¶ Explorer Belt Award
¶ 🔍 Overview
Dubbed the 'award of a lifetime' by many (including myself), the Explorer Belt is among the most challenging and rewarding top awards in Scouting. It’s a 10-day international expedition where you’ll complete a series of projects and challenges while immersing yourself in the local culture.
📌 Who is it for? Explorers or Network Scouts (aged 16 to 24).
📌 What’s it about? A self-sufficient international expedition that tests leadership, resilience, and teamwork, and local languages,
📌 Why should you do it? It’s the ultimate adventure, showcasing your ability to plan, adapt, and thrive in unfamiliar environments while earning a highly respected Scouting award that is rarely achieved.
¶ ☑️ Requirements
¶ 📑 Registration
Arguably the easiest step in the entire award, complete this form here, and that's the first step complete.
If your details change, re-complete the form. It's as simple as that!
¶ 👤 Membership
You must be an Explorer Scout aged 16-17 OR Network Scout aged 18-24 at the time of the expedition. You must register using your Membership number if you are a Network Scout. If you are 15 when starting your Explorer Belt training, this is okay; it's only when you start your expedition internationally.
Not a Scout? Join today!
¶ 🥾 Expedition
¶ Competence
Show that you are competent in the following areas:
You will be allowed to use your phone during the expedition; make sure to download outdoor apps that work in the country you're visiting. NEVER use Google Maps (They can be dangerous). On my expedition, it wanted us to walk alongside an 80-90km/h road. We were still stupid enough to do that.
Tip: Use the maps (if given) because they show key points of interest. Also, you may run out of phone charge.
Use common sense and keep yourself safe. Ensure you go through shade when navigating because you can get a heat stroke if you're not careful.
If you have done your DofE, expect to use the same cookers as what you'll be issued with. The only difference is that you don't have to carry all your food (hooray for your back!). You can choose to make simple meals or complicated ones. You can expand your cooking there if you're lucky to be let into a kitchen.
Tip: Don't expect to cook for your Explorer Belt all the time; people might even cook you food as a guest of their country. Subject to the contrary, people are genuinely lovely, especially other Scouts!
Don't pack everything and anything! This is not your DofE, and it is far from it. You can make substitutes and focus on what you need rather than what you want. It's best advised to get a rucksack with the size of:
- 40L to 55L (less the better!)
Tip: Avoid using the rucksack you use for your DofE expedition! Common sizes are 65L+, and they are not suitable. In addition, NEVER use a low-quality rucksack. The last thing you want is your rucksack to break two days in
Make sure to practice packing your rucksack and weighing it whilst making changes. The less weight it'll be, the less struggle it'll be on your expedition. Your rucksack should weigh (excluding food and water and clothes you'll wear):
- 8.5kg to 12.5kg (less the better!)
Tip: Share group kit unequally based on fitness, strength and stamina. Check the weather. August and scorching heat? Why are you packing so many waterproof layers?
Refer to the DofE packing guide; you'll realise most of it is the same. I have an article here.
You can learn the language of the expedition country you visit to communicate with locals. The best thing is to learn basic phrases, such as "Thank You", which can go a long way. Duolingo to the rescue!
Tip: You will find that many people will speak English, significantly younger people. Make sure to have an offline translator app on your phone!
You will need to find a place to sleep on your expedition for every night. Depending on the country of the expedition, you may be able to camp in a forest. Make sure to clean up after yourselves and do not disturb others. Do not break any laws; always ask for permission if you can. You'll be surprised to find people who will offer you places to sleep in at no cost (i.e. Scout huts), stay together and follow your gut instincts. Too good to be true? It probably is!
Tip: Always ask, even if it feels shameful or ridiculous! Scouts love other Scouts, especially if they're international guests. Step out of your comfort zone!
You have to be reasonably fit to do the Explorer Belt. Whilst it's not about the travelling, it's an important puzzle piece in the award. Without it, you're more prone to injuring yourself. Not good! You should be walking and training beforehand, even doing two practice expeditions.
- Long-distance walks in mixed terrain
- Start exercise if needs be
- Go to the gym if you need to! Training your muscles will help on the expedition.
How are you travelling? For most of you, this will be walking; however, the Explorer Belt has many ways to travel. These are:
- Foot
- Cycling
- Horse
- Canoe
- Boat
- Dinghy
Make sure you know how to travel using these methods and avoid public transport when possible!
