Scout Movement: Phoenix Explorers back up and running

Phoenix Explorers is back up and running!

After a gap of six months while in lockdown Billingshurst’s Phoenix Explorer unit are back with a Social Distanced programme of activities.

Explorers are a go-getting group of young people aged 14 to 18. Together, they make up the fourth section of the Scout movement. Week in, week out, they gather in groups called units to try new things, make new friends and conquer the small task of changing the world.

Being an Explorer is all about making the most of what they have. Alongside their new friends, Explorers master the skills that will make them feel stronger and happier in the long run, and try things they would never get the chance to do at home or at school.

Phoenix Explorers have been a part of the Billingshurst scouting family since 2002 and are part of a bigger district explorer provision for all 14to 18-year-olds in scouting in the Petworth and Pulborough Scout District, in an area covering Midhurst in the West, Ashington in the east, Ifold to the north and Storrington and Pulborough to the South.

Phoenix Explorers runs on Wednesday evenings and the young people get to take part in a whole host of activities from Fire lighting to hiking, quiz nights to taskmaster challenges, archery to cooking; all planned

by the young people working in partnership with the leaders. Youth-led scouting is the core of how Phoenix Explorer unit works – it’s the young people who are in charge, deciding what they do and when they do it.

We have put measures in place to ensure that our young people and leaders can continue scouting even in this difficult new world. After a period of online scouting via Zoom we are really excited to be face-toface scouting again. Even with social distancing, smaller groups sizes and handwashing; the unit can enjoy all the same activities and events they used to with slight adaptations. Phoenix Explorers is looking to grow, so if you have a young person aged 14 to 18 who wants to give Explorers a go, try a new challenge and get out and about, we are happy to have them come along and see what it is all about. Further details about what Explorer scouting is all about can be found at www.scouts.org.uk/explorers while for details about the unit please contact Matthew Pike, Phoenix Explorer Unit Leader, via email: phoenix@pandpscouts.org.uk. We look forward to new members joining us. Matthew Pike, Phoenix Explorer Unit Leader

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