Scouts
There are many ways you can kick-start your Scouts adventure, as a young person, parent or adult volunteer.
Our volunteers get involved on their terms and not all roles involve working with young people. If you can give a little time (or a lot) to help improve young lives in your community, we'd love to hear from you.
Young People
Ready to begin your adventure? There are five sections you can join, depending on your age.
The activities and opportunities vary but what is the same is that each will empower you to make friends, learn skills and try new things.
Young Leaders Scheme
Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop.
They're a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.
All Young Leaders in the Beaver, Cub and Scout section who are between the ages of 14 and 18 must be members of a Young Leaders Unit.
The scheme
The Explorer Scout Young Leaders' Scheme is the training programme for Young Leaders.
It contains 11 modules and four missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section. Modules give Young Leaders the skills and knowledge to be successful in their role, while missions allow them to put everything into practice with support.
As well as developing valuable life skills, the scheme is an opportunity for Explorers to make a positive impact in their communities and to fulfil the service elements of many of the top awards in Scouts, or their Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Recognition of achievement is available along the way, and on completion of the Scheme, the Young Leader is awarded with an Explorer Scout Young Leader belt buckle.
Who takes part
Although the scheme is usually taken on by Explorer Scouts looking for a new challenge, young people from outside Scouting can also participate if they are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards or Queen's Guide Award.
They can do this by volunteering as non-members for a set period of time. For example, if they are completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, they can volunteer as a non-member for three to six months (the time required for the Bronze DofE volunteering section).