Young Leaders

Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.

All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit. 

The scheme

The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and 4 missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.

As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the Top Awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.

Who takes part

Although the scheme is usually taken on by Explorer Scouts looking for a new challenge, young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Queen’s Guide Award. They can do this by volunteering as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months.

 

Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.

All Young Leaders in the Squirrel, Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 13.5 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit. 

 

The scheme

The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and 4 missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.

As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the Top Awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.

Who takes part

Although the scheme is usually taken on by Explorer Scouts looking for a new challenge, young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Queen’s Guide Award. They can do this by volunteering as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months.

Young Leader Missions

As part of the Young Leaders' Scheme there are four missions to be completed alongside the 11 modules.

As part of the Young Leaders' Scheme there are four missions to be completed alongside the 11 modules.

Plan and run a minimum of three games with the section you are volunteering with. At least one game should take place indoors and one outdoors.

The games should be varied, incorporating:

  • at least two different types of leadership style (Modules B and C)
  • three different types of games; for example some games may be more energetic and active, while others may be more creative or reflective (Module E)

To complete this mission, you could:

  • run a game at the beginning or end of a section night
  • run a wide game on a camp
  • run a game that ties into a badge the section is working towards
  • run a game that reinforces something the section has learned
  • any other ideas, subject to agreement with ESLYL and SL

Plan and run an activity (not a game) with the section you are volunteering with.

The activities should include:

  • planning and organisation
  • delivery
  • gathering any equipment or materials needed

To complete this mission, you could:

  • choose an activity badge to run as part of the programme, providing all of the information and materials required for the section to achieve this
  • run a segment of the camp programme, such as a pioneering activity or obstacle course, planning the route for a hike, initiating some team challenges, or organising and leading a campfire
  • record the ways in which your section’s programme activities could count towards different badges and awards
  • run an activity for the section, relating to one of your own hobbies or interests
  • any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Take the section’s programme ideas to a programme planning meeting.

This mission should include:

  • asking the young people in the section to contribute their ideas to the programme
  • capturing the ideas and suggestions from the young people and exploring how these could be incorporated into their programme
  • attending and contributing to a meeting (eg programme planning meeting, leaders’ meeting, District, County/ Region or Area meeting)

To complete this mission, you could:

  • attend a section planning meeting
  • plan and run a meeting (eg section planning forum or running activities from the YouShape resources)
  • decide who should attend a meeting and invite them along
  • organise and run a forum for the young people in your section, gathering their ideas and suggestions, and feeding these back to the section leader
  • organise for someone to take notes, minutes or points of action
  • plan and run the Sixers’ or Patrol Leaders’ forum, ensuring that the young people in the section understand how they can input their ideas into the section programme
  • any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

Take responsibility for organising and running part of the section programme.

This mission should include:

  • planning and organising a selection of activities on a theme
  • delivery of those activities
  • evaluation and review of the activities with the section

To complete this mission, you could:

  • plan and run a linking event with either the section above or the section below, working with the leaders of the sections above and below to arrange everything
  • plan an event, night or activity, ensuring it is appropriate for the age range of the young people, and is well-suited to the venue
  • include members of the section in the running of an evening
  • plan and run a Challenge Award with the young people, ideally choosing one that either has not already been achieved by anyone in the section, or which has been achieved by the fewest members
  • plan the monthly, termly or yearly programme of activities needed to achieve the award
  • plan a camp for the section (under the supervision of a leader with a Nights Away Permit)
  • help the young people in the section to explore a particular topic, or to develop some specific skills
  • any other ideas, subject to agreement with the ESLYL and SL

 

Awards and Badges

If you were a Beaver, Cub or Scout, you’ll already know that being a Scout is all about completing awards at every step of the journey.

As an Explorer or Young Leader, there are more chances to soar than ever before, as you’ll be introduced to a whole new range of Top Awards to master something you love, or try something shiny and new. If it spurs you on or stirs your interest, we’ve probably got a badge for it. Are you ready? Let’s get stuck in. 

Click the links to find out your badge requirements.

 

Uniform

Our uniform is a key identity of our movement. It helps us to look smart and creates a sense of unity. Every young person in our group gets invested into the movement and is presented with their neckerchief and group badges.

Explorers get their own set of uniform to wear during meetings and on trips away. This consists of a beige shirt or blouse with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their Unit scarf.

Ready, Set, Go!

Head over to our joining page to start your journey.