Older than 14?

For Young People aged 14-18

For Young adults aged 18-25

Adult Volunteers

For adults aged 18 and over

Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fourth section of the Scouts.

Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.

Being an Explorer is all about discovering the world on your own terms and making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.

Alongside your new friends, you’ll master the skills that will make you feel stronger and happier in the long run, and try things you’d never get the chance to do at home or at school.

Whether you’re hiking to faraway lands or building a robot in your local town hall, you’ll have the freedom to choose what you’d like to do, and work together with adults to make it happen.

If you want to get in touch with our local Explorer Units, please use our general contact form to ask to be put in touch with them.

Whether you’re completely new to Scouts or have been with us since you were 5 years old, joining is a great way to meet new people, seek out new challenges and see the world. Because being a grown up shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun.

 Scout Network connects 20,000 18-25 year olds across the UK, and gives them the opportunity to take part in a huge range of exciting projects and events centred on the themes of ‘Adventure’, ‘Community’ and ‘International’.

Whether you’re organising a local meet-up or a once in a lifetime trip to the Amazon, it’s all about working together to build new skills, seek out new experiences and make a difference in the world. 

Network groups are flexibly run and self-led. Members can create profiles on the Scout Network website, using the platform to meet others with similar goals and share their progress. There are 395 virtual badges currently available to achieve, and members can also work towards a number of Top Awards. 

If you want to get in touch with our local Network, please use our general contact form to ask to be put in touch with them.

Team player? Love supporting young people? Great at planning? 

Most of our volunteers work directly with young people aged 6-18 through our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, known as sections – helping young people gain skills for life through activities and adventures.

Working in teams, they might:

  • Welcome young people and families to sessions and events
  • Make sure everyone’s safe, supported, included and having fun 
  • Help to plan and lead activities
  • Get involved with days out, camps and expeditions 
  • Share and learn skills – from coding to cake decorating to canoeing 
  • Celebrate young people’s achievements big and small 

No previous experience with young people? No problem. Whether you’d like to help out week-after-week or whenever-you-can, we provide training, learning opportunities and cups of tea – every step of the way.

Making it all happen

Want to make a big impact behind the scenes? Your time and skills can make a difference in so many ways. 

Not all volunteers work directly with young people. Locally, regionally and nationally, many help out in other ways.

Working in teams, they might: 

  • Get the best out of volunteers, using their people and leadership skills
  • Spread the word about Scouts to attract new members
  • Help with admin, fundraising, finances, operations or governance 
  • Keep everything running smoothly on the ground – from serving tea and coffee, helping to tidy up after meetings or sessions, driving or keeping meeting places in tip top condition

Not sure how you’d like to help yet, or how much time you have to give? No worries. Your local team can chat you through a whole host of options – including flexible and occasional volunteering.  Please get in touch using our volunteer contact form.