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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.
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.
To find out more about Explorers in the UK, take a look at ScoutBase UK.
Q: How do I find out more about Explorer Scouting in my local area?
A: Scouting in Essex is organised into 20 Scouting Districts, and depending on where you live you might be nearer one District or another, or perhaps on the border of more than one District. Each District is managed locally by a ‘District Commissioner', and if you contact this person he/she will be able to provide you with details of an Explorer Scout Unit near you. To do this, click here to go to the Districts page, then search for your local Scout District. Contact details for the District Commissioner will be provided on the page, as will details of Explorer Units in that District. Alternatively, you can complete the joining form here and this will be forwarded to your local District Commissioner who will be able to contact you in due course.
Q: How old do I have to be to become an Explorer Scout?
A: Explorers is for young people in Scouting aged 14-18 years old. There is flexibility to join the Section between 13.5yrs and 15yrs. There is also flexibility at the ‘top' end of the age range to move up into Scout Network between 17.5yrs and 18.5 yrs. This ‘flexibility' is something arranged locally with the District Explorer Scout Commissioner, also known as the ‘DESC' (the person responsible for the management of Explorer Scouting locally).
Q: I am a Scout at the moment. Can I stay at my Scout Troop past my 14th birthday?
A: You may stay in your Scout Troop past your 14th Birthday but no later than your 15th Birthday. This extra year is intended to give flexibility for moving up into Explorer Scouts at the most suitable time for you as a young person, for example so that you can move up with a group of friends. The dates for moving up from Scouts to Explorers should be arranged locally with the District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC).
Q: What sort of things do Explorers do?
A: Explorer Units take part in a wide range of activities. From working towards ‘Award Programmes' such as Duke of Edinburgh's Award or the Chief Scouts Awards, to social events and outings, and of course camps and expeditions too. Every Explorer Scout Unit is different, so before deciding which one to join it's often a good idea to get a copy of the Unit Programme for a variety of local Units. To get an idea of the sorts of events that Explorers take part in, click here for the Events Calendar.
Q: Who runs Explorer Scouts?
A: Explorer Scouts is run by a District leadership team, led by the District Explorer Scout Commissioner (DESC), who reports to the District Commissioner (‘DC'). Where there isn't a DESC in post this role is carried out by the DC. Some Districts have one District-based Explorer Scout Unit, whereas other Districts have a number of local Units, forming part of the District Explorer Section. This structure will be different from District to District. Explorer Scouts are usually involved in making decisions jointly together with their leaders, such as when organising activities.
Q: What is a Young Leader (YL)?
A: Being a YL involves helping out at a younger Section (ie, Beavers, Cubs or Scouts) as Young Leader and is a type of Explorer Scout. As a YL you will be expected to take part in Young Leader training that the District will arrange. Some Young Leaders also attend a regular Explorer Scout Unit as well.
Q: What is the County Explorer Scout Committee?
A: This group of Explorers are made up from representatives from each district, and meet approximately twice a year to discuss Explorer Scouting and help make decisions affecting the Explorer Scouting at a County level. They also meet online in a private forum to continue their discussions and decision-making. The Committee is facilitated by members of the County Explorer Scout Support Team.
What are the adult roles in Explorer Scouting?
DESC - District Explorer Scout Commissioner.
The person responsible for the management of the Explorer Scout Section in the District.
DESA - District Explorer Scout Administrator.
The person responsible for keeping the membership database for all Explorer Scouts and Young Leaders, and liaising with Scout Leaders regarding Scouts moving-in to Explorers, and liaising with Scout Networks regarding Explorers moving-on to Network.
ESL – Explorer Scout Leader.
The person responsible for running an Explorer Scout Unit. The ESL is often supported by a number of AESLs – Assistant Explorer Scout Leaders.
ESL (YL) – Explorer Scout Leader (Young Leaders' Unit).
The person responsible for running the Young Leaders' Unit, which holds training and social events for Explorer Scout Young Leaders in the District.
ACC (Explorer Scouts) – Assistant County Commissioner for Explorer Scouts.
This person is a member of the County Team and is responsible for supporting DESCs and Explorer Scout Leaders. The ACC leads the County Explorer Scout Support Team (also known as the ‘Explorer Core Team') who provide support to Districts, and also arrange County Explorer events.
CESL – County Explorer Scout Leader.
CESLs act as ‘Deputies' for the ACC Explorers, and are involved in a variety of tasks including providing support to Districts, and arranging County Explorer events.
In addition to the above roles there are also a number of other adults involved in supporting Explorer Scouting for the benefit of the young people, both at District and County level.
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