Exciting times in Wimbledon and Wandle as the new Explorer programme is launched!

Earlier this week, following extensive work with Explorer Scouts, Young Leaders and volunteers from across the UK, Scouts launched the refreshed Explorer programme.

When Explorer Scouts launched in 2002, the programme was revolutionary, giving more than 15,000 young people new opportunities to develop skills and experience.

Nearly a quarter of a century later, more than 50,000 Explorer Scouts across the UK and overseas are benefiting from a refreshed programme that builds on everything that made the original successful while introducing exciting new opportunities.

The new programme, while still focussing on the skills we all know and love also encompasses brand new aspects which will help young people develop skills which they can use while they are at school, college, university or as they start their working lives. Some of these include; Content Creation, Democracy and Employability Skills. That being said, the old favourites such as Hill Walker, Hobbies and Camper still form a huge part of what we do!

This programme refresh also forms part of the new strategy for the movement called Place To Belong. While our focus is always on helping young people develop, it’s equally important that our volunteers are supported. This refreshed programme forms part of that wider commitment.

The refreshed Explorer programme is available on scouts.org.uk and is there for all volunteers, young people, parents, carers to be able to build, encourage and develop life skills and allow everyone to feel that Scouts is a place to belong.

As a movement, we were thrilled to get a letter from our Patron, HM King Charles III expressing his thanks and good wishes to all of the members of the movement in this exciting new phase.

We look forward to seeing our Explorer Units embrace the refreshed programme and the opportunities it will bring for young people across Wimbledon and Wandle.