Scouting has always been a dynamic and forward-looking Movement. In the early days of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell saw the need to provide a programme for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout section. Senior Scouts was developed to meet this need, and the section continued to evolve over the years.

In 1967, Venture Scouting was formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout sections. During the late 1990s, it was decided that, in order to meet the changing needs of new generations, two new sections should be created for young people over the age of fourteen. Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds and the Scout Network for 18 to 25-year-olds were created.

Explorer Scouts, working in 'units', now make up the fourth Section of the Scouting family. Explorers enjoy doing many activities such as camping, cooking, canoeing, hiking, swimming, first aid skills and much more. Explorer Scouts can also work towards their Queen's Scout Award and Duke of Edinburgh's Award among many others.

Explorer Scouting is unique to the younger sections in that it is not run at group level, but instead at district level. In the West Leeds District, we run four Explorer Scout Units; weekly units Lingard, Picard and the Halfwayers but also a specialist unit that any Young Leader can attend to complete their training.

As an Explorer Scout, young people get the chance to work with other Explorer Scouts in their District, not just their own unit. By doing this, they will get the chance to do many more actvities, not just the ones their own unit organises. For more information about any of the units in our district, click here.

Not all units meet each week, because members will often be out and about at weekends or in the holidays doing activities. There will be times when they will be busy doing other things such as exams, and being an Explorer Scout will have to fit around these.