By KLTV Newsdesk –

Young people aged 14 to 18 given greater choice to shape their own Scouting experience through adventure, skills and community action

Huddersfield Scouts has launched a new Explorer Scouts brand and programme, giving young people across the town more choice, flexibility and opportunities to develop skills for life.

The refreshed programme is aimed at young people aged 14 to 18 and has been designed around the interests and needs of today’s generation, with a focus on adventure, practical skills, wellbeing, independence and making a positive contribution to their communities.

Young people take the lead

The new programme gives Explorers greater choice over the activities they take part in, combining new and familiar Activity Badges, Challenge Awards and Top Awards.

Rather than following a rigid programme, young people can shape their experience around their own interests and ambitions.

New areas of activity have also been introduced, including life skills, content creation, democracy, employability and STEM, alongside traditional Scouting activities and outdoor adventures.

Toby Hammond, County Lead Volunteer for West Yorkshire Scouts, said: “We’re really excited to be launching the new Explorer brand and programme across Huddersfield. Explorers are at an important stage in their lives, developing independence, discovering their interests and beginning to think about what comes next.

“This new programme gives young people much more opportunity to take the lead in their Scouting experience. Whether they want to learn practical life skills, develop their confidence, take on an adventurous challenge, explore STEM or simply spend time with their friends, they can make the programme their own.

“Huddersfield has a fantastic community of volunt

Supporting young people across Huddersfield

Huddersfield is represented across three West Yorkshire Scout Districts, Huddersfield North, Huddersfield South West and Huddersfield South East.

Together, the districts cover communities stretching from Outlane and Bradley across the north of the town, through the south-west towards Marsden and Newsome, and across the south-east from Kirkburton to Skelmanthorpe and Emley.

Explorer Units across these communities provide young people aged 14 to 18 with opportunities to try new activities, make friends, take on challenges and develop skills for life.

West Yorkshire Scouts describes Explorers as a group where young people can “try new things, make new friends” and take on challenges together.

A new identity for Explorers

The Huddersfield launch forms part of a wider national programme redesign by Scouts, which aims to support around 50,000 Explorer Scouts to find adventure, develop new skills and have a place where they belong.

As part of the relaunch, Scouts has introduced a refreshed Explorer identity featuring a new logo, colours, badge designs and resources.

The national relaunch took place in June 2026, with the new programme and identity now being introduced through Explorer Units across Huddersfield.

The new approach is intended to give local volunteers the flexibility to create activities that reflect the interests of their young people, helping Explorers to build confidence, discover new passions and develop skills that can support them in life beyond Scouts.