Explorer Scouting is the section in the Scout movement that caters for the 14 to 18 year olds. When the new format of Scouting with the revised age ranges was introduced it was recognised that youngsters in this particular age range have considerable pressure on their time, from school and other activities. There is therefore considerable flexibility built into the programme.
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Mountain Biking in Luxembourg |
Although Explorer Scouts are attached to a particular unit, they have every opportunity to visit other units for certain activities if the programme attracts them. This is particularly valuable in providing a balanced programme across the District, since all units cannot necessarily provide everything.
All those members in the Explorer Scout age range are encouraged to join a mainstream unit, but it is also recognised that not all of them wish to do so, preferring to continue their Scouting activity by assisting with the Beaver, Cub and Scout sections as Young Leaders. To cater for such youngsters, the District has opened a Young Leaders Explorer Unit, which although not necessarily meeting weekly, does provide guidance, training and support for those who prefer to continue their Scouting in this way.
As part of the continuous training programme, Explorer Scouts work towards the Queen’s Scout award via the various progressive awards, which encourage the members to have a go at all the activities that are available, such as camping (both at home and abroad), sailing, flying, hiking, climbing and all of the other usual outdoor activities. Units are also encouraged to look wider into social and cultural opportunities. The award system requires an element of community service, which can be achieved in the local community and/or the Scout movement.
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Belgium – Grand Place |
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The revised age ranges in Scouting have also allowed the Queen’s Scout Award to be coupled more closely with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, and many of the elements of these two awards can be achieved together
As with Venture Scouts of old, it is realised that not all Groups could support an Explorer Scout unit, and unlike the Beaver, Cub and the Scout sections, Explorer Scouting is managed at the District level. Units do work closely with the local Group, and have partnership agreements with them in order to use the headquarters and equipment. Those Explorer Scouts that have grown up through the movement are actively encouraged to maintain contact with their original Group, and indeed may continue to wear their old Group nametape as well as that of their Explorer Scout Unit.
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Giant Ludo! |
Currently within Royal Kingston Scout District we have seven mainstream Explorer Scout Units and the Young Leader Unit. These are located as follows,
Leander ESU (Sea Scout), based at the Leander Scout HQ, in Lower Ham Road, Kingston, meets on a Thursday evening.
Discovery ESU, based at
Gloster Road, Kingston, meets on a Wednesday evening.
Voyager ESU, based at the 7th Malden HQ in Green Lane, New Malden, meets on a Friday evening.
Surbiton East ESU, based at the 6th Tolworth Scout HQ in Elm Road, Tolworth, meets on a Monday evening.
Surbiton South ESU, based at the 1st Hook Scout HQ in Verona Drive, Hook, meets on a Thursday evening.
Sealion ESU (Sea Scout), based at the 1st Surbiton Scout HQ in Electric Parade, Surbiton, meets on a Wednesday evening
Phoenix ESU, based at the Berrylands Scout HQ in Stirling Walk, Tolworth, meets on a Thursday evening.
Columbus (Young Leader) ESU, based at the 6th Tolworth Scout HQ in Elm Road, Tolworth, meets Wednesday but not weekly.
For further information relating to the Explorer Scout section, please contact Barry Pegram, District Explorer Scout Administrator on 01306-631125 or barryvpegram@aol.com