Note: You are allowed to use public transport up to 10% of your travel time. This must be justified, especially when you miss a chance to meet people or a project. You can't use it because your feet started hurting. Besides, not sure if a horse will fit on a bus
You'll need to do tasks together as a team. This is one of many skills that the Explorer Belt promotes. Remember, you'll be spending 10 days with them closely; there will be times when clashing may happen. It's essential to get to know everyone. Ensure everyone has an opinion and an input; otherwise, this can cause further issues. If you're interested, read MIT's definition of Bruce Tuckman's five stages of team development here!
Tip: Meet with them outside of Scouting. For example, meet at a coffee shop and stay in contact regularly. Don't go radio silent, and stay positive!
You need to get involved in group tasks; don't leave one major task to one team member. Besides, it improves your problem-solving skills.
Keep yourself safe in the expedition country because help may not be available quickly. Complete your Scout's First Response certificate (not needed if done within the last 3 years) because it may help prevent an injury from getting far worse.
Looking to get started? Hampshire Scouts offer the first part online! Check it out here
¶ Budgeting
Agree on a budget for your team, and keep to those limits. For example, your team may get 10 EUR per day per person (plenty in the expedition country we were in!). You will be given this money digitally or in cash. You may decide this for yourselves or the leadership team. Make sure to split the money in unforeseen circumstances! It'll wreak havoc if your teammate loses all the money on the second day. Keep your receipts in your logbook, and return any additional money as necessary.
Tip: If doing the digital option, I highly recommend a Monzo or Starling Bank account, which is best for FX rates. You can open an account if you're the age of 16 and over. Send the online receipts to your mentors afterwards!
The money is to be shared with your team. Don't get annoyed if someone's sandwich costs a little more! Most importantly, treat yourself when you can. By not doing this, you can have a calorie deficit, meaning you'll burn more fat and muscle. It's not good if you're walking for 10 days!
¶ Logbook
As part of your Explorer Belt journey, you may be given a logbook; it will have all the essential information you need to succeed. Logbooks cover as follows:
- Emergency information
- Basic First Aid and Guidance
- Keeping Safe
- Instructions for recall (if the expedition needs to end)
- Explorer Belt Guidance
- Logbook Guidance
- Project List
- Introductory Letter
- Day Log
- Project Log
- Route Log
- Budget Log
You will need to fill it out as each day progresses; it can take an hour to complete each day. Have a rota where each team member works on each day. Use it to write your thoughts and experiences, project work, route taken, and what you did each day.
Tip: DO NOT LOSE IT! It's important to your debrief and assessment. If it's not in the logbook, it didn't happen!
At the end of your journey, select someone responsible for scanning the logbook and making copies for the team. Resources can cost up to £50 for a team of 6. Do not take photos and send them to them; scan them using an automatic document feeder (ADF) scanner, and send them a PDF of the file. Your team will appreciate it. Nominate who will keep the original logbook.
Many print and copy shops have an ADF scanner. If not, you can buy one online. Sounds overkill? No, you're archiving a physical thing for a better future. You will look back on this.
¶ Projects
As part of your Explorer Belt expedition, you will complete one major and ten minor projects that reflect your ability to adapt, work as a team, and engage with the local community. These projects are designed to test your skills, creativity, and cultural awareness, and they’ll play a key role in your assessment. This is arguably the most difficult (depending on how you see it), as stepping out of your comfort zone is required. Make notes of what you've heard and write it in your logbook.
Your major project is selected by your Explorer Belt team beforehand and is approved by your mentor and leadership team. They help you better understand the country you're visiting, its culture and way of life. Major projects last 10-20 hours, covering a broad question about local culture. Examples include:
- How has your life changed in the last 20 years?
- What do you think of Scouting?
- How has the war in XYZ changed the country's traditions?
- What do you think of the English Language?
Major projects should be interesting and realistic to the team, mentor, and leadership team. So, there are no silly major projects (i.e., what do you think of Oasis getting back together or what's the best local beer brand?) because they won't get approved. A good rule of thumb is to spend 1-2 hours each day on it to meet the requirement.
Make sure to think small and simple. One main question is all you need.
- Think interesting - Equally interesting for all team members
- Think people - Your project is bound to be people-based or social-based. It’s not an academic exercise.
