Tynemouth District Scouts - Sections

Explorer Logo

Explorer Scouts are young people usually aged between 14 and 18 years old. They make up the fourth Section of the Scouting family.

In the Movement’s early days, Lord Baden-Powell saw the need to provide a programme for young men 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, becoming the first Section to welcome girls into the membership in 1976. During the late 1990s however, it was decided that, in order to meet the changing needs of young people over the age of fourteen, two new Sections should be created.

Venture Scouting was discontinued and Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds and the Scout Network for 18 to 25- year-olds, introduced. There are many types of Explorer Scout Units: some are linked to the local Scout Group, others may be based around local activity or other centres. Explorer Scouts are encouraged to work with other Explorer Scouts in the District, not just the Unit. By doing this, they will get the chance to take part in many more activities, not just the ones their own Unit organises.

All Explorer Scouts wear a uniform consisting of beige shirt and blue activity trousers (shown above), and have a wide choice of optional items.