January, 2003
Introducing
Explorer Scouts
January, 2003
Explorer Scouts are a new unit to Scouting. They have partially replaced the old "Venture Scouts" that you may have heard of and seen in the past. So what are Explorer Scouts, and what's it all about? Well, here's a brief guide we have put together to help you find out something about Explorer Scouts.
You can join Explorer Scouts from the Scout Troop any time between 13½ and 15. You should join when you are ready, perhaps with a group of your friends. But just remember, no one is going to force you out of the Troop until your 15th birthday, so it's entirely up to you when you decide to move on.
Explorer Scouting is managed in a slightly different way from the Scout Troop. Up to now, you have been a member of a Scout Group. When you join Explorer Scouts, you will become a part of the local District Scout team, which will include more that one unit, each following a different programme. So you will have the option and flexibility to join which ever Explorer Scout unit suits you. Therefore you find out what's available and join the join the Unit that you want to.
You'll probably find that some Units may be linked, but not managed, to a Scout Group, and others linked to a number of Scout Groups.
You will also have the opportunity to be a Young Leader. This means you can help with Beaver, Cubs or/ and Scouts. If this is what you would like to do, you will get some training to help you, with the Young Leader Training Programme.
The Explorer Scout Programme
Each Explorer Scout Unit will have it's own Programme that links to the activities being organised by the District
From now on in you will get the opportunity to work towards and gain the Chief Scout's Platinum and Diamond Awards, the Queen's Scout Award, which is the top award in Scouting, and gain the 3 levels of the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards. To gain these awards you will need to:
There is also the Explorer Scout Membership Award, the next Moving-On Award, and new Activity badges to be gained. Also for every year you continue with Explorer Scouts, you will gain a Certificate of Achievement, to include with your CV and/ or port-folio.
So there is still plenty to work towards.
The Young Leader Training Programme
Young Leaders assist with the Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack or Scout Troop. They work with the other Leaders to provide a good programme and help in a variety of ways.
The Young Leadership is a way to build on and develop your leadership skills. If you enjoyed being a Patrol Leader in the Scout Section, then maybe you think about being a Young Leader.
If you are a Young Leader, you can still do the activities with other Explorer Scouts in your Groups and District.
Are there Explorer Scouts @ St. Luke's?
Sadly it has been decided that for the short to medium term, there will not be a Explorer Scout Unit at St. Luke's. However you needn't feel you are going to miss out, as we have 2 Explorer Scout units within our area, which will be only to happy to have you join. The first is based at at Mote Park, and the other can be found at St. Paul's near Penenden Heath. Alternatively, you can contact the District Commissioner (see Scoutbase), or the District Explorer Scout Co-ordinator , to find a suitable Explorer Scout unit for you.
So what's available?
At the moment it is unclear how the Explorer Scout Section is going to operate in our District. Therefore if you want to find out what's available, you will have to contact the District Commissioner (see Scoutbase) for details.
Further Reading