Minor projects are smaller in scale but still crucial to the overall experience of the Explorer Belt. You will complete ten minor projects, each requiring 1-2 hours of work. Five are mandatory by the leadership team/mentor, whilst you have a list of ten to choose from, but you only need to complete five. You can choose the ones that interest you all and what you can easily do. Examples include:
- Meet with a local Scouting group
- Visit a police/fire station and find out about the local crime rates
- What are the most commonly eaten foods in XYZ?
- Find five local art projects and learn about their history.
Minor projects allow you to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the culture, building relationships and gaining new skills.
Tip: Struggling to remember what people have said? Get a voice recorder and record what they say for later listening! Or use the voice memos app.
¶ 🗣️ Debrief
Emotions and feelings run high; the memories are fresh in your mind. It's time to talk about them with your mentor and a leadership team member. It may happen in the expedition country or within 24 hours of your group's return to the UK. Debriefers will often take your logbook, read it, and write questions for your team to answer. It is done together as a team and is far from short. Debriefs can last up to 2 hours on average!
Tip: DO NOT LIE! This can backfire in many ways; be honest with them. If you try to cover something up, they'll find it. Remember your Scouting values! By lying, your debriefers will question the rest of your journey.
Debriefers tend to focus on:
- Your journey
- Who you met
- What you did
- What were your struggles
- What were your funny moments
- Project work
- Problems you had to solve as a team
This is not a definitive list; debriefers ask what they want!
¶ 🎥 Presentation
Do you hate standing in front of people and talking about yourself? Tough! The Explorer Belt is a transformative journey for many, and it represents why Scouting is genuinely amazing. By talking about your award:
- It forms part of your assessment
- It helps inspire others to complete the Explorer Belt
- It promotes the positive nature of Scouting
Make it great, and bring souvenirs, postcards, sweets, and chocolate (most loved in my honest opinion) or whatever you can get in your expedition country for your presentation. You must complete this within three months of your debrief
Your presentation doesn't have a minimum or maximum time limit, but you should be able to spend 30-40 minutes explaining the content as a good rule of thumb. Make a slideshow about your experience, from preparing to the last day in the country. Include pictures, informative content, and funny facts; you'll make it out unscathed! Plan who wants to talk about what and stick to those agreed rules.
Tip: Use OneDrive or Google Drive and share access to the online slide with all your team members so they can work through them on their own time! Also, upload and share the pictures you took on your journey with your team
The best people to present the Explorer Belt is to Scouts as it helps promote stronger opportunities for Explorers, helping them decide if they want to stay.
The assessment team may be:
- Explorer Belt Mentor(s)
- Explorer Belt Leadership Team (if any)
- District/County Commissioner
This list may be different to your circumstance; however, this is the expectation. They are not there to catch you out; they are there to check to see if you have achieved the requirements of the Explorer Belt. See them as your ally instead of an enemy!
¶ 🕵️ Assessment
Your expedition, project work, and presentation will be checked against the award guidelines by the assessment panel. Your Explorer Belt mentors form this, and they check if you've successfully achieved the Explorer Belt. From my experience, this moment will be tense. This can be right after your presentation or a few days after. At this stage, no further input is required from you, as your County Lead Volunteer or District Lead Volunteer (Scotland) will process the paperwork. Consider your Explorer Belt complete! Once you receive the letter from UK Headquarters, your leader will order it for you. If not, here's the listing
If your Explorer Belt isn't approved, you will be made aware of the reasons; you can appeal if you need to. This is rare as long as you follow the rules. It will feel terrible, and it's okay to feel that way. Not everyone gets through successfully, and there's no shame in that
¶ 🧠 Lessons Learned
- It’s not about walking; it’s a deep dive into the local culture and the people you meet. You’ll experience new customs, traditions, and ways of life.
- Expect the unexpected. Weather, transport, and accommodation won’t always go as planned; you’ll learn to adapt and overcome.
- Teamwork is everything. You’ll be living, travelling, and problem-solving together for 10 days. Good communication is key.
- Budgeting is an important skill. You’ll learn to stretch every penny and find creative ways to fund your journey.
- You’ll face tough conditions, one of them not having a clean shower for weeks!
- Wash your feet every day and dry them thoroughly! You will develop athlete's foot!
- It’s life-changing. Many people say it’s the best thing they ever did in Scouting. Plus, it’ll look amazing on your CV and be a great conversation starter!