{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EScouts is at its best when young people are not just taking part, but helping to shape what happens.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/youth-shaped/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Youth shaped\u0022\u003EYouth Shaped\u003C/a\u003E is all about making sure young people have a real voice in their Scouting experience. It means young people are involved in planning activities, leading parts of the programme and representing their views to others within the local community.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Explorers, this is especially important. At 14\u201318, young people have strong ideas about what they want to do, what matters to them and how Scouts can help them develop skills for life. Being Youth Shaped gives them the chance to turn those ideas into action.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EHow could my Explorer Scout Unit become more Youth Shaped?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYouth Shaped activities can be incorporated in lots of simple and practical ways:\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"threeColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: \u0027Arial\u0027,sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\u0022\u003ETry a \u2018Paper Snowball Fight\u2019 as a quick, energetic way for Explorers to throw in ideas for future activities, then sort them into realistic programme options: \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"YouShape paper snowball fight","id":null,"url":"/activities/youshape-paper-snowball-fight/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explorers suggesting the challenge awards and activity badges they want to do","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBuild \u2018plan, do, review\u2019 into the end of meetings, camps or events so Explorers reflect on what worked, what they learned and what they would improve next time.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Plan, do, review","id":null,"url":"/activities/plan-do-review/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explorers helping to review what went well and what could be better","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ERun an Explorer Unit Forum, where Explorers discuss programme ideas, choose priorities and help shape the next term or year.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Run a Scout Troop forum","id":null,"url":"/activities/run-a-scout-troop-forum/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Units holding regular planning discussions where young people choose themes, activities and priorities","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAdapt the \u2018Wear the UK Youth Team Necker\u2019 activity to explore Unit, District, County and UK youth leadership roles, helping Explorers understand how they can represent others and influence decisions.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Wear the UK Youth Team Necker","id":null,"url":"/activities/wear-the-uk-youth-team-necker/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explorers representing their Unit in wider District or County discussions","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EInvite the Explorers to design parts of a camp programme and to then lead specific sessions, activities or evening elements.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Plan a perfect Scout camp","id":null,"url":"/activities/plan-a-perfect-scout-camp/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explorers taking responsibility for running activities","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EUse the \u2018Introduction to the Young Leaders\u2019 Scheme\u2019 to introduce the Young Leader role, helping Explorers understand how supporting younger sections builds confidence, leadership and practical skills.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Introduction to the Young Leaders\u0027 Scheme","id":null,"url":"/activities/introduction-to-the-young-leaders-scheme/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explorers using their experience to support younger sections while also developing their own leadership skills","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EExplorer-led does not mean leader-free\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYouShape does not mean adults step back completely. Leaders still provide support, guidance, safety, structure and encouragement. The aim is to create a real partnership between young people and adult volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EExplorers bring the ideas, energy and insight. They know what feels exciting, relevant and meaningful to them. They can suggest activities, shape the programme, lead parts of meetings, help plan camps, review what worked well and speak up for what they would like to do next.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELeaders help turn those ideas into safe, practical and achievable plans. That might mean helping Explorers think through budgets, timings, transport, permissions, risk assessments, inclusion, equipment, skills needed and the support required. Sometimes leaders may need to adapt an idea, ask more questions, or explain why something is not possible in its original form.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn practice, this means leaders create the space for Explorers to lead, but stay close enough to coach, encourage and guide. Explorers should feel trusted to take responsibility, make choices and learn from experience, knowing that adult volunteers are there to support them when needed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EHow can I recognise young people\u2019s achievements?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA great way to recognise YouShape in Explorers is through the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/explorers-youshape-award/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Explorers YouShape Award\u0022\u003EExplorers YouShape Award\u003C/a\u003E. This award celebrates young people speaking up, shaping their programme, taking the lead and representing others.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe award is made up of a \u003Cstrong\u003Ecentral badge\u003C/strong\u003E and three further areas: \u003Cstrong\u003EPlan\u003C/strong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003ELead\u003C/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003ERepresent\u003C/strong\u003E. Explorers can choose what they want to do, agree it with their leader and then decide when they have met the requirement. Leaders can use the award to recognise all kinds of Explorer achievement, including planning a Unit programme, leading a forum, helping run a camp, supporting another Unit, working with District or County volunteers, or taking action in the local community.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Find out how you can make sure young people have a real voice in their Scouts experience.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"Youth Shaped Explorers","versionDate":"10 June 2026","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":89868,"nodeName":"Youth Shaped Explorers","title":"Youth Shaped Explorers","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Youth Shaped Explorers","headerSubTitle":"Find out how you can make sure young people have a real voice in their Scouts experience","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Find out how you can make sure young people have a real voice in their Scouts experience.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84OTg2OCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-an-explorer-unit/explorer-guidance-and-support/youth-shaped-explorers/"}