Why the Explorers reboot is such a big moment
It’s nearly 25 years since Explorers first launched in the UK. It was a new section designed for millennials, and I was lucky to benefit as one of the first Explorer Scouts.
The world we lived in back in 2002 was very different to the one we know now: no smartphones, social media and the always-on digital world that now shapes teenage life.
That’s why this week’s relaunch of Explorer Scouts for our 50,000 14-18-year-olds is such a big moment. It’s our response to the different needs of today’s teenagers looking for a place to belong and the skills they need for life and work.
A new programme
The new Explorer Scouts programme meets these needs head on. It offers badges for Communication, S.T.E.M., (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), Leadership and Teamwork – all skills sought after by employers.
It supports young people to gain the transferable skills they need to navigate their lives, build great careers and enjoy fulfilling futures. There’s a Life Skills Badge, Personal Safety and a new Democracy Badge too, among many others. These will help them make informed choices about the way they engage with the world, especially ahead of changes that will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in general elections.
A youth shaped programme
Over 3,000 young people, volunteers and sector partners shaped the Explorers programme redesign by taking part in our discovery phase. A dedicated youth panel was embedded into the core design team. Young people were not just consulted but actively led the research, tested ideas and informed decisions. The youth panel worked with volunteers to design the programme structure and pick out badge subjects as well as writing their descriptions.
The Test & Learn pilot took place over the summer and autumn terms of 2025, reaching 116 Explorer Units. This means over 2,000 young people and nearly 200 volunteers from across the UK and British Scouting Overseas tested the programme and provided baseline, mid-point and end of pilot data.
Their input directly influenced programme changes. They identified the need for increased flexibility in some requirements, fixing gaps in some of the more practical badges and emphasising the need for structure and support in the new challenge awards. Vitally, they made sure it all didn’t feel too much like schoolwork.
A new brand for Explorers
How we present ourselves matters too. Our old Explorers brand was dated and uninspiring for young people today.
It was clear we needed a new approach for a digital world, while remaining true to our roots as a movement most at home in the outdoors.
As part of this work, we spoke with an additional 2,500 young people aged 13-17 both inside and outside Scouts, and from across our Nations. We wanted to hear their voices and get them to shape our new direction. We visited Units in person and held workshops to get first hand feedback.
Youth shaped
The result is a truly youth-shaped brand that all Explorers can feel incredibly proud of - relevant, exciting and inclusive, but which also allows for a strong element of personalisation. It was developed with our partner, Red Stone, who have huge experience developing resources for and with young people.
Explorer Scouts in 2026 is space where all young people can belong, but nobody has to fit the mould. It’s about having a go, learning, making, growing – growing in confidence, resilience and the skills they need to thrive. It’s a place for young people to feel good about themselves and the future. Where connecting means getting outdoors together as well as in online spaces.
There’s a new approach to our tone of voice – which is real, relatable, ready and reflective. How we talk as Explorers is just as important as what we say.
A new logo and visual identity
We also have a new logo and visual identity, with a new set of colours that reflect the outdoors and the time Explorers spend in nature. The logo contains a compass element (also a play on the ‘e’ of Explorers), showing how Explorers navigate natural landscapes as well as their path into the future.
However, it’s still closely linked to our main Scouts brand, for example using the same free-to-use Nunito Sans Google font family for headlines and other text. It’s designed to work seamlessly alongside our main Scouts logo and brand.
This identity can also be seen on our new badge designs, which have also been developed with young people. They feel fresher, more contemporary and are more easily understood.
Personalisation
The logo can be personalised by Units free of charge using the Scouts Brand Centre. That’s where you’ll also find our new Explorer Scout Brand Guidelines, new social media assets and flyers that can be adapted, badge artwork, an inspiring new video and photography.
At Scout Store you’ll find a range of informal clothing that can also be personalised for local Units. Note that this isn’t a new uniform, which remains the same.
Taking the time you need to make the changes
While the new programme, brand, resources and badges are being unveiled today, our new programme only goes ‘live’ at the beginning of the autumn term.
Units then have until September 2027 to adopt the changes. They should be made at a time that’s right for you and your Unit.
Importantly, we want to minimise additional costs to local Scouting, so please continue to use current badges and resources you have until they naturally come up for renewal.
What to do now
For now, please take some time to:
- Familiarise yourself with the new programme, brand, badges and other assets.
- Share our new Explorers film.
- Speak with your teams about when you might make the changes locally.
- Attend one of the ‘Discover the New Explorers Programme’ webinars. We’re running national calls which you can sign-up for or speak to your local programme lead for information on any sessions that are running locally.
Thank you
Thank you to each and every one of the young people, volunteers, staff and partners who have worked with such passion and dedication on this project. It’s truly a team effort and shows, once again, that together we can do so much.
As we celebrate 25 years of Explorers in 2027, our new programme will prepare young people for the challenges of tomorrow while helping them enjoy the fun, adventure and belonging of Explorers today.