The Young Leaders' Scheme allows young people aged between 14 and 18 to step up and help out our younger Scouts as part of a leadership team.
It's just one of the exciting programme elements that makes up the Explorer Scout section. The Young Leaders' Scheme helps Explorer Scouts to develop and grow as individuals. It allows them to make a valuable contribution to their community and give service to others. The scheme also helps them fulfil the service elements of their top awards.
Explorer Scout Young Leaders are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop, between the ages of 14 (or 13.5 who have moved to Explorers) and 18 must be members of an Explorer Scout Young Leaders' Unit. 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.
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).
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.
For queries about Young Leaders, email Mike Baxter, our lead volunteer for Top Awards and Young Leaders.
