True to their name, the Spartan Explorer Scout Unit didn’t spend their Christmas reclining in warm, luxurious surroundings. They raised money for local community projects and braved the harsh Atlantic coast instead. Robert Cullinan shares their experience

Leader Chris Hardy takes us through his journey from Sporting Adventure sceptic to Sporting Adventure superstarLeader Chris Hardy takes us through his journey from Sporting Adventure sceptic to Sporting Adventure superstar

Since UK Units were formed we’ve been tracking Jamboree participants from all over the place. Now they’re in Sweden where the dreams are becoming reality. To finish off our series, we spoke to John Ryan, who has travelled to Scandinavia to be part of the International Service Team.

Sometimes Young Leaders can be instrumental in training new recruits to the Young Leaders’ Scheme. They’ve been there, done that and know just how to help put Explorer Scouts at ease. Young Leader Ciara explains.

Andrew Collier first got involved in the Young Leaders’ Scheme two years ago, and has had recent success with involving a current Young Leader in the training team. This is his story.

De Clare Court in Haverfordwest was recently the setting for an unusual Scouting activity. The Carreg Las Explorer Scout Unit from Pembrokeshire joined Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox to talk to tenants about the wonders of the internet and run online sessions at the retirement housing project.

Running an Explorer Scout Unit is a challenge, especially if you have only just left the section. We find out how two young Explorer Scout Leaders have found the switch from being led to doing the leading.

The Blackburn District Unit created this game from a suggestion in this July’s Join-in-Jamboree, to ‘Make up a card game which involves ABBA music and karaoke’. Here’s how you can bring out the secret ABBA fans in your Explorer Scouts. A simple (but rough) obstacle course was set across the hall, using equipment lying to [...]

You can run this camp-stove version of Ready, Steady, Cook! indoors or out, depending on your camp equipment. Devise four recipes (one per group) and buy enough ingredients for each dish, and enough that all your Explorers (and leaders) will eat. Forewarn at the meeting the week before that they will get dinner at Explorers!

After winning the accolade of Adventurers of the Year from a local outdoor retailer, the Blackburn District Unit is continuing to offer a youth-led programme that keeps its Explorer Scouts wanting more. Elis Matthews saw for himself at one of the Unit’s weekly meetings.