contacts page of Network Wales to see if there's one that you don't know about!

Local Contacts

We do recognise that not all Areas have Scout Networks though. This may be due to all sorts of reasons.

But come on - you’re an adult now! You’re going to have to start to do things yourself! Are there any other Scouts nearby aged 18-25? If so you have yourselves a Scout Network! Get in touch with them and agree what you want out of it. Arrange some activities and recruit other people to join you.

Get in touch with your Area Commissioner and see what support he or she is willing to give you. It is the Area Executive Committee’s responsibility to support the Scout Network.

You’re not on your own with this (see ‘Where do I get support’ over the page) but it is your responsibility to get things moving. It will be well worth it in the end!

Network Wales

The geography of Wales will sometimes make it difficult for large local Networks to exist. In rural Areas there may only be a handful of Network age people and so it will be impossible to run activities such as a 5-a-side tournament! The sort of ‘identities’ that some large Networks in England have - with their hooded tops with logos etc - will be tricky to produce if your Area Network has just 3 members!

This is where Network Wales comes in. The Network population of the whole Wales will be big enough to have this identity. Network Wales runs events for the whole of the Principality and has it’s own rugby tops!

As well as these Wales events, Network Wales attends the big annual UK events such as National Network Gathering (at Great Tower campsite in the Lake District over Easter) and Gilwell Reunion (Gilwell Park, London over the 1st weekend in September).

Adult Leadership

Lots of you may have been Young Leaders with Explorer Scouts and may want to take this forward and become an Adult Leader.

The Adult Leader Training Scheme will give you all the information and advice you’ll need to be a fantastic Leader! You’ll be able to ‘put something back’ at the same time as having a great time both as a Leader and as a Network Scout. Get in touch with your Scout Group or District to find out where you start

Off to Uni or College?

You may be off to university or college soon. You will probably be able to join a local Scout Network or a SSAGO club (Student Scout and Guide Organisation) at your university. For contact details of these phone the Scout Information Centre on 0845 300 1818 or see the Scout Network pages on www.scoutbase.org.uk

It will also be OK to join in with Network activities back home during holidays so make sure you keep in touch with them and get their programme sent to you. You only need to pay your Membership Fee once even if you belong to one Network at college and one at home, though local fees may apply.

Where do I get support?

Your District Explorer Scout Commissioner or DC should be able to put you in touch with your local Scout Network if one exists, or with your Area Commissioner if you want to start one up.

Helen Mayston is the Commissioner for Scout Network (Wales) and she’ll be able to give you advice and support or just point you in the right direction.
You can contact Helen via email at network@scoutswales.org.uk or phone her on 01492 515848. You may find it useful to keep an eye on the Network pages where events will be posted.

It’s up to you

The next step is up to you! Whether you get involved in a local Network or one at college, or start one up yourself.

And it will be well worth it! You’ll be able to get up to some fantastic things with Network which you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You’ll be able to work for Awards which will be really useful additions on your CV.

Don’t waste your next seven years!