EXPLORERS
Challenge and adventure for young people 14 to 18
If you are between the ages of 14 and 18 you can join Explorers! It does not matter whether you have been in the Scout section first. Explorers meet in a Unit which is part of the District, though many Units are linked with a Scout Group. In Explorers you can expect to do a lot of activities and achieve many badges and Awards – including the Chief Scout’s Awards and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. There is also the updated Zodiac Award to encourage camping, which you can continue from Scouts or start from scratch. To find out more about Explorers see: Explorer Scouts (Scotland). For information about the programme for Explorers, see the Scouts UK page: Explorer Scouts.
Also see Explorer News from our Region.
14 – 18 video
Joining Explorers
If you are nearly 14 your Scout Leaders should be able to help you find a Unit. If you are not in Scouts, you can phone our Scout Centre on 0131 441 1878 or email info@sesscouts.org.uk to find where Explorers meet near you.
Young Leaders
If you are an Explorer you can be a Young Leader with Beavers, Cubs or Scouts! Find out more about the Young Leaders’ Scheme!
Parents and Carers
We encourage all parents and carers to take an active interest in what is going on with all sections, including Explorers. If you would like to help see our information for adult volunteers.
ARC (Explorers)
The Assistant Regional Commissioner (Explorers) is John Buchanan. He supports and coordinates Explorer Scouting across the Region. There are many aspects of the programme which are best delivered through cooperation between Units and Districts and ideas and suggestions are always welcome.
ARC Explorers
John Buchanan
FAQ for sections
Where do I buy the uniform/necker?
You should check with your section leader what you need and where to get it. Some sections arrange to sell uniform items directly to their members. Otherwise, if you are buying the uniform yourself, you can buy from the Midlothian District Scout Shop . Alternatively,...
Where do the badges go on the uniform?
The placement of badges on uniform varies between sections. The PDF diagrams below should help. Beavers Cubs Scouts Explorer Scouts Network Adult Leaders
Is there a waiting list at my local Group?
Waiting lists vary from location to location. Please go to: Scouts UK website "Get involved!". Enter your postcode first, click "go", click "Yes, contact me", fill in your details and finally click "send". This information will be sent to a Scout contact in our Region...
What are the age limits for Scouts?
Please go to the section information pages: Beavers Cubs Scouts Explorer Scouts Network
What does Scouting cost?
Prices vary from location to location. The usual practice is to collect this through a termly subscription with additional costs for activities, events, trips and camps. Speak with the local section leader to find out specific costs.
SEEE DofE Events – Borders
D of E has normally been completed in the Scottish Borders District through the schools but a couple of years ago we decided to get some leaders though their expedition assessors’ course and start running our own expeditions and awards. Then Covid happened! Our...
Explorers in 2020
2020 started with Explorers doing all the things they usually do, like a visit to Lochgoilhead by Wildfire, a Pentland District treasure hunt round the New Town, and a ski trip to France by Greenbank.Wildfire Explorer Scout Unit However, thanks to the imagination and...
Young Leader Training During COVID
During the Covid pandemic there have been many challenges to continuing Young Leader (YL) training – it's not possible to hold face 2 face meetings as normal; leaders have been under additional personal demands/pressures and don’t have the same time available; in...
More on “DofE canoe expedition training…”
As highlighted in last month’s newsletter, the Coronavirus lockdown hasn’t stopped a group of 16 Explorers from Craigalmond, Braid, Pentland and West Lothian Districts starting the training for their Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) expeditions by canoe…online. It came...
Salmonberry clean-up by Pink Panther and Cramond Explorers
On 19th January, 30 explorer scouts and leaders from Pink Panthers Explorers and Cramond explorers chopped down, pulled up and burned the invasive Salmonberry from Corstorphine hill. Salmonberry is an incredibly fast-growing invasive plant species which is native to...
2nd Haddington Explorer Scouts Bushcraft & Survival Weekend
On Friday 4th October the 2nd Haddington Explorers ventured out to the idyllic location of Bolton Muir Woods, where we spent the weekend wild camping.When everyone arrived, we spread out and found their ideal location to pitch their tents and hang their hammocks.Task...
Scout Ambassadors Visit Edinburgh
Scout Ambassadors Phoebe Smith & Dwayne Fields visited Edinburgh on 3 December while on a 1300km journey walking from Dunnet Head to Lizard Point. A group of Explorer Scouts and leaders gathered to hear their story. Their journey takes them from the most northern...
Congratulations to Lauderdale Explorer Scout Young Leaders
Four Explorer Scout Young Leaders from Lauderdale Scouts recently achieved their Young Leader Belts. Aksel and Dylan are Explorer Scout Young Leaders for Scouts; Amy and Ellyn are Explorer Scout Young Leaders for Cubs. To earn their belts, they completed all of their...
Round-up of Explorers activities in 2019
Explorers have been involved in all manner of activities with their Units and Districts, often well beyond the confines of their hall, with the assistance of their excellent and committed leaders. At a Regional level, interest in international Scouting continues to...
A proper expedition – not just tourists!
Two groups of Explorers formed from Braid and Craigalmond carried out an excellent DofE Gold expedition over four days at the end of August, walking from Corrour Station and completing their circular route at Rannoch. One candidate unfortunately had to drop out on...