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“Doing activities like zip wire, a long walk in the countryside and afterwards, I felt so much closer with everyone”

Steve (14)

“Scouts are always trying to be older than they are but Explorers get the balance right”

Amy (15)

“It was fun because it was creative and different. I’d never done anything like that before and so it was something new.”

Dan (17)

“navigation is dull but they made it interesting by making us plan routes to do in the dark!”

Lucy (15)

“Christmas Camp 2017 or 2018- can’t remember which I enjoyed more :)”

Tristan (18)

“I have used skills gained in Explorers to help other people who lack confidence, I helped them realise that no one is judging you as much as you may think they are.”

Patrick (17)

Explorers were formed in 2005 when the Scout movement revamped the looks and feel of scouting. taking the old look of scouting and bringing it into the millennium; New uniforms, New Sections and a fresh feel. In 2011 Explorers underwent another change when Bournemouth Stour and Avon merged to make Bournemouth District.

Today Five units operate across Bournemouth;
Tuesdays – Nebula
Wednesdays – Piranha
Thursdays – Genesis,  Supernova
Fridays –
Pioneer

See more about the units here

So what sort of things do Explorers do… well without sounding obvious Scouty things; Camping, Climbing, Walking, Sailing, Canoeing, Games, Pioneering, Mapwork, and Team building.

Bournemouth Explorers have also done these: Zorbing, White Water Canoeing/Kayaking, White Water Rafting, UK’s Largest Zipline, High Ropes, Talent nights, night hikes, challenge hikes, Geocaching, Mountain biking and much more

With Five International camps in the last 10 years and another planned for 2024 we are a very active Explorer District with a fantastic leadership team willing to push and make Explorers the next step in your Scouting journey…

To be honest far too much stuff to even be writing down on here! Our gallery and year in Explorers will give you a better idea of what we have done!

Of course, there are also all the camping and outdoorsy things we do but to make Scouting more formal a lot of the skills that can be taught also qualify towards formal qualifications. Scouting on your CV accounts for a lot nowadays showing commitment to a recognised youth organisation.

By 2024 we aim to start offer the Gold Duke Of Edinburgh scheme ourselves to support the newly renamed Kings Scout Award.

Explorers are bigger and more progressive we always try and come up with new activities and challenges to make Explorers different. 2022 saw 35 Explorers in London taking part in real-life Monopoly which was an amazing experience!

From that building Soap Box style Go Karts from freight pallets!

Explorer Scouts is still a charity and relies on fundraising events and membership to enable us to run. We have a number of ways to raise funds for ourselves whether it be fetes, bag packs, gift aid, online promotions, helping at events or Donations from organisations.

That said we have successfully managed to work to our plan of every 4 years going on international camps, building a purpose-built Explorer HQ for stores… and filling the stores with some half-decent kit!

Of course, it’s not just money we need the leaders to make it all work! We are always looking for leaders to help… if you have a few hours a week to donate your time and life experiences to help us run Explorers please get in touch!

Explorers celebrated 20 years of running in 2022 and have grown from strength to strength. supported by the other sections in Scouting:

Squirrels 4 – 6
Beavers 6 – 8
Cubs 8 – 10 ½
Scouts 10½ – 14
Explorers 14 – 18
Network 18 – 25

Click here for information about Bournemouth Groups for these age groups.