What are Explorer Scouts?
Explorer Scouts are young people, usually aged between 14 and 18 years old. They make up the fourth Section of the Scouting family. There are many types of Explorer Scout Units, some may be linked to your local Scout Group, others may be based around different activities.

Not all Units meet each week, because you will often be out and about at weekends or in the holidays doing activities. There will be times when you will be busy doing other things such as exams, and being an Explorer Scout will have to fit around these.

Explorer Scouts at Kirklevington are flexible as to when you come to a meeting, however the more frequently you attend, the more input you have in the unit and we'll run more activities that you want to go to. We keep in touch via the e-mail system to keep you all up to date with what we are doing

As an Explorer Scout, you will get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in your District, not just your Unit. By doing this, you will get the chance to do many more activities, not just the ones your Unit organises.


How did Explorer Scouting begin?
Scouting has always been a dynamic and forward-looking Movement. In the early days of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell saw the need to provide a programme for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section. Senior Scouts was developed to meet this need, and the Section continued to evolve over the years.

In 1967, Venture Scouting was formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections. During the late 1990s, it was decided that, in order to meet the changing needs of new generations, two new Sections should be created for young people over the age of fourteen. Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds and the Scout Network for 18 to 25-year-olds were created.

Kirklevington Scout Group
We are a Scout group that meets in Kirklevington, but we have Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts from much further away. The Explorer Scout section was for the oldest members that meet in the village, and they were probably the most active section. The unit was quite informal and its activities were organised by the members meaning that we can run whatever activity you are interested in. That could be adventurous such as climbing or canoeing, or more sedate such as a trip to the bowling alley, whatever you fancy doing Explorer Scouts can do it.

How do I join Explorer Scouts?
If you want to join an explorer Scout unit, look at the website Scouts or at Scoutbase for more details