Explorer Belt Award

The Explorer Belt is the challenge of a lifetime, open to Explorer Scouts aged 16 and over and members of the Scout Network. It is a chance to take part in a ten-day expedition that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of life.

Cheshire Scouts are organising an Explorer Belt expedition due to take place in 2023. Discover what it’s all about here:

For more information or guidance, contact:

Ian Turnbull
Assistant County Commissioner
(Network)
Cheshire, UK
@CheshireScouts
ian.turnbull@cheshirescouts.org.uk

How to earn your award:

Registration
Register your intention to complete the award with The Scout Association.

Membership
Be an Explorer or Network member* aged between 16 and 25.

*Scout Network members must be registered on Compass to qualify.

Expedition
Undertake a 10-day expedition as part of a team* outside of the UK with a minimum travelling time of 50 hours over the 10 days, by foot, cycle, horse, canoe, boat or dinghy.

If aged 16–18 years old, you may only participate in an organised expedition supported by an in-country leadership team, rather than being self-led.

The use of public transport is acceptable as part of the travelling time, where opportunities to meet people would otherwise be missed.

*Minimum starting number of young people per team is three with the minimum of two per team completing the expedition.

You should cover the following areas during your preparation and expedition:

Competence
Show that you are competent in the following areas:

• Navigation skills
• Expedition cooking
• Lightweight camping
• Language
• Acceptable hosted hospitality
• Fitness
• Proficiency in mode of travel
• Teambuilding
• First Aid (covering First Response as a minimum)

Budgeting
Agree the budget before the expedition and record spending throughout the trip.

Log book
Keep a logbook of the expedition which records places visited, the route taken, project work undertaken and personal thoughts.

Projects
Complete one major project selected by the team which is undertaken throughout the expedition.
Complete at least ten minor projects which may be chosen by the team, leadership team, peers or a mixture of these.

Debrief
Take part in a debrief of the expedition with your mentor and leadership team. Ideally this should be within 24 hours of the 10th day of the expedition or within 24 hours of return to the UK.

Presentation
Make a presentation including all elements of your award to the assessment panel and other invited guests of your experiences and achievements.

Assessment
Your expedition, project work, and presentation will be assessed by an assessment panel including your mentor to determine if you have successfully achieved your Explorer Belt. Final sign off of the award is the responsibility of a Commissioner at County level or District Commissioner in Scotland, who can request Explorer Belt certificates and completion codes (for ordering belts and badges from Scout Store).