Explorer Scouts
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This term should not be confused with Exploring, which is/was a program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Explorer Scouts (shortened to Explorers), a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14 to 18 year olds, was introduced in 2003 replacing Venture Scouts (which was for 15.5 to 20 year olds). This was part of a greater change in programme, including the introduction of Scout Network for 18 to 25 year olds.
This section follows on from the Scout Troop (10 to 14 year olds) and Explorers will move onto the Scout Network at the age of 18.
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[edit] Organisation
Explorer Scouts fall under the control of the Scout District, while Venture Scouts were part of a Scout Group.[1] However, Explorer Scout Units (ESUs) can have formal partnership agreements with local Scout Groups. The most common partnership agreement is the use of a Scout Group's Hut or Hall for meetings, while more involved agreements, such as giving access to equipment and providing help for events and activities, can also be undertaken.[2]
Districts are able to have as many Explorer Scout Units as they see fit. Units can be specialised activity Units, such as Climbing or Water Activities; Units can also be setup to provision for the Young Leader Programme; Sea Explorer Scout or Air Explorer Scout Units continue the Sea Scout or Air Scout programme into the 14-18 age range. The majority of Units simply focus on the core Scouting programme.
Ideally, each Unit will have an Explorer Scout Leader (ESL), and a number of Assistants and/or Helpers.[3] Membership in a Unit varies greatly, but the average is between 10 and 20 members.
The Units within a District are co-ordinated by a District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC), who reports to the District Commissioner and is supported by the Assistant County Commissioner (Explorer Scouts). The DESC is also supported by a District Explorer Scout Administrator (DESA), whose primary function is to keep track of Scouts who are nearing the age of admission to Explorer Scouts, and also once they have joined the section.
[edit] Young Leaders
The Young Leader Programme is run alongside the main Explorer Scout Programme. It is a formalisation of what was happening in many Groups and Districts across the country where older Scouts were returning to help the younger sections.
Young Leaders support the younger sections (although they are not a replacement for actual adult leaders) and they also provide a link between the sections. They are given training for their positions, and are expected to be involved in the planning of activities and evenings.
Young Leaders are de facto Explorer Scouts, but are not required to participate in Explorer activities. Most Explorer Scouts use the Young Leader scheme as their Service section of the progressive award scheme.
In principle, the Young Leaders of a District are considered to be in a separate Unit, and are under the supervision of an ESL, although this may not always be the case, in which case the DESC or District Commissioner take on this responsibility.
A Young Leaders Unit might have its own weekly programme, separate to other Units within the District. Other Young Leaders Units only provide training and possibly some other events in the year. The Explorer Scouts from these Units generally participate in another Unit's weekly programme.
[edit] Awards
[edit] Explorer Scout Membership Award
The Membership Award is only actually received by young people new to Scouting, whereas those Explorer Scouts who have joined from a Scout Troop will undertake the Moving-On Award.[4]
However, the Awards cover the same basic principles, and Units may have all new Explorers participate in the Membership Award, regardless of how they came to join the Unit.
[edit] Progressive Awards
Explorer Scouts continue the Scouting programme of Progressive Awards. The requirements of each stage become more challenging, reflecting the age and abilities of the young people undertaking the Awards.
The three stages of the Awards open to Explorer Scouts are (in ascending order):
- The Chief Scout's Platinum Award[5]
- The Chief Scout's Diamond Award[6]
- The Queen's Scout Award[7]
Each level requires that Explorers demonstrate community, faith, self-motivation, personal discipline, and many other qualities.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award works alongside the Scout Awards, and completion of certain sections of either Award can contribute to the other.
[edit] Explorer Belt
The Explorer Belt is a long-standing award for Scouts which has now been adapted for the new programme.[8]
It is open to all members of Scouting between the ages of 16-25, and is aimed at promoting self-reliance, teamwork, and adventurous spirit.
The Explorer Belt requires participants to undertake a 10 day expedition in a foreign country, devoting some time to travelling around and exploring. Participants also have to undertake a major project of their own choosing, along with a number of smaller projects or challenges - some of which are not revealed to them until the start of the expedition.
[edit] Events and Activities
[edit] World Jamboree
Explorer Scouts are eligible for participation in the World Jamboree - the largest gathering of Scouts from around the world.
[edit] Sun Run
The Sun Run is a massive event for Explorer Scouts in the United Kingdom held every year in July. Over a thousand Explorers camp in a field in Gloucestershire. The weekend starts with a party on the Friday night, usually including a DJ and some cover bands. The main event, a 26.2 mile night hike (a full marathon) through the surrounding hillsides, starts with participants watching the sun set. The aim is to complete the route, arriving in time to watch the sunrise.
[edit] Gilwell 24
Another summer event, Gilwell 24 comprises a set of activities and challenges over a 24 hour period.
The event takes place at the home of UK Scouting, Gilwell Park campsite. In 2006, over 1500 Explorer Scouts and Senior Section Guides took part in Gilwell 24. In the centenary year for Scouting (2007) Gilwell 24 will take place on 7th of July, making it 07/07/07; this date won't happen again until the start of the third Scouting centenary.
[edit] National Scout Air Rifles Competition
The Scout Association organises an air rifle competition at Bisley, Surrey every October.
This event is growing in popularity, with many categories for Scouts aged 12 and up.
High scoring competitors are invited to join the National Scout Rifle Squad, which has supplied members of the British Olympic, Commonwealth, and World Championship teams in the past.[9]
[edit] Other Activities
The Explorer Scout Programme includes many other activities - too many to fully list. The most common activities are:
- Hiking/Backpacking
- Rock Climbing
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Caving
- Shooting
Many Explorer Scouts can become quite proficient in their chosen activities, and many attain instructor's qualifications as recognised by the activity's national governing body (for example, BCU coaches for kayaking).
[edit] Further reading
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Rule 4.7: Explorer Scout Units (html). Policy, Organisation and Rules. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ Rule 4.8: Explorer Scout Unit Partnerships with Groups (html). Policy, Organisation and Rules. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ Rule 4.7(j): Explorer Scout Units (html). Policy, Organisation and Rules. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ The Explorer Scout Membership Award (html). Explorer Scout Badges. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ The Chief Scout's Platinum Award (html). Explorer Scout Badges. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ The Chief Scout's Diamond Award (html). Explorer Scout Badges. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ The Queen's Scout Award (html). Explorer Scout Badges. The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ Explorer Belt (html). The Scout Association (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
- ^ Continuing excellence in Air gun shooting (html). Air Rifle and Air Pistol Target Shooting. Hampshire Scout Rifle Club (2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
