{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EOur\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022/explorers/\u0022 title=\u0022Explorers\u0022\u003EExplorers\u003C/a\u003E programme has served young people brilliantly since its launch back in 2001, but Gen Alpha are growing up with different expectations, different challenges, and a different way of engaging with the world.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThat\u2019s why we\u2019ve been busy redesigning Explorers from the ground up, making it more relevant, empowering and youth-led than ever before.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/lcspwasu/explorers-trying-cooking.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Four Explorers are outside and stood under a purple Scouts branded gazebo. They are each wearing red aprons and are cooking over big metal bowls.","caption":"The Explorers have been buzzing with confidence","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EEverything\u2019s been shaped by real voices. During our \u2018Test and Learn\u2019 phase, volunteers and Explorers from over 90 Units across the Nations and British Scouting Overseas have been getting stuck in and testing our new programme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETheir feedback has been helping us test and refine everything. From badge tweaks to new award structures, every change is grounded in what young people say they want and need.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EWhat\u2019s new?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve already designed and updated 31 Activity Badges. Some are old favourites with completely refreshed requirements, while others are brand new. These badges are clearer, more flexible, and easier to deliver, whether you\u2019re a seasoned volunteer or just starting out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re also testing five Challenge Awards to help young people build deeper skills and experiences. They\u2019re being designed to work alongside the existing Top Awards. Based on feedback from volunteers and Explorers, we\u2019ve now added a\u202Fsixth award: Values. This makes sure faith, belief and personal principles are part of the journey too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur Test and Learn Units have been having a great time. We\u2019re already seeing a rise in confidence, optimism, and empathy among Explorers taking part. Badges like\u202FChef, Camper and Teamwork are proving popular, and volunteers are telling us the new structure is easier to deliver and more rewarding for everyone involved.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/qmsjiisy/explorers-sat-at-a-table.jpg","width":8073,"height":5382,"altText":"Three Explorers are sat at a table with pens and paper in front of them. They are all wearing neckers and black t-shirts.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHow\u2019s it been going?\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOverall, volunteers told us the new badge criteria feels far more achievable, especially for those new to Scouts, but is still providing a good amount of challenge. The Explorers themselves have been buzzing with confidence. One young person said, \u2018I think I could earn all of these, like I did in \u003Ca href=\u0022/cubs/\u0022 title=\u0022Cubs\u0022\u003ECubs\u003C/a\u003E!\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s been great to see how the redesigned structure is helping young people feel more engaged and capable.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne Unit tackled the Camper badge over summer, with the Explorers stepping up to run their own weekend camp. They did everything from planning the programme and cooking meals, to booking the campsite, managing the budget, and completing risk assessments. The young people reported feeling challenged, motivated and proud.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETheir leader said, \u2018It was a pleasure to support, and I was proud they chose this over a \u201Cturn up and play\u201D camp\u2019. The experience shows exactly what the new structure is all about \u2013 giving Explorers the chance to shape their own experience and feel a real sense of achievement.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother Unit voted to try out the Hill Walker\u0026nbsp;badge, using a short school term to try something new and focus heavily on one specific badge \u2013 something that wouldn\u2019t have been possible with the previous requirements.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOver the five-week term, they worked hard. They were planning and preparing, training together, and building their confidence. By week five, several Explorers were ready to complete the badge, marking the first cross-section badge achieved in the Unit for some time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFeedback from their volunteers showed that the requirements feel more achievable to complete, which directly led to the Explorers being more enthusiastic and motivated. The increased flexibility allowed them to get creative and take ownership over the process, which in turn inspired them to plan future events, including a District-wide cook-off.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EWhere we\u2019re heading\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re just over halfway through the redesign journey, with the launch planned for\u202Flate summer 2026. We\u2019ve now entered our final Test and Learn phase and we\u2019ll soon start to use the insightful feedback we\u2019ve received to shape the final version of the programme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the roll out of the redesign, we\u2019ll be keeping in touch with relevant volunteers. We\u2019ll support them to make sure they\u2019re updated and that they feel confident delivering the new programme locally.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis is more than just a programme update. It\u2019s a chance to reimagine what Scouts looks like for the next generation, and make sure every young person feels seen, supported, and inspired.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThanks for being part of it.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019d like to follow the project, you can join our community of interest by \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://forms.office.com/e/C0Civj360Q\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Efilling out this short form\u003C/a\u003E. Every couple of months, we send updates, consult interested parties and recruit further volunteers for testing.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Want to hear more?","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"01 December 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Explorers","url":"/explorers/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Redesigning our 14-24 year old provision","url":null,"newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Join our community of interest","url":"https://forms.office.com/e/C0Civj360Q","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":87989,"nodeName":"Redesigning our Explorer Programme: The story so far","title":"Redesigning our Explorer Programme: The story so far","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/emfhgafw/explorer-tying-a-knot-in-a-necker.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dc62cd0d9a3560","caption":"Explorer Tying A Knot In A Necker","type":"jpg","size":10898519,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Redesigning our Explorer Programme: The story so far","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We\u0027re redesigning Explorers to make it more relevant, empowering and youth-led. Here\u0027s what we\u0027ve been up to so far.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84Nzk4OSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/november/redesigning-our-explorer-programme-the-story-so-far/"}