So you’ve lit the fire, pitched the tent, bought the t-shirt… What’s next?

If you’re approaching your 14th birthday, or already there, Explorer Scouts should be the next thing on your Scouting list. Packed with adventure, our Unit can take you further and give you much more than just Scouting.

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. The Explorer Scout Unit is part of Bromley District, but maintains strong links with the 5th Petts Wood. The Unit meets each week during term time and 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.

What will I do?

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. You will also be able to complete your Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.

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.