Explorer Belt

The Explorer Belt is a challenge of a lifetime. It's a chance to take part in a ten-day expedition that brings you a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life.

How to earn your award:

1. Registration:

You'll need to register with Scouts UK and register with the district

2. Membership:

You must either be: An Explorer Scout aged 16+, A Scout Network member, or a member of Girlguiding aged 16 to 25

3. Expedition:

Undertake a 10-day expedition as part of a team* outside the UK with a minimum travelling time of 50 hours over the 10 days, by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy.

If aged 16–18 years old, you may only participate in an organised expedition supported by an in-country leadership team, rather than being self-led.

The use of public transport is acceptable as part of the travelling time, where opportunities to meet people would otherwise be missed.

*Minimum starting number of young people per team is three with the minimum of two per team completing the expedition.

You should cover the following areas during your preparation and expedition:

1. Competence- Show that you are competent in the following areas:

• Navigation skills
• Expedition Cooking
• Lightweight Camping
• Language
• Acceptable hosted hospitality
• Fitness
• Proficiency in mode of travel
• Team building
• First Aid (covering First Response as a minimum)

   2. Budgeting- Agree the budget before the expedition and record spending throughout the trip

   3. Log Book- Keep a logbook of the expedition which records the places visited, the route taken, project work undertaken and personal thoughts

   4. Projects- Complete at least 10 minor projects which may be chosen by the team, leadership team, peers or a mixture of these. Then, complete one major project selected by the team which is undertaken throughout the expedition.

4. Debrief:

Take part in a debrief of the expedition with your mentor and leadership team.  Ideally this should be within 24 hours of the 10th day of the expedition or within 24 hours of return to the UK.

5. Presentation:

Make a presentation including all elements of your award to the assessment panel and other invited guests of your experiences and achievements.

6. Assessment:

Your expedition, project work, and presentation will be assessed by an assessment panel including your mentor to determine if you have successfully achieved your Explorer Belt. Final sign off of the award is the responsibility of a Lead Volunteer at County level, who can request Explorer Belt certificates and completion codes to then enable them to order belts and badges from Scout Store!

More Award Information:

More details on the Explorer Belt can be found on the Scout UK website, by clicking the link below.

District Explorer Belt Sign Up

A form to sign up to the Explorer Belt within our district will appear soon, watch this space!