14 to 18 years

Try more. See more. Do more.
At Explorers, you’ll stand on your own two feet,
and make memories to last a lifetime.

Who are Explorers? 

Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fourth section of the Scouts.

Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.


What do Explorers get up to?

Discover the world




Start small but think big

Explorers start small but think big.


Seek out the answers to big questions




Who leads Explorers?

Each Explorer Unit is made up of young people aged 14 to 18, led by adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe.

Within their Unit, Explorers are part of a Patrol - smaller groups of Explorers who look out for one another, and help each other grow. Explorers usually gather in their Patrols at the beginning and end of meetings. They might also stick together on expeditions or trips away, or during certain activities.

Can young people become leaders?

Absolutely. If taking the lead sounds like something you’d like to try for yourself, sign up for the Explorer Scout Young Leader’s Scheme to get some hands-on experience volunteering with the younger Scout sections.

The bigger Scout family

Explorers are part of the global Scout family. Closer to home, they’re part of their wider local Scout District, alongside Network members (aged 18 to 25). Some Explorer Units may have a close link with a Scout Group in a local area.


Promises and ceremonies

Every Explorer is unique, but they find common ground in their shared Scout values, and make a promise to stick by them.
Making a promise when you join the Unit is a way of celebrating these values.
Every time a new Explorer decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Explorers. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. The process usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in, and is known as being ‘invested’ into Explorers.