How I Completed the Explorer Scout Young Leader Scheme

December 12, 2021

How I Completed the Explorer Scout Young Leaders Scheme – BSO’s Online Training and Support from the Leaders.


In June 2021, I completed the Explorer Scout Young Leader Scheme. This involved the completion of 11 training modules and 4 missions which were practical tasks I had to carry out with the Cub pack I am working with. I had started on the Scheme in November 2020, and did all but first aid which I completed separately, in the first series of online YL training sessions. These sessions ran every fortnight from February to June 2021 and were very helpful in helping me progress with the training modules and working on the Scheme, especially since completing the training would otherwise probably not have been as straightforward during the pandemic.


Although the pandemic and lockdowns limited the physical contact for a while, these challenges were overcome through online meetings and training, and I found that no obstacle can be discouraging. There will always be a way if you set your heart and mind to it.


I am also very thankful for my Explorer leaders, who encouraged all the Explorers to do the training and assist in a section and helped me to persistently work on the Scheme and become a fully qualified Young Leader. In addition, I am very grateful to the Cub leaders I have been working with for almost a year now, who are always very willing to help me with the training and made it possible for me to complete all the missions and gain more experience. I am also grateful to my family for helping, supporting and encouraging me throughout this journey.


Faith W.

1st Waterloo Explorers

Young Leader, 1st Brussels Churchill Cub Pack

Share:

By Theo Lasar • October 22, 2026
Thanks for your interest in becoming the next British Scouting Overseas (BSO) Deputy Youth Lead. This role is focused on empowering young people across our global movement, with a particular focus on driving achievement of Top Awards, empowering youth voices, and translating feedback into structured, practical support across our districts: Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Rest of the World and Lone Scouts. If you are 18–25 yrs old, bring a genuine commitment to Scouting and possess the curiosity to explore how young people want their ideas represented and implemented, this position offers a direct opportunity to support youth leadership internationally. What is the BSO Deputy Youth Lead? The BSO Deputy Youth Lead works closely with and supports the BSO Youth Lead to ensure young members across all overseas districts are meaningfully involved in decision-making and supported through their Top Award and shaping their scouting experience. In this role, you will maintain consistent contact with volunteer teams across districts, lead data informed research into award completion & membership, facilitate youth forums, and collaborate with District Youth Leads to understand local operational contexts. Through problem solving and building strong relationships, you will help identify structural and practical barriers to Top Awards and work with the according teams to address them. You will help to expand programme adaptability & growth while implementing the "place to belong" & “skills for life” strategies. Your work will help ensure that youth perspectives actively inform organisational decisions, support executive governance, and ensure Section achievements are consistently recognised across BSO and wider Scouting platforms.
By Lynne Armitage • October 19, 2026
Find out what's happening across BSO with our latest Far & Wide Magazine, with information on events and important updates.
By Jenny Nixon • September 17, 2026
Do you love camps, adventures and making things happen? Do you enjoy organising activities and events, or have a skill you’d like to share with others? If you answered yes to any of these, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for adults to join the Northern Europe Events Team and help us build a permanent support team for adventurous activities and events across the District. Whether you’re an experienced organiser, have a particular skill to share, or simply enjoy getting stuck in and helping others have great experiences, there could be a role for you. The team will support events such as: 🏕️ District camp 🌍 Jamborees ⛺ Moots đź§­ Other adventurous activities and events You don’t need to currently hold a leader role to get involved. We’re especially keen to hear from adults who would enjoy contributing in a support role, bringing their skills, experience and enthusiasm to help our Young People get the most out of their adventures. Interested in finding out more? Contact Jenny Nixon, Northern Europe Programme Team Leader. jenny.nixon@britishscoutingoverseas.org.uk (Know someone who would be perfect for this role? Share this with them!)
Show More