WhO Are Explorers?
According to the UK Scout website…
“Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fifth section of the Scouts.
Week in and week out, they gather in groups called Units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.”
More pragmatically, Explorers are about young people getting together to have fun, to take on new challenges and adventures and to have the opportunity to enjoy experiences that they would not get through their school and family lives.
What Do Explorers Do?
Being an Explorer is all about discovering the world on your own terms and making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.
Alongside your new friends, you’ll master the skills that will make you feel stronger and happier in the long run, and try things you’d never get the chance to do at home or at school.
Whether you’re hiking to faraway lands or building a robot in your local town hall, you’ll have the freedom to choose what you’d like to do, and work together with adults to make it happen.
Who Leads Explorers?
Each Explorer Unit is made up of young people aged 14 to 18, led by adult volunteers who are on hand to share their skills and keep everyone safe.
At Mafeking Explorer Unit we have a Team Leader, Kevin Bull with Josh Nelson and Jo Bull providing support as team members.
Kevin became the Team Leader of Mafeking Explorer Scout Unit early in 2020, just as the Covid pandemic kicked in. Venture Scouts (the predecessor to Explorer Scouts) triggered a passion for the mountains and he has climbed mountains throughout the UK, the European Alps and in Greenland. Other hobbies include paddle boarding, bushcraft and survival skills.
Josh has been involved in the Scout movement for many years and holds leadership roles in Cubs, Scouts and Explorers at Repton, as well as being Repton Scout Group Assistant Group Scout Leader. Josh is popular among the Explorers for his almost non-stop “Dad Jokes”. You have been warned!
Jo joined the Mafeking leadership team to provide assistance for both meetings, events and for the all-important background administration activities necessary in keeping the unit running smoothly.
More help is always needed! If you are over 18 and you are interested in helping out in the unit then you would be made very welcome – just get in touch!
What ages do you accept?
Boys and girls between 14 and 18 years can join Explorers.
At any given time Mafeking typically has an approximate 50:50 split between boys and girls.
Where and when do you meet?
During school terms times we meet on Monday evenings between 7:30pm and 9:00pm at “The Den”, off Mitre Drive in Repton.
How do I sign up my Son/Daughter?
Please use the contact form to reach out to us and we’ll be in touch to progress the application.
We will need a Young Person Information Form to be completed, which can be downloaded below.
When a new member joins Mafeking Explorer Scout unit we provide them and their parents or guardians with a Welcome Pack, which explains in a little more detail how the unit operates and what you can expect. The welcome pack can be downloaded below:
What are the costs?
There is a subscription fee of £40 per school term. This covers the cost of:
- Using “The Den” each week
- National and regional Scouting costs (including insurance, training provision, administration)
- Costs of equipment depreciation and replacement (camping gear, etc.).
- Costs of consumable items involved in running meetings and events.
Special events, such as camps and external activities are charged at cost. To give you an idea, a typical weekend camp will cost between £20 and £30, depending on the activities being undertaken and any external costs.
It should be noted that leaders are volunteers who freely give up their time without any form of reimbursement.
Where does the name Mafeking come from?
Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, was in command of the British forces defending the township of Mafeking during the Siege of Mafeking in 1899, during the Second Boer War. The innovative defence and deception methods that he applied during this time earned him renown and fame when the siege was eventually lifted after 217 days. Later, Baden-Powell would go on to write the book Scouting for Boys and form the Scout Movement with the objectives of developing good citizenship, decent behaviour, and skills in outdoor activities in young people.
Mafeking Explorer Scout Unit 