Badges & Uniform
Where do I sew my badges?
Once they’ve had time to settle in to the group, Explorers get their own set of uniform to wear during meetings and on trips away. This consists of a beige shirt or blouse with their badges sewn on, which they pair with their Unit scarf.
Alongside their shirts, Explorers might wear the accompanying blue uniform trousers or skirt, or they might save their uniform bottoms to wear for special occasions like awards ceremonies and public events – choosing to wear something more casual with their shirt during the week. Optional accessories such as hats, hoodies, are also available.
About the badges
Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards
Many Explorer Scouts complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) alongside their Scouting activities. DofE is a nationally recognised award that develops confidence, independence, and teamwork.
Explorer Scouts can work towards Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Only the highest level achieved is worn on the uniform.
The Young Leaders’ Scheme
Explorer Scout Young Leaders (ESYLs) are Explorers who volunteer alongside adult leaders in a Squirrel Drey, Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or Scout Troop. They’re a valuable asset to any leadership team and play an active role in the section, bringing a range of fresh ideas to the table and acting as positive role models for the young people they work alongside.
The Explorer Scout Young Leaders’ Scheme (ESYLS) is the learning programme for Young Leaders. It contains 11 modules and 4 missions for them to work through whilst volunteering in their chosen section.
- You get the central badge when you complete Module A
- You get a mission strip for each of the 4 missions as you complete them
- When you complete the scheme, you also receive the belt buckle seen in the diagram at the top of the page
Young Leaders’ Service Award Badge
Worn on the adult uniform, this badge shows that your Young Leader experience still counts after Explorers and can be carried forward into Network and adult volunteering.
Chief Scout’s Platinum Award
This award shows you’ve really got stuck into the Explorer programme. It recognises trying new challenges, building skills, staying active, and giving your time through volunteering. Platinum is a big milestone for many Explorers and often the first step towards the highest awards in Scouting.
Chief Scout’s Diamond Award
The Diamond Award builds on Platinum and pushes you even further. It recognises longer-term commitment, greater responsibility, and bigger personal challenges. Completing Diamond shows determination and leadership – and puts you well on the way towards the King’s Scout Award.
King’s Scout Award
The King’s Scout Award is the top achievement for Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members and comprises a variety of activities to complete. It’s closely linked to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, so it’s worth considering working on the two awards together.
Explorer Belt
The Explorer Belt’s a challenge of a lifetime. It’s a chance to take part in an expedition that gives you a real understanding of a different country, its culture and way of life.
YouShape
The YouShape Award is all about having your say in Scouting. It shows you’ve taken part in shaping your programme, sharing your ideas, and helping make Scouts better for everyone. Earning this badge means your voice matters – and you’ve helped influence what happens locally, nationally, or even across the whole movement. It’s split into 4 sections: you start with the central badge, then complete the outer sections.
Special Awards
Cornwell Scout Badge
This is a rare award, only available to a young person, under the age of 25, in respect of great heroism or pre-eminently high character and devotion to duty coupled with great courage and endurance.
John ‘Jack’ Travers Cornwell was a Scout in the St. Mary’s Mission Group, Manor Park, London, who served in the Royal Navy during the war and did not leave his post, aboard HMS Chester; even when grievously wounded. Three days after the end of the battle, Jack died a national hero but for gallantry, he was given both the Victoria Cross and the highest Scouting award, the Bronze Cross. To commemorate the courage shown by Jack, the Scouts created ‘The Cornwell Scout Badge’ in his memory.
Meritorious Conduct & Gallantry awards
Meritorious Conduct
These awards are for those who have conducted themselves with a high degree of courage, endurance, initiative or dedication to the Scouts, often through difficulties, without necessarily involving any element of risk.
Gallantry
These awards are considered where an individual has put their own life at risk, whilst undertaking a meritorious act. Pictured left is the highest of these, the Bronze Cross – this is awarded for acts of bravery in the face of danger where life has been at extraordinary risk.