Explorers also have the opportunity to be a part of The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme which develops their leadership skills and sense of responsibility, by helping to run meetings for younger sections. Each District offers Young Leader training and support for Explorer Scouts. Explorer Scouting offers International opportunities like the Explorer Belt and we offer the Duke of Edinburgh Awards alongside the Chief Scout Platinum Award, Diamond Award and the Queen’s Scout Award. With exciting prospects like being a part of camps and expeditions both home and abroad; adventurous activities such as mountaineering, parascending and off shore sailing; Explorers offers fun and adventure for all.

Explorer Units are the fourth Section of the Scouting family after Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Explorer Scouts are young people aged between 14 and 18 years old. There is flexibility in the age range; young people can join from age 13½ but cannot move to Scout Network until 18. With the support, direction and guidance of Unit leaders, Explorer Scouts are encouraged to lead themselves, design their own programme and work towards the top awards that Scouting offers.

We usually meet at The Bourne Methodist Church, The Bourne, (only a two minute walk from Southgate Circus – opposite The Priory). Southgate Methodist Church, The Bourne, London N14 6RS. We will occasionally meet at 6^th Southgate HQ, The Walker Ground, Waterfall Road, N14 7JZ… or the 14^thSouthgate’s Headquarters on Green Road, N14 4AP…. or Ashmole Academy, Trent Park, Scout… You really have to keep an eye on the programme!

… and don’t forget, you don’t have to be mad, but it helps!

The Hatters Explorer Scout Unit started in 2007, born from the remains of the Grovers Explorer Unit (originally the 22nd Southgate Explorers) by Steve Ward. The Hatters has been at the forefront of Explorer Scouting in Southgate since its birth and continues to be just that; always willing to offer help and always striving to be ambitious and to reach new heights. We are very proud of all that the Unit has achieved so far and we’re going to continue to do more and more.

The current leader team is made up of mostly ex-Hatters, a couple from further afield and a former member of the Grovers and 22nd Southgate Explorer Unit (because he is that old).

The Unit has a plan moving forward to make a difference to what we consider to be our ‘stakeholders’. These include; Scout Groups in the District, in other districts, it includes Coppett’s Wood and Scublands with which the Hatters has a long standing relationship, The Scouts of Namibia, Christ Church Southgate, The Bourne Methodist Church in Southgate and we are working to expand this list again. Our newest relationships are the charity, Living Heart Peru and the Scouts del Peru, with whom we are working to build a sustainable future for the village of Viacha. To read more on Viacha, visit the Peru 2018 page.