Relaunching Explorers for a new generation
Our new Explorer Scouts programme, launched today, will help 50,000 young people find adventure and a place to belong as well as the skills for a brighter future.
To watch in full screen, double click the video
We’re proud to reveal our revamped Explorer programme, with outdoor adventure and real-world skills at its heart, to help our teens thrive and find a place to belong.
The launch took place in Derby on 25 June, hosted by long-standing partner, Rolls-Royce, who are also sponsors of the S.T.E.M badge.
Over 3,000 young people and volunteers helped shape the refreshed programme, which reflects how teenagers live now, preparing them with the skills for life and work.
50,000 Explorer Scouts aged 14-18 can earn 40 new and updated badges to help them find their feet, build skills for work and, of course, have fun along the way.
New badges and awards
Young people were at the heart of the project, helping co-design 11 new badges and six new Challenge Awards with their futures in mind.
Available to earn from September, the new badges include Employability and Democracy, Content Creation and Life Skills – each designed to help young people build confidence, resilience and skills to carry into school, work and everyday life.
The new additions sit alongside firm favourites including Pioneering, Survival Skills, Camper and Caving.
Meanwhile, the S.T.E.M. Activity Badge (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), invites young people to discover how things work (such as car maintenance), solve challenges (like powering a campsite) and get creative with renewable energy (for example, designing a solar powered phone charger).
A new look for Explorers
A new look for Explorers is being launched at the same time, including a new logo, colours, badge designs and resources.
It’s a project everyone is extremely proud of, including Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields: ‘14-18-year-olds still want a place to belong,’ he said, ‘opportunities for independence but, most importantly, to have fun. That’s why I’m so proud to be launching the new Explorer Scouts programme.’
Dwayne adds: ‘I’m constantly in awe of Explorer Scouts’ resilience, curiosity and love of the outdoors. This new programme reflects what our Explorers have told us they want – modern skills for life, with a whole load of adventure.’
When Explorer Scouts first launched in 2002, most families shared a single desktop computer (if they had one at all), internet was a luxury and social media like Facebook and TikTok didn’t exist.
Now, in 2026, most young people have smartphones. They’re constantly connected to the internet – and the growing pressures that come with it.
In a rapidly changing world, young people face more challenges around education and future careers, and many struggle with their mental health.
New research suggests lots of young people feel less prepared for adult life. According to YouGov, 66% of teachers say young people today are less prepared for work, while 47% of those aged 18-24 agreed that they felt ready for work when they left education.
Helping young people thrive
Explorers reached more than 50,000 members for the first time this year, highlighting the need for a fresh programme that helps young people thrive.
Elie Mondah, a 15-year-old Explorer from Romford, said: ‘Explorer Scouts gives me a place where I feel like I really belong. Learning how to build skills for future jobs is something I actually care about. It’s a mix of fun and learning things that will really help in the future.’
Former Explorer Scout, Frasier Stewart, aged 18, from Staffordshire, said: ‘When I applied for an apprenticeship at a major engineering company, I gave a presentation about my King’s Scout Award and the skills I gained through Scouts. It made me stand out. Without Scouts, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or language to explain what I could do.’