About the Explorer Unit
Explorers are the fourth section of the Scouting Movement.
A brief history: -
Right from the time of Baden-Powell, there have been arrangements for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section.
!n 1917 Senior Scouts were first tried out by BP for those boys aged 15 yrs who had achieved their First Class Standard.
In 1918 the Rover Scout programme was created for those over 18yrs and Senior Scouts were abandoned. Rover Scouts formed their own Rover Crews, there was no upper age limit to this section and adults who did not want to become leaders could remain as Rover Scouts.
In 1946 the Senior Scout Section was created for boys aged 15 to 18 years.
In 1967 Venture Scouts replaced both Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts following the conclusions of the 'Chief Scouts Advanced Party Report'. This new section was for initially only for boys aged 16 to 20 years of age, but in 1976 girls were also allowed to join.
In 2003 the Explorer Scout Section replaced Venture Scouting,
which was thought to no longer suit the needs of the youth of the day. Explorer
Scouts form Units which are run as a District provision rather than part of a
Scout Group. However Units can align themselves to a particular Scout Group by
means of a partnership Agreement.
The Invictus Explorer Scout Unit was formed in 2015 by 15 Scouts from 1st Holt together with one of their Leaders. As an Explorer Unit they were a District Section rather than a Section of the Scout Group but they had a 'Partnership Agreement', through which they supported the Group which in turn supported them, which was the next best thing.
The Explorer Scouts had many adventures, took part in many exciting activities and went on many camps. However, in 2019 due to falling numbers, as the original members all became 18 and went off to university, college or into employment, the Invictus Unit was suspended until such times as there are enough 14yr old Scouts to warrant reactivating it.
Today: -
The Invictus Explorer Scout Unit or ESU was re-formed and held their first meeting on 12th September 2024. It was opened to meet the needs of Scouts aged 14 - 18yrs in the Troops at Sheringham & Beeston, West Runton and Cromer Scout Groups as well as those at 1st Holt. it is truly a District provision and we are all exited to see how it progresses. many of its members are acting as Young Leaders at their home groups as well as coming together for their ESU meetings.
If you have any questions about Explorer Scouts at 1st Holt then please get in touch using the contact page.