Helping teens thrive and find a place to belong: a new programme for Explorer Scouts, shaped in Hampshire
25 June 2026
Explorer Scouts from Hampshire have been instrumental in shaping and testing the new Explorer Scout programme which launches today.
This exciting rebooted programme, the first in 25 years, is built around wellbeing, skills and adventure to make sure Explorers is ready for the needs of a new generation: Gen Alpha.
Explorers also has a fresh new look, 11 new badges to get teens trying and mastering new activities, and six new challenge awards to put the skills they learn together into practice.
The Hampshire seal of approval
For such a bold and new programme, it required lots of tweaking, testing and feedback from the most important people – the young people themselves – to make sure we got it right. Over 3,000 young people, volunteers and partners across the sector have shaped what we’re proud to launch today.
The Scouts have been busy re-designing, testing and engaging with today’s teens for years now, with Explorer units across Hampshire instrumental in trying out new activity ideas and making sure they were just right.
The new badges, which include Employability, Democracy and Content Creation, will help Explorer Scouts build everything from CVs to creating accessible digital content. They help tomorrow’s teens to discover, solve problems, create something new, get stuck into experiences, reflect together, and mobilise to take action.
Mary, aged 15 from Trident Explorers, Winchester was one of the Explorers from the 116 units that tested the new activities. She said:
“Explorer Scouts gives me a place where I feel like I really belong, which is so important. I think the new programme is really exciting because it feels much more relevant to our lives now. Things like learning how to create content or build skills for future jobs are things I actually care about. It’s also great that we still get to do loads of outdoor activities and adventures, it’s a mix of fun and learning things that will really help in the future.”
Why change?
The Explorer Scouts programme for 14–18-year-olds was developed between 2000 and 2002 — before smartphones, social media and the always-on digital world that now shapes teenage life. At the time, most young people shared a family computer (if they had one at all), and social lives were built primarily face to face.
When Explorers began, it had just 14,000 youth members – now in 2026, we have over 50,000 members across the UK for the first time. This is the largest Explorers has ever been, with young women making up 35% of its membership We have over 2,000 alone in Hampshire.
While we have been successful in growing our membership, teenagers are growing up in a very different environment to the one they experienced in 2002. Today’s world is defined by constant connectivity, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and changing expectations around skills and future careers. While this brings opportunities, it also creates new pressures around confidence, wellbeing and how young people connect with others beyond the digital world. Areas such as technology and engineering are playing a growing role in shaping future pathways, increasing the importance of STEM skills alongside creativity, resilience communication and adaptability.
And yet, despite how much has changed, some things remain constant. Teenagers still want a sense of belonging, build friendships and experience adventure. They seek opportunities for independence as much as being part of a team, and the chance to challenge themselves. As a result, there is a growing need to ensure young people are not only digitally connected, but also confident, capable and able to make sense of life – and having fun while doing it.
What happens now?
Once all the excitement from today dies down, and our Explorers are happy they’ve shown off what they’ve helped build, it’s natural many will wonder what happens now?
We’re entering a one year transition. It’s a chance to finish off any badges or awards started under the old criteria, and plan which new badges and awards you want to try first in the new term!
The new badges themselves will look different from the current Explorers badges, and will be available from September. However rest assured, the uniform itself remains the same!
What makes Explorers special?
Explorers is a space where everyone can belong, but nobody has to fit the mould. It’s about growing in confidence. Growing in resilience and the skills they need to thrive.
It’s where they can feel good about themselves and the future. Where connecting means getting outdoors, trying things, falling down and getting up again.
At Explorers there’s no pressure. Just adventures, friendships, skill development, making memories and a place to belong.
This exciting new chapter provides just that.
Head to scouts.org.uk to find your local unit, or volunteer.
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