A brand-new chapter for Explorer Scouts (ages 14–18) has officially launched! Over 3,000 young people and adult volunteers were involved in shaping the refreshed programme, designed specifically to reflect how teenagers live today while helping them build skills for life and their future careers.
With Explorer membership passing 50,000 young people nationwide, Units across Hull, East Yorkshire, and North/North East Lincolnshire are getting ready to bring these exciting updates to our local teenagers starting this autumn.
The refreshed programme combines classic outdoor adventure with real-world, practical skills. Beginning in September, Explorers can earn 40 new and updated badges, including 11 co-designed badges and 6 new Challenge Awards:
Modern Skills for the Future: New badges like Employability, Democracy, Content Creation, and Life Skills help young people gain practical knowledge and confidence for school, work, and everyday life.
Level-Up STEM: Supported by Rolls-Royce, the revamped S.T.E.M. Activity Badge invites Explorers to solve real challenges like powering a campsite, getting hands-on with car maintenance, or designing solar-powered devices.
Firm Favourites Remain: Popular outdoor badges—including Pioneering, Camper, Caving, and Survival Skills—remain at the core of the Explorer experience.
Along with the updated badge structure, Explorers is debuting a fresh look with an updated logo, vibrant visual resources, and new badge designs.
A Word From Chief Scout Dwayne Fields
Chief Scout Dwayne Fields highlighted why this update is so vital for today’s teenagers:
“14–18-year-olds still want a place to belong, opportunities for independence but, most importantly, to have fun. That’s why I’m so proud to be launching the new Explorer Scouts programme. This new programme reflects what our Explorers have told us they want – modern skills for life, with a whole load of adventure.”
Action Steps: How Humberside Units Can Jump In
Whether your Explorer Unit meets in Hull, Beverley, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Goole, or anywhere in between, now is the time to start embedding these new options into your termly planning!
Explore the New Badges: Check out the updated Explorer badge requirements on the national website from September.
Involve Your Explorers: Use your Unit Forum to let young people choose which new badges—like Content Creation or Life Skills—they want to tackle first.
Share Your Updates: Tag @HumbersideScouts on social media to show us how your Unit is trying out the new Explorer activities!
