The Stealth Explorer Scout Unit (for boys and girls aged 14 to 17) was established in March 2023 and is growing in size. The reason for opening the Unit was that local Scout Groups were retaining the Scouts (boys and girls aged 10 to 14) and there was not a local Explorer Unit for them to join. The Unit meets on a Tuesday evening at 3rd Hanworth HQ in Hampton. Activities they have recently undertaken include kayaking, laser tag, monopoly run, paddle sports, pioneering, skating, attending the Haarlam Jamborette and ready steady cook on an open fire. The Unit have a summer camp planned for Torquay.

Explorer Scout Gemma said, "Being involved in Explorers is great. We get the opportunity to plan and organise the programme and the activities we want to do. I've learnt about planning and picked up some tips about cooking. It's great to be able to do activities with friends. We get the opportunity to try activities that we can't do at school."

Andrew Griffiths, lead volunteer for the Explorer Unit said, "Young people joining the unit will be involved in a wide range of activities, have some fun, make new friends and get the opportunity to develop new skills. The young people are very much involved in planning the programme and organising some of the activities." He added, "They will learn skills that employers are looking for. These will include leadership, teamwork, problem solving, self-confidence, social skills and commitment."

In a recent survey, 94% of Scouts said they had developed skills useful to them in later life because of Scouts and in the same survey 88% said they had tried activities they haven't tried before.

Scouts provide opportunities for boys and girls and 4 to 17 and volunteers aged 18+

For further information about joining, please visit www.scouts.org.uk