If you were a Beaver, Cub or Scout, you’ll already know that being a Scout is all about completing awards at every step of the journey.
As an Explorer, there are more chances to soar than ever before, as you’ll be introduced to a whole new range of Top Awards.
You can work towards as many awards as you like, at your own pace.
Are you ready? Let’s get stuck in.
Membership Award
The membership award is the first badge you’ll get when you join us as a Explorer, and you’ll be awarded this when you make the Scout Promise. This badge is worn by every single Scout in the world!
Activity Badges
There are 25 activity badges available to earn in Explorers. Activity badges are earnt by grouping a number of skills together that relate to the same activity. Plus the Activity Plus and Instructor badges. Activity badges may seem like they much harder to achieve in Explorers compared to other sections, that not the case, its just the requirements are aimed at older children. These badges are blue, with a teal outer edge.
Staged Activity Badges
Staged Activity Badges are similar to a standard activity badge and there are 16 of them! An experienced Explorer should be aiming for Stage 4 or 5. These badges are light blue, with a purple outer edge and a number at the bottom which tells you the stage they are at.
Example Activity Badge
(Lifesaver Activity Badge)
Example Staged Activity Badge
(Emergency Aid Stage 1)
Awards
Challenge Awards are all about stepping outside your comfort zone. Try out something you wouldn’t normally be interested in. Take the lead on something that scares you. Along the way, you’ll unlock hidden talents and stand tall. There are 9 challenge awards in Scouts, and you can find out more about the detailed requirements by visiting the Scouts website.
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award
The Chief Scout’s Platinum Award is the culmination of everything you do as a young person in Scouts. It’s a chance to celebrate your progress, and take stock of how far you’ve come.
Chief Scout’s Diamond Award
The Chief Scout’s Diamond Award is the highest of the Chief Scout’s Awards.
Queen’s Scout Award
The Queen’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members. Earning it is a huge achievement!
Explorer Awards
Young Leader Award
Hone your leadership skills by volunteering with a younger section.
Explorer Belt
The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime. Explore untrodden ground over a ten-day period, test your limits and get to grips with a new culture.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
Test yourself with an award for every level of challenge.
Other Awards
Joining In Award
Joining In Awards celebrate every year you spend with us, starting from your very first day as a Beaver right up until your last meeting. As an Explorer, you can earn up to four.
Moving On Award
Eventually, it’ll be time to embrace your next big adventure. Get ready for Network: our fifth and final section for 18-25 year olds
YouShape Award
At Scouts, young people learn how to speak up and take the lead. That’s what the new YouShape Award is all about.
Badges aren’t just earnt by joining us for an hour or so a week. Our badge criteria is flexible and you can sometimes earn badges by doing things outside of Scouts too. Maybe you can play an instrument, or you’ve done some first aid at school. If you can demonstrate or talk to us about the skills you’ve learnt, or print off the badge requirements for your chosen badge and get it signed by your teacher or instructor, we’ll see about awarding you with that badge! Maybe you could even share the skills you’ve learnt with the other Beavers too!
