What are Explorer Scouts?
Young people aged from 14 to 18 years of age who share some common ideas and views.
They are members of the newest section of the Scout Association, which was radically
restructured in 2002. The Scout section now has an upper age limit of 14 instead
of the previous 16, and Venture Scouts which used to cover from 16 to 20 no longer
exist. Two new sections have been formed, Explorers for 14-18 year olds and Scout
Network for 18 to 25. These age limits fit more sensibly with the educational break
points at 16 when most people either move into the sixth form or leave school, and
18 when they move on to further or higher education. Age 25 also coincides with the
time limit for completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
At the January 2008 Annual Scout census there were 30,422 Explorers (27,190 in 2007)
in 2054 Explorer Units (1975 in 2007) across the UK. The percentage of Girl Explorers
is steadily increasing especially in areas where there are no Senior Section Guides,
or sometimes no Guide Company at all and there are now 7687 girl Explorers - nearly
30%. For the last couple of years we’ve been unusual in that we’ve had more girls
than boys, but this year we’re slightly above the average figure with 9 girls. In
the present educational climate where the pressure of exams and testing has become
almost non-stop, Explorer Scouting can provide a vital break to do something totally
different. Explorers can get an enormous amount of enjoyment and satisfaction even
if they’re only members of the Unit just for recreation, but being an Explorer also
gives access to the various levels of the Duke of Edinburgh's award which are greatly
valued by Universities and employers. There are numerous instances where members
of Explorer Units and their predecessor Venture Units found that just being involved
in the activities and taking part in the running of the Unit was picked out of a
"Record of Achievement" folder during interview, and was viewed very favourably as
a demonstration of personal qualities. One Venture Scout spent his whole university
interview discussing Ventures with almost no mention of the degree he wanted to do
and he came out wondering why he’d bothered to attend the interview. Shortly afterwards
he received an offer with a required points score noticeably lower than he’d expected
and a hand-written note on the letter from the registrar looking forward to seeing
him next year. Note - we can’t guarantee this for all Explorers....
Who are the Leaders?
Explorer Scout Leader: Dave Davies, Self-employed Land Surveyor with two grown up
sons both of whom went through the Cubs-Scouts-Venture Scout route. Formerly Assistant
Scout Leader at Badger Hill for about 12 years before starting the Explorer Unit
in 2002. Relevant experience: a career involving surveying, walking, camping and
generally surviving in some of the less attractive parts of the world, plus two children
of his own and about two hundred of other people’s over the last 20 years :-)
Assistant Explorer Scout Leaders :
Jacqui Shapland. Self-employed Accountant with two children, one is a “retired” Explorer,
and the other is an Assistant Explorer Leader (see below) Extensive camping and walking
experience.
Mat Shapland. Signal Technician with Network Rail, formerly a Cub and Scout at Badger
Hill, Jacqui’s son.
Ben Herridge. Ben was a former Badger Hill Cub & Scout and is now doing a Public
Services HNC at Bedford as well as being a Special Constable in the Metropolitan
Police and a part-time Home Help for Age Concern.
